Dear Deacon, As we begin this 40-day journey of prayer and fasting,
peaceful vigil, and community outreach, imagine what
God can do through YOU ... in YOUR city. In a NEW kickoff video, David Bereit -- our national
director -- shares a touching (and rarely told) story
that shows the powerful impact one person can make: In the video, you'll learn about one person -- who was
personally affected by abortion -- who helped to launch
the entire 40 Days for Life worldwide movement ... and
you'll hear David share an inspiring account of the
baby he met this weekend whose life was spared through
one person participating in 40 Days for Life. Make time to watch this video -- you'll be glad you did: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3264
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MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA
----------------------------------------------------- If we are willing to pray ... and ACT ... God can work
through us. I'm getting ready to visit the 40 Days for
Life in Minnesota's Twin Cities, and the volunteers
here fully understand that. Their campaign is focusing on a second abortion center
-- because following the campaign a year ago, the FIRST
abortion location where they held their 40-day prayer
vigils CLOSED! There had been SEVEN 40 Days for Life campaigns outside
a hospital that did abortions. But hospital managers
closed the abortion unit because business had declined
40 percent during that time and abortion was no longer
economically viable (or in plain English, they were
losing money). The quick point to take away from this is that God
answered prayers in the Twin Cities -- and He is ready
to answer prayers in YOUR city!
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RENO, NEVADA
----------------------------------------------------- The Reno-Tahoe area was among the 89 cities that took
part in the first 40 Days for Life campaign five years
ago. (Yes, it's been FIVE YEARS!) Faithful volunteers
are back again for this campaign. Over the years,
they've seen changes at the abortion center. This is one of the most challenging locations for a
40 Days for Life vigil. The abortionist is a rather
belligerent individual who taunts vigil participants
with signs on the side of the building. He also turns
a sprinkler system on the prayer volunteers and plays
vulgar music through a powerful sound system. But even here, the quiet voice of prayer is having
an effect. People pray outside that abortion center year-round
now. In addition to praying at the sidewalk, they
observe the comings and goings at the building.
Operating hours have decreased. Instead of opening
early in the day, the doors aren't opened til
mid-morning now. They also appear to be open fewer
days each week. One day recently, the staff came and went. But there
were no customers. NO ONE had an abortion that day. Said one of the volunteers, "all we can do is
re-double our prayer in the hopes that this means
lives and souls are being spared the pain of abortion." God is moving in a powerful way. Keep praying! To find the 40 Days for Life location nearest you,
go to: http://40daysforlife.com/location.cfm Click on the city name -- and sign up to get involved! Here's today's devotional from David Brandao, the
communications director for 40 Days for Life...
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DAY 1 INTENTION
----------------------------------------------------- That we may use these 40 Days for Life to plead for
God's mercy and grace upon all those involved in the
sin of abortion.
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SCRIPTURE
----------------------------------------------------- Blow the trumpet in Zion! Proclaim a fast, call an
assembly. Gather the people, notify the congregation.
Assemble the elders; gather the children and the
infants at the breast... Let the priests, the
ministers of the Lord, weep and say, "Spare, O Lord,
your people." -- Joel 2:15-17
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REFLECTION by David Brandao, 40 Days for Life
----------------------------------------------------- The toll of abortion cannot be measured. We hear
estimates of almost 50 million innocent victims, but
that's only one aspect of the harm that has unfolded
in abortion's wake. There are also the mothers and
fathers of these millions, as well as the
grandparents, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles,
cousins. Unborn lives destroyed. Lives of the living
shattered. It's overwhelming and depressing, but even in the
midst of such unfathomable darkness, the church
teaches us to have hope. Yes, it was indeed Calvary
that followed Christ's 40 days in the desert, but
without Calvary there would have been no Resurrection
-- His victory over death that opened the gates of
heaven to those who believe in and follow Him. The psalmist encourages us to go humbly before God as
we seek His will: "A clean heart create for me, O
God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me... Give
me back the joy of your salvation and a willing
spirit sustain in me... O Lord, open my lips, and my
mouth shall proclaim your praise" (Psalm 51:12, 14, 17). We are called to be God's messengers; or as the
Apostle Paul told the Corinthians: "We are
ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing
through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: be
reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20). That is the true message to all we encounter at the
abortion centers and in our communities who have been
deceived by the Culture of Death. We don't bring
condemnation; we bring God's good news.
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PRAYER
----------------------------------------------------- Lord, we ask for the strength, courage, wisdom,
determination and stamina to carry out this mission
according to Your will. Guide us, we pray, as we go forth and proclaim Your
truth, always doing so with a spirit of love and
compassion, as was demonstrated to us by Your Son,
Jesus Christ. In His name we pray, Amen.
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PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
----------------------------------------------------- To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends: http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2012day01print.pdf ----------------------------------------------------- For Life, Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life PS: Here’s the link to the list of locations for this
40 Days for Life campaign: http://40daysforlife.com/location.cfm PPS: Be sure to watch the inspiring new kickoff
video we just posted ... and leave a comment to let
me know what you think -- and to share your hopes for
this campaign -- at: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3264
40 Days for Life 10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US
