Dear Deacon John,
Volunteers in 19 countries are participating in the current campaign, including three nations that are on the list for the first time: Ethiopia, Romania and Slovenia.
Robert Colquhoun, the international outreach coordinator for 40 Days for Life, first witnessed the campaign during a trip to Canada. When he returned home to England, he organized the first British vigil ... and has since helped 40 Days for Life spread in four continents.
Leading a campaign is hard work ... and there can be unique challenges in different parts of the world. Here’s a look at two new vigil locations where faith has led the way.
Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Julia, the local leader of the first 40 Days for Life campaign in Romania, said the kickoff rally drew representatives from Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant faith communities.
“The Greek Catholic bishop attended the whole event, including our short vigil at the abortion facility, which is also the second largest maternity hospital in the city,” she said. The bishop read from John 17:13-21 and offered his blessing.
Julia said one of
the priests who attended the kickoff serves as a chaplain at the
hospital, and often visits the women in the abortion area to offer
counseling and prayer. He and his wife signed up to pray four hours a
week at the vigil.
“Three major local media outlets covered the event, including a live interview on the 6 pm news,” she said. “We were in shock to see how optimistic they were about the message and this movement.”
Julia had expected
negativity from the media, but that hasn’t been the case. “Another media
outlet,” she said, “specifically asked that we arrange to have a big
group present for the filming in order to have a strong and convincing
message.”
The campaign has already received commitments from 200 volunteers. “Some teachers will be attending with their whole classes, either during or after school hours,” she said.
Julia and her team
anticipate 40 Days for Life growing in Romania. “Already, Bucharest and
five other cities are looking to join the next campaign!”
Gloucester, England
Robert Colquhoun helped kick off the 40 Days for Life campaign in Gloucester.
“We had about 25 there for the event,” he said. “They are a first-time
campaign and have been working hard to get new people on board.”
Members of the clergy attended the kickoff, as did members of the local Polish community.
Today’s devotional is from Rev. John Ensor of Heartbeat International.
Day 3 intention
Day 3 intention
Pray for your local pregnancy help center: for those who answer calls from women considering abortion, those who provide ultrasounds, and those who personally help mothers prepare to parent or place for adoption.
Scripture
Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
— Psalm 82:4
Reflection by Rev. John Ensor
When a woman arrives at her local pregnancy help center, the hard work of “rescuing the weak” begins.
They listen to her. What desperate circumstance is driving her?
They act. A professional ultrasound and medical care is provided.
They pray, “God use us.” Then, they take up her burdens and work towards life.
It is cross-bearing for the child-bearing.
I prayed for one volunteer who was working with one mother in her struggle. Here is what “rescue the weak” looked like in this one case:
• Aug 3: She made an appointment for Thursday to get an abortion and while
They listen to her. What desperate circumstance is driving her?
They act. A professional ultrasound and medical care is provided.
They pray, “God use us.” Then, they take up her burdens and work towards life.
It is cross-bearing for the child-bearing.
I prayed for one volunteer who was working with one mother in her struggle. Here is what “rescue the weak” looked like in this one case:
• Aug 3: She made an appointment for Thursday to get an abortion and while
she feels terrible about it, she also feels like she has no choice. Pray that her
heart is changed!
• Aug 10: She is 12 weeks along but missed her appointment. She had some
• Aug 10: She is 12 weeks along but missed her appointment. She had some
good conversations with people at the pregnancy center. She is now
considering adoption.
• Aug 13: Things are down again. She now has an bortion scheduled for
• Aug 13: Things are down again. She now has an bortion scheduled for
Monday. Pray!
• Aug 17: Missed appointment! God is working in her life.
• Sept 1: We’ve hit another rocky period. She has an abortion scheduled for
• Aug 17: Missed appointment! God is working in her life.
• Sept 1: We’ve hit another rocky period. She has an abortion scheduled for
tomorrow. She found out today that her parents are planning a trip to visit
her and she is panicking.
• Sept 15: Missed third appointment. But feels like she has no choice. Please
• Sept 15: Missed third appointment. But feels like she has no choice. Please
pray today.
• Sept 20: She fears her parents but has agreed to another ultrasound
• Sept 20: She fears her parents but has agreed to another ultrasound
(a breakthrough).
• Sept 22: I was there with her for her ultrasound. She saw her baby moving
• Sept 22: I was there with her for her ultrasound. She saw her baby moving
and made the realization that she wants to carry her baby.
Please keep praying against attack by the enemy. We are overwhelmed by seeing God’s hand move in this situation and are so very thankful for the prayers lifted up by each one of you. God is good!
Prayer
Please keep praying against attack by the enemy. We are overwhelmed by seeing God’s hand move in this situation and are so very thankful for the prayers lifted up by each one of you. God is good!
Prayer
Father, we praise you for this one sister who gave herself, heart and soul, to rescue this one mother and baby. O may you empower the hundreds more today who are serving in our pregnancy help centers. Grant those answering calls, providing ultrasound and following up with a bold spirit of truth, love and perseverance.
Printable devotional
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For life,
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SHAWN CARNEY
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
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