Dear Deacon John,
The next 40 Days for Life campaign starts tomorrow … and we already have great news!
But first … have you found the closest 40 Days for Life vigil yet?
Now … here’s the incredible news!
Las Cruces, New Mexico
A new abortion center was scheduled to open in Las Cruces, New Mexico on Monday of last week. But after much effort … a newly-organized 40 Days for Life team responded …
… and the abortion business did not open!
When Texas laws forced abortion businesses to close, a chain that ran a facility in El Paso thought they could outsmart the strict new safety regulations by setting up shop in adjacent New Mexico.
As word started to spread, Christians in Las Cruces quickly contacted 40 Days for Life leaders in El Paso … and the 40 Days for Life headquarters team. Their message was simple:
“We must hold a 40 Days for Life vigil in Las Cruces!”
When they learned the abortion business would open on September 15, they knew they couldn’t wait until September 24 to start praying. They held a rally the night before the planned opening … and started a vigil the next day.
“The kickoff on Sunday evening had a turnout of well over 200 people, many of whom had just learned about both 40 Days for Life as well as the proposed abortion facility that morning at their church services,” said Mark in Las Cruces.
“We have had an excellent response from people signing up for the prayer vigil, overwhelmingly positive response from the community, and multiple favorable media stories,” he said.
The next morning, volunteers were there to pray that Las Cruces would remain abortion-free.
And the abortion center’s “grand opening”?
Not so grand. It never happened!!!
“They have delayed their opening without comment due to sudden logistical issues,” Mark said. “We are still there praying every day from 6 am to 10 pm that their ‘logistical issues’ are permanent.”
Las Cruces will be joined in that prayer by volunteers in 296 other cities around the world for 40 Days for Life … from Wednesday, September 24 to Sunday, November 2.
There’s a sense of urgency in Las Cruces that we all need … as the abortion industry’s presence in far too many local communities results in the deaths of countless numbers of innocent human beings.
Lives are at risk today. Pray for courage … and pray with urgency. Your prayerful presence outside the abortion center is needed …
… because the need for Christ’s love and mercy is urgent.
If the news from Las Cruces is any indication of what’s to come … I can’t wait for this campaign to start!
Today’s devotional was prepared by Carmen Pate of Alliance Ministries.
Pre-kickoff intention
For God’s blessing upon all participating in the coming 40 Days for Life campaign.
Scripture
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.”
— 2 Chronicles 7:14
Reflection
Not unlike God’s chosen people of Israel, we must humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways, if we expect God to hear from heaven, forgive our sin, and heal our land. The need for repentance has not been greater since the Supreme Court decision of Roe vs. Wade in 1973.
The number one cause of death in America is the needless sacrifice of our children at the altar of convenience called abortion. Conservative estimates put the number of deaths at nearly 55 million.
And lest we think this is an issue outside the church walls, 43 percent of women obtaining abortions identify themselves as Protestant, and 27 percent identify themselves as Catholic. One in four women has at least one abortion by the age of 45 — both non-Christian and Christian alike. Where was the voice of Truth — the church?
Mary Comm of In Our Midst Ministries, Inc. sums up the issue best as she writes, “We (the church) have been an unintentional accomplice to the millions of lives lost and to the multiplied millions of lives devastated by abortion. We didn’t want them to abort. We didn’t mean for them to abort. But, because of our lack of knowledge, because of our fear, we have continued to stand by and do nothing. We, God’s hands and feet in this dark and hurting world, have been unintentional, unknowledgeable accomplice, but an accomplice nonetheless.”
May today mark the beginning of change within the church, as God’s people, in unity, seek His forgiveness.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we have turned our backs on you and your principles in your Word. We have allowed man to usurp Your role as God over life and the number of our days. But we come to you in brokenness and repentance over our sin.
We cry out for Your mercy and ask you to remove the scourge of abortion from our land.
Use us as your vessels, Lord, to bring the light of Your Truth to our nation once again. Because of Christ we pray, Amen.
Printable devotional
To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
For Life,
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SHAWN CARNEY
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
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