| Dear Deacon, In every 40 Days for Life campaign, at some point, people have all felt the same thing -- loneliness. Local leaders and volunteers alike can sometimes think, “Does anyone else care about this?” Loneliness and discouragement are common temptations -- especially ... another 40 Days for Life campaign! Here’s an example. STERLING HEIGHTS, MICHIGAN  “This is our 10th 40 Days for Life campaign,” said Maribeth in Sterling Heights. “We know we are making a difference in our community by the many passersby who stop to thank us or share their story of how abortion has affected their lives.” “We use stories from the inspirational book by David Bereit and Shawn Carney in our many of our gatherings,” Maribeth explained. “Sue shared the story called ‘Invisible Answers’ [chapter 9, which focuses on Providence, Rhode Island and West Palm Beach, Florida] at our opening vigil.”  That chapter talks about not seeing the fruits of your labor right away. In a similar way, Maribeth said, “we, too, were blessed with moms coming back to show us … those smiling little faces who might not have been here if it were not for those dedicated prayer warriors.” The volunteers in Sterling Heights will keep hoping for visible answers to their prayers, she said. “And we know that with God, all is possible!” SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA  Wynette sent a picture from the midpoint rally of Sacramento’s 12th 40 Days for Life campaign. There was a celebration theme – yet another life had been spared from abortion. And … there’s turmoil at the abortion center. “Right now, this abortion clinic is having a hard time trying to hire a new clinic manager,” she said. “Nine out of 25 employees have left in the past year … two women quit because they were pregnant and they are now new full-time mothers to their baby boys.” This abortion business has four satellite facilities throughout northern California. They’re under investigation, Wynette said, “and had an ambulance called late Friday afternoon recently, after having done abortions all day long. Tensions are very high. Prayers continue.” BALTIMORE, MARYLAND  A woman walked up to prayer volunteers at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Baltimore’s Fullerton area – their first campaign – and demanded, "So, what do you do when your daughter is pregnant?" As the volunteers listened, they discovered that the woman's daughter wanted her baby, but she was worried. How could she support herself, her daughter and her grandchild? “These situations are all too common, and sometimes people feel trapped by their economic circumstances,” said Jody, the local campaign director. “Friends, family, coworkers all encourage women in situations like this to abort their unborn children. They are made to feel guilty if they choose life for their child and thus become a ‘burden’ to others.” The volunteers were able to share information about a local pregnancy resource center. And then they asked this woman if they could pray with her. “There were tears in her eyes as he finished praying,” Jody said. “She left hopeful and with a renewed sense of joyful anticipation for the birth of her first grandchild. Thank you for standing and praying and listening. Thank you all for the hope you are bringing.”
Today's devotional is from Carmen Pate, a member of the 40 Days for Life board of directors.
Pray for fathers who participated in the decision to abort their child, and for those who did not have a voice, that they would find freedom and healing in Christ.
If indeed you have heard Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. -- Ephesians 4: 21-23
According to the Guttmacher Institute, one-third of American women will have had an abortion by age 45. Seldom reported however is the fact that an equally significant number of men have played a role in terminating a pregnancy. Some have participated through persuasion, or by providing the financial means for the abortion. Still others were against an abortion, but had no sway in the decision to terminate their child. Only in recent years have we realized that men suffer from their loss, as more and more seek healing. Warren Williams, founder of Fathers and Brothers Ministries says he believes men are coming forward for help because God instilled in men a desire to be a protector of their lineage, a provider for their families, to be a husband and father. Men are suffering and grieving the loss of their children, and though their grief may be expressed differently than that of a woman, it is grief nonetheless and they too need tender care and biblical counseling to experience forgiveness and healing. Intervention at the appropriate time in the decision-making process may spare both the young man and woman from the lifelong pain and trauma of abortion. Biblical counseling for post-abortive men and women is essential for them to heal and begin their life anew in Christ.
Dear Heavenly Father, We pray for young men who participated in the termination of their child and are broken as You are over their loss. Forgive their sin, Lord, and bring opportunity for healing and renewal of their minds in Christ Jesus. For those suffering from an abortion they did not choose, restore their joy as they learn to forgive others and trust You with their future. In the name of Christ, who heals the brokenhearted, Amen.
To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends: http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2013day22print.pdf
Yours for Life, Shawn Carney PS: Please share news of your local community by posting a reply to today's blog entry at: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=4196
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