DAY 5: God is at work!
DAY 5:
The past two days on the West Coast have been amazing as my family and I have prayed and visited with many faithful 40 Days for Life volunteers in Bakersfield, Fresno, and Monterey, California.
To help you get a feel for how God is at work in cities like these across the country, I have posted photos from our visits as well as an audio recording of short, inspiring interviews with each of the local campaign leaders here:
Listen to the Audio Online (click “Play” button to start audio):
Download MP3 (click to play, right-click to save to your computer):
http://www.40daysforlife.com/blog/audio/california1.mp3
Bakersfield, CA 40 Days for Life
Fresno, CA 40 Days for Life
Monterey, CA 40 Days for Life
More from Monterey 40 Days for Life
One of the many inspiring stories I heard while out here was from Josh Brahm, the dynamic young man who is coordinating the 40 Days for Life campaign in Fresno, California. Josh shared a story with me that I’d like to share with you.
Here it is in his own words…
I stood outside of Planned Parenthood for about 6 and a half hours today, most of those hours alongside my wife, who is 9 months pregnant. A young, attractive girl started walking toward me from the Planned Parenthood driveway. I smiled at her thinking she was a Planned Parenthood employee.
The young woman said she wanted to ask me some questions, and I told her that I’d be glad to answer any questions she could think of. She asked why we were out here. At that point I knew she wasn’t a Planned Parenthood employee, because she would have known exactly why we’re out here! I told her that we were there to peacefully pray for an end to abortion. I introduced myself and asked for her name, and she shook my hand saying her name was Ashley.
Then she said, “Well, I changed my mind.” I figured maybe she had become pro-life, so I asked her what she meant by that. Ashley responded, “I was going to have an abortion, but I’m not going to now.” My eyes widened, I gave her a huge smile and told her that she was my new favorite person! (Except for my wife, of course!)
Ashley explained further that she saw a news story on TV about us this morning and knew she couldn’t have an abortion. I hadn’t seen that coverage yet, so I asked her what it was about the story that changed her mind. She said that she saw men and women praying and holding signs and Bibles, and she knew that she couldn’t go through with the abortion.
Ashley is 16 years old and 5 weeks pregnant. Her parents wanted her to have the abortion and have now kicked her out of their house and taken her cell phone. She’s living with a friend now. I began to tell Ashley about the local pregnancy care center and how much help we personally can offer her as well. I told her, “You’re not alone.”
Josh, thanks to you and your wife for faithfully leading this effort in Fresno, and Ashley — I was so honored to get to meet you while there. Your courage is truly inspiring.
This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad!
Here’s today’s devotional from Rev. Ben Sheldon, President Emeritus, Presbyterians Pro-Life…
DAY 5 INTENTION:
May the truth of the final judgment shape our thoughts, priorities, and choices here on earth.
SCRIPTURE:
The King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.”
– Matthew 25:31-46
REFLECTION by Rev. Ben Sheldon:
Caring for others is not optional.
Jesus’ picture of the final judgment concludes with this sobering word: the wicked, who failed to care for others in their various needs (e.g., the hungry, the thirsty, the aliens, the naked, the sick, the imprisoned) will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous who did seek to meet those needs will end up with him, enjoying eternal life.
We know that this was no parable! Jesus has given us fair warning! Everything in God’s Word points to the truth that compassionate concern and practical care for all people, especially for the poor, the destitute, the weak and needy is required of us, if indeed we hope to escape the punishment of the fire of hell.
And who are the poor and needy, if not helpless, unborn babies, as well as the aged and infirm at the other end of life? Surely the “least of these” embraces not only those at both ends of the continuum of life, but all others in between.
Just how we, as Christ’s true followers, respond to his admonition “inasmuch as you did it to the least of these, you did it to me” will determine whether we enjoy eternal bliss in his presence or the bleak and dreadful reality of eternal punishment in hell. Nothing in God’s Word could be clearer!
PRAYER:
Gracious and merciful Father, we gladly embrace your Word that counsels us to care for the least of your children, and we renew our dedication to defending the unborn and all whose right to life is compromised by our godless society’s selfish lack of concern. Free us from our own failures and sins so that we will be truly pro-life in every area of our lives. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Have a blessed Sunday!
Yours for Life,
David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
September 28th, 2008 at 7:39 am
I love the comments and photos! We too in St.Paul had a baby saved yesterday, and i know it was a sign from God, after my jail experience, which was on Sept 24, the first day of the 40 days for LIFE!! As the woman who said she was spit on etc. that if we take the hard days, God will bless our efforts, so we have NOTHING to fear!!!
I have said to the Lord, use me, just use me. This weekend we have sign ups- please pray for our parish- its our 2nd -40 days now, so send Gods spirit our way. We need to ROCK this world for Gods children , and their moms minds, hearts, and souls for eternity!
The time is NOW!!His truth is MARCHING ON!!-love-joellyn soler,St.Paul,Mn
September 28th, 2008 at 7:40 am
I love the comments and photos! We too in St.Paul had a baby saved yesterday, and i know it was a sign from God, after my jail experience, which was on Sept 24, the first day of the 40 days for LIFE!! As the woman who said she was spit on etc. that if we take the hard days, God will bless our efforts, so we have NOTHING to fear!!!
I have said to the Lord, use me, just use me. This weekend we have sign ups- please pray for our parish- its our 2nd -40 days now, so send Gods spirit our way. We need to ROCK this world for Gods children , and their moms minds, hearts, and souls for eternity!
The time is NOW!!His truth is MARCHING ON!!-love-joellyn soler,St.Paul,Mn
September 28th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Here is a thought from our Dad -(now 80 years young) – arrested along side our Mom (79), quite a few times back in the day, with Operation Rescue – and still out at the abortion mill peacefully praying for an end, along side those who have tirelessly been there for years.
“If all elected and appointed officials of the government swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States as a part of their Oath of Office:
And if one of the goals of the Constitution is to establish justice,
And if justice is defined as punishing the guilty and protecting the innocent,
And if the ultimate innocent are those who have done no wrong,
And if the ultimate punishment is death,
Then, the ultimate injustice is killing the unborn.
Therefore, those who support abortion should be impeached because they fail to uphold their Oath of Office.”
Louis A. Pieri
September 28th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Here is a thought from our Dad -(now 80 years young) – arrested along side our Mom (79), quite a few times back in the day, with Operation Rescue – and still out at the abortion mill peacefully praying for an end, along side those who have tirelessly been there for years.
“If all elected and appointed officials of the government swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States as a part of their Oath of Office:
And if one of the goals of the Constitution is to establish justice,
And if justice is defined as punishing the guilty and protecting the innocent,
And if the ultimate innocent are those who have done no wrong,
And if the ultimate punishment is death,
Then, the ultimate injustice is killing the unborn.
Therefore, those who support abortion should be impeached because they fail to uphold their Oath of Office.”
Louis A. Pieri
September 28th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Thank you all for all the work you do. I will continue to pray for you and the stop of abortion. We must not give up. We have a women in our parish who runs a pregnancy center to help women who want to keep their children. We donate food, clothes and money. God Bless you all
September 28th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
we are doing our vigil for 40 days by the Planned Parenthhood facility on Wolverine in Salem Oregon from 7 am till 10 pm Mon thru Sat.
Sunday we pray at Church as PPH is not open.
Here are some antidotes from the last four days:
Two prayer vigil people showed the PPH workers coming out of
the Plannned Parenthood facility a poster with a baby and the words “take my hand not my life”
On Friday at 9:30 am a young woman came out she said “God told her not to do it.” (abort her baby) She added, “I ate a fudsicle, and the doctor could not to the abortion surgery.”!
Thank you Lord. We don’t know if this is true but that is what she said.
On Wed. a woman drove up to Plannned Parenthood facilty in a big van at 7:30 am and since no one was there she drove back out to the street. A prayer volunteer was standing on the sidewalk.
the woman drove over to the volunteer and said she wanted to help with the 40 days for life. She said she only comes to PPH to get “depo”. The volunteer told her how poisonious depo is!
the woman told her thank you and said she would not come here any more to get stuff. Then she said, she had a baby 19 weeks old and asked if the volunteer wanted to see the baby Yes!.
The volunteer looked inside the back door window and there was a
beautiful 19 week old baby and the father was sitting in the back seat beaming with a big smile. The volunteer told the woman she had a beautiful baby and thanked her. The woman said she might come pray with us one day.
Salem, OR
September 28th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Thank you all of you for your dedication, love and true fruits of the Holy Spirit in your personal lives. This is what is changing hearts and minds.
I am praying and fasting with you. May God bless all of you.
September 28th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I am glad I started praying in front of the abortion mill
in Wood Dale, Illinois close to my house. I used to do this years
ago with a friend but now I am doing it by myself except
I know the lord is with me and my friend that passed away
I feel she is with me too in spirit. I got to talk to two girls
and one of them already had an abortion and I told her to
get on the internet and go to Rachel’s healing if she needed
a healing and she nodded yes. The other girl had a paper with
her and I asked her if she needed help I could help her.
She said no but I have a feeling she didnt have the abortion yet.
God bless this movement
September 28th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Keep those inspirational reports and photos coming, David! They lift my spirit. God is so amazing! Some of us here in Birmingham were concerned about filling up all the time slots, but by God’s grace, they are all being filled. My husband Tim is covering nearly all the midnight to 7 AM shifts as he is curently unemployed, so he is giving this his full effort. He lost a child to abortion years ago so he knows the pain of this kind of tragedy.
Today a woman yelled out “It’s closed!” at us this morning, to which I responded: “YAY!” I took it as a sign from God that this Planned Barrenhood IS closing soon! I am reminded by Father Pavone when he said that when passersby get angry at you, its cause for rejoicing because on some level, their consciences are being stirred by the pro-life message. I should know – I used to be one of those angry pro-abortion feminists!
We have already made friends with some wonderful pro-life people as a result of participating in this campaign. We hope even more Birminghamians participate next season because they don’t know what they’re missing!
Thank you Jesus for this blessed, spirit-filled campaign!
September 28th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
I’m praying and fasting and I’ve informed my church with fliers and announcements and I’ve told all the people I know that are pro-life via email…SO be encouraged and know that many people are supporting 40 DAYS FOR LIFE!
September 28th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
You are all in my daily Office Prayers and Masses. The Lord is truly with all of you.
God bless!
September 29th, 2008 at 12:21 am
WELL I AM VERY GLAD THIS CAMPAIGN HAD STARTED I WANT TO DO SOMETHING I’M THIRSTY OF SAVING BABIES I FORWARD A VIDEO TO MANY PEOPLE I KNOW (ABOUT ENDING ABORTION) AND I WAS SO SAD THAT PEOPLE JUST DON’T CARE, I DO PRAY FOR THE UNBORN IN A REGULAR BASIS BUT I WANT TO DO MORE SO I’M GOING TO STAND AT A PLANNED PARENTHOOD THIS SATURDAY WITH MY THREE SONS (REGARDLESS OF WHAT PEOPLE SAY, YOU KNOW THEY CAN BE RUDE) I DON’T HAVE ANYONE ELSE TO GO WITH ME BUT IT’S OKAY PLEASE PRAY FOR US… LET’S MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!
GODBLESS
ERIKA BARRAGAN
September 29th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Hi David, really enjoy the updates, and good news. I have been participating in the vigils and praying, our group is alittle light on participants, but we are out there for all to see, including the Drs. after hours. GOD is good, and I know we will make a positive impact during these 40 days. God Bless all the 40 Days For Life, participants, and the unborn babies.
September 29th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
May God bless you all for your efforts to save the Lives of babies in the womb . please know that I am praying for all of you & the sucess of our endeavor in this battle to save lives. With great love Jay Schroeder
October 7th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
We are so blessed that we are up triple the number of people praying than last year. There is alot of excitement to see what God is going to do. We have had one save as far as we know. Also one of the employees of PP came out and encourged our prayer warriors and asked them to display a sign with a number the women can see where they can get help! Praise God. For Life Patsy Dubriel, Crusade For Life
October 7th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
I just found out about the 40 days of prayer this evening. I live in Milwaukee Wisconsin, and live 2 buildings down from an abortion mill. Two seminarians from the Milwaukee area were outside conducting their prayer vigil. On my way back from the gas station, I shook their hands and thanked them for their zeal to defend life. I will join them in prayer tonight, and everynight. God Bless them! Choose life.. ALWAYS!