Dear Deacon John,
During this 40 Days for Life campaign, we have reports of 196 children spared from abortion – that we know of!
We have seen a surprising number of situations this campaign where mothers with five or more children have shown up for abortion appointments.
Thankfully, these moms turned away.
Mother Teresa said, “How can there be too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers.”
Our culture often views children as burdens to our time and money. But there is nothing burdensome about the joy, courage and sacrifice of mothers and fathers who put their children before the pressures of the world.
Their sacrifice is real – and so is their love.
As the mother and daughter walked away – and into the abortion center – the volunteer started to text a handful of friends to pray for the young woman, that the Holy Spirit would touch her heart.
Two hours later, she came out and was asked if she decided to keep her baby.
Today's devotional is from Rev. Ben Sheldon, president emeritus of Presbyterians Pro-life
Mother Teresa said, “How can there be too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers.”
Our culture often views children as burdens to our time and money. But there is nothing burdensome about the joy, courage and sacrifice of mothers and fathers who put their children before the pressures of the world.
Their sacrifice is real – and so is their love.
Temple Terrace, Florida
Kim watched as an SUV pulled into the parking lot and a woman walked into the abortion center.
Over the course of
the next hour, she came out … and went back in. “A pastor from a local
church was praying with me on the sidewalk,” Kim said, “and I told him she is struggling.”
Finally she came
out and got in her car to drive away. “They slowed down when they drove
past and I asked if I could give them a brochure – and they said yes.”
They told Kim they didn’t know what to do. They already had ten children. She was there for an abortion … but just couldn’t go through with it. They were thinking now of adoption.
Falls Church, Virginia
One of the leaders in Falls Church walked up to a mother and her daughter outside the abortion center, offering to help them.
“The mother came forward and took the pamphlet,” she said, “saying she wanted to keep the baby. But it was her daughter that didn’t want the baby.”
So the volunteer turned to her daughter and asked, “Are you considering an abortion?”
So the volunteer turned to her daughter and asked, “Are you considering an abortion?”
She said yes – she already had a child … and she picked up the baby who had been sitting in the car.
“Well,” said the leader, “you now have two – and this baby is precious, too.”
The young woman said she’d had an abortion previously – and wasn’t affected.
As the mother and daughter walked away – and into the abortion center – the volunteer started to text a handful of friends to pray for the young woman, that the Holy Spirit would touch her heart.
Two hours later, she came out and was asked if she decided to keep her baby.
She smiled and said, “Yes.”
The 40 Days for Life volunteer responded, “Seriously?” She repeated, “Yes!”
What made her decide to keep her baby? “Mom.”
“Yay Mom! You did a great job! Praised be to God!”
Her mother was happy to have another grandbaby. “A mother’s love and the power of the Holy Spirit conquered death!”
Day 20 intention
That we may realize the generational impact of abortion.
Scripture
Isaac
prayed to the Lord for his wife because she was barren; and the Lord
granted his prayer and Rebekah his wife conceived. The children
struggled together within her, and she said,” If it is thus, why do I
live?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.
And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples, born of you, shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the el-der shall serve the younger.”
— Genesis 25:21-23
Reflection from Rev. Ben Sheldon
What an answer to prayer!
Who dares to say that the unborn are not human, with distinct personality and character right from the moment of conception?
This account emphasizes the vitality and uniqueness of the twins who, because of Isaac’s prayer for his wife, were conceived in Rebekah’s womb.
When Rebekah was told by the Lord that the older would serve the younger
twin, God already knew that Jacob and Esau would lead turbulent and conflicted lives.
God knows us and knows all about us, including our personality and disposition long before we are actually born, indeed, from the moment we are con-ceived in our mother’s womb.
What a tragedy of gargantuan proportions that babies, planned and endowed by the Creator, with distinct and unique personalities and with, perhaps, a future and destiny intended for greatness, have their lives snuffed out by cruel abortionists before they ever see the light of day! May our prayers that the dreadful scourge of abortion in our land may vanish be as fervent as Isaac’s were for Rebekah.
Prayer
O, God, you formed us in our mother’s womb and planned a unique and spe-cial life and purpose for each of us, and we do thank you. Grant that we may pray and work for an end to abortion, especially in these 40 days, so that no unborn baby you have made may fail to achieve your divine intention for him or her because of intentional abortion. We pray this for the sake of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Printable devotional
To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/media/day20.pdf
To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/media/day20.pdf
For life,
|
SHAWN CARNEY
President
40 Days for Life
|
