Dear Deacon John,
A 40 Days for Life campaign gives one more chance. One more chance for the mom ... and one last chance for the baby.
Some women and men take that last chance and save their child from abortion. But of course, some don't. The ones who do are grateful for your willingness to pray ... and to offer that one last chance.
Here are a few examples.
Some women and men take that last chance and save their child from abortion. But of course, some don't. The ones who do are grateful for your willingness to pray ... and to offer that one last chance.
Here are a few examples.
St. Louis, Missouri
“I want to tell you something,” said a woman who drove up to the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil and rolled down her window. “I want you all to know that you are making a difference.”
After the 40 Days for Life volunteer thanked her for the kind words, the woman asked, “Can I show you something?” It was a photo on her phone – a happy 7-month-old baby boy.
By this time, the woman was in tears. “This is my fourth child.”
After the 40 Days for Life volunteer thanked her for the kind words, the woman asked, “Can I show you something?” It was a photo on her phone – a happy 7-month-old baby boy.
By this time, the woman was in tears. “This is my fourth child.”
She
then went on to explain how she was planning an abortion because she
didn’t think she could take on the responsibility of another child. “But
because you all were here, I changed my mind. I have my son because of you.”
Grand Rapids, Michigan
“It’s amazing,”
said Lisa, the local 40 Days for Life director in Michigan, who shared
the story of one mom who changed her mind about abortion.
“She had gone to the clinic already – for more than one abortion appointment with this pregnancy – and each time did not go through with the abortion,” Lisa said. “But she kept coming back.”
When she arrived for yet another appointment, she said she felt God nudging her towards the sidewalk counselors. Instead of going into the abortion facility, she went instead to the nearby pregnancy help center for an ultrasound.
“She had gone to the clinic already – for more than one abortion appointment with this pregnancy – and each time did not go through with the abortion,” Lisa said. “But she kept coming back.”
When she arrived for yet another appointment, she said she felt God nudging her towards the sidewalk counselors. Instead of going into the abortion facility, she went instead to the nearby pregnancy help center for an ultrasound.
“Thanks be to God,” Lisa said, “she chose life for her baby!”
She faces a number of challenges – including financial ones – but life-affirming ministries are now helping her.
Lisa also noted her appreciation for the boys’ soccer team from Central Catholic High School, who took time to pray at the vigil.
She faces a number of challenges – including financial ones – but life-affirming ministries are now helping her.
Lisa also noted her appreciation for the boys’ soccer team from Central Catholic High School, who took time to pray at the vigil.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
On
a recent day during this 40 Days for Life campaign, members of seven
different churches prayed outside Planned Parenthood in Virginia Beach.
While they prayed, a young woman walked over and asked if anyone had a Bible. She and her husband already had a one-year-old … and wondered if they could take care of another baby.
“They had scheduled an abortion,” said one of the volunteers, “but when they drove into Planned Parenthood, they realized they didn't belong there.”
The young woman spoke to a priest who was with the group praying, and he reassured her that God would watch over them and that she was making the right decision.
“I can't help but wonder what would have happened if there had not been people standing on the sidewalk praying,” said Louantha, the local coordinator in Virginia Beach. “Your prayers and presence really do make a big difference.”
Today's devotional is from Rev. John Ensor of PassionLife.
While they prayed, a young woman walked over and asked if anyone had a Bible. She and her husband already had a one-year-old … and wondered if they could take care of another baby.
“They had scheduled an abortion,” said one of the volunteers, “but when they drove into Planned Parenthood, they realized they didn't belong there.”
The young woman spoke to a priest who was with the group praying, and he reassured her that God would watch over them and that she was making the right decision.
“I can't help but wonder what would have happened if there had not been people standing on the sidewalk praying,” said Louantha, the local coordinator in Virginia Beach. “Your prayers and presence really do make a big difference.”
Today's devotional is from Rev. John Ensor of PassionLife.
Day 16 intention
Pray for the mothers going into pregnancy help centers. The personal care, the free ultrasound, the ongoing practical help is designed to deliver them from those who profit in shedding innocent blood.
Pray for the mothers going into pregnancy help centers. The personal care, the free ultrasound, the ongoing practical help is designed to deliver them from those who profit in shedding innocent blood.
Scripture
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
— Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
— Matthew 11:28
Reflection
“You have twins. That will be another $350.” She did not speak English. But she finally understood that they were telling her to go get more money and return for her abortion.
She had already given them her rent money. But they were not about to give her a two-for-one deal. They told her to get dressed and return with more cash.
A couple, who was praying outside, comforted her. They brought her to their local pregnancy help center.
The staff quickly saw that her personal circumstances were so desperate, and immediate, that they would need direct and ongoing help from local Christians and churches. They started making calls.
Then they did the ultrasound. It showed there was only one baby, not two. This abandoned, immigrant, powerless mother was being exploited. She would do whatever she was told. Who would know? Who would care?
God calls us to “Rescue the weak and the needy; and deliver them from the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:4).
When you provide an alternative to abortion you are not only rescuing innocent babies, you are delivering mothers from the wicked: those who profit in the shedding of innocent blood. Pray for those who rescue and deliver daily at your local pregnancy help center.
“You have twins. That will be another $350.” She did not speak English. But she finally understood that they were telling her to go get more money and return for her abortion.
She had already given them her rent money. But they were not about to give her a two-for-one deal. They told her to get dressed and return with more cash.
A couple, who was praying outside, comforted her. They brought her to their local pregnancy help center.
The staff quickly saw that her personal circumstances were so desperate, and immediate, that they would need direct and ongoing help from local Christians and churches. They started making calls.
Then they did the ultrasound. It showed there was only one baby, not two. This abandoned, immigrant, powerless mother was being exploited. She would do whatever she was told. Who would know? Who would care?
God calls us to “Rescue the weak and the needy; and deliver them from the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:4).
When you provide an alternative to abortion you are not only rescuing innocent babies, you are delivering mothers from the wicked: those who profit in the shedding of innocent blood. Pray for those who rescue and deliver daily at your local pregnancy help center.
Prayer
Father, hear our prayer! Snatch desperate mothers from the fire. Bring them out of our abortion businesses and into our pregnancy help centers. Deliver them from evil. Use us to help them chose life and see your hand of provision.
Father, hear our prayer! Snatch desperate mothers from the fire. Bring them out of our abortion businesses and into our pregnancy help centers. Deliver them from evil. Use us to help them chose life and see your hand of provision.
Printable devotional
To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/media/fall2014day16print.pdf
To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/media/fall2014day16print.pdf
For Life,
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SHAWN CARNEY
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
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PS: The next installment of “The top 5 things I know about Abby Johnson ... 5 years later” is now online.
