Dear Deacon, This week marked the beginning of 40 Days for Life
vigils in many places. But one particular location
has inspired many. Five years ago, I couldn't have predicted 40 Days for
Life going beyond the United States. But it did! Even as God has taken this campaign to other
countries, I would have never imagined that Moscow
would ever launch 40 Days for Life. But on Wednesday
of this week, that's exactly what happened. The international reach of 40 Days for Life keeps
growing, with 24 locations outside the United States
this time, including the first-ever sites in Wales,
Nigeria and South Africa in addition to Russia. There are 261 locations in all. So please follow this
link and get involved in the closest campaign: http://40daysforlife.com/location Here’s a look at just a few of the countries hosting
40 Days for Life.
-----------------------------------------------------
MOSCOW, RUSSIA
----------------------------------------------------- Pastors and their congregations from seven different
churches in Moscow have each agreed to take one day
a week to pray at the vigil. They've also opened up
their churches for people who wish to pray. "I see a great grace for this campaign," said Arevik,
the campaign coordinator. "I have met a lot of young
and talented persons from my church whom I didn't
know before. They are writing about abortion ... and
care about human life." According to a report released recently, the number
of abortions in Russia exceeds the number of births. "It is so painful to hear from women that had abortions
before they met Jesus," Arevik said. "Russia needs to
be healed from this spiritual disease." Please keep this campaign -- and this entire nation --
in your prayers these next 40 days.
-----------------------------------------------------
AUSTRALIA
----------------------------------------------------- There are seven 40 Days for Life campaigns in progress
in Australia (where it is currently summertime),
stretching from coast to coast. It may be halfway
around the world from the United States, but the
problems are the same ... and so are the answers. "I have been moved by the prayerfulness and commitment
of the hundreds of people involved giving witness to
Christ's love, with many being young adults," said
Bishop Julian Porteous of Sydney, one of many
Australian religious leaders commending the 40 Days
for Life mission. "In light of the rising attacks on life, faith and
family," he said, "this loving witness is needed
all the more." The Australian team has produced an excellent video.
I really recommend that you take a look! The message
applies ... wherever you're praying and fasting for
an end to abortion. To see the video from Australia, go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3926
-----------------------------------------------------
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
----------------------------------------------------- "The first day in Cape Town was exciting and long,"
said Colette, the local coordinator. "This morning
there were lots of teenagers going to school and
taking pamphlets and asking questions. We got a
very positive response from the community." The prayer volunteers did receive a few negative
comments, but Colette said it was nothing to
worry about. "We have stood at this abortion centre before,"
she said, "but what I have noticed today was that
the number of clients has declined." On this
particular day at the Marie Stopes facility, there
were only four clients. "The clinic got very upset with us and wanted us
to move," Colette said, "but we had a permit with
us that stated we will be there till 24 March." To see a photo of the vigil in Cape Town, go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3926
Today's devotional is from Carmen Pate, a member of
the 40 Days for Life board of directors.
------------------------------------------------------
DAY 4 INTENTION
------------------------------------------------------ Pray that we each will daily put on the full armor
of God, so that we are strong in the Lord and the
power of His might.
------------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
------------------------------------------------------ For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers, against the
rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual
hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you
may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having
done all, to stand. -- Ephesians 6:12-13
------------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life
------------------------------------------------------ I am confounded to see how the battle over the issue
of life is perceived more often in churches today as
political rather than spiritual. Ironically, the enemy has used this twisted perception
to silence many in the body of Christ. We must see the battle for what it is and we must
daily "put on" the armor God has given us: >> Gird your waist with Truth (vs. 14) -- Commit your
emotions to believe truth and to speak truth,
regardless of the repercussions. >> Put on the breastplate of Righteousness (vs. 14) --
It will protect our hearts -- the innermost springs of
our beings -- from all unrighteousness so evident in
this fallen world. >> Shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel
of Peace. (vs. 15) -- Preparation is vital if we are
to be effective in God's work. >> Taking the shield of faith (vs.16) -- The Accuser
will instill doubt, fear, and guilt. Faith acts as an
invisible shield that deflects such false accusations. >> Taking the Helmet of salvation (vs.17) -- A helmet
protects the head, the brain and in turn our mind and
thoughts. Satan hopes we will set aside divine
revelation for human reasoning. >> Taking the sword of the Spirit (vs.17) -- The Word
of God, the only offensive weapon in this armor, was
used by the Lord Jesus against Satan. The living Word
is powerful and effective. Our armor is complete. We are ready to wage war, and
the next verse tells us how, "Praying always with all
prayer and supplication in the spirit." (vs.18)
------------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
------------------------------------------------------ Dear Lord, as you lead us into the spiritual battle of
abortion may we be reminded that the battle is truly
Yours. Thank you for hearing our requests for
direction and protection. Thank you for the victory
that is ours because of Your Son Jesus, Amen.
------------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
------------------------------------------------------ To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends: http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2013day04print.pdf
------------------------------------------------------ For Life, Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life PS: As always, if you have a story to share about the
blessings of 40 Days for Life, please post a reply at
the bottom of today's blog entry at: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3926
40 Days for Life 10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US
vigils in many places. But one particular location
has inspired many. Five years ago, I couldn't have predicted 40 Days for
Life going beyond the United States. But it did! Even as God has taken this campaign to other
countries, I would have never imagined that Moscow
would ever launch 40 Days for Life. But on Wednesday
of this week, that's exactly what happened. The international reach of 40 Days for Life keeps
growing, with 24 locations outside the United States
this time, including the first-ever sites in Wales,
Nigeria and South Africa in addition to Russia. There are 261 locations in all. So please follow this
link and get involved in the closest campaign: http://40daysforlife.com/location Here’s a look at just a few of the countries hosting
40 Days for Life.
-----------------------------------------------------
MOSCOW, RUSSIA
----------------------------------------------------- Pastors and their congregations from seven different
churches in Moscow have each agreed to take one day
a week to pray at the vigil. They've also opened up
their churches for people who wish to pray. "I see a great grace for this campaign," said Arevik,
the campaign coordinator. "I have met a lot of young
and talented persons from my church whom I didn't
know before. They are writing about abortion ... and
care about human life." According to a report released recently, the number
of abortions in Russia exceeds the number of births. "It is so painful to hear from women that had abortions
before they met Jesus," Arevik said. "Russia needs to
be healed from this spiritual disease." Please keep this campaign -- and this entire nation --
in your prayers these next 40 days.
-----------------------------------------------------
AUSTRALIA
----------------------------------------------------- There are seven 40 Days for Life campaigns in progress
in Australia (where it is currently summertime),
stretching from coast to coast. It may be halfway
around the world from the United States, but the
problems are the same ... and so are the answers. "I have been moved by the prayerfulness and commitment
of the hundreds of people involved giving witness to
Christ's love, with many being young adults," said
Bishop Julian Porteous of Sydney, one of many
Australian religious leaders commending the 40 Days
for Life mission. "In light of the rising attacks on life, faith and
family," he said, "this loving witness is needed
all the more." The Australian team has produced an excellent video.
I really recommend that you take a look! The message
applies ... wherever you're praying and fasting for
an end to abortion. To see the video from Australia, go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3926
-----------------------------------------------------
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
----------------------------------------------------- "The first day in Cape Town was exciting and long,"
said Colette, the local coordinator. "This morning
there were lots of teenagers going to school and
taking pamphlets and asking questions. We got a
very positive response from the community." The prayer volunteers did receive a few negative
comments, but Colette said it was nothing to
worry about. "We have stood at this abortion centre before,"
she said, "but what I have noticed today was that
the number of clients has declined." On this
particular day at the Marie Stopes facility, there
were only four clients. "The clinic got very upset with us and wanted us
to move," Colette said, "but we had a permit with
us that stated we will be there till 24 March." To see a photo of the vigil in Cape Town, go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3926
Today's devotional is from Carmen Pate, a member of
the 40 Days for Life board of directors.
------------------------------------------------------
DAY 4 INTENTION
------------------------------------------------------ Pray that we each will daily put on the full armor
of God, so that we are strong in the Lord and the
power of His might.
------------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
------------------------------------------------------ For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers, against the
rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual
hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you
may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having
done all, to stand. -- Ephesians 6:12-13
------------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life
------------------------------------------------------ I am confounded to see how the battle over the issue
of life is perceived more often in churches today as
political rather than spiritual. Ironically, the enemy has used this twisted perception
to silence many in the body of Christ. We must see the battle for what it is and we must
daily "put on" the armor God has given us: >> Gird your waist with Truth (vs. 14) -- Commit your
emotions to believe truth and to speak truth,
regardless of the repercussions. >> Put on the breastplate of Righteousness (vs. 14) --
It will protect our hearts -- the innermost springs of
our beings -- from all unrighteousness so evident in
this fallen world. >> Shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel
of Peace. (vs. 15) -- Preparation is vital if we are
to be effective in God's work. >> Taking the shield of faith (vs.16) -- The Accuser
will instill doubt, fear, and guilt. Faith acts as an
invisible shield that deflects such false accusations. >> Taking the Helmet of salvation (vs.17) -- A helmet
protects the head, the brain and in turn our mind and
thoughts. Satan hopes we will set aside divine
revelation for human reasoning. >> Taking the sword of the Spirit (vs.17) -- The Word
of God, the only offensive weapon in this armor, was
used by the Lord Jesus against Satan. The living Word
is powerful and effective. Our armor is complete. We are ready to wage war, and
the next verse tells us how, "Praying always with all
prayer and supplication in the spirit." (vs.18)
------------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
------------------------------------------------------ Dear Lord, as you lead us into the spiritual battle of
abortion may we be reminded that the battle is truly
Yours. Thank you for hearing our requests for
direction and protection. Thank you for the victory
that is ours because of Your Son Jesus, Amen.
------------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
------------------------------------------------------ To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends: http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2013day04print.pdf
------------------------------------------------------ For Life, Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life PS: As always, if you have a story to share about the
blessings of 40 Days for Life, please post a reply at
the bottom of today's blog entry at: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3926
40 Days for Life 10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US
