Dear Deacon John,
40 Days for Life’s headquarters is in the place where the first-ever campaign took place – the former Planned Parenthood abortion center in Bryan, Texas.
We also share the facility with Hope Pregnancy Center. This shows what God can do at the local level ...
... and He continues to do it!
This time it’s in Creston, Iowa ... where the LC Clinic now operates in a former Planned Parenthood facility which once offered the controversial “webcam” abortions – and yes, it’s also a place where faithful Christians prayed outside during a 40 Days for Life campaign!
“This was all on the tail end of a 40 Days for Life campaign where a local pastor remembered joking with friends about the possibility of converting the Planned Parenthood building into a pro-life outpost,” wrote reporter Jay Hobbs inPregnancy Help News.
It was after that campaign that Planned Parenthood shut down; they failed to attract enough customers to remain in business.
“We had no intentions of ever moving into that Planned Parenthood building,” said the pregnancy center’s Ruth Fennessey. “Obviously, it’s 100 percent God. There is no human way possible that this could ever have worked out.”
This is what can happen when people pray! Will your town be next?
Augusta, Maine
Does standing in the bitter cold and praying in front of the abortion facilityreally matter?
The question can cross your mind, said one of the volunteers in Augusta. “Does anyone look at those signs stuck in snow banks? Does anybody care? Does anybody notice? The answer is a resounding yes!”
This was a day when this business does nothing but abortions – there’s no other reason for a client to show up.
It was against this backdrop that three people stood in the cold, shivered and prayed. As they did, they saw a small car approach the building and slow down. A man and woman were inside ... and the volunteers knew why they were arriving. “My heart sank,” one of them said.
But as they watched, the man who was driving turned the steering wheel. In time, they continued past the building and out to the main road.
For whatever reason, there would be no abortion that day. One of the women praying almost jumped for joy. “We stood in amazement at this outpouring of God’s grace,” a volunteer said. “Please say a prayer for the couple that they will love and cherish this baby in her womb. Keep fighting the good fight.”
Sacramento, California
Sacramento leaders say this 40 Days for Life campaign thus far has been “a beautiful mingling of new faces and returning faces, all filled with enthusiasm for saving lives. The sidewalk is a site of hope because of these wonderful people.”
The team is encouraged by seeing more young people getting involved. “I can't tell you how refreshing those young faces are … the glory of God shines on into the future!”
Sacramento volunteers were also thankful for a parish priest who had brought a group from his church, which is in a city that is some distance away from the vigil site. Their dedication was certainly noticed!
Here's today's devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life.
Day 8 intention May the spirit and example of the Good Samaritan fill the hearts and minds of all our citizens.
Scripture Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So, too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side." "But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'" "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." —Luke 10:30-37
Reflection Here Jesus commands us to show mercy to the victims of the culture of violence and death. But why did the priest and Levite fail to show mercy? Perhaps they feared that the robbers were hiding just around the next corner to attack them. They asked themselves, "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" The Samaritan, however, reversed the question, and asked, "If I don't stop to help this man, what will happen to him?" In working to save the unborn, let's not worry about what will happen to us if we act; let's worry about what will happen to the unborn if we don't.
Prayer Father, we are moved by the lesson of the Good Samaritan, who allowed compassion to influence him more than fear. Give us the same heart. Grant that we may never count the cost of standing up and speaking out for the unborn. We pray through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Printable devotional To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/media/day08.pdf
For life,
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SHAWN CARNEY
President
40 Days for Life
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