Dear Deacon John,
Steve Karlen, our North
American outreach director, has topped off his gas tank and headed out
to visit 40 Days for Life campaigns across Michigan. There are ten locations there … and Steve hopes to visit all of them.
By the way, Michigan is one of the top US states as far as campaign numbers go. California heads the list with 32, followed by Washington with 13, Florida with 12 and New York with 11.
Here’s the latest from Steve in Michigan:
Eastpointe, Michigan
By the way, Michigan is one of the top US states as far as campaign numbers go. California heads the list with 32, followed by Washington with 13, Florida with 12 and New York with 11.
Here’s the latest from Steve in Michigan:
Eastpointe, Michigan
It was great to meet the team in Eastpointe. They’re having their third campaign right now – but the first since 2011. Ed is a first-time leader who’s bringing a ton of energy to the campaign
On abortion days, there are sidewalk counselors from the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants all year round. But this campaign is now providing “air support” as they stand and pray for the counselors and for those vulnerable to abortion.
A couple of weeks ago, an abortion-minded woman told these counselors she would be open to talking to someone about other options. It turns out that a representative from the local pregnancy center was there at the time … praying with 40 Days for Life volunteers. This referral helped save a life!
Sterling Heights, Michigan
This is the 12th 40 Days for Life campaign in Sterling Heights … and volunteers are praying that the abortion center there will not be in business much longer.
In the complex where the abortion facility is located, there’s a vacant office right next door. There had been a dentist’s office there, but that office has been vacant for some time now.
It seems that nobody wants to lease that space. If you were a healthcare professional, would you want an abortionist for a neighbor?
Southfield, Michigan
The Southfield team has gone 24/7 every campaign since the very first one! And there is no sign of slowing down. The leaders told me they've had more success filling their vigil schedule than ever before.
They referred one woman to a pregnancy help center, and they’re praying that she has changed her mind about abortion.
I also met a volunteer who told me that her reasons for taking part in 40 Days for Life are quite personal. She got involved after she found out that she lost a sibling to abortion. This shows that abortion is not a “private matter.” It can affect entire families.
Thanks again to Steve Karlen for today's update!
Today's devotional is from Rev. Clenard Childress of Life Education and Resources Network.
Day 30 intention
Day 30 intention
Let us pray that pastors may not be distracted from the priority of caring for human lives.
Scripture
In those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
— Acts 6:1
Reflection by Rev. Clenard Childress
More folks learning left some yearning.
It is the dawning of a new day. There is much excitement in Jerusalem. Many who dedicated themselves to the faith became disciples (the word disciple means "learner").
The unprecedented church growth was miraculous and undoubtedly brought much satisfaction to the new leadership. The apostles, however, were about to experience growing pains in their master plan of evangelism.
Projects that engage the community, especially those that are evangelistic in nature, are high on the list of priorities for every duty-bound pastor.
Church attendance is a constant concern for every pastor and often his or her worth is measured by it. Unfortunately, just as the original twelve pastors in Acts, they can be so focused on getting people in that they inadvertently end up pushing some people out.
Murmuring is a deplorable deterrent to a harmonious fellowship, yet God used it to get the disciples attention. Those that needed daily attention due to their age and social status were being neglected.
This neglect of the Hellenist widows during the daily distribution of food was causing undue grief and needed to be corrected by the leadership. By God's grace the problem was dealt with, but the lesson remains.
And during these 40 days, let us pray that today's church not make the same mistake of forgetting the contributions of our seniors, or the needs of the weakest among us, the unborn.
Prayer
Father, in the Church's desire to engage our communities with the Gospel let her not disengage from those who need their care and company the most.
Let us gain wisdom from those who have gone before us and cherish their experiences and perspectives. Help us to appreciate every soul in the body of Christ and minister properly to everybody. Amen.
Printable devotional
To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/
More folks learning left some yearning.
It is the dawning of a new day. There is much excitement in Jerusalem. Many who dedicated themselves to the faith became disciples (the word disciple means "learner").
The unprecedented church growth was miraculous and undoubtedly brought much satisfaction to the new leadership. The apostles, however, were about to experience growing pains in their master plan of evangelism.
Projects that engage the community, especially those that are evangelistic in nature, are high on the list of priorities for every duty-bound pastor.
Church attendance is a constant concern for every pastor and often his or her worth is measured by it. Unfortunately, just as the original twelve pastors in Acts, they can be so focused on getting people in that they inadvertently end up pushing some people out.
Murmuring is a deplorable deterrent to a harmonious fellowship, yet God used it to get the disciples attention. Those that needed daily attention due to their age and social status were being neglected.
This neglect of the Hellenist widows during the daily distribution of food was causing undue grief and needed to be corrected by the leadership. By God's grace the problem was dealt with, but the lesson remains.
And during these 40 days, let us pray that today's church not make the same mistake of forgetting the contributions of our seniors, or the needs of the weakest among us, the unborn.
Prayer
Father, in the Church's desire to engage our communities with the Gospel let her not disengage from those who need their care and company the most.
Let us gain wisdom from those who have gone before us and cherish their experiences and perspectives. Help us to appreciate every soul in the body of Christ and minister properly to everybody. 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/
