Dear Deacon John,
Since the first 40 Days for Life campaign in 2007, I have traveled to more than 350 of the 559 cities that have hosted vigils. There is one area, which I have visited often, that continues to show a whole lot of momentum. It surprises people when I tell them ... the place is California.
California isn’t often considered a hub of pro-life activity ... but California morehas 40 Days for Life vigils than any other US state ... by far ... in every campaign. There are currently 37 locations.
Recently I visited the campaign in El Cajon for the first time ... and I met a woman I will never forget.
El Cajon, California
I spoke at the El Cajon vigil just outside of San Diego … where more than 80 people gathered in front of Planned Parenthood on the busiest street in town.
This was unlike any vigil I had seen since. The abortion center is on the upper level of a strip center … so all of the moms had to walk above the prayer volunteers and had a clear view of everyone who was there to offer them alternatives.
One volunteer said she comes out to pray because she found out that her mom had tried three different times to abort her – this was before abortion was legal – and she survived all three attempts on her life. “I want to share my story with these moms entering to give them hope” she said.
The local campaign leader, Vicki, was full of joy and said they were determined to be there to pray until Planned Parenthood closes.
Cape Town, South Africa
It sounds like the presence of the 40 Days for Life vigil rattles the staff at the Marie Stopes abortion center in Cape Town.
Colette, the local coordinator, said that during every 40 Days for Life campaign, the business closes its doors and brings in the entire staff for a meeting and motivational gathering. “If the prayers of 40 Days for Life are not working,” she said, “then why do they need to do so? This is evidence of the power of prayer!”
The campaign is blessed by people Colette described as “amazing prayer warriors.” They even had a Marie Stopes employee approach them to ask for prayer. Of course, they were more than happy to oblige.
“And then, to add to it,” she said, “Marie Stopes closed their doors because the prayers were too loud.”
Colette said that “together we can do so much more and save so many more lives than if we passively sit in the dark and wait for change.”
Austin, Texas
Prayer volunteers at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Austin spoke to a young man who said he and his wife had a 6-month-old baby … and had just found out she was pregnant
He tried to change his wife’s mind about having an abortion ... but thus far, he simply wasn’t able to convince her.
“Let us all make time to pray for this man and his family,” said Heather in Austin. “This is why it is so important to be on the sidewalk, to be that last sign of hope.”
Today’s devotional is from Carmen Pate of Alliance Ministries.
Day 25 intention
Pray that God will bless us with His gift of strength as we respond in obedience to His call.
Scripture
Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.
If you say, “surely we did not know this,” does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it?
And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?
— Proverbs 24:11-12
Reflection by Carmen Pate
In this age of technologically advanced communication, ignorance of human rights abuses is no excuse.
We know there are persecuted Christians in China, there is genocide in Darfur, and there are babies aborted and women and families devastated right in our own communities.
“But I can't save them all," you say.
God isn’t asking you to. He has equipped each of us with time, talent, and treasure to do what we can when He provides the opportunity.
He has given us His Holy Spirit to empower us as we abide in Him. He is asking us to be on His side in speaking out and protecting those who can’t protect themselves.
When we are obedient to His calling to get in on the work He is doing, we will experience intimacy with Him in a whole new way.
Our faith will increase as we see God at work! You have responded to His call during this 40 Days for Life campaign.
Let your efforts be for His pleasure and His purposes. Pray without ceasing!
Prayer
God Almighty, we pray for continued guidance and strength as we intercede on behalf of the young women and their babies who are stumbling to the slaughter.
Open the eyes of the mother's heart to see her child as you do — a precious gift to be treasured.
Let her feel Your loving arms around her and may she be assured that you have a plan and a future for her and her child.
Give her reason not to enter the abortion clinic.
Give her wisdom and discernment to find life options through a local pregnancy care center and may she boldly choose life.
Thank you, Lord, for hearing our prayer. Because of Your Son’s sacrifice we pray, Amen.
Printable devotional
To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share:
http://40daysforlife.com/media/day25.pdf
For life,
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SHAWN CARNEY
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
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