 Dear Deacon, One chapter in the new book, "40 Days for Life: Discover What God Has Done ... Imagine What He Can Do," focuses on the wildly successful growth of 40 Days for Life across the United Kingdom ... thanks in large part to the leadership of a young, proper British gentleman named Robert Colquhoun -- now our UK 40 Days for Life campaign director, and coordinator of international expansion. Get the book at: http://40daysforlife.com/book Since Robert launched the first 40 Days for Life in London in 2010, the campaign has rapidly spread across the United Kingdom, and is currently being held in ten different locations.  I recently traveled "across the pond" for whirlwind visits to these campaigns, and was deeply inspired by what God is doing through the faithful volunteers there. Shawn Carney asked me to share a quick report with you.LONDON, ENGLAND When I arrived at Heathrow airport in London, I was greeted by Robert, who briefed me on the crazy schedule he had planned for us. After meetings with pastors, prominent leaders and journalists, we visited three London-area campaigns.  First we visited Bedford Square. This 40 Days for Life is held outside a BPAS (British Pregnancy Advisory Services) abortion facility. When we arrived, one of the 40 Days for Life volunteers was talking with a pregnant mother who had arrived for an abortion. We later learned that she changed her mind and chose life for her baby. Next we headed to the Whitfield Street vigil, across the street from a Marie Stopes abortion center. The vigil is held near university student housing, which provided interesting messaging from the students. From there, we rode a cab in rush-hour traffic to Ealing. Our cab driver was so moved by our conversations about 40 Days for Life while en route to the vigil that he wouldn't let us pay for the ride. We prayed with the volunteers outside that Marie Stopes abortion center. Then it was back to the heart of London for a 40 Days for Life book launch event.MILTON KEYNES, ENGLAND  The next morning, after a breakfast meeting in London, we drove north to Milton Keynes. We met with local campaign leaders before praying at their vigil directly outside of a BPAS abortion center in an office building. Many people stopped by the vigil to find out why we were there, providing wonderful ministry opportunities.BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND  From there, we drove further north to Birmingham. At the vigil, we joined a handful of people praying there. Shortly before we arrived, there had been a vocal pro-abortion protest which had attempted to disrupt their efforts. The volunteers simply kept praying.From there, we went to a local church for a meeting with the local 40 Days for Life leaders and key volunteers. LEAMINGTON SPA, ENGLAND  Next we traveled to Leamington Spa, in the heart of Shakespeare country. We joined the 40 Days for Life volunteers praying in frigid weather at the end of a long country drive leading to one of the largest BPAS abortion centers in the country.CARDIFF, WALES  Then we headed to the first 40 Days for Life campaign in Wales -- in the capital city of Cardiff. We joined the vigil in the heart of the city, outside a second-story BPAS abortion center. We prayed there for more than an hour, and the whole time, abortion advocates were protesting, chanting slogans and waving crude signs to taunt the 40 Days for Life people -- who just prayed more fervently. The contrast was a powerful sight. SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND  Next we drove to Southampton, where we joined the volunteers praying outside a local hospital that performs abortions.BRIGHTON, ENGLAND  From there, we drove to Brighton, on the southern coast of England. We had a rally at a local worship center to praise God for all that He has accomplished through 40 Days for Life around the world.As Robert drove me back to London to board my plane for home, I marveled at how the sun never sets on 40 Days for Life during a campaign. As I shared with volunteers at various vigils, "when you are out here praying and feel all alone, remember that people are lifting you up in prayer in 260 other cities around the world ... even as you are lifting them up in prayer." Today, let's thank God for giving us a life-saving mission with a worldwide impact!
Today's devotional is from Carmen Pate, a member of the 40 Days for Life board of directors. DAY 28 INTENTION Pray that those standing in peaceful vigil will extend mercy and grace to others as they remember that Christ did not treat us as our sins deserve. SCRIPTURE "You have heard it was said, 'you shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." -- Matthew 5:43-44 REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life Perhaps it is obvious by now that not everyone thinks this campaign is a great idea! In fact, those on the front lines standing in peaceful vigil are perhaps being cursed and hated for what God has called you to do. Because we are all fallen creatures, our natural response may not be as Christ-like as we would hope it would be. So, how do we keep our natural response in check, while allowing the Holy Spirit to empower us to love, bless, do good, and pray for those who hate us or would do us harm? Consider first the Holiness of God. It seems that sin has clouded our ability to think clearly about God's nature. We simply don't have a clue of how outraged God is by our sin, what an insult sin is to His person, or how sin fires the flames of His wrath. Praise God that He didn't leave us in our depravity destined for His divine wrath! Ephesians 2:4-5 says, "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in sin, made us alive together with Christ; by grace you have been saved." Because of God's mercy and grace towards us, we who receive Him receive eternal Hope. Those who curse you, hate you, spitefully mistreat you and persecute you need that same Hope. That is the only way we can ever expect them to behave differently. Ask the Holy Spirit to love them -- through you -- so they are drawn to the Hope that is in you, that is Christ Jesus. PRAYER Heavenly Father, may we reflect your character of grace and kindness to those who hate us and curse us. Guard our hearts and our tongues as we respond in love to words and actions meant to rile us or cause us harm. Let others see the Hope that is Christ in all we say and do. In His precious name we pray, Amen. PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends: http://40daysforlife.com/docs/ ------------------------------ In Christ, David Bereit National Director 40 Days for Life PS: What's new with the 40 Days for Life campaign in your home town? Please share your updates by replying to today's blog entry at: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/ | |||||||||
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