many people are traveling far -- really far -- to pray
at the peaceful vigil. But for so many dedicated
faithful the need is great, the urgency is high ... and
the journey is but a small obstacle. This first story comes from Canada, where some people
are really going the extra mile -- well, kilometer. For
these volunteers, the trip from home to the vigil site
takes upwards of FOUR hours! As we enter the home stretch of this campaign, be
encouraged by these efforts and challenge yourself
before this campaign ends -- it may help save a life!
------------------------------------------------------
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA
------------------------------------------------------ "The prayer vigil in Vancouver, BC is really taking
off," said Peter, the local coordinator. "We've had
groups coming out all the way from Powell River --
that's over 170 km away (about 105 miles) and you need
two ferries to get here. And they're coming out again!” Students from Christ the King Seminary in Mission,
British Columbia came to pray on a rainy day and
stayed for four hours. A Benedictine priest also
brought students from another seminary that same day. Peter also said a visit from Canadian Martyrs Catholic
Church was reported by a prominent Chinese language
newspaper, the Sing Tao Daily. He provided a translation of the article, part of
which noted that the volunteers "braved the cold
weather to participate in the 40 Days for Life prayer
campaign outside the BC Women’s Hospital, catching
the attention of passing drivers and earning honks
in support." To see photos of the Vancouver vigil -- and an image
from the Chinese language newspaper's online report --
please go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3036
------------------------------------------------------
SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN
------------------------------------------------------ Patricia writes that it was a very quiet morning at
the 40 Days for Life vigil in Southfield. Only staff
cars were in the abortion center's parking lot when a
taxi quickly pulled up into the driveway. She found it curious that the car stopped near the
street and didn't go all the way into the lot. But
it soon became clear what was happening -- the taxi
driver had just stopped to pray. "He got out of his door looked at the building for
about a minute, blessed himself and turned to look at
us. We waved. He waved back," Patricia said. The driver then walked over to the vigil participants
and said, "What they do in this place is very bad.
I can't stay because I am working." "We had a little discussion with him sharing some
personal things," she said. His final comment was
about the gift and blessing of fertility. "You should
not kill someone because you are healthy."
------------------------------------------------------
CLEVELAND, OHIO
------------------------------------------------------ Marge in Cleveland shared the story of a young woman
who approached the abortion facility in Cleveland where
a 40 Days for Life vigil is in progress. She stopped to
talk to the people praying, telling them she was
pregnant and was there to have an abortion. "I told her there were many places she could receive
help," said Marge. "She was struggling because she
already had a 4-month-old child." She quickly accepted
a list of places where she and her children could find
assistance. "She went back and sat in her car for some time,"
Marge said. "All the while, I prayed for her that God
would change her mind." After a time, she started the car, headed towards the
exit -- and gave Marge a great big smile as she said
she had decided not to have the abortion. "A saved
baby!" Marge said. "All the glory to God!"
Today's devotional is from Carmen Pate, a member of
the 40 Days for Life board of directors.
------------------------------------------------------
DAY 31 INTENTION
------------------------------------------------------ Pray for opportunities to share with an abortion-
minded woman that the newness of life she is seeking
is found only in Christ.
------------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
------------------------------------------------------ If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old
things have passed away; behold all things have become
new. -- 2 Corinthians 5:17
------------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life
------------------------------------------------------ An unexpected pregnancy is perceived by many young
women as the end of their life as they know it. News
of an unexpected pregnancy pulls the rug from under
her well laid plans. Sadly, these women may choose abortion as a matter of
self-preservation, believing that an abortion will
help return life to normal and give them opportunity
to start anew. They don't see abortion as killing a child, but rather
as saving their own life. Of course, abortion will not
bring the newness of life they are seeking, but
instead will bring death to their child, lifelong
regret, and unexpected -- possibly devastating --
consequences to their own life. Abortion will be the choice made if we don't meet them
at the crossroad between life and death with a better
way. Almost without exception, these young women are
looking for love, acceptance, and to be valued. In their efforts to have those needs met, they have
become promiscuous. Most, if honest, will admit the
needs were only met momentarily, if at all, during
their brief encounter, and afterward the needs
returned unmet. The truth is, only Christ loves them unconditionally
with an everlasting love. Only Christ will accept them
as they are, and only Christ sees them for their true
value in Him. He has a perfect plan for each woman and her child if
only she will allow Christ to transform her life as
she surrenders to Him. No, an unexpected pregnancy is not the end of life,
but rather can be the beginning of two beautiful lives
if God's plan for them is given opportunity to unfold.
------------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
------------------------------------------------------ Heavenly Father, you give us a new song, a new
purpose, a new direction, a new perspective. You remind us that the thief comes to steal, kill, and
destroy, but Christ came that we might have life, and
have it more abundantly. Give us boldness to share this Good News with those at
the crossroads. May they choose life for their
children and enjoy newness of life in You. Because of
Christ we pray, Amen.
------------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
------------------------------------------------------ To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends: http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2012day31print.pdf
------------------------------------------------------ Yours for Life, Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life PS: How have you been personally -- and spiritually --
affected by 40 Days for Life? Please reply to today's
blog posting if you have a story to share: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3036
40 Days for Life 10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US
