Dear Deacon, As hard as it may seem to believe, the number of
abortion centers open on Sunday is increasing. So ...
the need for prayer is increasing as well. Even at locations that are closed on Sundays, God
is providing blessings for those who answer the call
to pray and fast for an end to abortion -- and cover
these places with prayer on the Lord’s Day. Here's an example from one of those campaigns.
-----------------------------------------------------
HANOVER, PENNSYLVANIA
----------------------------------------------------- "Sundays have typically been a hard day to fill on
the vigil calendar," said Chris in Hanover. As last weekend approached, there were prayer times
with no volunteers. So she sent out invitations by
email and posted information on Facebook. That helped
draw in a few volunteers, but there were still hours
where no one had signed up. On Saturday, a local newspaper, the Evening Sun,
featured a story about the campaign. Chris hoped
that would draw more volunteers. But when she left
for church on Sunday morning, the midday and
afternoon hours were still not covered. "At that point there wasn't much more I could do, so
I just asked God to please touch someone's heart to
come and be at the vigil during the missing hours,"
she said. "And God provides!" When she got home, she learned that people had made
commitments to go out and pray. "So now on our first
Sunday of the campaign, with temperatures barely
reaching 29 degrees and wind factors making it feel
like 15 degrees, we finally had all our hours covered." At one point that afternoon, there were TEN people
praying in front of Planned Parenthood. And God didn't
just provide volunteers; He provided testimonies about
choosing life. A family participating in the vigil told of their
daughter's pregnancy. Because of a physical condition,
there was concern that she could not survive the
delivery. Doctors encouraged abortion -- advice that
the young woman soundly rejected. "Today, 14 years later," Chris said, "both mother
and daughter are well. Praise God!" Later, a couple arrived at the vigil site. The woman
got out of the car, bringing hot chocolate and coffee
to the prayer volunteers. She also told her story. Eight years ago, she had an abortion. "She said that
if people like us were standing out and showing their
care and concern then as we are now, she is sure she
would not have had the abortion," Chris said. "But
she knows God has forgiven her, and she is now
blessed with three small children who were along in
the car with her husband." As the volunteers thanked them for stopping, the
woman’s husband assured them that "God is watching
over you." Chris was reminded of something her grandchildren
had learned at vacation bible school: God is great ... all the time!
All the time ... God is great! "And boy, does it express the feelings for this past
weekend!" she said. "God loves us, He provides for us,
He hears and answers us -- all the time!"
Today's devotional is from Carmen Pate, a member of
the 40 Days for Life board of directors.
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DAY 12 INTENTION
------------------------------------------------------ Pray to God who is able to do immeasurably more than
all we ask or imagine, to end abortion in America.
------------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
------------------------------------------------------ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly
above all that we ask or think, according to the power
that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by
Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.
Amen. -- Ephesians 3:20-21
------------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life
------------------------------------------------------ God's power working in and through His people is
unlimited and far beyond our comprehension when we
submit to God's Word and Spirit. He receives glory
when we are obedient to His calling and faithfully
serve Him in His strength. Consider God's hand of providence on this nation
because of the faithfulness of a few who were totally
committed to God and His truths. It is interesting to note the words of Mother Teresa
of Calcutta: "Yours is the one great nation in all
history which was founded on the precept of equal
rights and respect for all humankind, for the poorest
and weakest of us as well as the richest and
strongest." Mother Teresa, in addressing the Supreme Court of the
United States said, "Human rights are not a privilege
conferred by government. They are every human being's
entitlement by virtue of his humanity. I have no new
teaching for America. I seek only to recall you to
faithfulness to what you once taught the world. She continued, "Your nation was founded on the
proposition very old as a moral precept, but startling
and innovative as a political insight that human life
is a gift of immeasurable worth, and that it deserves,
always and everywhere, to be treated with the utmost
dignity and respect." It is time to restore that dignity and respect. Our
God is able. Are we willing to remain faithful until
His work through us is done?
------------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
------------------------------------------------------ God Almighty, Who is powerful and willing to supply,
our hearts cry in unison for You to restore dignity
and respect to human life, not only in America, but
around the world. Lord, may our hearts remain faithful to your calling,
and may You begin Your transforming work with me. Keep me ever mindful that with You Lord, nothing is
impossible; without You, I can do nothing. To You be
glory forever and ever, Amen.
------------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
------------------------------------------------------ To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends: http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2013day12print.pdf
------------------------------------------------------ Yours for Life, Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life PS: If you have stories to share about your own
involvement in this 40 Days for Life campaign,
please respond at the bottom of today's blog entry: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=4033
40 Days for Life 10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US
