Pennsylvania. I was able to meet the 40 Days for Life
team in Hanover yesterday afternoon ... and this
morning, I’m looking forward to a stop at the vigil
site in Harrisburg. I'm getting flooded with great stories about the FOUR
groups impacted by a 40 Days for Life vigil: * women pondering abortion
* the people who run the abortion centers
* the people who drive by the vigils
* and all of YOU who are praying and fasting Here's a quick summary:
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MARIETTA, GEORGIA
------------------------------------------------------- "This was a first for me -- to pray aloud on a public
sidewalk," said Mike, one of the prayer volunteers in
Marietta. But with other members of the Knights of
Columbus present, "I found a peace in the unity we
share in our common prayer." He quickly saw the value of prayer in front of the
abortion center. "It brings our petitions in sharper
focus and gives greater meaning to the charitable act
of praying for others." At one point, a mother and son drove by and smiled at
them -- then turned around and came back. They told the
volunteers they didn't have time to stop, but they
would pray -- "right now!" "Please prayerfully consider coming," Mike asked, "and
joining our peaceful effort. Together, we can help
inspire a prayerful change in our community -- one or
two beating hearts at a time!" For a photo of 40 Days for Life volunteers in Marietta,
please go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2427
-------------------------------------------------------
FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA
------------------------------------------------------- About 30 people attended a 40 Days for Life event
outside the abortion center in Fort Pierce. "The next
morning," said Jim in Fort Pierce, "one of the clients
left without having an abortion." A week later, the clinic didn't open as usual. "That
rarely happens,” he said. "We attribute that to all
of the prayer and fasting during 40 Days for Life." On a normal Saturday, there would have been between
five and ten abortions. "But there were none," said
Jim. "Thank God!" To see a picture of 40 Days for Life in Fort Pierce,
please go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2427
-------------------------------------------------------
TOLEDO, OHIO
------------------------------------------------------- A young woman was on her way to the abortion center
when one of the 40 Days for Life volunteers asked to
talk to her. She doesn’t really know why this woman
agreed to talk -- but she did. The young woman said she hadn't decided on abortion --
but she hadn't ruled it out, either. She was at the
facility that day for an ultrasound. That gave the volunteer an opening. Why not go to a
pro-life center for an ultrasound instead, she asked
-- and save the money? The young woman responded, "Then what?" The volunteer answered that they would then call one
of the local Christian agencies "to discuss the options
that will save the lives of you and your baby." The woman agreed -- and called the adoption service to
set up an appointment. One of the workers in the adoptions office wrote back
to the 40 Days for Life coordinator and said, "Prayer
changes things!"
Here's today's devotional from Georgette Forney,
President of Anglicans for Life...
-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 22 INTENTION
----------------------------------------------------- May those who hold life as trivial realize that we
live because God wills it so.
-----------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
----------------------------------------------------- Who among all these does not know that the hand of
the Lord has done this, in His hand is the life of
every creature and the breath of all mankind. -- Job 12:9-10
-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Georgette Forney, Anglicans for Life
----------------------------------------------------- Job was a man acquainted with grief, trials and
tribulation. He had everything taken from him,
including his family. He endured sickness, ridicule
and judgment from his friends. Everyone gave him
advice about his situation, questioning his
spirituality and his God. Job's circumstances were bad but he never loses
faith. Why? Because "the hand of the Lord has made
all life." Created by God, he knows his life has
meaning and purpose, regardless of the circumstances. In our present culture, we've lost that basic truth;
every life is made and allowed to live by God's
sovereign authority. As people who pride ourselves on
our independence, we have a hard time acknowledging
our dependence on God. From our creation, when we were knit together in our
mother's womb to our last breath, God's word is clear
that "in His hand is the life of every creature and
the breath of all mankind." It's time for us as individuals, and as a society, to
recognize that we exist by God's grace and turn back
to Him, honoring His word and His teachings. Why?
Because our world is full of Jobs, people who are
dealing with trials and tribulations and hurting
desperately. Job's response should be ours as well. Regardless of
what we face (even an unplanned pregnancy) God in His
wisdom and mercy will redeem it. How do I know? Job's friends who doubted God's
sovereignty cry out to God asking for help, God
instructs Job to pray for his friends and after he
does, God restores all that Job had lost. In other words, because Job never lost faith and knew
and trusted His Creator, the Lord blessed Job.
-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
----------------------------------------------------- Thank you Father God for being the Creator of my life
and every life. Please give me, and the society in
which I live, an appreciation for your gift of life.
Please help us set aside our pride and acknowledge
that we need you. Show me how I can honor you today in response to all
the blessings you bestow so freely. In the name of
Jesus, Amen.
-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
----------------------------------------------------- To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends: http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2011day22print.pdf ----------------------------------------------------- For Life, Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life PS: Please share the good news about 40 Days for Life
in your community! You may leave a comment at
today's blog entry at: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2427 40 Days for Life 10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US
