Dear Deacon,
40 Days for Life is about being a light in the darkness.
Today is the first Lord's Day of the campaign so let's
pray we can continue to shine the light of Christ into
the areas of our communities that need it most -- the
places where innocent lives are lost every week.
What do Flint, Montreal, Quebec and London all have
in common? They are all praying to end abortion at
those dark places in their communities. Take a look!
------------------------------
FLINT, MICHIGAN
-------------------------------------------------------
From time to time, we talk about the fact that many
people don't realize there's an abortion facility in
their community. That's probably the case in Flint.
Joe went to pray at the abortion center for the first
time as part of the current 40 Days for Life campaign.
"I wondered if I had the right place," he said. "The
address was correct, but there was no other indication
that this was the place."
So he got a bit closer to the building, and could then
see that this was indeed the vigil location. "I could
see the words 'Women's Health Clinic' on the second
door just inside the first. Doesn't seem like they
are real proud of the work they do there."
This is one of the reasons the prayer vigil is so
important. The women with appointments and the abortion
center staff certainly need our prayers. But people
passing by also need to know what is going on -- often
in secret -- right in their own home towns.
Joe took a picture of the poorly-marked entrance. To
see it, please go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2285
------------------------------
MONTREAL AND QUEBEC, QUEBEC
-------------------------------------------------------
40 Days for Life is in 15 cities in Canada this fall --
the most ever -- from coast to coast. Two of the
locations are in the province of Quebec, where French
is the primary language in most areas. This is the
sixth 40 Days for Life campaigns for Montreal, but the
first for the province's capital city of Quebec.
The teams In Montreal and Quebec City have produced a
video to promote their efforts -- with an English
version and a French version. They both show the spirit
of 40 Days for Life -- in English, "pray for an end to
abortion," and in French, "prions pour la fin de
l’avortement."
To see the video preview of the two Quebec campaigns,
please go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2285
------------------------------
LONDON, ENGLAND
-------------------------------------------------------
Robert in London reports 40 Days for Life apparently
touched a nerve with a young woman on a bicycle. The
London campaign is taking place in Bedford Square -- an
area he described as "genteel."
For a brief period at lunchtime, however, that genteel
atmosphere vanished.
The woman repeatedly drove her bike into the 40 Days
for Life banners and boxes, Robert said, "overturning
them whilst shouting in a hysterically high-pitched
voice, 'You are disgusting! Shame on you!' All
attempts to calm her down were futile and she drove
off in a rage."
Robert said he was reminded of the line attributed to
Ghandi: "First they ignore you. Then they laugh at
you. Then they fight you. Then you win."
Here's today's devotional from Rev. Ben Sheldon,
president emeritus of Presbyterians Pro-Life...
------------------------------
DAY 5 INTENTION
-----------------------------------------------------
May the truth of the final judgment shape our
thoughts, priorities, and choices here on earth.
------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
-----------------------------------------------------
The King will answer and say to them, "Assuredly, I
say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the
least of these my brethren, you did it to me."
-- Matthew 25:31-46
------------------------------
REFLECTION by Rev. Ben Sheldon
-----------------------------------------------------
Caring for others is not optional.
Jesus' picture of the final judgment concludes with
this sobering word: the wicked, who failed to care
for others in their various needs (e.g., the hungry,
the thirsty, the aliens, the naked, the sick, the
imprisoned) will go away into everlasting punishment,
but the righteous who did seek to meet those needs
will end up with him, enjoying eternal life.
We know that this was no parable! Jesus has given us
fair warning! Everything in God's Word points to the
truth that compassionate concern and practical care
for all people, especially for the poor, the
destitute, the weak and needy is required of us, if
indeed we hope to escape the punishment of the fire
of hell.
And who are the poor and needy, if not helpless,
unborn babies, as well as the aged and infirm at the
other end of life? Surely the "least of these"
embraces not only those at both ends of the continuum
of life, but all others in between.
Just how we, as Christ's true followers, respond to
his admonition "inasmuch as you did it to the least
of these, you did it to me" will determine whether we
enjoy eternal bliss in his presence or the bleak and
dreadful reality of eternal punishment in hell.
Nothing in God's Word could be clearer!
------------------------------
PRAYER
-----------------------------------------------------
Gracious and merciful Father, we gladly embrace your
Word that counsels us to care for the least of your
children, and we renew our dedication to defending
the unborn and all whose right to life is compromised
by our godless society's selfish lack of concern.
Free us from our own failures and sins so that we
will be truly pro-life in every area of our lives.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
-----------------------------------------------------
To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2011day05print.pdf
------------------------------
Deacon, have a blessed Sunday!
For Life,
Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
PS: What's happening with YOUR 40 Days for Life
campaign? Please let me know by leaving a
comment on today's blog posting at: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2285
40 Days for Life
10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US
