For me, it's time for another road trip -- and it's
a busy one. I'm stopping in Allentown, Pennsylvania this morning to
meet, pray and speak at a 40 Days for Life event in
front of the abortion facility there. Tomorrow, I head west and Friday it's north -- WAY north
-- to Calgary, Alberta. As we head into the final quarter of the campaign, I
want to challenge you to go to a 40 Days for Life vigil
(if you haven’t already). Nervous? A little scared? Well ... just go for it! Everyone who overcomes the natural fear of doing this
for the first time finds out one thing that works at
an abortion facility -- PRAYER! Here's what I mean.
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FLINT, MICHIGAN
------------------------------------------------------- Last Saturday, a group had arranged for about 40 people
from seven different churches to pray at the 40 Days
for Life vigil in Flint. It figured to be a busy day. "On a normal Saturday,
there are about 5-12 clients who enter the clinic,"
explained Tina in Flint. They're ALWAYS open on Saturday. "This clinic has been
open on Mother's Day weekend," she said, "and even on
Christmas Eve one year when it fell on a Saturday." But last Saturday, when these 40 people showed up at
7 in the morning to pray outside the abortion center,
there was a sign on the door: CLINIC CLOSED FOR THE DAY. "We rejoiced and prayed together for about an hour and
a half," Tina said. "We are not sure of the reason for
the closure ... but we are grateful." To see a photo of the prayer group in Flint, go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2470
-------------------------------------------------------
PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY
------------------------------------------------------- The 40 Days for Life group in Plainfield is praying
near an abortion facility located in an office building. "Most people don't know that there's an abortion
facility there," said Katie in Plainfield. "It's a
block away from the high school, and there is also
a pediatrician's office located there." For instance, a man stopped by who was surprised to see
the vigil. "He was shocked to learn that abortions were
done in the building," said Katie. However, the man was
quick to tell her that sometimes abortions are
necessary, as in the case of Down syndrome. "I explained to him that my uncle had Downs, and that
he was a blessing to our family," she said. The man then drove away, warning Katie to be careful,
as he said Plainfield is a violent town -- killings
happen there. As Katie stood and prayed outside the abortion center,
she thought to herself, "They certainly do."
-------------------------------------------------------
NAPA, CALIFORNIA
------------------------------------------------------- Some 300 people attended a midpoint event for the
40 Days for Life campaign at a church in Napa.
Afterward, about 60 of them walked about a mile to
the Planned Parenthood facility. "Their candles could be seen swaying and their songs
and prayers heard blocks away," said Margie in Napa.
"It was a wondrous sight. Once at the clinic, prayer
and song continued in Spanish and English." They were joined by a baby -- a child saved from
abortion during a previous 40 Days for Life campaign
in Fairfield, California. "It was just the perk we needed to carry us to the
end of a successful campaign," said Margie. To see pictures of the procession in Napa, go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2470
Here's today's devotional from Carmen Pate, a member
of the 40 Days for Life board of directors.
-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 29 INTENTION
----------------------------------------------------- Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing
over the transgressions of the remnant of His
heritage? He does not retain His anger forever,
because He delights in mercy. He will again have
compassion on us; and will subdue our iniquities.
-----------------------------------------------------
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." -- Micah 7:18-19
-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life
----------------------------------------------------- Micah had been sent to declare God's judgment and
call the people of Judah to repentance. The people
had become spiritually and ethically corrupt. Prosperity had hardened the rich, the poor were
oppressed and the heirs to David's throne were
practicing abominations and idolatry. Is it not easy to see the parallels of God's people
in Micah's day and God's people today in America? Through Micah, God corrected His people by demanding
justice, not burnt offerings and sacrifice. He told
them to love mercy, and to walk humbly with their
God. In speaking of Old Testament stories of God's people
turning from God to sin and idolatry, Paul wrote in 1
Corinthians 10: 11, "Now all these things happened to
them as examples, and they were written for our
admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have
come." Many biblical scholars believe God has removed His
hedge of protection around our nation in response to
our sins of immorality and abortion. Let us cry out
in repentance for His mercy once again. And may we
honor His faithfulness by doing justly, loving mercy,
and walking humbly with our God.
-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
----------------------------------------------------- Heavenly Father, eternal, changeless, and faithful
Lord, we recognize that we are in need of forgiveness
as a nation, for turning our hearts away from you.
Hear our prayer of repentance Lord and cleanse us
from all unrighteousness. We praise you for your
tender mercies and your compassion that never fails. Lord, it is only by Your grace that we can live lives
that are just, and merciful. May Your Holy Spirit
enable us to walk humbly in Your presence and may You
be pleased to restore America so that a generation
not yet born may praise you. In the name of Christ
Jesus, who has done great things for us, Amen.
-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
----------------------------------------------------- To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends: http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2011day29print.pdf ----------------------------------------------------- For Life, Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life PS: Are you a first-time participant in 40 Days for
Life? If so, I'd love to hear about what you've
experienced. Please leave a comment on today's
blog posting at: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2470 40 Days for Life 10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US
