40 Days For Life: DAY 30: A Secular Case Against Abortion?

 

[pinterest.com image] More and more atheists are standing up for life. That's encouraging...but it prompts the question: Why? Unless human beings derive their value from God, what is the source of their dignity? On this week's episode of The 40 Days for Life Podcast, we debate the question: Is there a secular case for defending human life? And if so, what is it? To watch or listen, click the image or visit: 40daysforlife.com/i-think-therefore-i-am-not We discuss: whether atheists and agnostics have a philosophical basis for opposing abortion--or simply take Judeo-Christian principles for granted; how nonbelievers who sincerely seek truth can use reason to bring themselves to the cusp of faith; the "unknown god" that Paul describes in Acts of the Apostles; how the "new atheists" confuse science and philosophy; much more! Casper, Wyoming   Earlier this month, the governor of Wyoming signed a heartbeat bill into law, prohibiting abortion after about six weeks into pregnancy. Bob, who leads the Casper campaign, said state courts have struck down previous pro-life legislation. "Because of judicial activists...abortion on demand has continued in Casper." Prayer warriors in "the Equality State" hope that the string of unfavorable court decisions comes to an end, bringing unborn children a step closer to equality. Bob called on pro-lifers everywhere to "double down in prayer" that the courts arrive at a just decision. Either way, he knows his vigil is saving lives. "We already rejoice that the number of women coming to Casper for abortion had greatly decreased prior to the new law," he said. "And we've seen the appearance of persons turned away by our presence." Fort Collins, Colorado   Our outreach director, former Planned Parenthood manager Ramona Trevino, recently spoke at a prayer rally in North Colorado... ...where vigil participants were delighted to find the abortion facility unexpectedly closed two Saturdays in a row. An employee told a pro-lifer that the closure was due to "staffing issues." "The prayer is that the trend of the abortion center closing and experiencing staffing issues continues," Ramona said. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. … See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” --Matthew 18:5, 10 Lord, keep every child free from harm. Especially in moments of despair, help them to sense the presence of your angels watching over them. Provide a loving home for every child in need, and strengthen and sustain adoptive and foster parents to imitate your fatherly care. Amen. For life, Shawn Carney President & CEO, 40 Days for Life

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40 Days For Life: DAY 29: Courage Saves a Baby

Joining a 40 Days for Life vigil builds confidence that God will use you for His purposes. That was the case in Glasgow, Scotland, last fall when Mary visited a store and heard a staff member tell a colleague that she was considering abortion. Her boyfriend wanted the baby, but it was a young relationship, so the woman wasn't sure. When it was Mary's turn to check out, she mustered up the courage to tell the cashier that she overheard the conversation and would be praying for her to choose life. The pregnant woman said nothing...but did accept a small gift from Mary. Flash forward to this campaign... ...as Mary returned to the shop and heard a customer ask somebody when her baby was due. "I looked round and saw the same young staff member looking happy, healthy, and pregnant," Mary recounted. The expectant mother's baby is due next month! "If I hadn't been part of the 40 Days for Life prayer vigils...I would not have spoken up that day," Mary reflected. "The grace and fruits of the Holy Spirit are there for us as they were for the apostles at Pentecost." Boulder, Colorado The dehumanization of an unborn baby doesn't end after an abortion. It continues as the child is denied a dignified burial and instead discarded with the medical waste. On a recent visit to Boulder's late-term abortion business, 40 Days for Life outreach director Ramona Trevino saw a medical waste truck arrive. It was particularly jarring given that one of the prayer warriors in attendance has a friend who recently aborted her baby at 24 weeks due to a heart condition. A Lutheran pastor was on hand to lead the group in prayer--and to comfort the volunteer grieving the abortion of her friend's baby. Fullerton, Maryland Vigil participants in Fullerton pray on a busy street in front of a multiuse commercial center with an abortion facility buried away toward the back of the property. That means Sidewalk Outreach is difficult, because it's impossible to tell who's coming for an abortion and who's coming for lunch. So vigil participants were delighted when a passerby was moved enough by their presence to stop and share how more than six decades ago, his birth mother planned to abort him...before changing her mind and placing him for adoption. "I want to thank you for being here and to encourage you to keep doing what you are doing," the man said. "You may change someone's heart just because they see you here." The exhortation inspired vigil participants to walk by faith, not by sight. "This encounter meant a lot to the three of us, since we don't see who is going to the abortion facility and have no way of knowing how our presence impacts them," Beth said. "Yes, our heads tell us to believe something positive can happen, but to have a stranger stop by and remind us was like a wink from God saying, 'Hang in there.'"  And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice. --Luke 17:15 Dear Lord, thank you for the innumerable babies and mothers who have been saved from abortion through 40 Days for Life. And thank you in advance for the lives that will be changed through this campaign. Work in our own hearts so that we might see every circumstance as a chance to grow closer to you and to express our thanksgiving for your faithfulness. Amen. For life, Shawn Carney President & CEO, 40 Days for Life

40 Days for Life | 4112 East 29th Street | Bryan, TX 77802 US

Day 9: St. Joseph Adoption Novena

 

Family Members Welcoming Children through Adoption

DAY 9   Lee este mensaje en español.   INTENTION For Family Members Welcoming Children through Adoption SCRIPTURE (Ephesians 3:14-15, 17-19) For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named…that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. SILENT REFLECTION Pause for a moment of silent reflection. PRAYER Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You are one God, living in a relationship of love. When Christ became Man, You shared that divine love with the human race, forever wedding earth to heaven. Send your blessings upon all who nurture children who have been adopted. Give them generous and understanding hearts. Give us all a spirit of understanding and welcome so that all peoples of every nation, race, and tongue may live together peacefully as members of your family. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen. PETITION TO ST. JOSEPH Blessed Joseph, You took Mary and Jesus into your home. You followed the prescripts of the Law, presented Jesus in the Temple, taught him skills at the plane and the lathe, and daily, you shared traditions which were built on the covenants he came to fulfill. Hear the prayers of the siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and entire families of children who have been adopted. May they be a source of loving welcome and a fount of faith. Through Christ our Lord.  St. Joseph, descendant of David, pray for us. CONCLUDING PRAYERS Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2016 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.   USCCB Respect Life About | Website | Store | Support

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