have helped generate a spirit of Christian unity ...
and media coverage, too! Here are two great examples, including one from a
first-time campaign in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
----------------------------------------
JACKSONVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
---------------------------------------- The first 40 Days for Life campaign in Jacksonville,
North Carolina is already attracting a lot of attention
from pro-lifers, from the abortion center’s owner,
from the police chief -- and the media. Local coordinator Elizabeth DeLong was quite clear in
her message that 40 Days for Life is a prayer vigil.
"We will be praying for Dr. Crist (the facility's owner)
and for his patients," she told reporters. "This will
be peaceful." The owner went on camera with a litany of pro-abortion
talking points, insisting that abortion is necessary in
cases of rape, incest and fetal deformity ... and also
insisting that his business is "not an abortion clinic"
because that's only a small part of what he does. "It is an abortion clinic," Elizabeth responded. "They
do abortions there. We're here to bring healing to our
city. We're there to pray. We're there to love the clients." The owner retorted, "They're not going to turn anybody
around." Let's all pray that women in Jacksonville --
and everywhere -- DO choose life for their children. For a look at news coverage of the Jacksonville
campaign from WITN-TV, please go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2698
----------------------------------------
BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT
---------------------------------------- Leaders of several faith communities got together to
begin the 40 Days for Life campaign in Bridgeport,
first gathering at a local church and then walking
to the abortion center, where the campaign vigil will
be conducted, for additional prayers and blessings. Bishop William Lori of the Bridgeport Catholic diocese,
Rev. Christopher Leighton of St. Paul Episcopal Church
and Pastor Hector Muniz of Lighthouse Church all
provided moving words as more than 200 gathered to
launch the spring campaign. "Through our concerted efforts," said Christine in
Bridgeport, "we are praying that this will be another
clinic to close down during the 40 Days for Life." To see photos from the Bridgeport campaign, please go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2698
----------------------------------------
SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST
---------------------------------------- I'm not able to tell you where this is happening, but
please keep these people in your prayers. Volunteers have given some abortion facility workers
copies of the book "Unplanned" -- Abby Johnson's story
of how she witnessed an ultrasound abortion ... and
quit her job as director of the Planned Parenthood
abortion center in College Station, Texas. It appears that several of these employees have read
the book -- and have taken its message to heart. Some have quit their jobs! More are thinking about it.
So please pray that those who have left the abortion
business may find new employment, and that others will
find the courage to follow them out the door.
Today's devotional is from Rev. John Ensor of
Heartbeat International.
------------------------------------------------------
DAY 3 INTENTION
------------------------------------------------------ Pray for your local pregnancy help center: for those
who answer calls from women considering abortion, those
who provide ultrasounds, and those who personally help
mothers prepare to parent or place for adoption.
------------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
------------------------------------------------------ Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the
hand of the wicked. --Psalm 82:4
------------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Rev. John Ensor, Heartbeat International
------------------------------------------------------ When a woman arrives at her local pregnancy help center,
the hard work of "rescuing the weak" begins. They listen to her. What desperate circumstance is
driving her? They act. A professional ultrasound and medical care
is provided. They pray, "God use us." Then, they take up her burdens
and work towards life. It is cross-bearing for the child-bearing. Recently, I prayed for one volunteer who was working
with one mother in her struggle. Here is what "rescue
the weak" looked like in this one case: • Aug 3: She made an appoint-ment for Thursday to get
an abortion and while she feels terrible about it,
she also feels like she has no choice. Pray that her
heart is changed! • Aug 10: She is 12 weeks along but missed her
appointment. She had some good conversations with
people at the pregnancy center. She is now considering
adoption. • Aug 13: Things are down again. She now has an
abortion scheduled for Monday. Pray! • Aug 17: Missed appointment! God is working in her life. • Sept 1: We've hit another rocky period. She has an
abortion scheduled for tomorrow. She found out today
that her parents are planning a trip to visit her
and she is panicking. • Sept 15: Missed third appointment. But feels like
she has no choice. Please pray today. • Sept 20: She fears her parents but has agreed to
another ultrasound (a breakthrough). • Sept 22: I was there with her for her ultrasound.
She saw her baby moving and made the realization
that she wants to carry her baby. Please keep praying against attack by the enemy. We
are overwhelmed by seeing God's hand move in this
situation and are so very thankful for the prayers
lifted up by each one of you. God is good!
------------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
------------------------------------------------------ Father, we praise you for this one sister who gave
herself, heart and soul, to rescue this one mother
and baby. O may you empower the hundreds more today
who are serving in our pregnancy help centers. Grant
those answering calls, providing ultrasound and
following up with a bold spirit of truth, love and
perseverance.
------------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
------------------------------------------------------ To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends: http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2012day03print.pdf
------------------------------------------------------ Yours for Life, Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
PS: Have a story to share of how you've seen God
working through 40 Days for Life? Post a reply
at the bottom of today's blog post at: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2698
40 Days for Life 10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US
