Dear Deacon,
Two nights ago, I spoke at a banquet for a pregnancy
center that has two ultrasound machines and staff
members who can offer women free ultrasounds.
When a mother sees that her baby is a human being
and not a "blob of tissue" -- and when she can hear
the heartbeat -- it can save lives. In fact, as
many as 90% of women who see their baby on an
ultrasound choose life!
In other cases, ultrasounds have changed the hearts
of abortion workers, some of whom have even witnessed
abortions on ultrasound monitors -- that's what
happened with former Planned Parenthood clinic
director Abby Johnson.
Thanks to generous national programs from Focus on
the Family and the Knights of Columbus, along with
the training and legal expertise of NIFLA -- the
National Institute of Family and Life Advocates --
more and more ultrasound machines are being placed
at pregnancy help centers. As a result, more and
more lives are being saved.
Here are stories where ultrasound made a difference.
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SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN
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A woman visited the pregnancy help center just down
the street from the 40 Days for Life vigil -- after
"a nice man" praying at the abortion center gave her
a coupon for a free ultrasound.
She said she had gone into the abortion facility and
planned to have an abortion. They did an ultrasound
first -- and she asked to see the screen.
"Is that my baby's head?" she asked. She was told,
"Yes, but it's just a blob."
They started the procedure, but it was painful for
her and she made them stop. They let her off the table
so she could calm down a bit before trying again. But
once off the table, she had made up her mind not to go
through with it.
A few days later, she showed up at the pregnancy help
center. She and the ultrasound tech watched as the baby
seemed to wave, jump and turn. They listened to the
baby's heartbeat ... and tears of joy fell from her
eyes. She was so happy to have this precious child
safe and secure.
To see the ultrasound image, go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3755
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BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA
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A woman had made the long drive from another county
for an abortion appointment. She was one of the first
to arrive that day, walking past vigil participants
and into the building.
As she was leaving, the volunteers noted that she
might have been inside long enough for the abortion.
They also noted that she was crying, so one of them
asked her, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"I couldn't do it," the woman said. "They were doing
an ultrasound, so I asked if I could see it. At first
they refused, telling me 'you don't really want to see
it.' But I insisted. 'Yeah, I do want to see it,
because if I can see it ... maybe I won’t do it.'"
She was right. Once she saw her nine week baby on the
ultrasound screen, she knew that she couldn't go
through with the abortion.
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ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA
-----------------------------------------------------
A young woman took one of the leaflets a prayer
volunteer offered her. She looked at one of the vigil
participants' signs -- "Women deserve better than
abortion. Talk to us. We can help' -- and asked about
the help that was available.
She was pregnant. Her boyfriend had left her. If the
people she was living with found out she was pregnant,
they would kick her out. She was scared.
The woman eventually said she would visit the
pregnancy help center, but she was going ahead with
her appointment at the abortion facility.
When she came back out, she told another volunteer
that they wouldn't do the abortion because she had
eaten breakfast that morning. They also did an
ultrasound -- and gave her the picture.
The volunteer said, "You know that this is a baby,
don't you?" and the woman said yes, and assured the
volunteer she would call the pregnancy help center.
"We are so hopeful that this little baby will be
saved," said the vigil participant.
As a bonus today, we've posted some pictures on
today’s blog page from David Bereit's recent visits
to campaigns in Wisconsin and Virginia. To see what
40 Days for Life’s national director has been up to,
go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3755
Here's today's devotional from Carmen Pate, a member
of the 40 Days for Life board of directors.
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DAY 39 INTENTION
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Pray that God will continue to bless the efforts that
have gone into the 40 Days for Life campaign, as we
trust Him for the results.
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SCRIPTURE
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Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You
have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong
hand. O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be
attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the
prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name.
-- Nehemiah 1:10-11
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REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life
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Nehemiah provides an awesome blueprint for volunteers
in God's service, particularly those responding to
the devastation abortion has caused our nation.
Nehemiah grieved for God's reputation as he witnessed
the condition of the city walls of Jerusalem. The
walls were broken down which was seen by neighboring
people as a sign of weakness on the part of
Jerusalem's God. No wall meant no security for the
city and its people.
We learn from his story that he covered every detail
in prayer; inspired others to join the cause;
organized others to help do the work; confronted
opposition directly and turned to God when
discouraged; and finally celebrated what was
accomplished and gave God all the glory!
Like Nehemiah, we must acknowledge God's sovereignty
as we serve Him before a mocking world. We too need
to be reminded that we are "fighting" for our
families. We too must have an attitude of confession
and repentance before a Holy God. We must pray for
strength, refute slander, and not be diverted from
our work.
Like Nehemiah, we will draw attention from the enemy
when we are seeking to protect the well-being of
God's people. We too must stand firm and seek God's
help to persevere until the task is done. We too will
be victorious.
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PRAYER
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Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and
the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all
that is in heaven and in the earth is Yours.
We pray for your continued guidance and protection
throughout the remainder of this 40 day campaign. May
we be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in Your
work, knowing that our labor will not be in vain. We
pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.
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PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
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To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2012day39print.pdf
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-----------------------For Life,
Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
PS: Has there been a single moment in this 40 Days
for Life campaign that stands out for you as a
sign of God's presence? Please share your story
by leaving a comment at today's blog entry: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3755
40 Days for Life
10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US
