Dear Deacon, When I was 19 years old, I heard five courageous women
give testimonies about how their abortions hurt them. Their testimonies had a HUGE impact on me then -- and
they still do today. Abortion brings emotional and spiritual suffering that
can last for years -- decades, even. Through 40 Days
for Life campaigns, we are hearing about many people
who are seeking Christ's healing after abortion.
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LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA
------------------------------------------------------- "She was a beautiful woman with large dark eyes that
spoke of deep hurt," Abigail said, of the woman who
approached her at the 40 Days for Life vigil. "She
had been forced to have an abortion and, though it
was more than 20 years ago, she had never received
help or healing for the pain and void it left in her
heart and body." Abigail assured her that in Christ, she could find
peace. "It's beautiful to watch a woman take the
first step to healing by breaking the silence and
shame of abortion and asking for help," she said.
"Praise God!" But that's not the whole story. The woman told Abigail
that she had become pregnant again and was being
coerced into a second abortion. "But she knew she
couldn't go through with it." She pointed to a young man and said, "That is my son"
-- the child she did not abort. With him was his infant
daughter -- her grandchild, who would have never been
born if she’d had the second abortion. "God continues to meet both the physical and spiritual
needs of His people," Abigail said. "This is what HE
is doing in YOU when you sign up for a prayer slot!"
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HOUSTON, TEXAS
------------------------------------------------------- A volunteer tells of a man who went to pray at the
40 Days for Life vigil. He shared a story with this volunteer about something
that had happened in his life many years ago. His
girlfriend had become pregnant -- and he'd paid for
the abortion. "He had kept his secret for years -- until this very
day, when God called him to pray," the volunteer said.
The man prayed at the vigil for several hours. "Thanks be to God for the mercy and love he shows us
through his forgiveness," the volunteer said. "The
grief this man poured out from his soul will always
be in my heart."
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HAYWARD, CALIFORNIA
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who was leaving Planned Parenthood. Her hands were
shaking, but she took it, asking what it was. When the volunteer explained it's what a baby's feet
look like at 10 weeks into pregnancy, the woman began
to cry. She has five children, she explained. But she'd also
had an abortion and still suffers emotionally. Yet
here she was at Planned Parenthood, pondering another
abortion. Volunteers went into action. One offered information
about pro-life pregnancy and post-abortion resources,
while another assured the woman that choosing life for
her baby was God's will. "Later that day, she arrived at the pregnancy resource
center and got the help she needed," said Lori in
Hayward. "We are humbled by the many blessings God has
given us this day. We pray God will continue to give us
the grace to accomplish all He expects of us."
Today's devotional is from Carmen Pate, a member of
the 40 Days for Life board of directors.
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DAY 15 INTENTION
------------------------------------------------------ Pray that we will not become defeated by the enemy's
attacks but rather call on the name of the Lord who is
on our side and our help in time of trouble.
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SCRIPTURE
------------------------------------------------------ What if the Lord had not been on our side when people
attacked us? They would have swallowed us alive in
their burning anger. Praise the Lord, who did not let their teeth tear us
apart! Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and
earth. -- Psalm 124:2,3,6,8
------------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life
------------------------------------------------------ The enemy attacks in many ways, but one of his
favorites is to slander us with hopes of tarnishing
our reputation and character, and ultimately to defeat
our good work for the Lord. It is interesting to note however that it is usually
not the slander that causes harm to our testimony, but
our response to the slander. Proverbs 24:10 says, "If you faint in the day of
adversity your strength is small." If we are applying God's truths to our lives moment by
moment, we are not swayed by the lies of the enemy and
we will be strong. Standing on the front lines, armed
with God's truth, places you in the battlefield for
the mind. As you are prepared to present words of love, for the
sake of the unborn and for the distraught and confused
women and men who are entering the abortion
facilities, know that the enemy has prepared his
forces to attack your mind. Unkind words from a protester, or vicious lies in the
local paper about who you are and what your mission
is, can indeed be hurtful. But rather than give in to defeat, that is the time to
shine for the Lord, standing firm, as you call on Him
to defeat the enemy. Remember the words of Romans 8:31, "If God is for us,
who can be against us?" Let's stand strong for those
who need us most.
------------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
------------------------------------------------------ Dear Lord, help us to ignore the verbal attacks of the
enemy and instead turn to You, our refuge and
strength. Help us to find shelter in the blessed promises and
provisions of Your Word. Thank you that no enemy can defeat us, and we praise
You knowing that nothing can separate us from Your
love. In the name of Jesus, we come to You, Amen.
------------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
------------------------------------------------------ To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends: http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2012day15print.pdf
------------------------------------------------------ Yours for Life, Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
PS: Please share the good news! Stories about your own
40 Days for Life experiences are always welcome. You
may post a response to today's blog entry at: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2855
40 Days for Life 10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US
