Dear Deacon John,
Former Planned Parenthood workers have said that the no-show rate for abortion appointments goes as high as 75% when people are peacefully praying outside. That’s 3 out of 4 moms who never make it to their appointments because of your presence!
For the abortion industry, this means fewer customers and less money. Without income, the abortion centers eventually go out of business.
If you’re hesitant to go out and pray ... think of that 75% statistic. How encouraging it is to know that overcoming your reluctance could just possibly save a life from abortion!
Marietta, Georgia
There was just one person praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Marietta as nightfall approached – it was just Grisselle, her sign and a candle.
A teenaged boy walked up and asked if he could take a picture of her sign. She said yes … “if you’ll say a prayer with me for babies in danger of abortion.”
He said he wanted the picture because he knows of such a baby. His girlfriend is five weeks pregnant and scheduled to have an abortion. He wanted to take a picture of the sign that reads “women need support, not abortion” … and text it to his girlfriend.
When they talked again, the young man told Grisselle that his girlfriend had canceled her abortion appointment … and the baby was saved!
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Lisa in Grand Rapids tells of a young woman who stopped to speak to a sidewalk counselor at the 40 Days for Life vigil.
“She had a young baby already, no job, an unreliable boyfriend who wanted her to abort … and felt she had no support system,” Lisa said. It was good news when she skipped her abortion appointment and agreed to go to a nearby pregnancy help center for an ultrasound.
But later that day, she was on the phone with the counselor … and said that she had rescheduled the abortion for the following day. She still thought abortion was her best option.
“But she clearly couldn’t ignore God’s voice speaking to her heart,” Lisa said, “because she contacted the counselor again as she was preparing to leave home for the abortion appointment.”
They talked about the many forms of assistance available for her and her baby. After she was able to consider all of this, she announced, “I have decided against it!”
Coyoacan, Mexico
Volunteers are keeping a close eye on the Marie Stopes abortion center in Coyoacan, which is part of the Mexico City metropolitan area.
The 40 Days for Life vigil is on the sidewalk outside. For more than a week now, staff has been going in and out, but they are not open for appointments. The Marie Stopes website had listed six Mexico City locations. Now there are five ... and the Coyoacan office isn’t on that list.
No one knows whether the closure is permanent ... and the 40 Days for Life vigil will continue as planned through March 29.
Here’s today’s devotional from Carmen Pate of Alliance Ministries.
Intention
Pray for opportunities to share with an abortion-minded woman that the newness of life she is seeking is found only in Christ.
Scripture
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.
— 2 Corinthians 5:17
Reflection
An unexpected pregnancy is perceived by many young women as the end of their life as they know it. News of an unexpected pregnancy pulls the rug from under her well-laid plans.
Sadly, these women may choose abortion as a matter of self-preservation, believing that an abortion will help return life to normal and give them opportunity to start anew.
They don’t see abortion as killing a child, but rather as saving their own life. Of course, abortion will not bring the newness of life they are seeking, but instead will bring death to their child, lifelong regret, and unexpected – possibly devastating – consequences to their own life.
Abortion will be the choice made if we don’t meet them at the crossroad between life and death with a better way.
Almost without exception, these young women are looking for love, acceptance, and to be valued. In their efforts to have those needs met, they have become promiscuous. Most, if honest, will admit the needs were only met momentarily, if at all, during their brief encounter, and afterward the needs returned unmet.
The truth is, only Christ loves them unconditionally with an everlasting love. Only Christ will accept them as they are, and only Christ sees them for their true value in Him. He has a perfect plan for each woman and her child if only she will allow Christ to transform her life as she surrenders to Him. No, an unexpected pregnancy is not the end of life, but rather can be the beginning of two beautiful lives if God’s plan for them is given opportunity to unfold.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, you give us a new song, a new purpose, a new direction, a new perspective. You remind us that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Christ came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly.
Reflection
An unexpected pregnancy is perceived by many young women as the end of their life as they know it. News of an unexpected pregnancy pulls the rug from under her well-laid plans.
Sadly, these women may choose abortion as a matter of self-preservation, believing that an abortion will help return life to normal and give them opportunity to start anew.
They don’t see abortion as killing a child, but rather as saving their own life. Of course, abortion will not bring the newness of life they are seeking, but instead will bring death to their child, lifelong regret, and unexpected – possibly devastating – consequences to their own life.
Abortion will be the choice made if we don’t meet them at the crossroad between life and death with a better way.
Almost without exception, these young women are looking for love, acceptance, and to be valued. In their efforts to have those needs met, they have become promiscuous. Most, if honest, will admit the needs were only met momentarily, if at all, during their brief encounter, and afterward the needs returned unmet.
The truth is, only Christ loves them unconditionally with an everlasting love. Only Christ will accept them as they are, and only Christ sees them for their true value in Him. He has a perfect plan for each woman and her child if only she will allow Christ to transform her life as she surrenders to Him. No, an unexpected pregnancy is not the end of life, but rather can be the beginning of two beautiful lives if God’s plan for them is given opportunity to unfold.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, you give us a new song, a new purpose, a new direction, a new perspective. You remind us that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Christ came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly.
Give us boldness to share this Good News with those at the crossroads. May they choose life for their children and enjoy newness of life in You. Because of Christ we pray, amen.
Printable devotional
http://40daysforlife.com/media/day31.pdf
For life,
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SHAWN CARNEY
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
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