Dear Deacon John,
Abortion hurts women, families ... and, ultimately, communities.
It is a local
problem ... and it has a local solution. We take abortion personally
because it goes on in our neighborhood ... just around the corner from
where we live or work.
That is why 40 Days for Life has grown from that first campaign in one community in Texas ... spreading to 607 cities worldwide.
From now until March 20, 40 Days for Life campaigns are going on in 23 different countries around the world ...
... and the only
plausible reason why 40 Days for Life has spread so far is the grace of
God. These are His children, His women – and He wants us to be His light to give hope, no matter where we live.
Whether you’re in
Romania (above), Colombia, New Zealand – or anywhere else – you can find
the 40 Days for Life location nearest you at:
Bogota, Colombia
“It was worth it!” said one of the team leaders in Bogota.
In the city’s first
campaign last year, vigil participants knew of at least 12 babies that
were saved from about. And now – they’ve learned of one child spared
during the first week of this campaign.
Six volunteers were in prayer in front of the abortion center. As they stood below a “pray for an end to abortion” banner, they saw a young woman – perhaps in her mid-20s – leaving the building.
She held her head down. She carried a document in her hands … and she had tears in her eyes.
One of the vigil
participants stepped up to offer her information about life-affirming
options that were available at pregnancy help centers in the area.
The young woman gratefully accepted a glass of water, and slowly started to calm down. She agreed to go to the help center for the assistance she needed to continue with her pregnancy in spite of the obstacles she was facing.
“For now,” said the Bogota team member, “we give thanks to God for that baby that will bring blessings and changes to this young woman and her family – and in the future, for many people more. Human life is a gift from God. We pray that the whole world says yes to life!”
Auckland, New Zealand
40 Days for Life is going on – and going strong
– in New Zealand, at locations in Auckland, Christchurch and
Wellington. Family Life International, which has helped tremendously in
this outreach, has put together a video called “How 40 Days for Life
Saved an Auckland Family.”
This is the amazing
success story of how a young mother who sought a late term abortion was
able to choose life for her baby as a direct result of the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil in Auckland, New Zealand.
It’s really worth a few minutes of your day! It shows how prayer works – no matter where in the world you are. Click on the image above ... or go to:
Here's today's devotional from Carmen Pate of Alliance Ministries.
Day 11 intention
Pray that when those representing Planned Parenthood and other abortion groups see volunteers for 40 Days for Life, they see ambassadors of Christ, and may each volunteer be consciously aware at all times we represent Him.
Scripture
I...beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness, and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.
— Ephesians 4:1-2
Reflection from Carmen Pate
When a former
abortionist and post-abortive woman, Carol Everett, was asked what
turned her heart from death to life in Christ, she replied, "It was
unconditional love" shown by a man who prayed daily for her in front of
the facility where she worked.
He told Carol that "God had sent him" because there was someone in there that God wanted out. She left 27 days later and now serves as Christ's ambassador to help others. We too have been sent by Christ as an ambassador to love unconditionally those God seeks to "get out" of their bondage and sin.
In his book, "Fishers of Men," Dr. Sumner Wemp describes what it means to be an ambassador of Christ, the King of Kings:
He told Carol that "God had sent him" because there was someone in there that God wanted out. She left 27 days later and now serves as Christ's ambassador to help others. We too have been sent by Christ as an ambassador to love unconditionally those God seeks to "get out" of their bondage and sin.
In his book, "Fishers of Men," Dr. Sumner Wemp describes what it means to be an ambassador of Christ, the King of Kings:
- God has chosen us (John 15:16)
- We are sent into a world that is not our home (1 Peter 2:11)
- Our walk must match our talk (1 Timothy 3:7)
- We must abide in Him for daily instruction (John 15:5)
- Know our purpose -- to seek and to save that which is lost (Luke 19:10)
- We are to reconcile others to God with His authority (Matthew 28:19-20)
- Our service is to be grounded and rooted in love (Ephesians 3:17)
Pray that we each will walk worthy of the calling with which we were called!
Prayer
Dear Heavenly
Father, we are humbled that you have called us and appointed us to be
ambassadors of Christ in a world that is not our home. It is a calling
much higher and grander than our finite minds can imagine.
We pray that your Holy Spirit will empower us to walk worthy of the calling. We pray that Your unconditional love will flow through us onto those who desperately need Your saving grace. In the name of Christ who is worthy, Amen.
We pray that your Holy Spirit will empower us to walk worthy of the calling. We pray that Your unconditional love will flow through us onto those who desperately need Your saving grace. In the name of Christ who is worthy, Amen.
Printable devotional
To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
For life,
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SHAWN CARNEY
President
40 Days for Life
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