Dear Deacon, A few days ago, I shared the great news about two
40 Days for Life locations in Iowa where Planned
Parenthood facilities closed. That makes 22 locations where 40 Days for Life
vigils have been held on the public right-of-way
outside -- and the abortion centers shut down. Praise God! Sometimes ... the abortionist just stops showing up!
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COLUMBIA, MISSOURI
-------------------------------------------------- The 40 Days for Life vigil in Columbia takes place
outside a Planned Parenthood office that has had a
hard time keeping an abortionist on the payroll. For months at a time over the past few years, this
center has been unable to offer surgical abortions
because no one would perform them. Earlier this week, the local team in Columbia
learned that for at least two weeks, there will
be no abortions at Planned Parenthood. "We're not sure what the reason is," said Kathy in
Columbia, noting that Planned Parenthood is being
very tight lipped. They are just "not scheduling
appointments in Columbia until March 27." "Please continue to join us on the sidewalk as we
thank God for His gifts to us," said Kathy.
--------------------------------------------------
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
-------------------------------------------------- Volunteers in Richmond marked the midpoint of the
40 Days for Life campaign with a candlelight vigil.
They also shared stories that they pray will have
happy endings. They watched as a car with an out-of-state license
pulled into the abortion center's parking lot. But
the two people inside never got out. They sat there
for half an hour, drove away -- and did not return. A short while later, prayer continued as another
couple walked toward the building. One of the
volunteers asked if they wanted to talk, but they
entered without stopping. Within about 20 minutes,
however, they left the abortion center, turned up
the street and walked away. Ann in Richmond said they prayed that both couples
"have a change of heart ... and chose life for their
child. Praise God for faithful witnesses who stand
and pray and who offer the love of Christ." For pictures of the vigil in Richmond, please go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2959
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ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
-------------------------------------------------- Here's an update on an item from earlier in the
campaign. The Orange County team shared the story
of Fernando, a man who rides his bicycle 10 miles
to pray at the 40 Days for Life vigil for several
hours every day. Getting to the vigil site was a
challenge because he had to stop often to fix the
bicycle. After the story got out, Fernando got some
unexpected assistance -- a repair job for the
bicycle, complete with new tires and tubes, thanks
to anonymous donors. It was a kind gesture that he
really appreciated. The Orange County prayer volunteers were also
joined by an unexpected guest -- a woman who was
on her way into Planned Parenthood. "She shared that she had an abortion in the past,
but that this time she wanted to continue with her
pregnancy," said Alejandra. "She joined the vigil
to help other women avoid getting an abortion." The volunteers offered the woman post-abortion
healing referrals. "Please pray for her as we try
to reach out to her and help her," Alejandra said.
Today's devotional is from Rev. Ben Sheldon,
president emeritus of Presbyterians for Life.
--------------------------------------------------
DAY 24 INTENTION
-------------------------------------------------- Pray that we may realize the generational impact of
abortion.
--------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
-------------------------------------------------- Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife because she was
barren; and the Lord granted his prayer and Rebekah
his wife conceived. The children struggled together within her, and she
said," If it is thus, why do I live?" So she went to
inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her, "Two nations are in your
womb, and two peoples, born of you, shall be divided;
the one shall be stronger than the other, the elder
shall serve the younger." -- Genesis 25:21-23
--------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by by Rev. Ben Sheldon
-------------------------------------------------- What an answer to prayer! Who dares to say that the unborn are not human, with
distinct personality and character right from the
moment of conception? This account emphasizes the vitality and uniqueness of
the twins who, because of Isaac's prayer for his wife,
were conceived in Rebekah's womb. When Rebekah was told by the Lord that the older would
serve the younger twin, God already knew that Jacob
and Esau would lead turbulent and conflicted lives. God knows us and knows all about us, including our
personality and disposition long before we are
actually born, indeed, from the moment we are
conceived in our mother's womb. What a tragedy of gargantuan proportions that babies,
planned and endowed by the Creator, with distinct and
unique personalities and with, perhaps, a future and
destiny intended for greatness, have their lives
snuffed out by cruel abortionists before they ever see
the light of day! May our prayers that the dreadful scourge of abortion
in our land may vanish be as fervent as Isaac's were
for Rebekah.
--------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
-------------------------------------------------- O, God, you formed us in our mother's womb and planned
a unique and special life and purpose for each of us,
and we do thank you. Grant that we may pray and work for an end to
abortion, especially in these 40 days, so that no
unborn baby you have made may fail to achieve your
divine intention for him or her because of intentional
abortion. We pray this for the sake of your Son, our Lord Jesus
Christ. Amen.
------------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
------------------------------------------------------ To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends: http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2012day24print.pdf
------------------------------------------------------ Yours for Life, Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life PS: So how has 40 Days for Life affected you and your
community these past few weeks? Please share the good
news by replying to today's blog posting at: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2959
40 Days for Life 10908 Courthouse Road
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