Dear Deacon John,
Mondays always bring good news during a 40 Days for Life campaign!
Every Monday, we report the number of babies who have been saved from abortion. Thus far in this campaign, local leaders tell us that they know of …
… 35 babies whose mothers decided at the last possible minute to choose life!
The pro-life community supports these women, and vigil participants stand ready with information that will point them to resources and services that will carry them through their pregnancy … and beyond.
We praise God for these victories … and pray in joyful anticipation that many more will follow!
Here are just a few of the stories behind these numbers.
Montgomery, Alabama
Michelle in Montgomery reports two saves on Day 1 of the 40 Days for Life campaign!
A prayer volunteer spoke to a woman outside the abortion center, giving her life-affirming information. She still went inside, but only for a moment. She came out and asked about the pregnancy help center – but she needed a ride.
Her husband was waiting in the parking lot … but he would not be pleased with her decision to not abort her baby. She had three children, and he didn’t want any more.
The vigil participant gave her a ride to the help center … where the staff offered an ultrasound. They estimated the baby’s age at about eight weeks. “My baby has arms and legs!” she said.
About that time, a young couple walked into the pregnancy help center. The man said a 40 Days for Life prayer volunteer gave them a brochure, “so we decided to leave the clinic and come here.”
And that made two!
Please pray for these families and their babies.
Naples, Florida
40 Days for Life in Naples started with a prayer procession to Planned Parenthood. More than 100 people took part, including Bishop Frank Dewane and students from two schools.
A sidewalk counseling couple encouraged a young woman to visit the new mobile medical unit from a local pregnancy help center that was parked just around the corner from Planned Parenthood.
The woman had a free pregnancy test and ultrasound … and decided not to go into Planned Parenthood. One life saved on Day 1!
Edmonton, Alberta
Melody in Edmonton says after the first hour of prayer at this Canadian vigil, participants met a woman outside the abortion center who said she was there for an appointment. The business was not yet open.
The volunteers said they would pray for her. Eventually, the office opened, and she went in.
“Forty minutes later,” Melody said, “she came out and she had changed her mind. She had come for an abortion, but now was keeping her child!” They asked if she needed help, and she said money was a challenge. One vigil volunteer offered to assist. The young woman then left … glowing and smiling.
“We prayed our hearts out,” Melody said. “It is not us who change hearts or cause things to happen. It is God. Thank you, Almighty God, for hearing us this morning!”
She said the vigil participants will continue praying that women will reject abortion … and the facility will close ... “with hope and trust in what God can do out of His infinite mercy.”
Here's today's devotional from Rev. Paul Stallsworth, president of Lifewatch (United Methodist Church)...
Day 6 intention
That knowing the shortness of life, all may value it more deeply.
Scripture
Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the well. Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.
— Ecclesiastes 12:6-7
Reflection
God is giver of all life. Short lived or long lived, human lives are lived out in this world. The metaphors for death are many. But their meaning is clear and singular: all will die. Even so, death is not the absolute end. It is not the end of the story. For as certainly as God gave life, at death the life or spirit that God gave returns to God.
By God, we are created. For God, we live our given days. To God, we return at the end of our earthly days. And with God, we live through eternity. Clearly, all along the way, this gracious, loving God is with us. No human life is random or alone. No human life was created without purpose. Not one human life is without destiny.
All human lives, acknowledged or not, are related to God -- from beginning, to end, throughout eternity. Therefore, in this world, all human lives are to be respected and protected, for their lives are signs of God's sovereignty.
Prayer
O God, we too often try to live in ways that ignore our coming death. We forget that our days are numbered by You, that at the end of our days your judgment awaits, that You are the Lord of our destiny.
Help us to repent daily, and then to live each day in joyful obedience. Lead us to live in the light and promise of eternity. Prepare us to live fully and sacrificially. Prepare us to die faithfully and hopefully, so that we might live forever with You. Through Jesus Christ, who has gone before us, we trust and hope and love and pray, Amen.
Printable devotional
To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/media/day06.pdf
For life,
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SHAWN CARNEY
President
40 Days for Life
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