Dear Deacon John,
So what does valet parking have to do with saving lives? More than you might expect!
You’ll find out in a
moment ... in a story that shows how creative God can be when using
your presence at a 40 Days for Life vigil.
You may wonder what you’ll say if someone approaches you to ask for help. But Christ told us that’s when the Holy Spirit will step in … so be not afraid!
You may wonder what you’ll say if someone approaches you to ask for help. But Christ told us that’s when the Holy Spirit will step in … so be not afraid!
Charleston, South Carolina
John, a 40 Days for
Life volunteer, was praying outside the abortion center when a client
stopped to ask him if he was the valet parking attendant. "No,” he said,
“but I’d like to talk to you before you go in there!”
The woman took him up on his offer and explained that she already had two children and she wasn’t sure she could handle a third. John talked to her, reassured her, and told her about the nearby pregnancy center that could help her with all of her concerns.
The woman went into the abortion center and returned 30 or 40 minutes later, proudly showing John her ultrasound and telling him that she had decided to keep her baby. John sent her on her way with the contact information for the pregnancy center.
“This is our fifth save in Charleston so far this campaign and we are excited to see how the Lord uses the smallest opportunities to start conversations and open the hearts of these women to choose life,” said one of the local leaders. “Valet parking, anyone?”
The woman took him up on his offer and explained that she already had two children and she wasn’t sure she could handle a third. John talked to her, reassured her, and told her about the nearby pregnancy center that could help her with all of her concerns.
The woman went into the abortion center and returned 30 or 40 minutes later, proudly showing John her ultrasound and telling him that she had decided to keep her baby. John sent her on her way with the contact information for the pregnancy center.
“This is our fifth save in Charleston so far this campaign and we are excited to see how the Lord uses the smallest opportunities to start conversations and open the hearts of these women to choose life,” said one of the local leaders. “Valet parking, anyone?”
Schenectady, New York
You don’t always
hear about it, but be assured that when 40 Days for Life comes to your
community, it creates an impact that often goes far beyond the sidewalk in front of the abortion center.
The local leaders in Schenectady have seen signs that the prayer presence outside Planned Parenthood can be multiplied — influencing the community ... and saving babies.
Two volunteers were praying at the vigil when a woman came up to tell how she personally had convinced three young women to change their minds about abortion – and one of them is having twins.
When she talked to the young women, she told them about “those people who are praying by Planned Parenthood” – people who were praying for these women and their babies.
On another occasion, a 40 Days for Life volunteer overheard an animated conversation about abortion … about a block down the street from the vigil site. One of the women involved in the discussion was telling the others that abortion is evil, “and that’s why people are out there praying.”
Larry, one of the Schenectady team members said, “Praise God that our presence and prayers are saving babies … even if it is through someone else!”
Here’s today’s devotional from Rev. J. Kirk van der Swaagh, Pastor, Conservative Congregational Christian Conference.
The local leaders in Schenectady have seen signs that the prayer presence outside Planned Parenthood can be multiplied — influencing the community ... and saving babies.
Two volunteers were praying at the vigil when a woman came up to tell how she personally had convinced three young women to change their minds about abortion – and one of them is having twins.
When she talked to the young women, she told them about “those people who are praying by Planned Parenthood” – people who were praying for these women and their babies.
On another occasion, a 40 Days for Life volunteer overheard an animated conversation about abortion … about a block down the street from the vigil site. One of the women involved in the discussion was telling the others that abortion is evil, “and that’s why people are out there praying.”
Larry, one of the Schenectady team members said, “Praise God that our presence and prayers are saving babies … even if it is through someone else!”
Here’s today’s devotional from Rev. J. Kirk van der Swaagh, Pastor, Conservative Congregational Christian Conference.
Day 31 intention
For the medical community, that the truth they know about the human body may become awe and wonder at the God who made it.
For the medical community, that the truth they know about the human body may become awe and wonder at the God who made it.
Scripture
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.
— Psalm 139:16
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.
— Psalm 139:16
Reflection
Human beings — God’s tapestries.
Psalm 139 is a psalm that reveals the enormity and otherness of God. His divine attributes are on display: omniscience (2-4), omnipresence (7-12), loving-kindness (17-18), justice (19-20), righteousness (23-24), and omnipotence.
Yet, when it came to express this last attribute, what example did the psalmist use — God’s creation of mountains, seas, or far-flung galaxies? No, he used none of these. To express the wonder of God’s unparalleled creative power the writer mentions the fashioning of the human in the womb (14-16).
The Hebrew word used to express God’s forming of us in the womb, raqam, is the same term for needlework or embroidery. In other words, we are a tapestry that displays God’s artistic mastery.
And, like the artist who knows his creation down to the last detail, God intimately knows us. This reality provokes the writer to awe and wonder. He proclaims, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
What is true for this psalmist is true for each human being. Each is fashioned by God and known by him and we can proclaim on behalf of each, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
Prayer
Gracious God, help us to appreciate the wonder and beauty of Your creation. Help us proclaim on behalf of every one of our fellow human beings, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” May the knowledge that we are intimately known by You shape our lives and actions. Amen.
Gracious God, help us to appreciate the wonder and beauty of Your creation. Help us proclaim on behalf of every one of our fellow human beings, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” May the knowledge that we are intimately known by You shape our lives and actions. Amen.
Printable devotional
To download today’s devotional as a printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/media/fall2014day31print.pdf
To download today’s devotional as a printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/media/fall2014day31print.pdf
For Life,
|
SHAWN CARNEY
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
|
