Dear Deacon John,
... but occasionally He will show you!
When we report the number of babies saved during 40 Days for Life vigils, we always add the phrase “that we know of.” There are many women who change their minds and leave the abortion centers or simply keep driving and never go in for their appointment.
Occasionally, though, 40 Days for Life volunteers find out much later that a life was spared. A young woman will approach them with a small child, a big smile … and a huge “thank you!”
It’s a beautiful occurrence and one that makes it all worth it. Here’s one of those stories …
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
When a young mom in her early 20s who lives in the surrounding neighborhood came down the street carrying her son on her hip, one of the 40 Days for Life volunteers greeted her as she was passing.
She responded with “Hello!” and then added, “Thanks for what you do,” as she continued to walk by. Then suddenly, she stopped, turned and said, “Thanks to you my son is alive.”
During Lancaster’s fourth 40 Days for Life campaign in the fall of 2013, she came to Planned Parenthood determined to sign up for an abortion, which she was convinced she wanted and needed. When she saw the volunteers praying outside the building, she avoided them and went inside. After completing all the required paperwork and “counseling,” there was nothing left to do but watch a short video.
“She went into a room, sat down alone and started the DVD,” said Bob, the local leader in Lancaster. “But she couldn’t get those who were praying out of her mind. Suddenly, she realized that they were right … ending the life of her unborn baby would be a tragic mistake.”
She stopped the DVD, got up, left the building ... and never looked back. Her son is now a healthy one-year-old and is deeply loved.
“From those considering an abortion, to those suffering with the pain and brokenness of an abortion, to those simply driving past a vigil,” Bob said, “we simply don’t know how many hearts and lives are touched by 40 Days for Life campaigns … in Lancaster and across our nation.”
Cluj-Napoca, Romania
“From those considering an abortion, to those suffering with the pain and brokenness of an abortion, to those simply driving past a vigil,” Bob said, “we simply don’t know how many hearts and lives are touched by 40 Days for Life campaigns … in Lancaster and across our nation.”
Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Someone in Cluj-Napoca apparently wanted to send a message to the 40 Days for Life campaign. When volunteers arrived one morning, they were greeted with pro-abortion graffiti painted on the sides of the building where they pray.
It seems abortion supporters use the same slogans everywhere – the messages read my body, my choice and keep your religion off my body.
Julia in Cluj-Napoca said the words “are right above our volunteers’ heads, so people are very confused when they pass by and see our signs and the graffiti at the same time.”
Vigil participants were asked to “please intensify your prayers and fasting for unborn babies, mothers … and especially for those who do not recognize the supreme gift and dignity of every life!”
Today’s devotional is from Carmen Pate of Alliance Ministries.
Day 19 intention
Pray that when those representing Planned Parenthood and other abortion groups see volunteers for 40 Days for Life, they see ambassadors of Christ, and may each volunteer be consciously aware at all times of Whom we represent.
Scripture
I beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness, and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.
— Ephesians 4:1b-2
Reflection by Carmen Pate
When Carol Everett, a former abortionist and post-abortive woman, was asked what turned her heart from death to life in Christ, she said, “Unconditional love,” shown by a man who prayed daily for her in front of the abortion clinic where she worked.
He told Carol that God had sent him because there was someone in there that God wanted out.
She left 27 days later and now serves as Christ's ambassador to help others.
We too have been sent by Christ as an ambassador to love unconditionally those God seeks to get out of their bondage and sin.
What a high calling it is — much higher than any presidential appointment to another country.
In his book, Fishers of Men, Dr. Sumner Wemp describes what it means to be an ambassador of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings:
• God has chosen us (John 15:16)
• We are sent into a world that is not our home (1 Peter 2:11)
• Our walk must match our talk (1 Timothy 3:7)
• We must abide in Him for daily instruction (John 15:5)
• Know our purpose — to seek and to save that which is lost (Luke 19:10)
• We are to reconcile others to God with His authority (Matthew 28:19-20)
• Do not let kindness and truth leave you (Proverbs 3:3-4)
• Our service is to be grounded and rooted in love (Ephesians 3:17)
Pray that we each will walk worthy of the calling with which we were called!
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, we are humbled that you have called us and appointed us to be ambassadors of Christ in a world that is not our home.
We pray that your Holy Spirit will empower us to walk worthy of the calling. We pray that Your unconditional love will flow through us to those who desperately need Your saving grace.
In the name of Christ who is worthy, Amen.
Printable devotional
To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share:
Day 19 intention
Pray that when those representing Planned Parenthood and other abortion groups see volunteers for 40 Days for Life, they see ambassadors of Christ, and may each volunteer be consciously aware at all times of Whom we represent.
Scripture
I beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness, and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.
— Ephesians 4:1b-2
Reflection by Carmen Pate
When Carol Everett, a former abortionist and post-abortive woman, was asked what turned her heart from death to life in Christ, she said, “Unconditional love,” shown by a man who prayed daily for her in front of the abortion clinic where she worked.
He told Carol that God had sent him because there was someone in there that God wanted out.
She left 27 days later and now serves as Christ's ambassador to help others.
We too have been sent by Christ as an ambassador to love unconditionally those God seeks to get out of their bondage and sin.
What a high calling it is — much higher than any presidential appointment to another country.
In his book, Fishers of Men, Dr. Sumner Wemp describes what it means to be an ambassador of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings:
• God has chosen us (John 15:16)
• We are sent into a world that is not our home (1 Peter 2:11)
• Our walk must match our talk (1 Timothy 3:7)
• We must abide in Him for daily instruction (John 15:5)
• Know our purpose — to seek and to save that which is lost (Luke 19:10)
• We are to reconcile others to God with His authority (Matthew 28:19-20)
• Do not let kindness and truth leave you (Proverbs 3:3-4)
• Our service is to be grounded and rooted in love (Ephesians 3:17)
Pray that we each will walk worthy of the calling with which we were called!
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, we are humbled that you have called us and appointed us to be ambassadors of Christ in a world that is not our home.
We pray that your Holy Spirit will empower us to walk worthy of the calling. We pray that Your unconditional love will flow through us to those who desperately need Your saving grace.
In the name of Christ who is worthy, Amen.
Printable devotional
To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share:
May this Lord’s day be filled with blessings for you and all of your loved ones, Deacon John!
For life,
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SHAWN CARNEY
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
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