Dear Deacon John,
We should treat abortion workers no differently than we treat anyone else, including ourselves. We’re all sinners in need of prayer.
Yes, it may be hard to keep that in mind if the employees are
confrontational. But a loving response can – and does – make a
difference.
Just ask abortion facility workers who have criticized 40 Days for Life
campaigns outside their workplace ... only to later join the prayer
vigil. We must trust in God’s mercy and love, and not in ourselves.
We have seen 128 abortion workers have a change of heart and leave their jobs during 40 Days for Life campaigns – including one in this current campaign. The road to leaving – and then finding healing – can be difficult. The process calls us to love, mercy and patience.
The difference in witnessing to those in the abortion industry is, in
the end, not about arguments or political policy, but love.
An abortion facility is not only a difficult place to work ... it can even be a difficult place to clean. Here’s an example.
Manhattan, New York
“Sundays are typically
not as eventful because the clinic is closed,” said Jill, the 40 Days
for Life leader in Manhattan. “However, this Sunday afternoon I felt the Holy Spirit at work through our prayers.”
While she was praying outside Planned Parenthood, a beat-up white van pulled up and men began loading cleaning supplies.
“All of a sudden, I felt a strong urge to talk to these men,” she said. She found the crew manager, and told him this Planned Parenthood was responsible for more than 11,000 abortions every year.
The man said they all
worked for a cleaning service, not Planned Parenthood, and they were
just assigned to that building. He said it was just another job.
That’s when Jill felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit.
“If this was World War II,” she asked, “would you have cleaned the concentration camp?”
He responded with an emphatic “No!”
“Eleven thousand
children a year,” Jill reminded him. “Tell your boss you can’t clean
this place anymore. Ask for another job. Say you will work twice as
hard.”
He responded, “Okay, I will.”
“You too have a duty
to defend life,” she said. “You are being called to play an active part
in God’s plan to end abortion. Please come out and join us … and
experience the power of the Holy Spirit acting through our prayers.”
St. Louis, Missouri
Over the years, many
of the 40 Days for Life volunteers in St. Louis have met – and taken a
liking to – a member of Planned Parenthood’s janitorial staff.
“Our sidewalk counselors often encounter him,” said Brian, the local leader in St. Louis. “He always passes by us with a smile, a kind word, sometimes even a joke. It is truly one of the most amiable exchanges between sidewalk counselor and Planned Parenthood staff that I’ve witnessed.”
But recently, as he
was leaving work, this man passed by one of the volunteers … seeming to
be in a bit of a hurry. With an apologetic smile, he whispered, “I was
told I can’t talk to you anymore, or I’ll get fired. They said I was consorting with the enemy.”
“What Planned Parenthood has failed to recognize in all of this is that we are not
their enemy,” Brian said, “nor is the battle line of this fight the
boundary which extends between our side of the fence and theirs. Rather,
we are all brothers and sisters.”
He added that it’s good to “remember the truth about the identity of those working within Planned Parenthood – that they, just as we, are sons and daughters of God in need of His boundless mercy.”
Today
’s devotional is from Carmen Pate of Alliance Ministries.
Day 39 intention
Pray that volunteers will replace exhaustion or discouragement with
rejoicing over the miracles we have seen thus far, and enthusiastic
service as God takes us on to victory!
Scripture
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be,
you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your
faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is
tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the
revelation of Jesus Christ.
— 1 Peter 1:6-7
Reflection from Carmen Pate
We have reason to rejoice when we consider the many babies whose lives have been saved during the 40 Days for Life campaign.
Add to those lives, the women and men who have been spared from a
devastating decision and now have opportunity to make a plan for their
baby that is both life affirming and God honoring.
Whether directly, or indirectly, you have contributed to these testimonies of praise with your sacrificial service.
Perhaps you have been grieved by various trials during your commitment to 40 days.
The attacks of the enemy come in many forms — difficulties in relationships, finances, health.
Or maybe you are physically and mentally exhausted and have been
marking off the days on your calendar, eagerly waiting for Day 40.
Consider these trials in light of God's plan for you.
The Apostle Paul understood the big picture when he said in Romans
8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not
worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
This is our Hope and our victory. Let us rejoice in the opportunity to give that Hope to others in our path.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, we sing to You a new song, for You have done
marvelous things. Forgive us when we allow circumstances to defeat us.
You give power to the faint and You increase strength in those who have
no might.
We rest in You, dear Lord, and ask You to empower us again for Your service as You work out Your plan for us and through us.
May You receive glory through our victory in Christ, in whose name we pray, Amen.
Printable devotional
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For life,
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SHAWN CARNEY
President
40 Days for Life
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