DAY 36

While flying on the plane early this morning to join the 40 Days for Life in Sacramento, California, I was remembering back to when Bryan/College Station, Texas conducted the first-ever 40 Days for Life campaign in the Fall of 2004.

By Day 36 we were wiped out. We were counting the hours until the end of the 40 days so we could rest.

However, as we near the end of this fall’s nationwide 40 Days for Life campaign — and the lifesaving success stories keep pouring in — something very different is happening…

Nobody wants to stop!

I’m getting numerous e-mails every day like these:

“I think we must stay on this and not pull back.”

“Just so you know, we aren’t stopping down here in Florida. Too many people are really committed and they just don’t feel they can just stop after 40 Days. You don’t mind do you? :-)”

“40 Days For Life has brought about many miracles, and all the testimonies over these days have attested to some of them. The fact that Planned Parenthood is running scared is fantastic news. Isn’t there some way to keep this fabulous movement going? We can’t stop now… this has proven way to effective to stop. There are many many more Planned Parenthood facilities to be prayed over. My local one in Stamford is one of them. What else can be done? We don’t want the abortionists to feel a victory once our forces are gone…”

Just last night at a gathering in Fargo, North Dakota, a young man named Patrick rolled over to me in his wheelchair and said, “Mr. Bereit, I hope you aren’t offended by this, but we simply can’t stop!”

Everyone standing around voiced their agreement, and they all began to talk about ways they could keep the momentum building — across their state — long after the end of 40 Days for Life this Sunday, November 4.

You see, North Dakota has closed down every abortion facility in their state except ONE…

…And that one facility is now being covered in prayer 24 hours a day by the 40 Days for Life vigil!

The people of North Dakota are committed to press on in their work, because they firmly believe that they will be the first abortion-free state in America.

With the level of determination I witnessed — and with God’s help — perhaps they will.

I hope you look on that as a friendly challenge…

Is YOUR state willing to keep going and try to be the first abortion-free state?

With all of the amazing victories that God has blessed our nation with over these past 36 days, we simply must press on, realizing that “to whom much is given, much is required.”

Let’s continue to march forward until that day when no more women cry and no more children die!

Here’s your devotional for the day by Fr. Frank Pavone…

INTENTION:

Pray that we become vessels of hope to all around us, especially to those who minister in the pro-life movement.

SCRIPTURE:

“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!’”
– Luke 24:1-5

REFLECTION:

I share with you today this inspiring meditation based on a sermon I once heard, and adapted to the concerns of the pro-life movement.

It’s Friday. Jesus is on the cross. He has been killed by his enemies; he is off the scene. But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday. Mary is weeping in bitter grief; the disciples are fleeing in all directions, confused and afraid. But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday. Pilate is washing his hands; the Pharisees are calling the shots; the Roman soldiers are strutting around with their spears. But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday. The forces that oppress the poor and abandon the lowly and trample upon the rights of the weak, making them suffer and robbing them of hope, are in control. But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday. Satan is doing his dance, and he thinks he rules the world. Governments do his bidding, and businesses do his work, and institutions are at his command. But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday. Abortionists continue their work 4,000 times a day, tearing off the arms and legs of little babies and crushing their heads. But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday. Pro-abortion groups put out their hands and receive blood money from billionaires who are as deceived as they are. But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday. Liars attempt to speak for all women and hide the pain of abortion, and ignore the evidence of how it harms women, and call abortion a blessing. But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday. Judicial activists have their way, writing the law instead of applying it, ignoring the will of the American people and allowing abortion to continue. But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday. People of hardened hearts guard their abortion clinics and usher desperate women in to have their abortions, while keeping them from the pro-life people who want to give them hope. But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday. Many preachers of God’s word are silent in the face of all these evils, as they spend more energy calculating how to keep safe from lawyers than how to keep safe from the wrath of God. But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’!

Hope does not mean that we ignore or minimize the evils around us. It means, rather, that we see the whole picture, which is that evil is conquered because of what happened one Sunday morning.

The power of sin and death has been broken by the Resurrection of Christ. We are called to proclaim, celebrate, and serve that victory, waiting in joyful hope for Christ’s return and the full flowering of the Culture of Life!

Indeed, Sunday’s comin’!

PRAYER:

Lord, fill your people with new hope. We are fully aware of the evils that are around us. We know that in so many ways, it’s Friday. But we also know that Sunday is coming.

We know that the kingdom of darkness has been conquered, and that a new Kingdom has been established among us.

Make us vessels of hope to all around us, especially to those who minister in the pro-life movement, that as we engage in the difficult work ahead, we may experience the peace and joy that come only from you and that nobody can take away from us.

We ask this through Christ our Lord, AMEN.

DAY 35

I’m writing to you from an airplane flying at 36,000 feet on my way to Fargo, North Dakota, to join their local 40 Days for Life campaign before heading on to California tomorrow and Washington state Thursday.

As I was going through my e-mails in the airport right before boarding the plane, I got this exciting report from a 40 Days for Life location:

“An employee of the Planned Parenthood facility [we've] been praying in front of has quit her job! She came out of the building and told the pray-ers that she couldn’t work there anymore!!”

Praise the Lord! Pray that God leads this lady into new work that helps, rather than hurts, people.

Further down in my list of e-mail messages, I came across this note from another part of the country:

“I thought it might be a nice end also if everyone sends out today (so it will arrive by Saturday) a polite card to the abortion clinic workers telling them there is healing in Jesus and forgiveness, telling them that it’s not too late to walk out of the abortion business and go to work helping women and babies, and also inviting them to our church.”

How thoughtful!

After enduring 35 days of intense prayer, fasting, and vigil directed at their abortion facility, many clinic workers are growing weary, and their conscience is weighing on them.

It may just take a gentle nudge to encourage them to walk away and make a dramatic life change!

Keep in mind that, just like you and me — and just like each child in the womb — these abortion workers are made in the image and likeness of God, and are in need of love.

On Saturday, as you — and tens of thousands of others across America — join together for the concluding “Unity Vigil” that will be held outside of every Planned Parenthood center and abortion facility possible, let’s make sure that the workers in these facilities realize that hope and healing is available to them.

Here’s your devotional for today by Fr. Frank Pavone…

INTENTION:

Pray that we choose to trust God to bring an end to abortion soon, no matter how impossible that may seem to others.

SCRIPTURE:

The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “O Sovereign LORD, you alone know.”

Then He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD’” — Ezekiel 37:1-6

REFLECTION:

Imagine the dilemma Ezekiel was in when God asked him if the bones could live. He must have thought to himself: “If I say yes that’s going to appear foolish; but if I say no, I risk distrusting God.”

So what did Ezekiel say? “I don’t know.” And so God said to him: “Speak, prophesy, speak the word of truth to the bones.”

Now he knew he was in a dilemma, because to speak to dry bones humanly appears foolish, but now, if he didn’t do it, he would be disobeying God. It was the choice between the foolish thing and the dangerous thing.

So he spoke, and what an awesome moment it must have been, because Scripture tells us that he heard a rattling sound and then he saw one bone begin to join to another.

And God, as if cheering him on, said: “Keep speaking, speak again. Prophesy to the bones!” And the bones stood up, flesh came on them, and the spirit of life was breathed into the bones. And there you have a vast army living because of the word of truth.

You and I are standing in a world today over a field of dry bones: those who have been killed by abortion, those who have been killed by so many other things attacking the dignity of human life. It is a valley of dry bones, because of the deaths and also because of the dead consciences.

And God has placed us here; we find ourselves here in the midst of this incredible tragedy. Like Ezekiel, you and I are in a dilemma because God says to us: “Speak and proclaim the Word of Life. Keep doing it. Let nothing deter you.”

And so people can say, “This is humanly foolish, humanly impossible. How can we transform the world from the path of death that it’s on?”

Yet we choose to do the “foolish” thing rather than the dangerous thing. Speak, and speak like Ezekiel, for as long as you live!

And if you ever doubt that we can bring an end to this culture of death, this destruction of the family, this destruction of life by abortion, if you ever think for a moment that it’s impossible, then ask yourself this: Can a field of dry bones ever live?

Or better yet ask yourself this: Can a man who has been scourged, crowned with thorns, nailed hands and feet to a cross, pierced with a lance, has died and been buried… Can such a man ever live again?

PRAYER:

Lord, I thank you today for your command to speak the word of life, to build the culture of life. I thank you for giving me the holy dilemma of having to choose between the foolish thing or the dangerous thing. Yet for me the solution to that dilemma is clear.

Lord, I will obey you, even if it means aiming for a goal which, in the eyes of others, seems foolish. I will obey you, and will hope for the end of abortion soon, no matter how impossible that may seem to others. I dare not mistrust you; I dare not doubt your power; I dare not fail to follow your call. In you, who raise the dead, all hope comes alive.

I pray in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord, AMEN.

DAY 34

Wow!

1,138 people from across the country joined together last night on the 40 Days for Life “Big Event” tele-rally and webcast, and the response has been amazing!

The speakers did a fantastic job encouraging us all to finish strong, and we heard success stories from local 40 Days for Life leaders in:

• College Station, Texas
• Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Norwich, Connecticut
• Charlotte, North Carolina
• Buffalo, New York
• Jacksonville, Florida
• Sacramento, California
• Fargo, North Dakota

These reports clearly demonstrated how God is working miracles all across our land.

If you were unable to join the call for any reason — or if you just want to listen to the inspiring event again — here is the entire audio recording:

Listen online (press “Play” button):

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

http://www.40daysforlife.com/blog/audio/bigevent.mp3

After you finish listening, please take a moment to scroll down to the bottom of this posting and leave a reply with your thoughts or feelings about the event.

At the end of the call, I made a big announcement about how 40 Days for Life will reach a “grand finale”…

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, UNITY VIGIL ACROSS AMERICA

Every Saturday, there are an estimated 8,000 abortions committed in the United States, making it the busiest abortion day of each week.

But this Saturday, November 3 — Day 39 of 40 Days for Life — is going to be different.

In addition to a big final push in each of the 80+ cities holding 40 Days for Life campaigns, we are asking people of faith and conscience all across America to form a simultaneous 24-hour peaceful prayer vigil outside of every Planned Parenthood center and abortion facility possible.

This Saturday, please take some extra time out of your day to be one of the tens of thousands of people — in cities and towns all across America — who will join together as part of this “Unity Vigil.”

Your peaceful witness can make a tremendous life-saving impact and help make history at the conclusion of this fall’s 40 Days for Life effort!

It’s easy! Here’s how…

1. Find the Planned Parenthood or abortion center nearest to you, and identify where you can stand in the public right-of-way to safely pray. To find the nearest Planned Parenthood, visit: http://www.all.org/stopp/maps/ or to find the nearest abortion facility, look in your yellow pages phone book under “Abortion.”
2. Make your personal commitment of the hours you’ll pray there between 12:01 AM and midnight on Saturday, November 3.
3. Ask groups, friends, family members, people from church, and co-workers to join you in prayer as part of that 24-hour “Unity Vigil.”
4. Go out on Saturday, November 3, to participate in what will likely be the largest coordinated prayer presence outside of abortion facilities on one day in American history.
5. Praise God for all that He has accomplished throughout these 40 Days for Life!

The finish line is in sight — let’s turn our efforts up several notches and be sure to finish strong!

Here’s your daily devotional by Fr. Frank Pavone…

INTENTION:

Pray that God’s people may understand deeply, and live effectively, the truth that love leads to life, and leads us to offer our lives for one another.

SCRIPTURE:

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” — 1 Jn.4:7-10

REFLECTION:

The basis of Christianity is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Christians rejoice in the Resurrection, because it is the victory of life not only for Christ but for each person who believes in Him. Christ’s rising from the grave means that we too will rise from the grave!

The victory of life is also the victory of love. From the first page of Scripture to the last, it is clear that love leads to life. These two realities cannot be separated, because they are rooted in the one God, who cannot be divided.

Scripture tells us that God is love (1 Jn. 4:8). Scripture also tells us that God is life (see Jn.14:6). Love and life always go together.

We see this in creation. Where were you 100 years ago today? You were nowhere; you did not exist. So why are you here today? How were you rescued from that nothingness you were once in? Certainly you did not ask to be born. You weren’t there to do the asking.

Certainly you did not earn it because you weren’t there to do anything that could earn it. What accounts for the fact that you are here? We can say that your parents came together and you were conceived and born, and that is true. But that doesn’t fully answer the question of why you are here.

When your parents came together, there could have been millions of possible people conceived and born, who would have been your brothers or sisters. It didn’t have to be you!

The only ultimate explanation of why you are here is that God loves you. He chose you to be! In fact, at each moment He is literally loving you into existence. If He stopped loving you for one instant, you would fall back into the nothingness you were in 100 years ago. Love leads to life.

This is clear also in the mystery of salvation.

St. John tells us, “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his only Son into the world that we might have life through him” (1 Jn 4:9).

Christ’s love for us brought Him to the cross, and this led to the victory of life.

The cross is the best symbol of love. Love is self-giving for the good of another person. Christ gives His life for us, without complaining and without counting the cost. His concern is that we might have life.

Having shown His love for us in this way, He instructs us, “Love one another as I have loved you” (Jn. 15:12). He does not say, “Love one another in whatever way you want,” but rather, “as I have loved you.”

We are called to love in a way that brings forth new life. We are called to give ourselves, without counting the cost, that others may live.

PRAYER:

God of love and life, we see your love manifest in the sacrifice your Son made for our sins. Fix our eyes on this proof of your love; fill our hearts with its lessons for our lives.

Teach your people, day after day and choice after choice, that love always leads to life. Give us that greatest love that anyone can have, to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters, especially those who are most vulnerable.

We pray in Jesus’ Name, AMEN.

Last night my family joined the Indianapolis 40 Days for Life campaign at 10:30 PM outside a large Planned Parenthood abortion facility.

The temperature was in the low 40’s and Planned Parenthood turned their water sprinklers on to greet us, spraying the right of way with freezing cold water.

In spite of that, there were 53 people bundled up and praying when we arrived — young and old — and many others arrived during the hour and a half we were there, to pray and sing in Spanish and English.

And earlier yesterday morning, the prayer warriors holding vigil outside that facility reported a child’s life saved from abortion (and a mother who was spared from a life of pain and regret.)

What a deeply moving experience, to see God’s people putting their faith into action!

One week from today 40 Days for Life will end.

At that time, we’ll be able to look back in awe at the many miracles God has accomplished across our land…

…And discern how to keep the momentum growing…

…But there are still SEVEN DAYS to help this campaign finish in a history-shaping fashion!

The most important thing you can do to ensure that 40 Days for Life helps to mark the beginning of the end of abortion in America is join tonight’s “BIG EVENT” tele-rally and web simulcast.

In addition to reports about the miracles experienced in many of the participating cities — and a big announcement I will be making at the end of the event about how YOU can join in the exciting conclusion of this effort — you will have a rare opportunity to get on the telephone with pro-life leaders including:

• JIM SEDLAK, STOPP, American Life League
• DR. ALVEDA KING, Niece of Martin Luther King, Jr.
• FR. FRANK PAVONE, Priests for Life
• CARMEN PATE, “Point of View” radio talk show
• U.S. SENATOR SAM BROWNBACK
• STACY MASSEY, Abortion Recovery Intl. Network
• SHAWN CARNEY, Coalition for Life

We have been flooded with registrations, but we anticipated the strong interest this event would generate, so there is still room for you (if you haven’t registered yet) and your pro-life friends, family members, and fellow believers.

It’s absolutely FREE, so don’t delay — sign up right now at:

http://www.40DaysForLifeBigEvent.com

I promise that it will be one of the most exciting pro-life events you’ve ever participated in!

(And even if you can’t attend the conference call or webcast live for any reason, go ahead and register anyway. We’re recording the entire event and will let you know as soon as the audio is available for you.)

Prepare to be amazed!

Here’s the devotional for today by Fr. Frank Pavone…

INTENTION:

Pray that we will have faith to realize that even now our Lord can bring an end to abortion.

SCRIPTURE:

“On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. ‘Lord,’ Martha said to Jesus, ‘if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha answered, ‘I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.’” — John 11:17-26

REFLECTION:

Imagine going to a wake service for a deceased friend and having someone say to you, “If you had been here sooner, your friend would never have died!” One does not dare say such a thing unless one believes that the person being addressed has the power over life and death.

In this case, of course, Martha was right. Jesus is Lord of life and death. She knew that, which is why she was able to make this statement, yet at the same time she had to wrestle with the fact that Lazarus died anyway. Jesus indeed is Lord over life and death, but here the power of death was still displayed right in front of her.

Yet in this clash between the conviction of faith and the evidence of human experience, Martha allowed hope to shine through. “Even now, God will give you whatever you ask.”

Even now. Those words show the power of hope, born of faith. Even now, when death has already done its work, life can be victorious. Even now, when nobody expects to see Lazarus again, the blessed expectation of seeing him can arise out of the dust.

Even now, when the last word seems to have been spoken, we can hope that a word will be spoken again to restore life. Even now, when Lazarus has already been laid in the tomb and it seems impossible to do anything about it, things can change.

And things did change. The Lord raised Lazarus from the dead.

We live in a society where many believe the abortion issue has been settled, and its practice so deeply ingrained in our policies and attitudes that it is unrealistic to think we can stop it.

Yet we are the people who say to Jesus, “Even now…”

Even after tens of millions of aborted children and wounded mothers and fathers, even after multiple reaffirmations of Roe vs. Wade by the courts, even after decades of slow and frustrating efforts to stop the killing, even now the evil of abortion can be stopped.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, even now, you are master of life and death. I come before you as Martha did after Lazarus has died. I come before you after countless brothers and sisters of mind have died from abortion. And I pray to you: even now, you can stop the forces of death. Even now, you can bring us into a culture of life.

Come, Lord Jesus. Speak your word yet again, and free our nation from the shackles of death, for you live and reign forever and ever. AMEN.

DAY 32

Cecile Richards, the president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America is now calling 40 Days for Life a “crisis.”

The CEO of one large Planned Parenthood operation in New York wrote, “Planned Parenthood is under attack and we need your help to fight back! RIGHT NOW, THE LARGEST ANTI-CHOICE PROTEST WE’VE SEEN IN A VERY LONG TIME is taking place. An extremist group and its 40 Days for Life Campaign has launched a relentless attack on Planned Parenthood health centers.”

All of this in response to the power of prayer.

Since first getting involved in pro-life work in 1998, I have NEVER seen the abortion industry panic like they are right now!

As the torrent of 40 Days for Life victories grows bigger every day, Planned Parenthood and the rest of the abortion industry is running scared.

Here’s more from the nationwide Planned Parenthood “crisis” email by their president, Cecile Richards…

It’s pouring here at Planned Parenthood.

Specifically, right this minute, it’s pouring in Kansas, where a particularly venomous district attorney has just filed 107 baseless charges against Planned Parenthood in court. And today, the anti-choice fringe is asking Congress to suspend $300 million in federal funding for our affiliates’ health care services until the case is settled.

Unbelievable. Please help.

Today’s news comes on the heels of an unprecedented series of attacks on Planned Parenthood.

Last week, the rain fell on us in Washington, DC, where one U.S. senator called us out by name in an amendment that would have limited birth control funding for health centers like ours.

Throughout this month, the anti-choice fringe is showering our clinics with protesters during its “40 Days for Life” campaign, which our own Emily X is documenting in painfully vivid pictures and videos.

And then, there’s President Bush’s appointment last week of an anti-birth control hardliner to be in charge of U.S. family planning policy. And let’s not forget our epic fight in Illinois last month to open our Aurora health center.

This unprecedented storm — these attacks on Planned Parenthood and the women we serve — are relentless, and are on the move across the country with no signs of stopping.

We’ve been at this work for more than 90 years, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s when to ask for help. And it’s now. We need your help right now.

Sometimes we ask you to take action, sometimes to volunteer. Today, there is only one way to help: with money.

We need to fight the 107 charges the local district attorney has filed. We need to keep Congress from even considering cutting $300 million in our funding. And we need to do it fast, so that we can shut down this outrageous effort before it gains any more momentum.

You can see and hear more from workers at clinics being targeted by the anti-choice “40 Days for Life” campaign on the blog posted by Planned Parenthood employee Emily X. It’s some tough but inspiring reading. She has been signing her blog posts like this: I am Emily X. I am Planned Parenthood.

You know what? You are Planned Parenthood, too.

Thank you for being there for us today. We’ll keep you posted about how you can help as this crisis evolves.

Sincerely,
Â
Cecile Richards
President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America

Interesting that the only thing that the nation’s largest abortion chain can ask for in response to 40 days of prayer is money.

In fact, here’s how the New York Planned Parenthood affiliate CEO ended her message about 40 Days for Life:

“Your donation will be the answer to their prayers.”

For Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry, that’s what it all about: MONEY.

For people of faith and conscience it’s about something much bigger: LIFE!

This campaign’s impact on Planned Parenthood and the rest of the abortion industry has led the national 40 Days for Life team to two conclusions:

1. We need to work tirelessly to ensure that 40 Days for Life finishes STRONG, inviting people across America to join together in a spectacular “grand finale”!
2. November 4 — the last day of the 40 Days for Life campaign — cannot be the end, but merely a new beginning for the pro-life movement!

To successfully accomplish these two things — with your help — we invite you to join us on tomorrow night’s “BIG EVENT” conference call and webcast.

The lineup of amazing speakers and compelling reports from around the country is going to completely knock your socks off!

One additional speaker planning to speak during the event is DR. ALVEDA KING, niece of Martin Luther King, Jr. Alveda works as a civil rights activist, speaking out on issues that face society today. “Perhaps the most compelling issue of all is the life of the unborn,” Alveda says.

This is one pro-life event you won’t want to miss!

The registrations are pouring in by the hundreds, but there’s still space for you. Be sure to register for the 40 Days for Life “BIG EVENT” today at:

http://www.40daysforlifebigevent.com

Here’s your devotional for today by Fr. Frank Pavone…

INTENTION:

Pray that people of faith will have their strength renewed even in the face of the violence of abortion.

SCRIPTURE:

“The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent. They are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’ The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait in silence for the saving help of the LORD.” — Lamentations 3:22-26

REFLECTION:

In the Book of Lamentations, Jeremiah laments over the destruction that has come upon Jerusalem and all God’s people because of the invasion of the Babylonians.

He had warned the people of that invasion and of their ensuing exile. He told them it was going to happen, neither because of military blunders or political miscalculations or economic woes.

The problem, instead, was spiritual. God’s people were being unfaithful to the covenant.

Scripture tells us that one of the ways the Israelites were unfaithful to the covenant was that they sacrificed their sons and daughters to demons in the fire (see Ps. 106:37-38; 2Kgs. 17:17-18; 24:3-4).

Therefore, the Babylonians were being used by God as an instrument of his punishment.

Jeremiah was considered a traitor because of prophesying in this way. Yet he was proven right.

The Babylonians carried God’s people into exile, and burned the holy city Jerusalem.

This was like the end of the world! This was, after all, God’s dwelling on earth, the Promised Land that God had given to his people! How could the enemy triumph in this way?

The Book of Lamentations, a short book of only five chapters, contains some of the most poignant expressions of human grief. These verses are used in many Churches on Good Friday, since they can be seen to express a prophecy of the suffering of the Lord and the lamentation of his followers on that dark day.

But in the midst of his grief, Jeremiah writes the verses quoted above. “The favors of the Lord are not exhausted…” It is a call to hope that no matter how much violence there is, life will prevail in the end.

Why does he say, however, that God’s mercies are renewed each morning?

Because early in the morning, on the first day of the week, the women came to the tomb — and they found that the events of that morning changed everything.

Christ’s victory over death came in the morning, and therefore each day we can renew our confidence that life has the final victory.

PRAYER:

Lord, look kindly on your people who weep and mourn amidst the vast devastation that abortion has brought upon our land. We cannot even count the children killed, and the mothers and fathers wounded.

We cannot measure the devastation and corruption abortion has brought upon the very fabric of our society. But we declare today that your favors have not been exhausted, your mercies have not been spent. They are renewed each morning.

Give us new strength today in the resurrection of Christ your Son, that we may bear effective witness to the victory of life! In His name we pray, AMEN.

DAY 31

Here’s the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT I promised you yesterday!!

Since September 26, more than 80 cities in 33 states have joined together for the largest and longest simultaneous pro-life mobilization in American history: the groundbreaking 40 Days for Life campaign.

God has moved mightily across our land during this effort:

• Hundreds of thousands of people have been fervently praying and fasting for an end to the tragedy of abortion…
• Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets, forming peaceful 40-day prayer vigils outside of Planned Parenthood centers and abortion providers…
• Reports from around the country document that more than 300 lives have been saved from abortion — and those are just the ones we know about…
• Many women and men have been spared from making the tragic decision of abortion that carries a lifetime of regrets…
• Numerous people with past abortion experiences have stepped forward to begin post-abortion healing and recovery…
• Communities are reporting from dozens to over 1,000 people getting involved in local pro-life efforts — many for the very first time…
• …And after 34 years of legalized abortion-on-demand, people of faith and conscience are experiencing a renewed sense of HOPE!

To build on the amazing momentum that is growing across America — and to learn how people in every city in our nation will be able to join in the “grand finale” of this historic campaign — you are invited to attend a LIVE one-time-only event:

40 Days for Life BIG EVENT tele-rally and webcast
Sunday, October 28, 2007 at 9 PM Eastern
(8 PM Central, 7 PM Mountain, 6 PM Pacific)

During this important pro-life event, you will hear from…

• SAM BROWNBACK, U.S. Senator (Kansas)
• FR. FRANK PAVONE, Priests for Life
• CARMEN PATE, “Point of View” radio talk show
• JIM SEDLAK, STOPP, American Life League
• STACY MASSEY, Abortion Recovery Intl. Network
• SHAWN CARNEY, Coalition for Life

Additionally, you will hear from leaders of several of the local 40 Days for Life campaigns who will share how God has been working miracles in their communities.

At the end of the live call, we will share a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT of how people in every city across America can join together in solidarity with this effort to bring 40 Days for Life to a powerful finish throughout all 50 states!

Get all the details and register to join this important pro-life event at:

http://www.40DaysForLifeBigEvent.com

It’s going to be EXCITING!!

Here’s your devotional for the day by Carmen Pate…

INTENTION:

Pray that the post-abortive women and men who have experienced God’s healing and restoration will seek opportunities to serve others with the same compassion they have been shown through Christ.

SCRIPTURE:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
– 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

REFLECTION:

Can you just imagine the impact the church might have on America if we were to apply the instruction in this passage to our daily lives? I believe we are seeing a surge of post-abortive women and men, healed by God’s grace, coming out of the church pews and going into the service of Jehovah Rophe, our Healer.

Post-abortive women and men are on the front lines of the 40 Days for Life campaign.

They are volunteering at local pregnancy care centers. Some are hosting website blogs, while others are contributing their stories. Some are writing articles or books. Still others are teaching Post-Abortive Bible studies or speaking at conferences for healing.

Some are standing in the gap for victims of abortion by spreading the truth on college campuses and in the halls of Congress. Some are providing a listening ear and weeping with a friend who has “been there too”.

Pastor and author Bruce Wilkerson inspired me to service when he said, “Your Father knows your gifts, your hindrances, and the condition you are in at every moment. And He also knows something you can’t possibly know — every single person who is in desperate need of receiving His touch through you.”

I have found from personal experience that when I pray for God to bring people in my life that need His healing hand, so I may be used to love and minister to them, He always answers my prayer!

And I am never surprised that He brings those who are suffering in ways that I have suffered so I might empathize and offer the same Hope and healing that I received in Christ Jesus.

What a mighty God we serve!

PRAYER:

Dear God of all Comfort, We praise You for Your hand of Providence over our lives that opens doors of opportunity for us to be healed in our time of affliction, and then opens doors of opportunity for us to comfort others.

May we be ever mindful of those who are in desperate need of receiving Your touch through us, and may we be obedient to Your calling in reaching out to them with Your love. Thank you Lord for deeming us worthy for Your service.

Because of Christ we pray, AMEN.

DAY 30

Be sure to watch this blog for an important post tomorrow — Friday 10/26 — for the 40 Days for Life update that will contain a very exciting announcement! I can’t tell you more until tomorrow, but it’s going to be really BIG!

Here’s today’s update…

The number of new people joining 40 Days for Life efforts all across the country continues to amaze. Read the press release about the flood of new volunteers at:

http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/419924593.html

Additionally, the pressure on Planned Parenthood keeps increasing, and the abortion giant is struggling to respond to the onslaught of prayer and truth.

Yesterday the leaders of 60 pro-life and pro-family groups (including Concerned Women For America, Focus on the Family, Eagle Forum, and the American Family Association) sent a letter to Congress asking them to stop all federal funding to Planned Parenthood after 107 criminal charges were filed last week against a Planned Parenthood that is the target of a 40 Days for Life campaign in the Kansas City area.
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And Planned Parenthood’s ongoing smear campaign against 40 Days for Life participants is falling apart…

In a newspaper story today in Sacramento, California, a Planned Parenthood executive described 40 Days for Life as “harassment and intimidation,” but the article went on to interview Planned Parenthood customers who described the exact opposite, and even the reporter documented the peaceful prayer of the participants in direct contrast to Planned Parenthood’s claims.

Read the fair and well-balanced article at:

http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/452835.html

In an amusing twist, yesterday the Planned Parenthood blog set up to counter 40 Days for Life featured a Houston abortion escort who claimed, “I’ve never seen a Planned Parenthood client turn around because of a protester. And neither have any of the other volunteers that I work with.”

And yet, after being subjected to a six-day-a-week 40 Days for Life campaign since September 26 (the local people take Sundays off) that same Planned Parenthood facility opened for business this past Sunday — for the first time in recent memory — and had a parking lot full of customers.

The bottom line: Planned Parenthood scheduled business for a day when they knew there would be no 40 Days for Life vigil participants!

Now, if it doesn’t affect their business — as they have asserted — why would they shift their days of business all around?

Hmm…

Well, in one sense what Planned Parenthood said is actually true…

“Protesters” don’t turn around their customers.

God does.

Let’s keep praying for everyone involved in abortion, that they may experience healing and conversion!!

Here’s today’s devotional by Carmen Pate…

INTENTION:

Pray for post-abortive women who cannot forgive themselves; may they understand that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

SCRIPTURE:

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sin is covered. Blessed is the one to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.” — Romans 4:7-8

REFLECTION:

Appropriate acknowledgment of guilt over sin should lead one to brokenness, confession, and repentance.

God in response forgives us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. He extends grace to us in place of condemnation, life instead of death, peace instead of torment, and wholeness instead of brokenness; all through acceptance of His Son, Jesus Christ.

In the passage above, the Apostle Paul making a point about justification by faith, refers back to David’s words in Psalm 32:1-2.

In spite of the enormity of David’s sin — adultery with Bathsheba and his murder of her husband — and the utter absence of any personal merit, David in his brokenness, understood the imputed righteousness of God. David’s response was not continued guilt over his sins, but praise for his freedom from guilt, and God’s power to live life differently.

Once your relationship with God has been restored, your guilt has served its purpose and should no longer be given place in your life.

This is true regardless of the sin, including the sin of abortion. Yet one of the most difficult challenges post-abortive women often face, is that of forgiving themselves. As a post-abortive woman, I too struggled with this issue until I realized that punishing and hating myself after receiving God’s forgiveness was an insult to God.

It was as though I were minimizing Christ’s work on the cross as insufficient to cover my sin. I was denying Him the opportunity to bring glory to His name for the healing and restoration He wanted to do in my life. I was giving victory to the enemy who having lost the battle for my soul, was bent on destroying my testimony as I accepted the continual guilt he heaped on my mind.

Praise God I have been set free, recognizing that there truly is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Such amazing love has no parallel.

It is my joy to continually sing of God’s grace rather than give the devil a foothold in my life. Don’t waste God’s mercy! Accept His forgiveness and forgive yourself as testimony of His amazing grace.

PRAYER:

Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for your amazing grace that saved a wretch like me. I come against the enemy of my soul who would have me feel cast down and dejected.

Lord, keep your children from falling prey to the accusations of the father of lies. Turn our mourning into dancing and may we bring praise to you as we give testimony of Your healing and restoration in our lives.

For by His grace we are saved, AMEN.

DAY 29

I’ve stopped believing in “coincidences.”

In two days, the powerful life-affirming movie “Bella” opens in select theaters across America.

When I was talking on the phone recently with the star of the movie, Eduardo Verastegui, and one of the film’s Executive Producers, they shared that they believed  the timing of the release of the movie this Friday — right in the midst of 40 Days for Life — was a gift from God.

I have to agree.

Please go see Bella this weekend. You will be actively helping to build the “Culture of Life.”

Bella is the beautiful story of one day and one decision that changed the lives of three people forever. Powerful, passionate, and unpredictable, Bella reminds us that what is most valuable in life is not always what we expect.

Bella captured the coveted People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival (as did the Oscar-winning films Chariots of Fire, Hotel Rwanda, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, and Life Is Beautiful in past years.)
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The opening weekend is critical to the success of a movie and will determine if it will be distributed on a wider basis to more markets across America.

YOU can help promote Bella and its pro-life message:

1. See Bella yourself, and bring some friends!
2. Buy a block of tickets for friends, family members, and members of your church!
3. Forward this message to pro-life individuals and lists of people!

Here’s more information about Bella:

• Read reviews and bios, watch video trailers, and purchase tickets online: http://www.BellaTheMovie.com   
• A wonderful article about the film and its star as published in Celebrate Life magazine (PDF file): http://snipurl.com/1sne8 
• List of theaters showing Bella: http://bellathemovie.com/theater/

You will be profoundly touched by this movie.

This is one of those rare opportunities where we can send a loud and clear message to Hollywood about what entertainment should be.

Go see “Bella” this weekend and encourage your friends, family members, and fellow believers to go see it. It will bless you!

One more quick thing…

As my family gets ready to drive to Indiana this afternoon so I can deliver a talk in South Bend tomorrow night and then visit the 40 Days for Life locations across the state, I wanted to give you the audio recording of short interviews conducted on the street outside the 40 Days for Life in the South Bronx:

• The director of 12 pregnancy resource centers across New York City — who is also leading TWO 40 Days for Life campaigns and having enormous impact
• A volunteer from Harlem who was in her fourth day of pro-life participation
• Another volunteer who got the chance to meet a child whose mother she helped to counsel
• An ultrasound tech from Manhattan who saves lives in a mobile ultrasound clinic that parks right in front of abortion facilities

These are some of the most compelling interviews I have conducted, and you will be touched and motivated by the life-changing impact these faithful people are having!

Listen online (click “Play” button):

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

http://www.40daysforlife.com/blog/audio/bronx.mp3

Here’s today’s devotional by Carmen Pate…

INTENTION:

Pray that volunteers will replace exhaustion or discouragement with rejoicing over the miracles we have seen thus far, and enthusiastic service as God takes us on to victory!

SCRIPTURE:

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
– 1 Peter 1:6-7

REFLECTION:

The Apostle Peter had just written in verses 3-5 about the Heavenly inheritance, reserved for those kept by the power of God through faith in Christ for salvation.

That alone is reason for us to rejoice, as one commentary described, “with exceeding joy, with exuberant jubilance”. This type of joy is not based on changing, temporal circumstances, but comes from the unchanging, eternal relationship with God.

We have reason to rejoice even more when we consider the many babies whose lives have been saved during the 40 Days for Life campaign.

Add to those lives, the women and men who have been spared from a devastating decision and now have opportunity to make a plan for their baby that is both life affirming and God honoring.

Opportunities await for these couples, or single women, to hear God’s message of love and his eternal plan for their lives as well.

Whether directly, or indirectly, you have contributed to these testimonies of praise with your sacrificial service.

Perhaps you have been grieved by various trials during your commitment to 40 Days. The attacks of the enemy come in many forms — difficulties in relationships, finances, health.

Or maybe you are physically and mentally exhausted and have been marking off the days on your calendar, eagerly waiting for November 4.

My friend, consider these trials in light of God’s plan for you. The Apostle Paul understood the “big picture” when he said in Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Our resurrection body and the subsequent complete Christ likeness, which is the believer’s eternal glory, will one day be revealed in us. This is our Hope and our victory. Let us rejoice in the opportunity to give that Hope to others in our path.

PRAYER:

Dear Heavenly Father, We sing to You a new song, for You have done marvelous things. Forgive us when we allow circumstances to defeat us. You give power to the faint and You increase strength in those who have no might.

We rest in You dear Lord, and ask You to empower us again for Your service as You work out Your plan for us and through us.

May You receive glory through our victory in Christ, in whose name we pray, AMEN.

DAY 28

It happens tonight in Pensacola, Florida.

It happened Saturday in Houston, Texas.

It happens nightly near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

It happened at several 40 Days for Life campaigns.

It helped to keep the Planned Parenthood abortion facility closed for two weeks in Aurora, Illinois.

It contributed to the closure of three abortion facilities in North Dakota.

What is “IT”?

Rather than me tell you, here’s a message that was sent to me by Mark Houck, a 40 Days for Life volunteer…

“I just wanted to write to tell you about my experience with 40 Days for Life. My organization The King’s Men is actively fighting abortion and pornography in the state of Pennsylvania and as a group of men we took on the 24 hours of coverage on October 14th. It was my privilege to be a part of the mobilization of men towards defending the common good and so many women and children.

During the 40 Days for Life updates, I have read about the successes and testimonials of the many courageous pro-lifers participating in this campaign.

To be honest, I was very convicted of my lack of time devoted to this campaign.

Call it self-absorption with my own ministry or just plain apathy, I was really looking forward to doing my part with the 40 Days for Life on 10/14.

I am always lifting up the campaign and those participating during my daily prayers, but I was feeling more and more convicted about not getting out there and taking up my post in the campaign.

I could feel the many people who have been so committed to sacrifice and prayer calling me to do my part.

The following is not a testimonial about Planned Parenthood canceling a day of abortions or a story about an abortionist not showing up for a day of scheduled abortions, but a witness as to what a small group of pro-lifers decided to do during the “Night Watch” (3am to 5am) on October 14th.

When I arrived at my scheduled 3 am shift, I was pleased to see 5 men gathered around in a circle and a dozen or so candles lit to mark their presence. I was overjoyed to see all these men at this hour.

When I joined them I was so blessed to feel the joy that was in their hearts as we as men were keeping sentry of this abortuary which has been responsible for the death of over 5,000 innocents since Planned Parenthood took up shop there 7 years ago.

After spending about 20 minutes in silent personal prayer, I felt inspired to ask these men if they wanted to do the March of Jericho with me. To which each man said yes.

“And to Joshua the Lord said, ‘I have delivered Jericho and its king into your power. Have the soldiers circle the city, marching once around it. Do this for six days, with seven priests carrying ram’s horns ahead of the ark. On the seventh day march around the city seven times, and have the priests blow the horns. When they give a long blast on the horns and you hear that signal, all the people shall shout aloud. The wall of the city will collapse, and they will be able to make a frontal attack.’” — Joshua 6:2-5

On this night, October 14, six men circled the building of Planned Parenthood seven times in a spirit of prayer and in the spirit of Joshua and his brave soldiers so long ago in Jericho.

After this 40 Days for Life Campaign is concluded, I believe that the walls of Planned Parenthood in Warminster, PA will come down. Perhaps not in the same way as Joshua witnessed, but someday it is my belief that we will see this facility be turned into a haven for life.

The Pro-Life movement of Southeastern Pennsylvania is mobilized and more than ever ready to make our full frontal attack thanks to the 40 Days for Life campaign.

I would like to encourage your pro-lifers throughout the country participating in the 40 Days for Life to think about doing the March of Jericho. Perhaps they have already. Perhaps you could suggest it if they haven’t.

I know it was very edifying to walk in the steps of Joshua as he was instructed to do so by God the Father. I know the night affords us as pro-lifers opportunities that we wouldn’t ordinarily have during “day watch”.

Here are some suggested things to do while conducting the March of Jericho:

1. Begin the march with a reading from the Book of Joshua 5:13-15 & 6:1-5
2. After first lap around Planned Parenthood, stop and read on from the Book of Joshua 6:6-11
3. After second lap, read 6:12-14
4. Continue in silence till beginning of 7th lap. At the start of 7th lap read 6:15-19. 
5. At the conclusion of the 7th lap read 6:20-27

Also, those who are marching may choose to do the following:

1. Pray
2. Sing hymns
3. Read scripture verses, or
4. March in complete silence as Joshua’s men did.

Whatever people decide to do is up to them, but our Lord has put this on my heart to share with others.

For my part, I am going to commit to going out to Planned Parenthood for the remainder of the 40 Days for Life and invite the many men and women participating in the campaign to join me in my nightly March.

May God continue to bless all of our efforts.”

If you haven’t done a Jericho March as part of your 40 Days for Life efforts, keep it in mind, and let’s keep pressing forward until the walls of the abortion industry come tumbling down forever!

Here’s your devotional for today by Carmen Pate…

INTENTION:

Pray that we will each submit ourselves this day as a living sacrifice to God, giving all that we have in us for those being sacrificed on the altar of convenience.

SCRIPTURE:

“I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” — Romans 12:1

REFLECTION:

The Apostle Paul’s words refer back to the last refrain of his doxology of praise in Romans 11:36 which says, “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.”

Since all things are for His glory, we are to offer ourselves for that purpose. This of course is in sharp contrast to those who are being swayed by the enemy to sacrifice their babies on the altar of convenience, rather than choosing to surrender their all, including their unborn child, to the Lord for His purposes.

A career, education goals, or even a boyfriend can unknowingly become an idol for some young women. In their minds, abortion is a convenient way to “rid themselves” of an obstacle in the way of their “worship.”

Under the Old Covenant, God accepted the sacrifices of dead animals as a form of worship. But sacrifices to idols were forbidden and sacrifices of children then and now are an abomination to the Lord.

Because of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice, the Old Testament sacrifices are no longer of any effect (Hebrews 9:11-12). For those now in Christ, the only acceptable sacrifice for worship is to offer oneself completely to the Lord, as instruments of righteousness.

In light of the sacrifice Christ made on our behalf, and the fruit of God’s mercies on our lives, we owe God our highest form of praise and worship. Presenting our bodies as living sacrifices is therefore reasonable service.

We were made to worship God and God alone. The enemy who seeks worship for himself distorts God’s truth regarding worship, sacrifice, idols, and children.

As you have given of yourself to rescue those who are perishing — the young woman and her child — you are worshiping God in the truest sense of the word.

May your example lead an abortion minded client to turn from her idols to worship the one true God, sparing her child from the altar of convenience, and sparing herself from a lifetime of regret.

PRAYER:

God Almighty, You alone are worthy of our praise and worship. Having accepted Your Son’s sacrifice on my behalf, I in turn present my body to you as a living sacrifice.

Thank you for deeming me holy and acceptable because of Christ’s shed blood for me. I pray that you would use me as your vessel to rescue others who are perishing.

Through Christ who is Our Glory, AMEN.

DAY 27

Over the last two days, our family has participated in the Greenville, South Carolina 40 Days for Life and the Charlotte, North Carolina campaign. We have met many wonderful people engaged in heroic efforts.

As promised, I recorded interviews with campaign leaders and volunteers (including a segment where my 9-year-old daughter Claire interviewed one volunteer at the vigil in Charlotte.)

Here is the inspiring 16-minute audio:

Listen online (click “Play” button):

 

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

http://www.40daysforlife.com/blog/audio/greenville_charlotte.mp3

God is continuing to make a lifesaving impact through the faithfulness of 40 Days for Life volunteers all across the country…

FROM BUFFALO, NEW YORK:

This morning, in the rain at 9:20 AM, a young girl left with her parents before the abortionist came in. She was weeping in the back seat as they drove out. She couldn’t have had any procedure since the abortionist wasn’t there yet. Praise to Jesus Christ that fervent prayer is having an effect!

Then two more saves! Around 10:30 AM, two cars pulled in within minutes of each other. Within 5 minutes, they both came out with the mothers in the car and one father smiled and waved!!!

At about 2pm, a 19 year old who is 14 weeks pregnant was on her way into the clinic. She stopped to talk and left after receiving some helpful pamphlets. Baby #4 saved today.

FROM OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON:

After 480 hours of uninterrupted prayer and Christian witness, the people of 40 Days for Life in Olympia were blessed with the most wonderful experience pro-lifers can have, three saved pre-born lives!

On three occasions young women who came to Planned Parenthood answered our outreach and were ministered to by our sidewalk counselors. Our counselors spoke with them and told them the truth about God’s love and that their unborn child was an expression of that love.

They were able to tell them about the assistance available to them from many sources, including our state’s programs: medical coupons, low income housing, food stamps, WIC, etc. and also that of some local private organizations such as Pregnancy Aid and Shelter Home for Pregnant Teens.

In the end, our prayers were answered and the dark-side’s icey fingers and tools lost out. PRAISE GOD!

FROM RICHMOND, VA:

Yesterday I spent several hours praying with others in front of the abortion clinic for everyone who went in for any reason. During the one hour this morning and hour and a half this evening, I prayed with nine women, three men, and ten children. We blocked no one, didn’t get in anyone’s face, approached no one in the parking lot, had no gruesome posters about the realities of abortion to use as scare tactics, and we didn’t shout at anyone about anything.
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The highlight of my day today was having a young woman roll down her car window as they drove away from the abortion clinic and saying with a smile on her face: “Thanks for the brochure. We decided not to go through with it.”

I flashed her a huge smile and said, “Congratulations!” I was so blessed to have this happen. I’m not sure who gave her a brochure or when, since there weren’t any left there when I arrived.

Someone else had planted a seed, and I had been blessed to hear that it had born fruit in the form of a child who will live. It’s true, we don’t know what our words and actions have and will bring about.
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I think the most important outcome from all of this will be more women knowing that God and those of us there praying love them and their unborn children. We aren’t there to judge them or the workers in the abortion clinic.
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We’re there to offer help and support so women feel confident they’ll have the physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial resources necessary to keep an unexpected child.
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Another thing we hope is that those who do have an abortion will experience healing in mind, body, and spirit. We pray that this healing will be complete so they will not end up among the majority of women who have abortions and suffer from depression, become suicidal, and be much more likely to have breast cancer.
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Mother Teresa was right. If we judge people, we have no time to love them.

One quick reminder — tomorrow, October 23, students at more than 4,200 schools will give up their voices for a day in solidarity for children lost to abortion. Red arm bands and duct tape will identify them as taking part in the Pro-life Day of Silent Solidarity. Are you willing to give up your voice for a day for those who will never have a voice? Learn more at:

http://www.silentday.org/index.php

Here’s today’s devotional by Carmen Pate…

INTENTION:

Pray that we display an attitude of humility as we stand in peaceful vigil, as we fast, as we knock on doors in our communities. Though we proudly proclaim Christ’s truth, may our boasting be only in His grace.

SCRIPTURE:

“These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.” — Proverbs 6:16-19

REFLECTION:

The Lord who made us knows us well. I can’t help but think that perhaps as He inspired these words, He knew that our tendency might be to make the judgment call on which sins should be labeled as detestable. He wants us to be absolutely clear, however, that the sinfulness of man encompasses much more than the external sins that we easily identify.

Lest we assign a particular sin as that of an abortionist, or a worker in an abortion facility, or an abortion activist, the Holy Spirit insured that our sin of pride would be listed first.

In this passage that speaks of eyes, tongue, hands, heart, and feet we realize than every part of our being is subject to the curse of sin.

We all need Jesus Christ who saved us from the penalty of sin, saves us from the practice of sin as we abide in Him, and will one day remove us from the presence of sin. Praise His Holy name!

Proper self-esteem in a follower of Christ is a matter of recognizing and confronting yourself in your humanity, including the tendency to sin. It is also a matter of embracing Jesus’ work on the cross –- His grace that covers a multitude of sins.

The Apostle Paul sums it up best in 2 Corinthians 10:17-18: “But he who glories let him glory in the Lord. For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.”

PRAYER:

Dear Father, Guard my heart. Prick my conscience and may I be receptive to your rebuke at any moment I drift towards pride.

May I remember in fear and trembling that You cause the proud to fall, but the humble You raise up. Lord, may I never forget my true identity is in Christ and that apart from Him I am nothing.

Only by His grace, I pray, AMEN.