Saturday, September 29, 2012

40 Days for Life: DAY 4: The gospel on the 6 o'clock news

14

Dear Deacon,

The media.

Yes, I know a lot of people shudder when they hear
those words. At the national level, there is often
disdain for Christianity and everything Christians
do. At the local level, however, it’s often a much
different story.

40 Days for Life campaigns are finding local news
organizations are willing to listen ... and our
local leaders have done a great job during this
first week of the campaign to take full advantage.

Even when the the media doesn't agree with us,
they're still providing a huge platform and enabling
local leaders to spread the word about 40 Days for
Life throughout the communities they serve.

See for yourself!


-----------------------------------------------------
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN
-----------------------------------------------------

Green Bay was part of the first 40 Days for Life
campaign five years ago, and is now participating
for the ninth time. Among the local media covering
the opening day event was the Fox affiliate.

One of the local team members told the reporter, "We
decided the best thing to do is just surround the
buildings with prayer, with our prayer for those who
are involved with abortion, those who are considering
abortion, and hopefully to change their hearts and
minds through a peaceful prayer vigil."

The reporter asked for comment from the abortion
facility’s staff, but no one wanted to talk.

For a link to the WLUK-TV coverage of the Green Bay
vigil, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3299


-----------------------------------------------------
MILTON KEYNES, ENGLAND
-----------------------------------------------------

Milton Keynes is about 45 miles northwest of London.
The city is taking part in its first 40 Days for Life
campaign, praying near a BPAS abortion facility. BPAS
is one of the main abortion providers in Great Britain.

Local director Andy Burton recently had an opportunity
to spread the word about the campaign on BBC Three
Counties Radio. While he was able to talk about the
vigil, the need for prayer and the nature of the BPAS
abortion business, the host was intent on interrupting
him and questioning him repeatedly about "hard case"
scenarios such as rape and incest.

It was not an especially friendly interview. But more
people in the area now know about 40 Days for Life.

To hear a 5-minute segment please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3299


-----------------------------------------------------
SAGINAW, MICHIGAN
-----------------------------------------------------

This is the fourth 40 Days for Life effort in Saginaw.
The opening day of this campaign saw a number of people
come out to pray -- including Bishop Joseph Cistone of
the local Catholic diocese.

A news team from the local CBS affiliate was there to
report on the vigil -- and to interview Bishop Cistone.

"We believe in the power of God so we are interceding
that God will do His work among our people," he said,
"that there would be an end to abortion and we would
have a deeper respect for life at all its stages from
conception to natural death."

As for the "other side" of the story, here again, no
one from the abortion center would go on camera.

For a link to the report from WNEM-TV, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3299


Here's today's devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone,
national director of Priests for Life...


-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 4 INTENTION
-----------------------------------------------------

We ask God that we may understand the concept of
justice, as a gift he gives and as a responsibility
that shapes our work.


-----------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
-----------------------------------------------------

Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like
a never-failing stream!

-- Amos 5:24


-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life
-----------------------------------------------------

Justice, a key theme of the Scriptures, is something
God does and that we too must do.

When God intervenes to save his people when they are
helpless and in slavery in Egypt, he "does justice."
He manifested his justice in the plagues that were
sent upon Egypt, whereby Pharaoh was convinced that
he must let the people go. Justice is manifested as,
in awe and wonder, God's people see the Red Sea open
before them, allow them to pass without even getting
their feet wet, and then close again to drown their
powerful enemies.

God is a God of Justice; he rescues us when we cannot
save ourselves. His justice, above all, is seen in
Jesus Christ, who, when we could not save ourselves,
rescued us from the kingdom of sin, Satan, death, and
hell. The mighty work of Christ on the cross and in
the resurrection is the perfect manifestation of God
as the God of justice.

We, then, are to be the people of justice; we are to
"do justice" by intervening to save the helpless in
the name and by the power of the God who saves us who
are helpless ourselves. That's why we have a pro-life
movement; that's why we have a 40 Days for Life
Campaign; that's why saving the unborn is our
business.


-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
-----------------------------------------------------

God of Justice, you heard the cry of your people when
they were being oppressed in Egypt, and you proved
yourself to be the God of justice, who rescues the
helpless. You likewise rescued us from the kingdom of
darkness, and brought us into the Kingdom of your
Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who saves us from the
power of Satan, sin, death, and hell.

Make us people of justice, ready to intervene to save
the helpless. Indeed, as your prophets have
announced, let justice roll on like a mighty river,
to save all who are in need, especially 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/docs/fall2012day04print.pdf


-----------------------------------------------------

For Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: How is 40 Days for Life touching lives in your
    community? Please leave a comment on today's
    blog entry at:

    http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3299

40 Days for Life

10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US