Dear Deacon John,
Participating in 40
Days for Life can sometimes seem like a thankless effort. Sometimes you
see the fruit; sometimes you don't. Either way ... it's worth it!
Praying and being there in solidarity with the babies at risk of losing their lives is always well-spent time. Their lives may be cut short ... but we can honor them by representing Christ's love for them on the sidewalk.
On Tuesday, there were babies who were scheduled to be aborted. On Wednesday — the day this 40 Days Life campaign started — those children were saved from abortion. These early stories show that prayer indeed bears fruit — fruit that only the Holy Spirit can provide.
Here are a few examples.
Praying and being there in solidarity with the babies at risk of losing their lives is always well-spent time. Their lives may be cut short ... but we can honor them by representing Christ's love for them on the sidewalk.
On Tuesday, there were babies who were scheduled to be aborted. On Wednesday — the day this 40 Days Life campaign started — those children were saved from abortion. These early stories show that prayer indeed bears fruit — fruit that only the Holy Spirit can provide.
Here are a few examples.
Tempe, Arizona
“It has begun,” wrote Lisa in Tempe. “One said yes. And then another one said yes – to life! Day 1 ... and the Lord provided two saves!”
A young woman told volunteers, “I came to this Planned Parenthood three times, and you were not here.” This time, however, there were many people praying ... and she said “yes” to life.
The vigil participants met later with another woman, who was openly troubled – there was a steady stream of tears. But after a series of conversations, she also had a change of heart and left Planned Parenthood.
“The Holy Spirit provided the necessary words to comfort and counsel the doubtful,” Lisa said. “Imagine how much God will provide when we all take one hour a week to pray, fast and stand witness for our brothers and sisters.”
Lisa said it’s important to look at the individual with the eyes of Christ and know that they are in His hands. “We are the vessels that God has provided. Love one person at a time – just one – and the Lord will provide.”
“It has begun,” wrote Lisa in Tempe. “One said yes. And then another one said yes – to life! Day 1 ... and the Lord provided two saves!”
A young woman told volunteers, “I came to this Planned Parenthood three times, and you were not here.” This time, however, there were many people praying ... and she said “yes” to life.
The vigil participants met later with another woman, who was openly troubled – there was a steady stream of tears. But after a series of conversations, she also had a change of heart and left Planned Parenthood.
“The Holy Spirit provided the necessary words to comfort and counsel the doubtful,” Lisa said. “Imagine how much God will provide when we all take one hour a week to pray, fast and stand witness for our brothers and sisters.”
Lisa said it’s important to look at the individual with the eyes of Christ and know that they are in His hands. “We are the vessels that God has provided. Love one person at a time – just one – and the Lord will provide.”
Flint, Michigan
On Wednesday of
last week, there were many cars outside the abortion center in Flint. On
Wednesday of this week – Day 1 of the 40 Days for Life campaign – it
was a totally different picture ... one that vigil participants were not
expecting.
“Zero client cars, one worker car,” said Tina, the local campaign leader. “The prayer volunteers ahead of me said it was empty for them also.”
One man walked up, went in and came out rather quickly. He explained that he was looking for another office in the area. “With only an address above the abortion center entrance,” Tina explained, “the public does not know what happens behind those doors.”
She did note that even if there’s not much going on inside the abortion business, there’s always a chance you will be tested.
While she was holding a “pray to end abortion” sign, a woman drove by and yelled at her. “Pray to end you being out here!” she screamed as she sped off. But the woman soon returned with another outburst: “Get a job!”
“My Bible was already in hand,” Tina said, “so I turned to the Beatitudes and continued praying with scripture. I cannot emphasize how important it is that you keep your cool when things like this happen.”
“Zero client cars, one worker car,” said Tina, the local campaign leader. “The prayer volunteers ahead of me said it was empty for them also.”
One man walked up, went in and came out rather quickly. He explained that he was looking for another office in the area. “With only an address above the abortion center entrance,” Tina explained, “the public does not know what happens behind those doors.”
She did note that even if there’s not much going on inside the abortion business, there’s always a chance you will be tested.
While she was holding a “pray to end abortion” sign, a woman drove by and yelled at her. “Pray to end you being out here!” she screamed as she sped off. But the woman soon returned with another outburst: “Get a job!”
“My Bible was already in hand,” Tina said, “so I turned to the Beatitudes and continued praying with scripture. I cannot emphasize how important it is that you keep your cool when things like this happen.”
Here's today's devotional from Dennis DiMauro of Lutherans for Life.
Day 3 intention
We pray for God's gift of strength as we strive to protect human life during these 40 Days for Life.
We pray for God's gift of strength as we strive to protect human life during these 40 Days for Life.
Scripture
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
—Matthew 6:25-26
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
—Matthew 6:25-26
Reflection
Billions of dollars are spent each year on diet plans. But Jesus tells us to stop worrying so much about our bodies, and instead to trust in God's care for our physical needs.
What would happen if the people who had started on a low-carb diet this year had instead gone on a diet of heavenly food? For non-believers that diet would include trusting in Christ for their salvation, and for believers it would include a renewed prayer life, a new Bible study, or even a spiritual fast. This diet doesn't include giving up on certain kinds of foods. What this diet includes is giving up on anxiety by resting in the loving arms of Christ, trusting that He will provide.
Such a spiritual diet also frees us from our worries, and allows us to freely praise Him and serve others. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"
This promised provision teaches us the inestimable worth of our lives. He will not allow us to go without. This intimate knowledge and care for human life on the part of our gracious God is what motivates us to seek for the preservation of human life in all its stages.
Billions of dollars are spent each year on diet plans. But Jesus tells us to stop worrying so much about our bodies, and instead to trust in God's care for our physical needs.
What would happen if the people who had started on a low-carb diet this year had instead gone on a diet of heavenly food? For non-believers that diet would include trusting in Christ for their salvation, and for believers it would include a renewed prayer life, a new Bible study, or even a spiritual fast. This diet doesn't include giving up on certain kinds of foods. What this diet includes is giving up on anxiety by resting in the loving arms of Christ, trusting that He will provide.
Such a spiritual diet also frees us from our worries, and allows us to freely praise Him and serve others. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"
This promised provision teaches us the inestimable worth of our lives. He will not allow us to go without. This intimate knowledge and care for human life on the part of our gracious God is what motivates us to seek for the preservation of human life in all its stages.
Prayer
Loving heavenly Father, help us to see the worth of all human beings by the way in which you provide for us. We would ask that you provide also the faith, grace and courage to enable us to protect that which is so precious to you. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Loving heavenly Father, help us to see the worth of all human beings by the way in which you provide for us. We would ask that you provide also the faith, grace and courage to enable us to protect that which is so precious to you. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Printable devotional
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For Life,
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SHAWN CARNEY
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
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