Over the last few days, I was on a whirlwind tour of Southern California — from Fresno down to San Diego. In addition to speaking at two pregnancy center banquets, I was able to visit numerous 40 Days for Life sites and meet for dinner with several dozen local 40 Days for Life campaign leaders. It was a very hope-filled trip!

I brought along my pocket camcorder and shot footage all along the way — and just posted a highlight video for you.

During the short video, you will see:

• Photos of two baby boys saved during a previous 40 Days for Life campaign who were born a week ago — on the same day
• A 40 Days for Life location where 22 babies have been saved and the abortionist resigned
• A small group of faithful volunteers who had two women change their minds and choose life shortly after I left their vigil site
• A campaign that has seen 7 lives saved thus far
• And much, much more!

I really think you will be blessed by this video.

As you can see, there are miracles taking place in many, many places were people are joining together to pray and fast for an end to abortion.

As they pray outside the abortion centers, people are beginning to understand that the woman who seeks an abortion is often a woman who has simply run out of hope.

One such woman saw people praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil recently in Indianapolis, Indiana. She got out of her car, walked up to them at a rapid pace … then hugged one of the vigil participants and started to cry.

This prayer volunteer — Kathy — called Eileen, the local coordinator, for help. At Eileen’s suggestion, Kathy then handed her phone to the sobbing woman.

“She then started telling me that she had done something terrible,” Eileen said, “and that the father of the baby — her daughter’s boyfriend — told her that she must get an abortion.”

Eileen told her that if she did, she would feel even worse and would regret it forever. “I tried to encourage her that at this point,” she said. “She could still do the right thing — the thing her heart was telling her to do — and that God would take care of her and the baby.”

After lunch with Kathy, the woman went home. She called Kathy later to thank her — and to say she was not going to abort her twins!

“I have never met a woman who WANTED to have an abortion,” said Eileen.

The volunteers didn’t know it at the time, but this woman had sat alone in her car outside of Planned Parenthood for two hours — crying.

When Kathy drove up, the woman saw a sign on Kathy’s car that said, “Pregnant? Need help?”

“It gave her hope,” said Eileen. “She jumped out of her car to run to Kathy for help. We never know what God will use to reach out to us.”

Today’s devotional is from Carmen Pate, a member of the 40 Days for Life board of directors.

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DAY 28 INTENTION
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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.

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SCRIPTURE
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“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

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REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life
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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.

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PRAYER
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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.

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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/spring2010day28print.pdf

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Yours for Life,

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 below.

Every day, we update a number on the 40 Days for Life web page. Every day, that number gets larger and larger. Every day, I am humbled and amazed at what God is doing during this campaign of prayer and fasting.

As of today, that number has grown to …

… 298 babies … and their mothers …

… spared from abortion — that we know of!

People praying at a 40 Days for Life vigil outside an abortion center in Mission Hills, California watched as a woman arrived for an abortion appointment. Volunteers spoke to her briefly as she walked toward the building.

“The woman seemed upset with what she was about to do,” said Patti, “but went in anyway.”

When she came out a bit later, a pro-life counselor asked if she had changed her mind. “No,” she said. “I forgot my Medicare card at home and I have to go get it. The counselor responded, “You know, that’s just God telling you that you’re not supposed to be here.

“The woman acknowledged the comment,” Patti said,” and left crying. She did not return!”

Here’s a photo of the Mission Hills vigil:

“A young lady came up to ask what I thought about abortion,” said Shannon, who coordinates the 40 Days for Life campaign in Memphis, Tennessee.

Shannon asked if she was pregnant, and she said “yes.”

The woman then asked Shannon how long she would be out on the sidewalk. “I told her as long as she needed me to be there.”

The young woman went into the facility … and later walked back out.

Shannon then gave her information about pro-life options. She said she had nowhere to go. “She actually seemed relieved,” Shannon said, “like a big weight was taken off of her to know there was another alternative.”

Here’s a look at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Memphis:

“Part of our community outreach this campaign is focusing on getting the word out about the disproportionate amount of abortions performed on minority women,” said Jeanie, one of the leaders of the 40 Days for Life effort in Syracuse, New York.

She was able to speak to a couple of women who were on their way into the Planned Parenthood abortion center. “I explained that abortion is the leading cause of death for African-Americans,” said Jeanie. “They were obviously surprised by this information and readily decided to seek the help offered at the crisis pregnancy center next door.”

One of them walked by a little while later and simply said “thank you” as a big smile came across her face.

“Yes, there is help and hope,” Jeanie said, “and we can offer this hope to women in very desperate situations.”

Here’s a photo of the vigil in Syracuse:

Thank you for everything you’re doing to support this outreach of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion. It’s working — one life at a time.

Today’s devotional is from Rev. Ben Sheldon, president emeritus of Presbyterians for Life.

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DAY 27 INTENTION
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We pray for the gift of openness to children.

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SCRIPTURE
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Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”

“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.”

– Genesis 4:8-10

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REFLECTION by Rev. Ben Sheldon, Presbyterians Pro-Life
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God’s intention is that we multiply and fill the earth.

One of the most pernicious lies that sociologists have foisted off on the public is that the earth is becoming overpopulated.

What kind of a sadistic god would create the earth and human creatures on it, only to have them literally reproduce themselves into oblivion?

The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our divine Creator, has commanded us to multiply and fill the earth and far from letting the population get out of control, He has, in fact given his human creatures a dominical role over all the lesser creatures.

The “birth control” movement, which had its beginnings with Margaret Sanger in the early years of the last century, has led, in many parts of the world, to a birthrate that is drastically below the normal replacement rate.

God’s Word assures us that children are a blessing, that they are a reward of faithfully trusting and serving God and that they are the crown of their parents’ old age.

The spread of the contraception mentality that has so permeated our culture is, undoubtedly, a factor in the ready acceptance of abortion.

God’s commandment to multiply and fill the earth has never been withdrawn. May He help us to accept the gift of children and give him thanks for every baby who is born into the world.

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PRAYER
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Father of mercy and grace, we thank you for the gift of our children.

Grant that every fiber of our being may rejoice when a new baby, our own or any else’s, is born into the world.

Help us to welcome them as we would welcome you, for whenever a new baby is conceived, another life to bear your image and another voice to praise and worship you, is beginning.

In Christ’s name we pray, 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/spring2010day27print.pdf

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Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life

PS: Have you witnessed any lives saved from abortion at the 40 Days for Life vigil in your community? If you have, please DO share your story by responding below.

The 40 Days for Life team in El Paso, Texas recently shared Cristina’s story about a very special woman. Simply put, Cristina said her friend Espy “is one of the best sidewalk counselors that I have ever met. I have seen miracles happen through Espy’s work outside of the abortion clinic.”

In 12 years of serving as a sidewalk counselor, Espy always seemed to have exactly the right thing to say in any situation … whether she was speaking to a woman seeking an abortion, to someone suffering in the wake of an abortion — or to a member of the abortion center staff.

In regard to the abortion workers, Espy learned how powerful love is. “Love is the way,” she would say.

“She has given a smile to abortion clinic workers and even hugs,” Cristina said. “Not just that, but she has been there to listen to the clinic workers as they shared their personal problems.” These people know that Espy loves them and prays for them. “She has given her life to the pro-life ministry,” Cristina said.

But Espy hadn’t been seen on the sidewalk for quite a while. About a year ago, she had a stroke. She uses a wheel chair and has difficulty speaking now, but in spite of the challenges she will tell you, “God is good.”

Staff members at the facility have noticed Espy’s absence and have told prayer vigil participants that they were worried about her. Just last week, Espy asked Cristina to take her to the abortion center so she could say hi.

“I called the clinic administrator and let her know that Espy was outside waiting to see all of them,” said Cristina. “To my surprise, the workers walked outside to meet us! Espy with all her heart wanted to give them a hug and a kiss, so she did — and they did, too! Espy was crying — and they were crying, too.”

They gave her many hugs of love and respect. The director, the one that used to confront Espy and the one that used to tell her, “Go home!” now told her, “Espy we miss you. When are we going to see you outside again?”

“This was a miracle,” said Cristina; “a miracle of love. Espy is still working; God is still using Espy to show His love, His mercy, His power. Espy is an example to all of us that want to follow God’s plan.

“She is an example that God is working. God is teaching. God is transforming. God is converting. God is alive inside those places of death. God is alive in Espy! May God bless Espy and the abortion providers that they together with us see Jesus one day, face to face!”

By the way, Espy’s full name is Esperanza. The English translation of this beautiful Spanish name — Hope!

Today’s devotional is from Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life.

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DAY 26 INTENTION
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Pray that we fully recognize in the unborn child our brother, our sister, and we recommit ourselves to care for them.

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SCRIPTURE
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Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”

“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.”

– Genesis 4:8-10

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REFLECTION
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After Cain committed the first murder in human history, God asked him, “Where is your brother?”

He replied by saying, “I don’t know.”

In 1973, the Supreme Court was asked the same question, and gave the same answer.

Unable to admit that the unborn children are our brothers and sisters, the Supreme Court said in its Roe v. Wade ruling, “We need not resolve the difficult question of when life begins.”

Boil all that down to three words, and it’s, “I don’t know.”

The question, “Where is your brother?” will be asked at the final judgment. Each person will answer it and be judged by it. May we be judged to have recognized and loved all our brothers and sisters, born and unborn.

By participating in the 40 Days for Life, we have been answering that question each day, going to where our brothers and sisters are killed, and proclaiming that we have a responsibility to them.

By all the pro-life work we will continue to do, we likewise answer that question which reaches from one end of human history to the other.

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PRAYER
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Father, today we hear your voice, and we respond to the question you ask each of us: “Where is your brother?”

We recognize in the unborn child our brother, our sister, and we recommit ourselves today to care for them.

Yes, Father, you have entrusted us to the care of one another. We rejoice that you have given us the grace to respond.

As we work to renew our culture, we look forward to the great day of the coming of your Son, when every eye will see him, even of those who pierced him, and every knee shall bend, and every tongue confess, to the glory of God the Father, that Jesus Christ is Lord! 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/spring2010day26print.pdf

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Have a blessed Sunday, and know how much I appreciate you!

Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life

PS: Are there special people in your town who are making a difference with your 40 Days for Life campaign? Please share the good news by replying below.

Volunteers frequently ask if children should be brought to 40 Days for Life prayer vigils at abortion centers. People sometimes wonder if the horror of abortion is too much for children to handle. But it seems the presence of children is a blessing — to everyone.

A local pastor took his 8-year-old daughter to pray with her teacher and classmates at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Lake Havasu City, Arizona — then listened as she talked about her experience.

“What incredible teaching is going on,” he said.

Joe in Pensacola, Florida shared a similar story on his blog. It was a Saturday, and the abortion facility was packed when he and his 10-year-old son went to pray at the 40 Days for Life vigil.

“I try to use events like this to teach him, but I didn’t have to say too much,” he said. His son understood what was happening.

“He connected the abortions with his 2-year old sister, Anna. He said that our family would be a sad family if Anna had been aborted, because she brings so much joy,” Joe said. “All I could do was agree with him.”

Young adults are delivering a powerful message as well. In Canton, Ohio, a woman drove past the 40 Days for Life vigil with a sign that read, “What about the rape victims?”

Christian, who was praying at the vigil, thought to herself, “What about them?”

She, after all, should know.

“As an 18-year-old,” she said, “I was a victim of date rape. My life changed forever. A lot of what-ifs went through my head, and my first thought was abortion. I did not know what else to do.”

She soon rejected that option … and gave birth to her son in June 2008.

A year later, Christian thought she was pregnant again. Her fiance’s mother advised an abortion — or else “life as you know it will be over.” She went to Planned Parenthood for a pregnancy test — with her fiance and one-year-old son. “And yet the first thing that the nurse asked me when we walked in was, ‘If you are pregnant, do you want an abortion?’”

Of course, the answer was “No!” She now has a daughter in addition to her son.

“I may have had two kids before the age of 20,” Christian said. “I may have started out as a teen mom and didn’t go to college. But I am now working and going back to school to broaden my career.”

Contrary to the advice she was given, her life is certainly not over. “And if you feel it would be, there are other options to provide your children with happy healthy lives,” she said. “With the power of God’s grace, you can make the right choices, and He will guide you every step of the way.”

As the pastor in Arizona said — what incredible teaching is going on!

Today’s devotional is from Carmen Pate, a member of the 40 Days for Life board of directors.

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DAY 25 INTENTION
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Pray that God will bless us with His gift of strength as we respond in obedience to His call.

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SCRIPTURE
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Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.

If you say, “surely we did not know this,” does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it?

And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?

– Proverbs 24:11-12

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REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life
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In this age of technologically advanced communication, ignorance of human rights abuses is no excuse.

We know there are persecuted Christians in China, there is genocide in Darfur, and there are babies aborted and women and families devastated right in our own communities.

“But I can’t save them all,” you say.

God isn’t asking you to. He has equipped each of us with time, talent, and treasure to do what we can when He provides the opportunity.

He has given us His Holy Spirit to empower us as we abide in Him. He is asking us to be on His side in speaking out and protecting those who can’t protect themselves.

When we are obedient to His calling to get in on the work He is doing, we will experience intimacy with Him in a whole new way.

Our faith will increase as we see God at work! You have responded to His call during this 40 Days for Life campaign.

Let your efforts be for His pleasure and His purposes. Pray without ceasing!

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PRAYER
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God Almighty, we pray for continued guidance and strength as we intercede on behalf of the young women and their babies who are stumbling to the slaughter.

Open the eyes of the mother’s heart to see her child as you do – a precious gift to be treasured.

Let her feel Your loving arms around her and may she be assured that you have a plan and a future for her and her child.

Give her reason not to enter the abortion clinic.

Give her wisdom and discernment to find life options through a local pregnancy care center and may she boldly choose life.

Thank you, Lord, for hearing our prayer. Because of Your Son’s sacrifice we pray, 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/spring2010day25print.pdf

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Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life

PS: How has your community been blessed during 40 Days for Life? Please let me know! You may share your reply below.

I’m truly amazed at the many expressions of encouragement we are hearing from people who are joining this 40 Days for Life effort and praying for an end to abortion — not only at the abortion centers, but also at home, in church, at school, at work.

There are THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS of you who are making 40 Days for Life a special time of prayer and fasting

Laura wrote to say that every day, she sits and quietly prays with the 40 Days for Life devotionals. “I must say how powerful the devotions are,” she said. “I have been praying through tears. Thank you, dear Lord, for giving me the opportunity to be a small part of this great ministry for life.”

“I can’t get out for very long periods of time due to an illness,” said Ross, “but I’m offering up my cross these days for the 40 Days for Life campaign and an end to abortion. God bless all of you who stand up for Jesus and for life.”

Les said he lives far from the nearest abortion facility and does not have an opportunity to participate in the sidewalk vigils. “But please know that my wife and I are observing the 40-day fast and are praying daily for the success of this campaign.

“Your stories of success are heart-warming and encouraging,” he said, “and we pray that many more of these scenarios will be played out during the remainder of the campaign and beyond.”

Betty said her husband is in the hospital, so she naturally spends most of her time with him. “So with limited time to appear — and the bad back of an 86-year-old woman — I can only do so much. I pray that you keep up your good work,” she said. “God bless you all!”

God bless you too, Betty — and your husband as well. Your prayers are much appreciated.

Michelle is praying that students at a school in her area will be able to join the 40 Days for Life vigil at the local Planned Parenthood. “They already pray at school,” she said, “but would like to be present for those going in as a witness for life.”

Isn’t it amazing that people WORLDWIDE are praying with you — and for you?

“Just to let you all know, your efforts greatly encourage us here in Brazil,” said Mary. “We are facing a law to make abortion legal in this great country. Please pray that this law will NOT get passed here. We are praying to that end and also praying for all of you there are who are the frontlines of LIFE.”

To each of you, no matter where you are or where you’re praying, I simply say …

… THANK YOU!

Today’s devotional is from Rev. Ben Sheldon, president emeritus of Presbyterians for Life.

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DAY 24 INTENTION
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Pray that we may realize the generational impact of abortion.

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SCRIPTURE
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Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife because she was barren; and the Lord granted his prayer and Rebekah his wife conceived.

The children struggled together within her, and she said,” If it is thus, why do I live?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.

And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples, born of you, shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the elder shall serve the younger.”

– Genesis 25:21-23

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REFLECTION by by Rev. Ben Sheldon
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What an answer to prayer!

Who dares to say that the unborn are not human, with distinct personality and character right from the moment of conception?

This account emphasizes the vitality and uniqueness of the twins who, because of Isaac’s prayer for his wife, were conceived in Rebekah’s womb.

When Rebekah was told by the Lord that the older would serve the younger twin, God already knew that Jacob and Esau would lead turbulent and conflicted lives.

God knows us and knows all about us, including our personality and disposition long before we are actually born, indeed, from the moment we are conceived in our mother’s womb.

What a tragedy of gargantuan proportions that babies, planned and endowed by the Creator, with distinct and unique personalities and with, perhaps, a future and destiny intended for greatness, have their lives snuffed out by cruel abortionists before they ever see the light of day!

May our prayers that the dreadful scourge of abortion in our land may vanish be as fervent as Isaac’s were for Rebekah.

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PRAYER
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O, God, you formed us in our mother’s womb and planned a unique and special life and purpose for each of us, and we do thank you.

Grant that we may pray and work for an end to abortion, especially in these 40 days, so that no unborn baby you have made may fail to achieve your divine intention for him or her because of intentional abortion.

We pray this for the sake of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. 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/spring2010day24print.pdf

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Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life

PS: So how has 40 Days for Life affected you and your community these past few weeks? Please share the good news below.

“We have wonderful news!” said Kathy in Columbia, Missouri. “The abortionist who did surgical abortions in Columbia at Planned Parenthood HAS RESIGNED!”

You could sense the excitement in Kathy’s e-mail. “This is awesome news!”

Columbia is right in the middle of Missouri — and now more than a two-hour drive to the nearest available surgical abortions in St. Louis and Kansas City. “But we still have to pray for the conversion of the doctor who gives the RU-486 abortion pill on Thursdays,” said Kathy.

Mary Ann in Great Falls, Montana just sent her 40 Days for Life team with an all-capitals subject line: “ALL GLORY AND HONOR BELONGS TO GOD!!”

“I could barely type it my hands were so shaky,” she said.

The good news? “Planned Parenthood here has decreased its ‘clinic’ hours to Monday, Wednesday and Friday,” explained Mary Ann. “This is a BIG change as they used to be open all day Monday through Friday and every other Saturday.”

This marks the fourth 40 Days for Life campaign in Great Falls. “Never before have we even seen the response that we are being blessed with during this campaign,” said Mary Ann. “Our numbers of prayer vigil participants has increased tremendously, as well as the number of different churches that are participating.”

The Planned Parenthood abortion center that’s the site of the 40 Days for Life vigil in Winston-Salem, North Carolina was closed for two consecutive Saturdays — which was indeed a surprise to prayer volunteers. The abortionist was nowhere to be seen.

Toni in Winston-Salem isn’t sure why the facility was closed, or whether the cutback in hours is permanent; “so we just keep on showing up and doing what is our Christian privilege as well as our obligation to do.”

In Little Rock, Arkansas, Mary is seeing signs of hope at the 40 Days for Life vigil.

“About 4:45pm, when most people had left the building, an employee slowly passed by prayer volunteers and told them, ‘Keep up what you are doing.’ One employee left last year, so we are getting through to some of them,” she said. “Sounds like another one may be thinking about it. Praise God!”

A 40 Days for Life vigil participant in another city was able to offer a gift to the Planned Parenthood abortionist — a copy of “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis. “God has used this book to convert many non-believers,” she said.

As she delivered the book, she asked him, “What do you have to lose?” He was seen carrying the book as he left for the day. So please keep this man — and all abortion industry employees — in your prayers.

Today’s devotional is from Rev. J. Kirk van der Swaagh of the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference.

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DAY 23 INTENTION
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For the medical community, that the truth they know about the human body may become awe and wonder at the God who made it.

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SCRIPTURE
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Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.

–Psalm 139:16

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REFLECTION by Rev. J. Kirk van der Swaagh
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Human beings — God’s tapestries.

Psalm 139 is a psalm that reveals the enormity and otherness of God. His divine attributes are on display: omniscience (2-4), omnipresence (7-12), loving-kindness (17-18), justice (19-20), righteousness (23-24), and omnipotence.

Yet, when it came to express this last attribute, what example did the psalmist use — God’s creation of mountains, seas, or far-flung galaxies? No, he used none of these.

To express the wonder of God’s unparalleled creative power the writer mentions the fashioning of the human in the womb (14-16).

The Hebrew word used to express God’s forming of us in the womb, raqam, is the same term for needlework or embroidery.

In other words, we are a tapestry that displays God’s artistic mastery.

And, like the artist who knows his creation down to the last detail, God intimately knows us. This reality provokes the writer to awe and wonder. He proclaims, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

What is true for this psalmist is true for each human being.

Each is fashioned by God and known by him and we can proclaim on behalf of each, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

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PRAYER
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Gracious God, help us to appreciate the wonder and beauty of Your creation.

Help us proclaim on behalf of every one of our fellow human beings, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

May the knowledge that we are intimately known by You shape our lives and actions. Amen.

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PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
——————————————————

To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2010day23print.pdf

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Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life

PS: If you have stories of how praying during this 40 Days for Life campaign has impacted your life, I’d love to hear your comments. Post them as a reply below.

Today’s devotional encourages us to pray for fathers involved in abortion decisions. In some cases, it’s the father who encourages — even demands — an abortion. In other cases, the father is the forgotten man who is left helpless because has no “choice” concerning the fate of his child. In all cases, these men need your prayers.

That was painfully pointed out in a note Matt left on the 40 Days for Life blog.

Matt said he used to live across the street from an abortion center. “I would scoff at the man with all the abortion photos protesting it every day,” he wrote. “I even yelled at him.”

Why was Matt so angry? He now knows the answer:

“I have fathered up to five aborted kids.”

He said this represented self-centeredness at its most extreme level. “I am so sad by this I burst into tears every time I think about it. Thank God for His grace and forgiveness, because many times when I think about it I still do not forgive myself. It is so wrong it is unimaginable.”

Of course, Matt now knows the truth and is speaking out. “I pray someone sees this and changes their mind. If one baby is saved, all heaven rejoices,” he wrote, adding, “I can barely see the keyboard from my tears.”

Brian is an intern at Expectant Mother Care in the Bronx — the pro-life pregnancy resource organization that helps sponsor 40 Days for Life in New York City. “As a guy,” he wrote on the group’s blog, “it’s rather interesting to watch and talk with the fathers.”

Typically, he says, these are men who act like they’re in charge of the whole world.

“Often,” Brian said, “this is the fellow who is pressuring the woman to abort, although, they generally cover by saying ‘it’s her choice, I’m behind her either way.’ This is such a copout.”

Some of these men “have built up such a wall that they cannot be reached,” he said, “except through prayer.”

Still, he said, there is always hope. Some of them do really care about the mother and will “react in horror and even turn around after they realize what actually goes on during an abortion.”

Brian has seen these men experience profound change. Where they had been demanding an abortion, they now beg the mother to spare their child’s life.

He met such a man recently. “Watching his face and body language change was one of the more amazing changes I’ve seen working here. He and his girlfriend decided not to go ahead with getting an abortion,” Brian said. “Seems he didn’t have everything figured out after all!”

Rachel’s Vineyard, an organization that helps people seek healing following an abortion experience, has an outreach for men as well as women. If you — or anyone you know — is in need of such healing, please see:

http://rachelsvineyard.org

Today’s devotional is from Carmen Pate, a member of the 40 Days for Life board of directors.

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DAY 22 INTENTION
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Pray for fathers who participated in the decision to abort their child, and for those who did not have a voice, that they would find freedom and healing in Christ.

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SCRIPTURE
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If indeed you have heard Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

– Ephesians 4: 21-23

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REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life
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According to the Guttmacher Institute, one-third of American women will have had an abortion by age 45. Seldom reported however is the fact that an equally significant number of men have played a role in terminating a pregnancy.

Some have participated through persuasion, or by providing the financial means for the abortion. Still others were against an abortion, but had no sway in the decision to terminate their child.

Only in recent years have we realized that men suffer from their loss, as more and more seek healing.

Warren Williams, founder of Fathers and Brothers Ministries says he believes men are coming forward for help because God instilled in men a desire to be a protector of their lineage, a provider for their families, to be a husband and father.

Men are suffering and grieving the loss of their children, and though their grief may be expressed differently than that of a woman, it is grief nonetheless and they too need tender care and biblical counseling to experience forgiveness and healing.

Intervention at the appropriate time in the decision-making process may spare both the young man and woman from the lifelong pain and trauma of abortion. Biblical counseling for post-abortive men and women is essential for them to heal and begin their life anew in Christ.

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PRAYER
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Dear Heavenly Father, We pray for young men who participated in the termination of their child and are broken as You are over their loss.

Forgive their sin, Lord, and bring opportunity for healing and renewal of their minds in Christ Jesus.

For those suffering from an abortion they did not choose, restore their joy as they learn to forgive others and trust You with their future. In the name of Christ, who heals the brokenhearted, 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/spring2010day22print.pdf

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Let’s pray that all who have experienced the tragedy of abortion — men AND women — will find healing.

Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life

PS: Are you aware of any stories involving the need for post-abortion healing in your 40 Days for Life campaign? Please share news of your local community by posting a reply below.

I know you’re familiar with the old saying, “God works in mysterious ways.” Please sit down and read this whole story. Our God of mystery has outdone Himself this time!

A young woman in Indianapolis, Indiana — we’ll call her Erin — woke up, saw her kids off to school, dropped her preschoolers at a friend’s house … and noticed that she was late for an appointment …

… at Planned Parenthood …

… for an abortion.

So Erin picked up her phone and called to see if could still come in. She thought she was calling Planned Parenthood. In her haste, she dialed a wrong number.

Instead of Planned Parenthood, she got Joseph … who was answering the cell phone that’s being used by …

… get ready for this now …

… 40 Days for Life in Indianapolis!!!

Joseph took a deep breath and tried to be as calm as possible. He took Erin’s name and number and simply said that a counselor would call her back.

So Elizabeth, the counselor, called Erin. Elizabeth begged her not to hang up, and then explained that she had not reached Planned Parenthood. Asked if she was a Christian, Erin said “yes.” So Elizabeth told her that God’s grace was at work in this “wrong number” situation.

So what had led Erin to the abortion center? Simply put — desperation. She has four children, their father is in jail, she had lost her job, her electricity is about to be shut off, and she doesn’t have enough money to pay the rent.

Later, Erin arrived at Planned Parenthood with her aunt. The aunt told counselors she opposed the abortion, but Erin’s mother and sister insist it’s the best answer. They say Erin just can’t handle another child.

In the meantime, Elizabeth had spread the word about Erin’s situation. A volunteer offered to pay her electric bill. Ten others pooled their cash to pay her rent.

Eileen in Indianapolis says a local group is now working with Erin to help her find a job. “She has a lot of potential,” Eileen said, “but needs support since her mother and sister are still encouraging her to abort the baby.”

Erin has reacted with both joy and disbelief that strangers were helping her. She has called Planned Parenthood to cancel her appointment and request a refund.

Please keep Erin and her family — and all those helping her — in your prayers.

So, you see? God DOES work in mysterious ways. There are no coincidences … and in this case, no wrong numbers!

Here’s a photo of the Indianapolis vigil:

Today’s devotional is from Rev. J. Kirk van der Swaagh of the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference.

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DAY 21 INTENTION
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We pray for the conversion of all those who refuse to acknowledge that human life belongs only to God.

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SCRIPTURE
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Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

– Jeremiah 1:4-5

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REFLECTION by Rev. J. Kirk van der Swaagh
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To be or not to be?

There is no question!

The question of “being” is something philosophers have long pondered.

What is the meaning of being and what is the source? In the passage before us, we have our answer.

We have being because we are known by God.

For God to declare that he knows and sets apart the prophet Jeremiah even before he is conceived indicates that our being rests in God’s own being.

Because He is and because He wills we, therefore, are and do.

The Apostle Paul says as much when he declares before the philosophers of his day, “In Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).

One of the tragedies of the abortion culture is that life in the womb has been so heartbreakingly de-valued.

To embrace the arguments of the “pro-choice” crowd one must conclude that the child in the womb doesn’t exist, isn’t there, has no being. But nothing could be further from the truth.

That child is known by God and, as such, has being.

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PRAYER
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Lord God, we confess that in You we live and move and have our being.

Because You are, we are.

May we find grace from You to affirm the being of every human and may we labor to make this truth known to the world around us. 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/spring2010day21print.pdf

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Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life

PS: As always, if you have an interesting story about your 40 Days for Life campaign, please share it! You may add a reply below.

I just returned home from Oklahoma. Early tomorrow morning I’ll be back on a plane, this time heading to California, where I’ll get to visit several more 40 Days for Life campaigns.

In between flights, praying at vigils, speaking at events, long road trips, and short nights of sleep, whenever I check e-mail, my in box is overflowing with more reports of lives saved.

I still think it’s a miracle any time 40 Days for Life prayer vigil participants are blessed with the knowledge that a mother has changed her mind about aborting a child.

And today, as we reach the halfway point of this campaign — it’s already happened …

… 209 times that we know of!

That’s 102 more lives spared — over THE LAST WEEK.

Here are just a few of those miracles:

• Jacksonville, Florida:

  A woman and her daughter spent about an hour in the parking lot at the abortion center, entering and leaving the business several times. Finally, they drove out of the lot. The young woman rolled down her window and said, “I am not going to have an abortion.”

  “We were there at the critical time,” said Trudy in Jacksonville. “We were there at the entrance of the driveway, offering her hope in her desperate situation.

  She saw strangers praying for her; she saw signs that gave her options; she experienced the ultimate, unconditional love from people whom she may never see again in this world. And her miraculous decision gave us peace and joy this world can not give!”

• Yakima, Washington:

  A 40 Days for Life participant described his boss as “a good Christian man,” so it shocked him when his boss said his 16-year-old daughter was pregnant and planning to have an abortion. So, the man just prayed harder.

  Two weeks later, his boss returned to say that when his daughter went to Planned Parenthood for her abortion, prayer volunteers convinced her not to go through with it. She went to a pro-life resource center instead.

• Phoenix, Arizona:

  Beth in Phoenix reports at least eleven babies have been spared from abortion during this 40 Days for Life campaign. “I praise God for our prayer warriors and gifted sidewalk counselors,” she said.

  In addition, two volunteer escorts at the Phoenix abortion center have quit! One of them shared her gratitude for the vigil participants’ presence.

• Pensacola, Florida:

  One of the prayer volunteers spoke with two women in their vehicle outside the abortion center. He handed one of them a brochure about abortion alternatives and what abortion does to women.

  “Two hours later the women drove past us, giving us the thumbs up and pointing that she kept her baby,” said Ernie in Pensacola. “What would have happened if the prayer vigil participant had not been there to hand these women this information?”

  Here’s a photo of the 40 Days for Life vigil in Pensacola:

  

I also have news on how 40 Days for Life is gathering momentum in Australia. The team in Brisbane, which is conducting its second 40 Days for Life campaign, recently had a great opportunity to spread the word about this life-saving ministry.

Daniel, who serves as Brisbane’s media and communications coordinator, was interviewed on the Vision Radio Network, a nationwide Christian broadcaster in Australia.

Listen to this 10-minute audio online (click arrow to start):

Download MP3 (right-click to save file to your computer):

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/audio/brisbane2010.mp3

Today’s devotional is from Ernest Ohlhoff, outreach director at National Right to Life.

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DAY 20 INTENTION
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We pray for humility in our work for God’s Kingdom.

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SCRIPTURE
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Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

– Philippians 2:5-8

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REFLECTION by Ernest Ohlhoff, National Right to Life
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There is no limit to what we can accomplish when we don’t care who gets the credit.

Jesus Christ’s life on earth exemplifies a total submission to the will of the Father. His humility, compassion, gentleness and thoughtfulness are reflected over and over again in the New Testament.

He was God incarnate, yet He chose to be born to a humble, working class home.

How absurd it must have seemed to the rich and powerful that the Son of God, the Messiah, the one foretold by the prophets, the ‘King of the Jews’ was born and raised as a simple peasant.

During His thirty-three years on earth, He sought no riches, claimed no secular power and gathered no possessions.

His short time on earth changed more lives, softened more hearts, and gave hope to more people, than all the rich and powerful human ‘kings’ combined.

And, at the end of His life on earth, by dying on the cross, He opened the door to eternal life for those who heed his words and follow in his footsteps.

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PRAYER
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O Lord, help us follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

Let us humbly and diligently work to restore legal protection for the unborn, the disabled, the medically dependent and all innocent children of God whose lives are threatened.

Let us remember the old adage that “He can never lead who has not first learned to obey.”

And, Lord, grant us a peaceful heart as we labor in your name, 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/spring2010day20print.pdf

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As we hit the midway point of this 40 Days for Life, let’s double our efforts and finish strong!

Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life

PS: What great things are happening with the 40 Days for Life campaign in your community? Please share the good news by replying below.

Stacy took part in the 40 Days for Life vigil recently in Jackson, Mississippi. It was the first time she had ever gone to pray at an abortion center. “I arrived not knowing what to expect,” she said. “I’m so glad I went.”

She met some wonderful people whom she joined in prayer. But she also had a passerby curse at her. And a while later, a young couple and their friend entered the building, yelling that they would call the police because they were being harassed. “But I hung in there anyway,” she said.

Stacy completed her prayer time, but felt led to stay a little longer.

A short time later, this same couple and their friend left the building — the ones who’d threatened to call the police.

But they had taken on a different attitude.

“She changed her mind! They seemed so relieved and it was amazing how all three seemed so happy about the decision,” Stacy said.

“It was unbelievable. Praise God!”

The prayer team them met a woman who was pregnant with twins. “She already had three kids and was scared to death. After we talked and prayed with her she seemed broken and said she would think about it.” Stacy said she’s confident this woman will make the right decision — but we need to pray for her!

“I’m so glad I was able to see for myself what God can do through those who will reach out,” she said. “I know from this experience I am forever changed. These women, in deciding to make the right choice, have changed their lives in spectacular ways — but they also have changed mine.”

Anita in Arizona didn’t see such amazing results in her prayer time at the 40 Days for Life vigil. But that’s all right. Sometimes you see it. Sometimes you don’t. God reveals His plan differently to each of us.

“I was doing my usual daily routine of getting my son to school,” she said. Then she glanced at the clock. “We were way ahead of schedule.”

A still, small voice told her, “Go and pray at Planned Parenthood.” So she did. “God has given me extra time to pray today. I knelt down in the dirt and I prayed for 20 minutes.”

Only God knows who may have been touched by those prayers. “Maybe there was a woman waiting for the center to open, and then changed her mind. I do not know,” Anita said. “What I do know is that we are called to be faithful, not successful. We are to listen and obey and leave the successful part up to God.”

Anita said she may never see the fruit of those 20 minutes of prayers, “but I know our loving God can use that tiny bit of time and those few little prayers to move evil and blindness out of the way. Let’s keep praying!”

Today’s devotional is from Carmen Pate, a member of the 40 Days for Life board of directors.

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DAY 19 INTENTION
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Pray that when those representing Planned Parenthood and other abortion groups see volunteers for 40 Days for Life, they see ambassadors of Christ, and may each volunteer be consciously aware at all times of Whom we represent.

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SCRIPTURE
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I…beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness, and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.

– Ephesians 4:1b-2

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REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life
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When Carol Everett, a former abortionist and post-abortive woman, was asked what turned her heart from death to life in Christ, she said, “Unconditional love,” shown by a man who prayed daily for her in front of the abortion clinic where she worked.

He told Carol that “God had sent him” because there was someone in there that God wanted out.

She left 27 days later and now serves as Christ’s ambassador to help others.

We too have been sent by Christ as an ambassador to love unconditionally those God seeks to “get out” of their bondage and sin.

What a high calling it is — much higher than any presidential appointment to another country.

In his book, Fishers of Men, Dr. Sumner Wemp describes what it means to be an ambassador of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings:

• God has chosen us (John 15:16)
• We are sent into a world that is not our home (1 Peter 2:11)
• Our walk must match our talk (1 Timothy 3:7)
• We must abide in Him for daily instruction (John 15:5)
• Know our purpose — to seek and to save that which is lost (Luke 19:10)
• We are to reconcile others to God with His authority (Matthew 28:19-20)
• Do not let kindness and truth leave you (Proverbs 3:3-4)
• Our service is to be grounded and rooted in love (Ephesians 3:17)

Pray that we each will walk worthy of the calling with which we were called!

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PRAYER
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Dear Heavenly Father, we are humbled that you have called us and appointed us to be ambassadors of Christ in a world that is not our home.

We pray that your Holy Spirit will empower us to walk worthy of the calling. We pray that Your unconditional love will flow through us to those who desperately need Your saving grace.

In the name of Christ who is worthy, 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/spring2010day19print.pdf

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May this Lord’s day be filled with blessings for you and all of your loved ones!

Yours In Christ,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life

PS: How has your prayer experience with 40 Days for Life affected you? Please leave a comment below.