Dear Deacon, In yesterday's message, I talked about prayer
volunteers being the first sign of mercy a woman
sees after an abortion. But it is also true that
on the sidewalks outside the abortion centers,
you're the last sign of hope for the women going
in for an abortion. In many cases, you're the ONLY sign of hope. And
sometimes, that one sign is all that is needed.
-----------------------------------------------------
ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS
----------------------------------------------------- "On the second day of our 10th campaign in Attleboro,
a young couple left the abortion clinic and drove
across the street to where a group of our vigil
volunteers were praying," said Ron in Attleboro. The couple said, "Thank you! We didn't do it" -- and
drove happily away. "Since Massachusetts laws allow for a large buffer
zone near the clinic, we have little opportunity to
engage with those who come to the clinic considering
abortion," Ron explained. "Those present were surprised and deeply overjoyed at
the news. This save is a blessing on our campaign and
we continue to pray for many more in the days ahead."
-----------------------------------------------------
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
----------------------------------------------------- Trudi in Melbourne reports that on the first day of
the campaign, prayer volunteers were able to help a
young mother choose life. If she had come to the
abortion center the day before, there would have
been no one praying outside at that hour. Two days later, another young mother left looking very
upset. "She was comforted at the gate by a counselor,"
Trudi said. "Again, this was in the afternoon when no
one is normally present to offer help. She was six
months pregnant and the abortionist would not do late
term abortions." She was too scared to tell her mother. She had been
pregnant once before, and her mother insisted on an
abortion. "Miraculously," Trudi said, "the father
saved that baby at the eleventh hour." The mother who
demanded an abortion is now the loving grandmother of
a 2-year-old boy. "But the miracles continue," she said. The abortion
center counselor DID NOT direct her to a late term
abortion facility, but to a pro-life pregnancy help
agency. "Unbelievable!” The 40 Days for Life team is looking for a place for
the young woman to stay. She is still too scared to
tell her mother.
-----------------------------------------------------
URGENT PERSONAL PRAYER REQUEST
----------------------------------------------------- Before today's devotional, I have an urgent prayer
request for a friend -- someone who was instrumental
in getting 40 Days for Life started. His name is
Dr. Royal Benson, and he is fighting for his life
at this moment. For the last 13 years, Royal has served on the board
of directors (ten of those years as chairman of the
board) of the Coalition for Life, the organization
in Bryan/College Station, Texas where 40 Days for Life
began. His support and enthusiasm were instrumental in
launching the first local campaign, and he helped with
the expansion of 40 Days for Life to a national, and
then international, effort. He is a gifted OB-GYN, and was doctor to my wife and
David Bereit's wife. He delivered David's son and
three of my children when we lived in Texas. He is
also a dear friend of Abby Johnson and her husband
Doug, and delivered their baby boy last summer. Dr. Benson is only 56 years old and is battling a
serious respiratory crisis and is in ICU on a
ventilator. Please pray for strength for this
pro-life hero and dear friend, his wife, and his
daughter during their difficult time.
Today's devotional is from Georgette Forney of
Anglicans for Life ...
------------------------------------------------------
DAY 10 INTENTION
------------------------------------------------------ May those who hold life as trivial realize that we
live because God wills it so.
------------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
------------------------------------------------------ Who among all these does not know that the hand of the
Lord has done this, in His hand is the life of every
creature and the breath of all mankind. -- Job 12:9-10
------------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Georgette Forney, Anglicans for Life
------------------------------------------------------ Job was a man acquainted with grief, trials and
tribulation. He had everything taken from him,
including his family. He endured sickness, ridicule
and judgment from his friends. Everyone gave him advice about his situation,
questioning his spirituality and his God. Job's
circumstances were bad but he never loses faith. Why?
Because "the hand of the Lord has made all life."
Created by God, he knows his life has meaning and
purpose, regardless of the circumstances. In our present culture, we've lost that basic truth;
every life is made and allowed to live by God's
sovereign authority. As people who pride ourselves on
our independence, we have a hard time acknowledging
our dependence on God. From our creation, when we were knit together in our
mother's womb to our last breath, God's word is clear
that "in His hand is the life of every creature and
the breath of all mankind." It's time for us as individuals, and as a society, to
recognize that we exist by God's grace and turn back
to Him, honoring His word and His teachings. Why?
Because our world is full of Jobs, people who are
dealing with trials and tribulations and hurting
desperately. Job's response should be ours as well. Regardless of
what we face (even an unplanned pregnancy) God in His
wisdom and mercy will redeem it. How do I know? Job's friends who doubted God's
sovereignty cry out to God asking for help, God
instructs Job to pray for his friends and after he
does, God restores all that Job had lost. In other words, because Job never lost faith and knew
and trusted His Creator, the Lord blessed Job.
------------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
------------------------------------------------------ Thank you Father God for being the Creator of my life
and every life. Please give me, and the society in
which I live, an appreciation for your gift of life. Please help us set aside our pride and acknowledge
that we need you. Show me how I can honor you today in
response to all the blessings you bestow freely. In
the name of Jesus, Amen.
------------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
------------------------------------------------------ To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends: http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2013day10print.pdf
------------------------------------------------------ Please pray for a change of heart for all those who
work or volunteer for abortion facilities, their
financial supporters and political advocates, and
their customers. For Life, Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life PS: What's the latest news about 40 Days for Life in
your community? If you have stories to tell, please
respond on today's blog entry at: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=4020
40 Days for Life 10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US
