Dear Deacon John,
They see you at prayer ... and that can often start a journey to healing after after years -- or even decades -- of despair. Here's an example.
Boulder, Colorado
The abortion business in Boulder just spent thousands of dollars to build a huge fence along the sidewalk where 40 Days for Life volunteers pray.
It limits interactions with clients, said Brenda, the local coordinator. "However," she said, "our shirts and balloons are getting so much attention ... and we are able to share the late-term nature of this clinic. Most people have no idea."
Recently, a teenage girl and her mother walked up and asked what was going on. Brenda explained the vigil to them.
The mother turned to her daughter and said, "These people have true conviction about this and I don't ever want you to mock them again!"
But that’s not the end of the story. When Brenda showed the daughter a model of a 12-week baby, the mother began to cry ... and said she'd had two abortions many years ago after being told the baby was nothing more than "a clump of cells."
Brenda offered her information about Rachel's Vineyard retreats for healing after abortion. The mother dried her eyes and thanked her ... then left with her daughter.
"Don't for a minute think that what we do out there is not important!" Brenda said.
Birmingham, Alabama
It limits interactions with clients, said Brenda, the local coordinator. "However," she said, "our shirts and balloons are getting so much attention ... and we are able to share the late-term nature of this clinic. Most people have no idea."
Recently, a teenage girl and her mother walked up and asked what was going on. Brenda explained the vigil to them.
The mother turned to her daughter and said, "These people have true conviction about this and I don't ever want you to mock them again!"
But that’s not the end of the story. When Brenda showed the daughter a model of a 12-week baby, the mother began to cry ... and said she'd had two abortions many years ago after being told the baby was nothing more than "a clump of cells."
Brenda offered her information about Rachel's Vineyard retreats for healing after abortion. The mother dried her eyes and thanked her ... then left with her daughter.
"Don't for a minute think that what we do out there is not important!" Brenda said.
Birmingham, Alabama
"We watched and prayed as dozens of women arrived, all going inside to wait for the out-of-state abortionist to arrive later in the day," said Ed, describing a recent morning outside Birmingham's Planned Parenthood abortion center.
"Few were receptive to dialogue, since they had already had their 'counseling' visit and paid in full for the abortion."
Around 9:00, a group of Christian mothers arrived to pray, along with a priest ... and "many, many young children all full of energy and joy," Ed related.
"What a witness for life!" he said. "All the workers and those waiting can see the sidewalk from the large window in Planned Parenthood; and as we prayed, we hoped that they were watching. The presence of mothers and young children on the sidewalk is always such an inspiration to all."
Here's today's devotional from Carmen Pate of Truth in Action Ministries.
Day 24 intention
Pray that God will continue to bless the efforts that have gone into the 40 Days for Life campaign, as we trust Him for the results.
Scripture
Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand. O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name.
-- Nehemiah 1:10-11
Reflection by Carmen Pate
Nehemiah provides an awesome blueprint for volunteers in God's service, particularly those responding to the devastation abortion has caused our nation.
Nehemiah grieved for God's reputation as he witnessed the condition of the city walls of Jerusalem. The walls were broken down which was seen by neighboring people as a sign of weakness on the part of Jerusalem's God. No wall meant no security for the city and its people.
We learn from his story that he covered every detail in prayer; inspired others to join the cause; organized others to help do the work; confronted opposition directly and turned to God when discouraged; and finally celebrated what was accomplished and gave God all the glory!
Like Nehemiah, we must acknowledge God's sovereignty as we serve Him before a mocking world. We too need to be reminded that we are "fighting" for our families. We too must have an attitude of confession and repentance before a Holy God. We must pray for strength, refute slander, and not be diverted from our work.
Like Nehemiah, we will draw attention from the enemy when we are seeking to protect the well-being of God's people. We too must stand firm and seek God's help to persevere until the task is done. We too will be victorious.
Prayer
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in heaven and in the earth is Yours. We pray for your continued guidance and protection throughout the remainder of this 40 day campaign.
May we be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in Your work, knowing that our labor will not be in vain. We pray 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/fall2013day24print.pdf
"Few were receptive to dialogue, since they had already had their 'counseling' visit and paid in full for the abortion."
Around 9:00, a group of Christian mothers arrived to pray, along with a priest ... and "many, many young children all full of energy and joy," Ed related.
"What a witness for life!" he said. "All the workers and those waiting can see the sidewalk from the large window in Planned Parenthood; and as we prayed, we hoped that they were watching. The presence of mothers and young children on the sidewalk is always such an inspiration to all."
Here's today's devotional from Carmen Pate of Truth in Action Ministries.
Day 24 intention
Pray that God will continue to bless the efforts that have gone into the 40 Days for Life campaign, as we trust Him for the results.
Scripture
Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand. O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name.
-- Nehemiah 1:10-11
Reflection by Carmen Pate
Nehemiah provides an awesome blueprint for volunteers in God's service, particularly those responding to the devastation abortion has caused our nation.
Nehemiah grieved for God's reputation as he witnessed the condition of the city walls of Jerusalem. The walls were broken down which was seen by neighboring people as a sign of weakness on the part of Jerusalem's God. No wall meant no security for the city and its people.
We learn from his story that he covered every detail in prayer; inspired others to join the cause; organized others to help do the work; confronted opposition directly and turned to God when discouraged; and finally celebrated what was accomplished and gave God all the glory!
Like Nehemiah, we must acknowledge God's sovereignty as we serve Him before a mocking world. We too need to be reminded that we are "fighting" for our families. We too must have an attitude of confession and repentance before a Holy God. We must pray for strength, refute slander, and not be diverted from our work.
Like Nehemiah, we will draw attention from the enemy when we are seeking to protect the well-being of God's people. We too must stand firm and seek God's help to persevere until the task is done. We too will be victorious.
Prayer
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in heaven and in the earth is Yours. We pray for your continued guidance and protection throughout the remainder of this 40 day campaign.
May we be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in Your work, knowing that our labor will not be in vain. We pray 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/fall2013day24print.pdf
For Life,
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SHAWN CARNEY
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
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http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=4938
