40 Days For Life: DAY 35: Huge impact in England

Dear Deacon John,

 

When 40 Days for Life first arrived in the UK, pro-abortion forces were convinced it was "too American" and this "Texas-based" concept would never take root in England.

Well, the evidence seems to suggest that the critics miscalculated both the faith in England ... and the courage of the man who now serves as our international outreach director, Robert Colquhoun.

When Robert visited Canada a few years ago, he was introduced to 40 Days for Life -- and brought the campaign back to his home in England.

Since leading the first campaign in London, Robert has been instrumental in 40 Days for Life's expansion across Great Britain. He's also been featured in major media such as the Guardian and the BBC.  

Here is a fresh report from Robert:

London, England

 

Every time a 40 Days for Life campaign has been run in London, we see the same results: lives saved that would have otherwise been aborted, tangible help offered to women and prayer making a huge difference in communities, helping to build a growing consciousness of the humanity of the unborn child.

We have heard a beautiful story of one of the saves from the Ealing campaign ... a mother who gave birth to twins last week. Amazing!

We are also delighted that pro-abortion advocates in London have been referencing 40 Days for Life in their fundraising this autumn. This is the number one indicator that we are having a huge impact and is a clear sign of desperation!

Leeds, England

 

I had the privilege of seeing a fantastic new campaign in Leeds, where the faithful witness of volunteers had a powerful influence on inaugurating new change in the community. Pat Sammon, the local leader, has done tremendous work in starting a new campaign there.

A post-abortive man recently shared his testimony after 25 years of hurt and joined the prayer volunteers. Hearts and minds are changing one person at a time!

 

Manchester, England

 

I also met the leaders of the 40 Days for Life Manchester effort, outside Marie Stopes - where there are 5,000 abortions a year. The campaign had seen nine women choose life for their babies during this campaign, their fourth campaign.

Their witness has been a tremendous hope for the city and clearly amazing things have happened.

We have heard stories of lives saved from around the country. God is working powerfully through the campaign!

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Thanks again to our international outreach director, Robert Colquhoun, for today's update on 40 Days for Life in England!


Here's today's devotional from Carmen Pate of Truth in Action Ministries.

Day 35 intention

Pray for post-abortive women who cannot forgive themselves; may they understand that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Scripture

Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sin is covered. Blessed is the one to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.

-- Romans 4:7-8

Reflection by Carmen Pate

In the passage above, the Apostle Paul making a point about justification by faith, refers back to David's words in Psalm 32:1-2. In spite of the enormity of David's sin -- adultery with Bathsheba and his murder of her husband -- and the utter absence of any personal merit, David in his brokenness, understood the imputed righteousness of God. David's response was not continued guilt over his sins, but praise for his freedom from guilt, and God's power to live life differently.

Once your relationship with God has been restored, your guilt has served its purpose and should no longer be given place in your life. This is true regardless of the sin, including the sin of abortion. As a post-abortive woman, I too struggled with this issue until I realized that punishing and hating myself after receiving God's forgiveness was an insult to God.

It was as though I were minimizing Christ's work on the cross as insufficient to cover my sin. I was denying Him the opportunity to bring glory to His name for the healing and restoration He wanted to do in my life. I was giving victory to the enemy who having lost the battle for my soul, was bent on destroying my testimony as I accepted the continual guilt he heaped on my mind.

It is my joy to continually sing of God's grace rather than give the devil a foothold in my life. Don't waste God's mercy! Accept His forgiveness and forgive yourself as testimony of His amazing grace.

Prayer

Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for your amazing grace that saved a wretch like me. I come against the enemy of my soul who would have me feel cast down and dejected.

Lord, keep your children from falling prey to the accusations of the father of lies. Turn our mourning into dancing and may we bring praise to you as we give testimony of Your healing and restoration in our lives. For by His grace we are saved, Amen.

Printable devotional

To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2013day35print.pdf 
 

For Life,

 

SHAWN CARNEY Campaign Director 40 Days for Life www.40daysforlife.com

 

PS: Has your community changed during this 40 Days for Life campaign? Please share your stories by posting a comment on today's blog entry at:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=5111