Dear Deacon John,
Today we have updates from the United States, Canada and Nigeria. The power of prayer is on display in all of these locations!
One report is from Abuja, Nigeria – which Robert Colquhoun,
our international outreach director, recently visited. It's a story of
how the impact of 40 Days for Life can often be felt in unexpected
places. We'll be hearing much more from Robert soon!
Earlier this week,
we talked about the campaign in Kissimmee, Florida. An appeals court has
overturned an injunction that blocked Planned Parenthood from
performing abortions at its new facility there. So please continue to keep the Kissimmee team – and the moms and babies – in your prayers.
Abuja, Nigeria
Kelechi
is the leader of the 40 Days for Life campaign in Abuja. She also works
with an organization called Save the Unborn Babies Nigeria. She learned
recently of a baby that was saved … the child of a woman who prints the organization’s letterhead.
“She found out she was pregnant,” Kelechi said, “and the words ‘Save the Unborn Babies’ kept staring in her face each time she did the printing.”
The mother had kept this great news to herself for some time.
“She just shared it few days ago … just at the time I was asking myself if these pro-life efforts are actually enlightening people and saving babies from being aborted,” Kelechi said. “She specifically told me to continue the work as the pro-life message is helping save babies, although not all will come back to testify. All glory be to God!”
“She found out she was pregnant,” Kelechi said, “and the words ‘Save the Unborn Babies’ kept staring in her face each time she did the printing.”
The mother had kept this great news to herself for some time.
“She just shared it few days ago … just at the time I was asking myself if these pro-life efforts are actually enlightening people and saving babies from being aborted,” Kelechi said. “She specifically told me to continue the work as the pro-life message is helping save babies, although not all will come back to testify. All glory be to God!”
Canton, Ohio
Volunteers
at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Canton were able to talk to a woman
who was on her way out of Planned Parenthood. “She said she was pregnant
and wanted to keep the baby … but did not know where to go.”
Planned Parenthood was apparently willing to plan an abortion, but didn’t have much of an alternate plan when she said she wasn’t interested. They merely gave her a sheet of paper with information about a hospital and sent her on the way.
“So I gave here our resources material,” the volunteer said. They also talked about the local pregnancy help center and the services they offered. “I told her she could get an ultrasound.”
As the two continued to talk, the woman started smiling and seemed more confident. “Please pray for this young mother,” said the vigil participant.
Planned Parenthood was apparently willing to plan an abortion, but didn’t have much of an alternate plan when she said she wasn’t interested. They merely gave her a sheet of paper with information about a hospital and sent her on the way.
“So I gave here our resources material,” the volunteer said. They also talked about the local pregnancy help center and the services they offered. “I told her she could get an ultrasound.”
As the two continued to talk, the woman started smiling and seemed more confident. “Please pray for this young mother,” said the vigil participant.
Kitchener, Ontario
The
40 Days for Life team in Kitchener reports a turnout of more than 70
people for a candlelight vigil outside of Freeport Hospital – an event
described as an evening of prayer and fellowship as a witness and a voice for the babies who cannot speak out for themselves.
Ewelina, the local leader in Kitchener, said students from St. Mary’s High School organized the event and provided candles … and a group of students and their chaplain attended.
“Even though we had at least one person shout at us while driving by,” she said, “we had more positive praise from drivers passing by and honking in support.”
Here's today's devotional from Randolph Sly of the National Pro-life Religious Council.
Ewelina, the local leader in Kitchener, said students from St. Mary’s High School organized the event and provided candles … and a group of students and their chaplain attended.
“Even though we had at least one person shout at us while driving by,” she said, “we had more positive praise from drivers passing by and honking in support.”
Here's today's devotional from Randolph Sly of the National Pro-life Religious Council.
Day 18 intention
We pray for a flowering of the joy of parenthood.
We pray for a flowering of the joy of parenthood.
Scripture
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.
— Psalm 127:3-5
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.
— Psalm 127:3-5
Reflection
I still vividly remember the day my first child was born. As she came into the world I gazed upon the most beautiful little baby I'd ever seen.
Later I was driving home from the hospital for a shower and a fresh change of clothes when a song came on the radio, "The Men in My Little Girl's Life" -- a ballad about being a father as he watches his daughter grow through childhood to womanhood.
I wept as I listened, knowing those years would go by very fast... and they did.
Being a father, whenever I read the Psalm quoted above I'm always captivated by one word - "heritage." It basically means "something passed down from a preceding generation."
That little girl I watched being born and wept for is not mine to give to God like a product of our fertility, but rather His, which he has entrusted to us. So are all her siblings.
My wife and I share a great treasure: precious lives, which are placed in our lineage that His life with us might be perpetuated.
To the psalmist, this was a blessing from the Lawgiver, God Himself, who blessed Israel with another generation intended to continue their covenantal promise.
For us in Christ, it is his gift of succeeding generations for His Church and her families.
These days I'm looking upon my grandchildren, and rejoicing that my children and their spouses will pass on the greatness of Christ's gospel to them and thus will continue the work of God in the world. What a blessing. What a heritage!
I still vividly remember the day my first child was born. As she came into the world I gazed upon the most beautiful little baby I'd ever seen.
Later I was driving home from the hospital for a shower and a fresh change of clothes when a song came on the radio, "The Men in My Little Girl's Life" -- a ballad about being a father as he watches his daughter grow through childhood to womanhood.
I wept as I listened, knowing those years would go by very fast... and they did.
Being a father, whenever I read the Psalm quoted above I'm always captivated by one word - "heritage." It basically means "something passed down from a preceding generation."
That little girl I watched being born and wept for is not mine to give to God like a product of our fertility, but rather His, which he has entrusted to us. So are all her siblings.
My wife and I share a great treasure: precious lives, which are placed in our lineage that His life with us might be perpetuated.
To the psalmist, this was a blessing from the Lawgiver, God Himself, who blessed Israel with another generation intended to continue their covenantal promise.
For us in Christ, it is his gift of succeeding generations for His Church and her families.
These days I'm looking upon my grandchildren, and rejoicing that my children and their spouses will pass on the greatness of Christ's gospel to them and thus will continue the work of God in the world. What a blessing. What a heritage!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, please keep me from taking for granted the gift of children. Help us to remember this heritage that you have given us. Make us faithful stewards of these precious lives, that each generation might be raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Heavenly Father, please keep me from taking for granted the gift of children. Help us to remember this heritage that you have given us. Make us faithful stewards of these precious lives, that each generation might be raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Printable devotional
To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/media/fall2014day18print.pdf
To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/media/fall2014day18print.pdf
For Life,
|
SHAWN CARNEY
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
|
PS: The final installment of “The top 5 things I know about Abby Johnson … 5 years later” is now online.
