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little in common. But this fall, the simple campaign of prayer and fasting
that started in Texas is having a profound impact in
Spain -- and in other nations around the world. The international expansion of 40 Days for Life was
unexpected. But it is now one of the many blessings
God has given to indicate that abortion is a crisis
wherever it takes place. We have multiple campaign locations in both Spain and
Canada this fall. Here's a story from each country.
-------------------------------------------------------
MADRID, SPAIN
------------------------------------------------------- On one of the early days of the campaign, a man
approached the 40 Days for Life vigil in Madrid and
read the sign one person was holding: "Pray for an
end to abortion." He stared for a moment, then unleashed a tirade of rude
words and gestures -- and passersby reacted by laughing.
The vigil participants just kept praying -- and the man
kept hurling insults. It appeared he had been drinking for some time. He was
carrying a beer -- which he tried to pour on the
volunteers. They responded by praying for protection
from evil. At that point, things changed. Another man came along
and told the guy with the beer to move along. Instead,
he broke the beer bottle against the ground. The plaza
then cleared out, leaving only the vigil participants
and the man who had stepped in to help. They had witnessed spiritual warfare -- but God had come
to their rescue. Two weeks later, the man with the beer bottle was
spotted again -- sober and well-dressed, this time. He
was seen in church -- on his knees ... and in tears. "This strikes us as quite noteworthy," said Frank
in Madrid. To see photos of the Madrid vigil, please go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2465 [Link seems to be broken]
-------------------------------------------------------
FREDERICTON, NEW BRUNSWICK
------------------------------------------------------- A woman passed the 40 Days for Life volunteers in
Fredericton and called out to them. "My husband made
me have an abortion," she said. "It's never over." To make sure she was heard, she came closer and repeated
herself. The volunteers then began to pray for her. A little while later, a young man approached. He had
just received a text message from his wife announcing
she'd had an abortion. He did not want the abortion. His wife apparently felt
she couldn't handle a fourth child. They were supposed
to discuss it further. He was shocked by the news. The mother said the pregnancy had been terminated at
seven weeks. The volunteers carried an image of a baby
at eight weeks. He was very much moved. He said, "I
knew we shouldn't do it." In her text message his wife had mentioned that said
she had been assured her it was "just a bunch of cells." "How unconscionable," said Peter in Fredericton. "How
could anyone who cares about women lie about anything
so fundamental?" The volunteers and this distraught young dad had a
prolonged conversation. They told him about the help
available for post-abortion counseling. The young
dad and volunteers parted with hugs. "God bless you,"
he said. "Our 40 Days for Life volunteers were exactly in the
right place at the right time, both for the hurting
mom and the young dad," Peter said. "It was divine
providence -- the grace of 40 Days for Life at work.
Praise God!"
Here's today's devotional from Rev. Ben Sheldon,
President Emeritus of Presbyterians Pro-life and
National Pro-life Religious Council...
-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 28 INTENTION
----------------------------------------------------- We pray for the conversion of abortionists and all
abortion advocates.
-----------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
----------------------------------------------------- "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the
evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do
evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the
oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the
widow." -- Isaiah 1:16-17
-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Rev. Ben Sheldon
----------------------------------------------------- God is just. Inscribed around the inside of the Jefferson Memorial
in Washington, DC, are the immortal words of Thomas
Jefferson: "I tremble for my country when I reflect
that God is just." If the deist, Jefferson, knew in the depths of his
being that God is just, how much more ought we
Christians to reflect on this profound truth? The justice of God, like his holiness and his purity,
encourages us to seek justice for all people. It is
the evil deeds and wrong, selfish attitudes of our
modern society that have led to the cavalier
acceptance of abortion and euthanasia. But, as Jefferson also said, "his justice will not
sleep forever." God is calling us today to seek justice, to encourage
the oppressed, and to defend the orphans and widows
of our society. It is a noble calling! It is one which every true
believer, every God-fearing man and woman, should
heed with no hesitation and no reluctance. To follow the God of justice and truth is to stand
unequivocally for the right to life of everyone,
especially the unborn, the physically disabled, and
the terminally ill. God's word through the prophet Isaiah is as relevant
in today's 21st century world as it was in Isaiah's
8th century BC world. May God's grace help us to
defend the unborn's right to life as well as that of
the already born.
-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
----------------------------------------------------- O God, our heavenly Father, give us courage and
wisdom as we seek to eradicate the evil in our
society. Help us to realize that your divine Spirit
alone can change hearts and minds so that all your
human creatures may enjoy the fullness of life you
intended for them. I pray this prayer in the name of
Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, Amen.
-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
----------------------------------------------------- To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends: http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2011day28print.pdf -----------------------------------------------------
Yours for Life, Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life PS: What's new with 40 Days for Life where you live?
Please share your stories on today's blog post: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2465 40 Days for Life 10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US
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