Dear Deacon John,
Even in a vocal, pro-abortion cultural climate, a 40 Days for Life campaign can thrive. But it takes sacrifice from the participants. This is especially true in places where volunteers endure persecution almost every day.
This week, Steve Karlen – the North American outreach director for 40 Days for Life – visited the three campaigns in Oregon. There he witnessed the faith and courage of those who aren’t afraid to be voices for the unborn … no matter what obstacles they face.
Here is Steve’s report.
Salem, Oregon
It’s a very prayerful, very enthusiastic group in Salem.
There are two volunteers, Tammi and Lori, who take 12-hour prayer shifts at the vigil. Twelve hours! I asked them about their extraordinary sacrifices, but they seemed just too humble to offer many details.
The volunteers in Salem told me about unusual happenings they witnessed at Planned Parenthood.
They saw an older man
bring a pre-teen girl in for an appointment. After a while, they left.
But later that day, the same man arrived – with another pre-teen girl. While it appeared rather suspicious, the police told the prayer team there was nothing for them to do.
Beaverton, Oregon
We had a great time of offering encouragement
to the volunteers in Beaverton. Some of the vigil participants here are
saddened at times because they live in a pro-abortion community.
It didn’t take long for me to understand what they were talking about. Some teenagers even walked by and heckled us and praised the devil.
I reminded the
Beaverton team that Jesus didn’t start out with big numbers … and that
our persistence in the face of long odds is a prayer itself.
The Planned Parenthood center in Beaverton offered a sure sign that the campaign is making a difference. They’re doing a “pledge-a-picketer”
campaign. That’s where they ask their supporters to donate money for
everyone who comes to pray on the sidewalk. They had a
less-than-impressive $37 per prayer volunteer committed.
Eugene, Oregon
I arrived to meet a
very upbeat crowd in Eugene, where they’d set up a tent with signs,
balloons and a sign-up area in the parking lot across from a huge Planned Parenthood mega-center.
Lynda, the local leader
arrived with her pastor. Pastor Steve opened our time of prayer. We
were joined by members of Marist High School’s pro-life group.
It was really an exciting visit to Oregon!
Thanks again to Steve Karlen for today’s report.
Today's devotional is from Georgette Forney of Anglicans for Life.
Day 10 intention
May those who hold life as trivial realize that we live because God wills it so.
Scripture
Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this, in His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.
— Job 12:9-10
Reflection by Georgette Forney
Job was a man acquainted with grief, trials and tribulation. He had everything taken from him, including his family. He endured sickness, ridicule and judgment from his friends.
Everyone gave him advice about his situation, questioning his spirituality and his God. Job's circumstances were bad but he never loses faith. Why? Because "the hand of the Lord has made all life." Created by God, he knows his life has meaning and purpose, regardless of the circumstances.
In our present culture, we've lost that basic truth; every life is made and allowed to live by God's sovereign authority. As people who pride ourselves on our independence, we have a hard time acknowledging our dependence on God.
From our creation, when we were knit together in our mother's womb to our last breath, God's word is clear that "in His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind."
It's time for us as individuals, and as a society, to recognize that we exist by God's grace and turn back to Him, honoring His word and His teachings. Why? Because our world is full of Jobs, people who are dealing with trials and tribulations and hurting desperately.
Job's response should be ours as well. Regardless of what we face (even an unplanned pregnancy) God in His wisdom and mercy will redeem it.
How do I know? Job's friends who doubted God's sovereignty cry out to God asking for help, God instructs Job to pray for his friends and after he does, God restores all that Job had lost.
In other words, because Job never lost faith and knew and trusted His Creator, the Lord blessed Job.
Prayer
Thank you Father God for being the Creator of my life and every life. Please give me, and the society in which I live, an appreciation for your gift of life.
Please help us set aside our pride and acknowledge that we need you. Show me how I can honor you today in response to all the blessings you bestow freely. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Printable devotional
To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/
Day 10 intention
May those who hold life as trivial realize that we live because God wills it so.
Scripture
Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this, in His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.
— Job 12:9-10
Reflection by Georgette Forney
Job was a man acquainted with grief, trials and tribulation. He had everything taken from him, including his family. He endured sickness, ridicule and judgment from his friends.
Everyone gave him advice about his situation, questioning his spirituality and his God. Job's circumstances were bad but he never loses faith. Why? Because "the hand of the Lord has made all life." Created by God, he knows his life has meaning and purpose, regardless of the circumstances.
In our present culture, we've lost that basic truth; every life is made and allowed to live by God's sovereign authority. As people who pride ourselves on our independence, we have a hard time acknowledging our dependence on God.
From our creation, when we were knit together in our mother's womb to our last breath, God's word is clear that "in His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind."
It's time for us as individuals, and as a society, to recognize that we exist by God's grace and turn back to Him, honoring His word and His teachings. Why? Because our world is full of Jobs, people who are dealing with trials and tribulations and hurting desperately.
Job's response should be ours as well. Regardless of what we face (even an unplanned pregnancy) God in His wisdom and mercy will redeem it.
How do I know? Job's friends who doubted God's sovereignty cry out to God asking for help, God instructs Job to pray for his friends and after he does, God restores all that Job had lost.
In other words, because Job never lost faith and knew and trusted His Creator, the Lord blessed Job.
Prayer
Thank you Father God for being the Creator of my life and every life. Please give me, and the society in which I live, an appreciation for your gift of life.
Please help us set aside our pride and acknowledge that we need you. Show me how I can honor you today in response to all the blessings you bestow freely. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Printable devotional
To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/
For Life,
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SHAWN CARNEY
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
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http://40daysforlife.com/blog/
