Dear Deacon John,
There
have been 88 abortion workers who have had a change of heart and left
their jobs during 40 Days for Life campaigns. Many of these workers
leave during the last two weeks of the campaign … and today, we ask for prayers for one abortionist who is struggling with his conscience.
A prayer volunteer has spoken to one of the abortionists at a facility where the 40 Days for Life vigil is in progress. I’m keeping the location confidential for now. They’ve had several conversations, and the volunteer says the man has told him, “I can’t do this anymore. I need to talk to a priest.”
I can only echo the request of the campaign coordinator in this city – please pray that this man … and any others in a similar position … may have the faith and courage to trust God and leave the abortion industry.
Now … here’s the latest from Steve Karlen, our North American outreach director … who’s been on the road in Michigan.
Brighton, Michigan
A prayer volunteer has spoken to one of the abortionists at a facility where the 40 Days for Life vigil is in progress. I’m keeping the location confidential for now. They’ve had several conversations, and the volunteer says the man has told him, “I can’t do this anymore. I need to talk to a priest.”
I can only echo the request of the campaign coordinator in this city – please pray that this man … and any others in a similar position … may have the faith and courage to trust God and leave the abortion industry.
Now … here’s the latest from Steve Karlen, our North American outreach director … who’s been on the road in Michigan.
Brighton, Michigan
I arrived in Brighton early to tour the local pregnancy center. As I drove in, I passed the vigil site and saw a volunteer hunkered down with a chair and an umbrella—enduring the rain.
At the vigil site, I learned that her name was Pat, and she had been at the vigil site all day! In fact, she has been there nearly all day, every day for the last five days as she’s coordinated a five-day block adopted by her church.
Tom, the Brighton campaign leader, told me that she has been a big part of the campaign even on days that her church has not committed to. I was also joined by a group that included a number of folks from Silent No More. Their message is always powerful.
Traverse City, Michigan
Apparently, the snow was so high for most of the campaign that there was nowhere to stand! Lillian, the campaign coordinator in Traverse City, said she prayed from her office, which has a window facing Planned Parenthood. One elderly gentleman drove up and came out to greet us and thank us for being out on the sidewalk.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
The event I spoke at in Grand Rapids took place in frigid rain and wind. Lisa, the local coordinator, told me that the number of abortions in Kent County has dropped by more than 40% since 40 Days for Life started in 2007.
There is a house next door to the abortion facility that is owned by a group of sidewalk counselors. These counselors initially allowed the 40 Days for Life participants to park on their property. But that arrangement was ended because the city said the house was not licensed as a church. Fortunately, the campaign team got creative and came up with alternative arrangements.
Thanks to Steve Karlen for today's update from Michigan!
Today's devotional is from Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life.
Day 38 intention
Pray that we become vessels of hope to all around us, especially to those who minister in the pro-life movement.
Scripture
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!"
— Luke 24:1-5
Reflection by Fr. Frank Pavone
This meditation, based on a sermon I once heard, is adapted for pro-life concerns.
It's Friday. Jesus is on the cross. He has been killed by his enemies; he is off the scene.
But that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'!
It's Friday. Abortionists continue their work 3,300 times a day, tearing off the arms and legs of little babies and crushing their heads.
But that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'!
It's Friday. Pro-abortion groups receive blood money from billionaires who are as deceived as they are.
But that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'!
It's Friday. Liars attempt to speak for all women and hide the pain of abortion, and ignore the evidence of how it harms women, and call abortion a blessing.
But that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'!
It's Friday. People of hardened hearts guard the clinics and usher desperate women in to have their abortions, while keeping them from the pro-life people who want to give them hope.
But that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'!
Hope does not mean that we ignore or minimize the evils around us. It means, rather, that we see the whole picture, which is that evil is conquered because of what happened one Sunday morning.
We are called to proclaim, celebrate, and serve that victory, waiting in joyful hope for Christ's return and the full flowering of the Culture of Life!
Indeed, Sunday's comin'!
Prayer
Lord, fill your people with new hope. Make us vessels of hope to all around us, especially to those who minister in the pro-life movement, that as we engage in the difficult work ahead, we may experience the peace and joy that come only from you and that nobody can take away from us. We ask this through Christ our Lord, 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/
