Dear Deacon John,
Yes, that’s closed ... times four!
Two abortion centers where 40 Days for Life vigils have been held for several years have just closed! Plus … we’ve recently learned of two more locations that have shut their doors forever.
This now makes 64 abortion facilities … where people have faithfully prayed for an end to abortion during 40 Days for Life campaigns outside their doors … that have gone out of business!
Praise God! And thank you for your prayers!
Here’s a quick look at four very happy teams of volunteers.
Manassas, Virginia
“I bring you good news of great joy!” said Mike in Manassas. “Our Prayers have been heard! After 27 years of abortions, Amethyst Health Center for Women has closed their doors!”
Volunteers in Manassas have prayed outside that abortion center for years … and fourteen 40 Days for Life campaigns.
“This is truly God's work through many, many hands in our community,” Mike said. “Light always conquers darkness … this is indeed a great blessing for our Manassas community.”
There are other 40 Days for Life vigils in Northern Virginia, and Mike encouraged the Manassas volunteers to continue to pray.
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Summit Women’s Center in Bridgeport opened in 1975 … and is now closed. People have prayed outside this abortion business for years … and that effort included four 40 Days for Life vigils.
“Praise God for this team of Christian soliders!” said Brian, the leader of the ongoing 40 Days for Life campaign in Norwich, Connecticut.
Word had gotten out that the building was for sale. It seems business was off – way off. A center that had reportedly done more than 300 abortions a week was now doing fewer than 20.
They closed for good last Saturday.
San Marcos, California
Prior to the start of this campaign, we received a note from a very excited Tony in San Marcos. “Just got the news,” he said. “North County Women’s Medical Center is closed!”
After years of prayer for an end to abortion there, it happened. The landlord wanted to use the property for other purposes, and the abortion center’s owner decided not to move but to retire. “God is good,” Tony said, “all the time!”
The San Marcos campaign is now the Vista campaign, with volunteers now praying outside a Planned Parenthood facility in an adjacent community.
For the 40 Days for Life headquarters team, San Marcos was simply “Gene’s campaign.” Gene is Gene Villinski, who passed away a little over a year ago. He led the San Marcos effort from 2009 to 2014 and was a relentless fighter for God’s innocent children.
Gene's faith, courage and great sense of humor were an example to all of us. We miss him ... and celebrate God's victory in San Marcos with the memory of Gene in our hearts.
Frederick, Maryland
We’ve also learned of the closure of the American Women’s Services abortion center in Maryland, which had been the site of seven 40 Days for Life campaigns as well as an ongoing regular prayer presence.
“We are full of joy and thanking God,” said Dolores, the local leader, who was also appreciative of 40 Days for Life, “which was started in Frederick in 2008, for helping its closing.”
The prayers were answered. The building’s owner sold the property, and the new owner is a general medical practice that does not do abortions.
With the closure, the Frederick team has moved its vigil to a Planned Parenthood center. This business does not do abortions, but it does offer the morning-after pill and abortion referrals.
Today's devotional is from Rev. John Ensor of PassionLife.
Day 10 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
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.
Recently, 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 good conversations with people at the pregnancy center. She is now considering adoption.
- Aug 13: Things are down again. She now has an abortion 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 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 pray today
- 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 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
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
To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
For Life,
|
SHAWN CARNEY
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
|
