Dear Deacon John,
When you think of California, pro-life leadership may not come to your mind. But it should!
California has more 40 Days for Life vigils than any other state. The reason? Courageous leadership.
California has more 40 Days for Life vigils than any other state. The reason? Courageous leadership.
No doubt, these leaders have their work cut out for them. Los Angeles County is the abortion capital of the West Coast, doing 1,807 abortions per month. That number is staggering … but not a deterrent for leaders such as Elizabeth in Pasadena.
She had never led a
40 Days for Life campaign before … but couldn’t shake it from her mind
after seeing her local Planned Parenthood abortion doctor casually asking for a Lamborghini in exchange for baby body parts in the second video released by the Center for Medical Progress last summer.
The abortionist didn’t get the Lamborghini she wanted … but thanks to Elizabeth, she got a 40 Days for Life campaign outside her late-term abortion facility.
I recently visited that location, as well as a few other California campaigns … including one where abortion numbers are tumbling downward. There is a lot of hope in California – and that should inspire you, no matter where you live.
Pasadena, California
The abortionist didn’t get the Lamborghini she wanted … but thanks to Elizabeth, she got a 40 Days for Life campaign outside her late-term abortion facility.
I recently visited that location, as well as a few other California campaigns … including one where abortion numbers are tumbling downward. There is a lot of hope in California – and that should inspire you, no matter where you live.
Pasadena, California
“I just had to do something,” said Elizabeth in Pasadena.
After watching the video of her local Planned Parenthood abortion doctor haggle over the prices of baby body parts, she felt called to speak out for those precious children who are treated as commodities in negotiations.
The Planned Parenthood facility does late-term abortions. Elizabeth pleaded to bring 40 Days for Life to the location and draw attention to the barbaric practices taking place there … and the casual spirit of the staff regarding women and their babies.
“Dr. Mary Gatter is here … and she knows we are here and that we are praying for her,” she said.
While I was there, I met a baby saved from abortion. This child named Grace was appropriately holding a sign about God’s grace. Her presence at this facility showed God’s love and mercy are worth more than anything – including a Lamborghini.
Chico, California
After watching the video of her local Planned Parenthood abortion doctor haggle over the prices of baby body parts, she felt called to speak out for those precious children who are treated as commodities in negotiations.
The Planned Parenthood facility does late-term abortions. Elizabeth pleaded to bring 40 Days for Life to the location and draw attention to the barbaric practices taking place there … and the casual spirit of the staff regarding women and their babies.
“Dr. Mary Gatter is here … and she knows we are here and that we are praying for her,” she said.
While I was there, I met a baby saved from abortion. This child named Grace was appropriately holding a sign about God’s grace. Her presence at this facility showed God’s love and mercy are worth more than anything – including a Lamborghini.
Chico, California
Mary is the
dedicated leader in Chico. On my recent visit there, I spoke at a
banquet for a pregnancy center that’s seeing a record number of clients.
And that’s one of the reasons that Planned Parenthood in Chico is in trouble. Business is down – big time. So much so that recently the abortion facility laid off three staff members.
The 40 Days for Life team has learned that abortions have gone down from 30 per week to 7 per week!
More moms turning around and choosing life means less money for Planned Parenthood. Thanks to the prayers – and hard work – of Mary and her team, this abortion facility may not be open too much longer.
Alhambra, California
And that’s one of the reasons that Planned Parenthood in Chico is in trouble. Business is down – big time. So much so that recently the abortion facility laid off three staff members.
The 40 Days for Life team has learned that abortions have gone down from 30 per week to 7 per week!
More moms turning around and choosing life means less money for Planned Parenthood. Thanks to the prayers – and hard work – of Mary and her team, this abortion facility may not be open too much longer.
Alhambra, California
Planned Parenthood in Alhambra has what they would consider a strategic location – in a shopping center right across the street from the local high school.
To get inside, you must walk past the 40 Days for Life vigil outside. So Planned Parenthood decided to move from the first floor to the third floor.
“They don’t even have a sign at their new location,” said Catherine, the local leader in Alhambra, “and most people don’t realize they are here. But they know we are here and have information about alternatives.”
They are indeed on a busy street! I met many volunteers who spend countless hours praying … including faithful members of the local Knights of Columbus.
To get inside, you must walk past the 40 Days for Life vigil outside. So Planned Parenthood decided to move from the first floor to the third floor.
“They don’t even have a sign at their new location,” said Catherine, the local leader in Alhambra, “and most people don’t realize they are here. But they know we are here and have information about alternatives.”
They are indeed on a busy street! I met many volunteers who spend countless hours praying … including faithful members of the local Knights of Columbus.
Today’s devotional is from Rev. Ben Sheldon, president emeritus of Presbyterians for Life.
Day 36 intention
We pray for the gift of openness to children.
Scripture
God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them.
And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.”
— Genesis 1:27-28
Reflection by Rev. Ben Sheldon
God’s intention is that we multiply and fill the earth. One of the most perni-cious lies that sociologists have foisted off on the public is that the earth is be-coming overpopulated.
What kind of a sadistic god would cre-ate the earth and human creatures on it, only to have them literally repro-duce themselves into oblivion?
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our divine Creator, has commanded us to multiply and fill the earth and far from letting the popula-tion get out of control, He has, in fact given his human creatures a dominical role over all the lesser creatures.
The “birth control” movement, which had its beginnings with Margaret Sang-er in the early years of the last century, has led, in many parts of the world, to a birthrate that is drastically below the normal replacement rate.
God’s Word assures us that children are a blessing, that they are a reward of faithfully trusting and serving God and that they are the crown of their parents’ old age.
The spread of the contraception men-tality that has so permeated our cul-ture is, undoubtedly, a factor in the ready acceptance of abortion. God’s commandment to multiply and fill the earth has never been withdrawn. May
He help us to accept the gift of children and give him thanks for every baby who is born into the world.
Prayer
Father of mercy and grace, we thank you for the gift of our children. Grant that every fiber of our being may re-joice when a new baby, our own or any else’s, is born into the world. Help us to welcome them as we would welcome you, for whenever a new baby is conceived, another life to bear your image and another voice to praise and worship you, is beginning. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
Printable devotional
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For life,
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SHAWN CARNEY
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
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