Dear Deacon, As this 40 Days for Life campaign continues, one
thing is clear -- prayer outside the abortion center
touches consciences. Sometimes, the reaction is anger. Sometimes,
it's tears. The peaceful prayer presence disrupts the comfort
that the abortion industry depends on in order to
survive in a community. Your prayers and presence give hope to the women
entering the facility, call passers-by to action
and remind the workers in that facility of the evil
reality of their work. More than anything else, it shows that people DO
understand what abortion is all about -- even if they
don't always want to admit it. But they know.
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McALLEN, TEXAS
------------------------------------------------------- Nancy in McAllen, Texas has seen first hand that the
40 Days for Life vigil is having an impact. There's a
big, new sign over the abortion center’s door: "Good women have abortions." (There's a similar sign at this abortion chain's
location in Beaumont, Texas -- which is also a 40 Days
for Life vigil site.) "What's up with that?" Nancy asked. "No one -- at any
time -- has said anything or held any sign up that
said women are bad." So they continue to pray -- that women will make
good decisions. And it’s working! A woman pulled up to the traffic light at the
corner and rolled down her window. "You saved my
grandbaby!" she called out. "Thank you!" About two weeks ago, a volunteer spoke with her
daughter and shared pro-life information. "She
decided to keep her baby," said the woman in the car.
"Thank you for being there!" "And THAT," said Nancy, "is why we are here." To see pictures from the 40 Days for Life vigil in
McAllen, please go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2418
-------------------------------------------------------
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA
------------------------------------------------------- A woman approached the vigil participants in Winnipeg.
She said she wanted to talk. "I saw the immense pain,
hurt and shame that she was carrying," said one of the
volunteers. All of a sudden, the woman broke into tears and said,
"I had an abortion and it's killing me inside ... it
haunts me every day. I know what I did was so wrong.
I just didn't know what else to do." "Tears were now pouring down her face and I felt
compelled to extend my hand to comfort her. That's
when she just gave me the biggest hug as she cried on
my shoulders," said the 40 Days for Life volunteer. The woman was offered information about Rachel's
Vineyard retreats for healing after abortion -- and
the vigil participants promised to pray for her and
her child. "You have no idea how brave and courageous you are,"
the woman responded. "To stand here and offer help
and love is the most courageous thing anyone can do." As for the volunteers, they realized they'd been
blessed -- that they were present when this woman
began to set herself free from guilt and take her
first steps toward healing and freedom. "It affirmed that our presence there is much needed,"
said the prayer team member, "and that God will use
every single person in the most powerful of ways." She felt honored to be part of that woman's life. "I ask you all to pray for this woman," she said, "as
well for all the other women who are living lives of
quiet desperation and shame."
Here's today's devotional from Carmen Pate, a member
of the 40 Days for Life board of directors.
-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 21 INTENTION
----------------------------------------------------- Pray that we each will daily put on the full armor of
God, so that we are strong in the Lord and the power
of His might.
-----------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
----------------------------------------------------- For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers, against the
rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual
hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you
may be able to withstand in the evil day and having
done all, to stand. - Ephesians 6:12-13
-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life
----------------------------------------------------- I am confounded to see how the battle over the issue
of life is perceived more often in churches today as
political rather than spiritual. Ironically, the
enemy has used this twisted perception to silence
many in the body of Christ. We must see the battle for what it is and if we are
to be prepared to face the spiritual enemy on the
issue of abortion, we must daily "put on" the armor
God has given us: Gird your waist with Truth (vs. 14) -- Commit your
emotions to believe truth and to speak truth,
regardless of the repercussions. Put on the breastplate of Righteousness (vs. 14) -It
will protect our hearts -- the innermost springs of
our beings -- from all unrighteousness so evident in
this fallen world. Shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of
Peace. (vs. 15) -- Preparation is vital if we are to
be effective in God's work. Taking the shield of faith (vs.16) -- The Accuser
will instill doubt, fear, and guilt. Faith acts as
an invisible shield that deflects such false
accusations. Taking the Helmet of salvation (vs.17) -- A helmet
protects the head, the brain and in turn our mind and
thoughts. Satan hopes we will set aside divine
revelation for human reasoning. Taking the sword of the Spirit (vs.17) -- The Word of
God, the only offensive weapon in this armor, was
used by the Lord Jesus against Satan. The living Word
is powerful and effective. Our armor is complete. We are ready to wage war, and
the next verse tells us how, "Praying always with all
prayer and supplication in the spirit." (vs.18)
-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
----------------------------------------------------- Dear Lord, as you lead us into the spiritual battle
of abortion may we be reminded that the battle is
truly Yours. We thank you for equipping us with Your
armor. Lead us daily to put it on! Thank you for allowing us to serve under your
command, and for hearing our requests for direction
and protection. Thank you for the victory that is
ours because of Your Son, Jesus, Amen.
-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
----------------------------------------------------- To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends: http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2011day21print.pdf ----------------------------------------------------- For Life, Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life PS: Please keep the stories coming! If something
great is happening with your 40 Days for Life
campaign, please leave a comment on today's
blog posting at: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2418
40 Days for Life 10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US
