Dear Deacon John,
Today we have two reports. One will lift your spirits and the other will break your heart.
They both point to the reality that the abortion business is just that – a business.
Recently, the congressional investigation into Planned Parenthood reported that 86% of their service revenue comes from abortions.
Abortion facilities are lonely places where clients usually go because they feel helpless. The moment immediately after an abortion can be the loneliest moment of all.
But God can use the smallest acts to bring hope after abortion ... or even to save a life at the last moment when all hope seems lost. Here are two examples:
College Park, Maryland
“While I was praying at our sidewalk with several others,” said one of the 40 Days for Life vigil participants in College Park, “a 19-year old woman beckoned to us, as she had no way to get home, after she rejected a medical abortion and her boyfriend stranded her.”
She was abandoned by her boyfriend … abandoned by the abortion center … but not by the people praying outside. Another volunteer came to her aid, provided valuable counseling … and drove her home.
This isn’t the first time a scene like this has played out. A young woman who’d just had an abortion was alone outside the building, waiting for a ride. The abortion center had closed for the day and locked the doors. No one stayed with her … in a pouring rain.
“The leaky roof over her did not provide her enough shelter,” said one of the 40 Days for Life team members, “and she was completely wet. She only wore a cotton hoodie. Not many believe they will be locked out by the clinic when business is over.”
A volunteer offered an umbrella or a ride, but she said no thanks. “She seemed scared,” the team member said. “I stayed with her for another hour, offering her a phone call, a taxi, a ride in my car, a meal, some tea or hot coffee, an umbrella. She refused. I stayed with her for one hour until her ride came.”
The abortion center had taken her money and her baby. They had no further need for her.
Flint, Michigan
A 40 Days for Life volunteer noticed a couple entering the abortion center with their two-year-old son.
“I called out to them before they all went in,” she said. But the woman screamed back, “It’s not your body!”
Shortly after, the dad and little boy came out – it’s fairly standard that no children are allowed inside an abortion facility. Living children remind the clients of what abortion is really all about, and that’s bad for business.
The volunteer got his attention, and started telling him how an abortion would change their entire family relationship. “I told him that a woman wants a man who will rescue and take care of his woman and children.”
He said, “What can I do? It’s her body.” She quickly responded, “Go in and get her!”
“I could shoot her a text,” he said. “Well, we thought, that was better than nothing.”
A while later, the woman left the building and all three got in their car and left. They did not have the abortion! The volunteer added, “We must continue to pray for them.”
Today's devotional is from Rev. John Ensor of PassionLife.
Day 16 intention
Pray for the mothers going into pregnancy help centers. The personal care, the free ultrasound, the ongoing practical help is designed to deliver them from those who profit in shedding innocent blood.
Scripture
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
— Matthew 11:28
Reflection
“You have twins. That will be another $350.” She did not speak English. But she finally understood that they were telling her to go get more money and return for her abortion.
She had already given them her rent money. But they were not about to give her a two-for-one deal. They told her to get dressed and return with more cash.
A couple, who was praying outside, comforted her. They brought her to their local pregnancy help center.
The staff quickly saw that her personal circumstances were so desperate, and immediate, that they would need direct and ongoing help from local Christians and churches. They started making calls.
Then they did the ultrasound. It showed there was only one baby, not two. This abandoned, immigrant, powerless mother was being exploited. She would do whatever she was told. Who would know? Who would care?
God calls us to “Rescue the weak and the needy; and deliver them from the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:4).
When you provide an alternative to abortion you are not only rescuing innocent babies, you are delivering mothers from the wicked: those who profit in the shedding of innocent blood. Pray for those who rescue and deliver daily at your local pregnancy help center.
Prayer
Father, hear our prayer! Snatch desperate mothers from the fire. Bring them out of our abortion businesses and into our pregnancy help centers. Deliver them from evil. Use us to help them chose life and see your hand of provision.
Printable devotional
To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/media/day16.pdf
For life,
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SHAWN CARNEY
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
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