Dear Deacon John,
There is something
about twins that adds excitement to a pregnancy. So often, when a couple
determined to have an abortion finds out that there is not one baby in
the womb, but two ... they immediately experience a new and hopeful outlook about their children.
The abortion
mentality says that this means double the difficulties. However, couples
usually respond by offering double the sacrifice and double the love.
Parents of twins say it's also double the reward.
Here's an example. In fact ... two examples!
Cleveland, Ohio
John, the 40 Days for Life leader in Cleveland, sent a quick note. “We had a save today!”
Volunteers were
praying outside the abortion center when a couple drove up to them. The
woman told them she had changed her mind about abortion … and that she was having twins.
“The vigil
participants gave them some information about where they could get real
help,” John said, “and the smiling couple drove away. Praise God!”
El Cajon, California
“I have great news to share with you as a result of our united prayer and sacrifices to save lives from abortion,” said Vicki in El Cajon.
At the start of
this year’s first 40 Days for Life campaign, the local team heard about a
woman who was planning to have an abortion. A couple at church got in
touch with one of her friends, with the message that the young woman
could call them if she needed help.
To their surprise, the couple got a phone call the very next day. They arranged to meet with the mother and brought her to a pregnancy help center where doctors provide free medical care.
“There she saw her babies on the ultrasound ... and she chose life for her twin babies!” Vicki said.
“Even better, twin baby girls were delivered September 24, opening day of 40 Days for Life,” she said. “God is amazing … and so are our prayer teams!”
Roanoke, Virginia
Volunteers outside Planned Parenthood in Roanoke pleaded with a teenager who was going in for an abortion. “Please don’t go in there,” they told her. The only “option” they offer would end the life of her child.
She laughed. “I know,” the young woman said. “That’s what I’m going to do.”
“It brought tears
to my eyes,” said Shirley, the local 40 Days for Life coordinator in
Roanoke. “I sat down and cried for her seeming callousness.”
But less than an
hour later, tears turned to joy. The teen walked out of Planned
Parenthood and spoke to the people praying outside.
“I can’t do it,” she said. “I saw the ultrasound.”
She explained she
was 6 weeks pregnant, her boyfriend didn’t want the baby – and she’s
afraid of what her parents will say. The volunteers prayed with her –
and helped set up an appointment for her at the pregnancy care center in
her home town.
“I can’t tell you how much we rejoiced that she chose life for her baby,” Shirley said.
Here's today's devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life.
Day 8 intention
May the spirit and example of the Good Samaritan fill the hearts and minds of all our citizens.
May the spirit and example of the Good Samaritan fill the hearts and minds of all our citizens.
Scripture
Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So, too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side."
"But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'"
"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
—Luke 10:30-37
Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So, too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side."
"But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'"
"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
—Luke 10:30-37
Reflection
Here Jesus commands us to show mercy to the victims of the culture of violence and death.
But why did the priest and Levite fail to show mercy? Perhaps they feared that the robbers were hiding just around the next corner to attack them. They asked themselves, "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?"
The Samaritan, however, reversed the question, and asked, "If I don't stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"
In working to save the unborn, let's not worry about what will happen to us if we act; let's worry about what will happen to the unborn if we don't.
Here Jesus commands us to show mercy to the victims of the culture of violence and death.
But why did the priest and Levite fail to show mercy? Perhaps they feared that the robbers were hiding just around the next corner to attack them. They asked themselves, "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?"
The Samaritan, however, reversed the question, and asked, "If I don't stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"
In working to save the unborn, let's not worry about what will happen to us if we act; let's worry about what will happen to the unborn if we don't.
Prayer
Father, we are moved by the lesson of the Good Samaritan, who allowed compassion to influence him more than fear. Give us the same heart.
Grant that we may never count the cost of standing up and speaking out for the unborn. We pray through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Father, we are moved by the lesson of the Good Samaritan, who allowed compassion to influence him more than fear. Give us the same heart.
Grant that we may never count the cost of standing up and speaking out for the unborn. We pray 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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