Dear Deacon John,
Jesus said whenever two or three are gathered in His name, He is with them. Lately, it’s been whenever two or three with umbrellas are gathered.
Sometimes it's rain. Sometimes it's snow. And sometimes ... briight sunshine! But just as surely as the umbrellas and their owners are gathered at the 40 Days for Life vigils ... so is Christ present.
Sometimes it's rain. Sometimes it's snow. And sometimes ... briight sunshine! But just as surely as the umbrellas and their owners are gathered at the 40 Days for Life vigils ... so is Christ present.
Orange, California
Anita said she and several other women were praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil in front of Planned Parenthood in Orange. As a van pulled into the driveway, the driver looked at them – but kept on going.
A man and woman got out of the van and walked towards the building. The prayer volunteers again tried to get their attention ... but they kept walking.
After a while, though, they came out … got into their van … and drove towards the exit.
“I could see the passenger side window was rolled down,” Anita said, “so I walked towards them, said good morning and smiled, and then asked if they were here for an abortion.”
“No,” the woman said. “We changed our mind.” The man driving leaned over and said, “We decided to keep our baby because of you people praying on the sidewalk.” They were both smiling.
He said they would pray for the volunteers … and he kept saying, “Thank you!”
A man and woman got out of the van and walked towards the building. The prayer volunteers again tried to get their attention ... but they kept walking.
After a while, though, they came out … got into their van … and drove towards the exit.
“I could see the passenger side window was rolled down,” Anita said, “so I walked towards them, said good morning and smiled, and then asked if they were here for an abortion.”
“No,” the woman said. “We changed our mind.” The man driving leaned over and said, “We decided to keep our baby because of you people praying on the sidewalk.” They were both smiling.
He said they would pray for the volunteers … and he kept saying, “Thank you!”
Ann worried that the rainy weather might keep people away from the 40 Days for Life vigil in Richmond.
But as she approached the abortion center from a few blocks away, she saw umbrellas in the distance and wondered what was going on. As she got closer, she quickly found out. The umbrellas belonged to people who were peacefully praying for an end to abortions.
“It turns out this was designated ‘Life Saturday’ by Mt. Gilead Church,” she said. “These wonderful people come from about 8 am to 1 pm for this special ministry. And what a beautiful sight it was to have 19 people around the clinic praying and witnessing to Christ … in the rain!”
But as she approached the abortion center from a few blocks away, she saw umbrellas in the distance and wondered what was going on. As she got closer, she quickly found out. The umbrellas belonged to people who were peacefully praying for an end to abortions.
“It turns out this was designated ‘Life Saturday’ by Mt. Gilead Church,” she said. “These wonderful people come from about 8 am to 1 pm for this special ministry. And what a beautiful sight it was to have 19 people around the clinic praying and witnessing to Christ … in the rain!”
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
“While the weather for much of the last week has been cold with snow or rain,” said Bob in Lancaster, “we still had the opportunity to talk with a surprising number of pedestrians and even people in passing cars.”
A woman who lives in the neighborhood and walks her two dogs several times a day stopped to say “thanks” for the vigil. “She told of how she adopted her son from a woman who had sought an abortion,” Bob said, “but was too far along in her pregnancy to receive one.”
The woman beamed as she told the volunteers about her son, who is now married and just became the father of the woman’s first grandchild.
A woman who lives in the neighborhood and walks her two dogs several times a day stopped to say “thanks” for the vigil. “She told of how she adopted her son from a woman who had sought an abortion,” Bob said, “but was too far along in her pregnancy to receive one.”
The woman beamed as she told the volunteers about her son, who is now married and just became the father of the woman’s first grandchild.
Today's devotional is from Carmen Pate of Alliance Ministries.
Day 31 intention
Pray for opportunities to share with an abortion-minded woman that the newness of life she is seeking is found only in Christ.
Scripture
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.
— 2 Corinthians 5:17
Reflection by Carmen Pate
An unexpected pregnancy is perceived by many young women as the end of their life as they know it. News of an unexpected pregnancy pulls the rug from under her well laid plans.
Sadly, these women may choose abortion as a matter of self-preservation, believing that an abortion will help return life to normal and give them opportunity to start anew.
They don't see abortion as killing a child, but rather as saving their own life. Of course, abortion will not bring the newness of life they are seeking, but instead will bring death to their child, lifelong regret, and unexpected -- possibly devastating -- consequences to their own life.
Abortion will be the choice made if we don't meet them at the crossroad between life and death with a better way.
Almost without exception, these young women are looking for love, acceptance, and to be valued.
In their efforts to have those needs met, they have become promiscuous. Most, if honest, will admit the needs were only met momentarily, if at all, during their brief encounter, and afterward the needs returned unmet.
The truth is, only Christ loves them unconditionally with an everlasting love. Only Christ will accept them as they are, and only Christ sees them for their true value in Him.
He has a perfect plan for each woman and her child if only she will allow Christ to transform her life as she surrenders to Him.
No, an unexpected pregnancy is not the end of life, but rather can be the beginning of two beautiful lives if God's plan for them is given opportunity to unfold.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, you give us a new song, a new purpose, a new direction, a new perspective.
You remind us that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Christ came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly.
Give us boldness to share this Good News with those at the crossroads. May they choose life for their children and enjoy newness of life in You. Because of Christ we pray, Amen.
Printable devotional
To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/
Day 31 intention
Pray for opportunities to share with an abortion-minded woman that the newness of life she is seeking is found only in Christ.
Scripture
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.
— 2 Corinthians 5:17
Reflection by Carmen Pate
An unexpected pregnancy is perceived by many young women as the end of their life as they know it. News of an unexpected pregnancy pulls the rug from under her well laid plans.
Sadly, these women may choose abortion as a matter of self-preservation, believing that an abortion will help return life to normal and give them opportunity to start anew.
They don't see abortion as killing a child, but rather as saving their own life. Of course, abortion will not bring the newness of life they are seeking, but instead will bring death to their child, lifelong regret, and unexpected -- possibly devastating -- consequences to their own life.
Abortion will be the choice made if we don't meet them at the crossroad between life and death with a better way.
Almost without exception, these young women are looking for love, acceptance, and to be valued.
In their efforts to have those needs met, they have become promiscuous. Most, if honest, will admit the needs were only met momentarily, if at all, during their brief encounter, and afterward the needs returned unmet.
The truth is, only Christ loves them unconditionally with an everlasting love. Only Christ will accept them as they are, and only Christ sees them for their true value in Him.
He has a perfect plan for each woman and her child if only she will allow Christ to transform her life as she surrenders to Him.
No, an unexpected pregnancy is not the end of life, but rather can be the beginning of two beautiful lives if God's plan for them is given opportunity to unfold.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, you give us a new song, a new purpose, a new direction, a new perspective.
You remind us that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Christ came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly.
Give us boldness to share this Good News with those at the crossroads. May they choose life for their children and enjoy newness of life in You. Because of Christ we pray, 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/
