DAY 24: Standing in the rain
One of the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil participants in Kalamazoo, Michigan tells an amazing story of what God can do with two guys standing in the rain.
On a recent morning, he went to spend time in prayer in front of the abortion facility. When he got there, it was pouring.
“I decided I would stay in the car and pray and when it lightened up I would get out and to stand in front of the abortion clinic and pray,” he said. “After all, I could pray just as well in the car as in front of the clinic.”
But then his prayer partner arrived. “I told him to get into the car — we could pray here.”
“No,” he said politely. He wanted to pray in front of the clinic. “I didn’t need any more convincing.” As they stood there praying in the rain, “we must have been an odd sight! What were we thinking? What good could be accomplished standing in the rain?”
The rain came down even harder as a young couple drove in with a baby in a car seat. One of the men made eye contact with the woman and he knew immediately — she was there for an abortion.
She went into the clinic, but came out ten minutes later. The two men rushed to her with their umbrellas. She was pregnant, she told them, and the child was not her husband’s. It was he who insisted on an abortion.
“She was a fallen away Christian who had just returned to God,” said the volunteer. “We told her that God had never left her and that He was always with her and would always be with her in all of her decisions. She felt pressure from her husband, the abortion staff and the doctor and that’s when she asked to go outside to see us.”
It turns out the woman had made an appointment with her pastor that morning but something came up and it was canceled. So she kept her appointment for the abortion. Her pastor was her last chance, she thought, and that had fallen through. Maybe God did not hear her prayer. Now, she said, it was too late.
“But just as they were turning into the abortion clinic she had seen us,” said the volunteer. “Two guys standing in the pouring rain, wet and soaked — praying. She knew we were praying. She couldn’t believe it; God had answered her prayer after all! He sent two strangers to stand out in the rain and wait for her!”
The men consoled her, told her God loved her and that she was not alone. “We held hands and the three of us prayed the Lord’s Prayer.” She went back inside, and two minutes later, they all came out and drove away. She waved to the men as they left.
“What a powerful God we have!” said this 40 Days for Life vigil participant. “God had made his love and presence known to all of us that morning. Many lives were touched; a life may have been saved.”
Meanwhile, it kept raining. College students passed by as they ran to a nearby bus stop. “Some of the students looked at us kind of funny,” he said. “After all, we were just two guys standing in the rain.”
Here’s today’s devotional from Carmen Pate, co-host of the “Point of View” radio talk show…
DAY 24 INTENTION:
Pray that God will continue to bless the efforts that have gone into the 40 Days for Life campaign, as we trust Him for the results.
SCRIPTURE:
Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand. O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name.
– Nehemiah 1:10-11
REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, “Point of View” Talk Show:
Nehemiah provides an awesome blueprint for volunteers in God’s service, particularly those responding to the devastation abortion has caused our nation.
Nehemiah grieved for God’s reputation as he witnessed the condition of the city walls of Jerusalem. The walls were broken down which was seen by neighboring people as a sign of weakness on the part of Jerusalem’s God. No wall meant no security for the city and its people.
We learn from his story that he covered every detail in prayer; inspired others to join the cause; organized others to help do the work; confronted opposition directly and turned to God when discouraged; and finally celebrated what was accomplished and gave God all the glory!
Like Nehemiah, we must acknowledge God’s sovereignty as we serve Him before a mocking world. We too need to be reminded that we are “fighting” for our families. We too must have an attitude of confession and repentance before a Holy God. We must pray for strength, refute slander, and not be diverted from our work.
Like Nehemiah, we will draw attention from the enemy when we are seeking to protect the well-being of God’s people. We too must stand firm and seek God’s help to persevere until the task is done. We too will be victorious.
PRAYER:
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in heaven and in the earth is Yours. We pray for your continued guidance and protection throughout the remainder of this 40 day campaign.
May we be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in Your work, knowing that our labor will not be in vain. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Today’s 40 Days for Life devotional can also be downloaded at: http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2008day24print.pdf
I’m in New Jersey now, where I will be visiting the local 40 Days for Life vigil site in Phillipsburg in a few hours. Earlier in the week, I was fortunate to be able to visit three 40 Days for Life vigils near our nation’s capitol with Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life.
Here are the photos and short audio interviews with the local leaders from the visits to Manassas and Falls Church, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Enjoy!
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/va_dc.mp3
Fr. Frank Pavone speaks to Manassas, VA 40 Days for Life
Falls Church, VA 40 Days for Life
Washington, DC 40 Days for Life
DC Planned Parenthood closed, knowing we were coming (typo & all)
Yours for Life,
David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
October 17th, 2008 at 6:35 am
WOW, what’s a little rain when it can heal the pain. Thanks be to God for sending those two men, what an awsome victory!! I also noticed the typo on the “closed for the day” sign, surely it is only a human typo..
Our God does not ever make mistakes, AMEN
October 17th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Oct 17th “just two men standing in the rain” is awesome–it sends chills through me knowing how God can work in the most unexpected circumstances. How awesome it should be to all 40days prayer warriors that they are directly affecting women’s lives and really giving them the real hope they desparately need and want in their difficult times. It is even more awesome the perceived direct “threat” that pray is on organizations like Planned Parenthood. TOTALLY AWESOME!!! How GREAT is our God!
October 17th, 2008 at 8:21 am
What an incredible testimony!!! God is so awesome!! Praise the Lord for these two mens decision to go the extra mile and stand in the pouring rain!!! What an ecouragement to every one involved!!
October 17th, 2008 at 8:26 am
I am so encouraged by this testimony. God is so good, ALL THE TIME!
October 17th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Lord, I pray that these two men standing in the rain will inspire everyone reading this to make a commitment to spend at least one hour praying in front of their local abortion mill during these 40 days of life. I pray that the Holy Spirit give all of us the courage to take a stand come rain or shine!
October 17th, 2008 at 9:00 am
Today’s devotion fits in with what has been on my heart regarding our country’s struggles as manifested in the global economy. As people try to use man-made solutions to spiritual problems.
I can only imagine God is repeating what He already said in Haggai 1:5-7 to those who were to be rebuilding the temple but used their time and efforts in self-focused ways. There were even those who were prophesying that it was not the time for the house of the Lord to be rebuilt because it was such a difficult task. Those in exile had come all the way back to….follow their own ways?
God’s answer seems to be that priorities are already established by Him and take precedence over what appear to be obstacles. Jesus repeats this principle: Seek first My kingdom and My righteousness.
The warning in Haggai is chilling: Consider your ways: …he who earns. earns wages to put into a purse with holes. Consider your ways!
Which reminds me also of the warnings to the Laodicean Church in Revelation 3 that they do not know that they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. May the Lord teach us to take His advice: I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire…be zealous therefore and repent.
Yeah for 40 days and other efforts to push against the evil in our country; in the world. Let’s pray that the Lord will give ears to hear Him knocking that the door may be opened that He may come in.
Lord, give us ears to hear what You hear: the innocent blood crying out to You from the ground as Abel’s did–I sometimes wonder just how loud that must be. If You say You curse the one who accepts a bribe to end an innocent life, then our country is under that curse, Lord. Give us the wisdom to repent AND to rebuild according to Your priorities.
October 17th, 2008 at 9:28 am
God bless these two men and all those that answer God’s call to speak for the unborn. I can’t help but believe that the raindrops at that clinic were God’s tears, sent to cleanse and heal the broken!
October 17th, 2008 at 9:29 am
See what a small sacrifice can do to bring God’s love and power to others all around us? This story of the 2 men standing in the rain praying illustrates God’s love and sacrifice on the cross for us. It was a very “dreadful” situation and those around laughed and mocked him but in the end, “lives were saved” and God received the glory! Let this be a reminder that God can use each of us to make a difference if we are obedient and willing to step out of the boat and trust Him! Praise be to our God forever and ever – Amen!
October 17th, 2008 at 10:25 am
It is such a great testimony of how God works in our lives. I wish we could have these great testimonies all through our days, weeks, and years on this earth. The pro-life ministry is such a great example of the love that our pro-life family has and shares with God’s people to help others. These testimonies further our faith and let us know that God is working in our lives every day in all things. Perhaps, we could open our eyes to other daily workings of God in our lives, if we would just be available to God. Thank you for leading this wonderful 40 days for life, as another fine example of our pro-life mininstry. Thanks for speaking out for others and glorifying God.
October 17th, 2008 at 10:30 am
I have been touched by all the testimonies. I will continue to pray and support you in your great work. You have given me so much hope and love and continued faith. I extend to you the blessings of Jesus and Mary. May God bless you.
October 17th, 2008 at 10:57 am
The thought of two men standing in the rain for God was very inspiring and what a wonder picture that would make to display. I can relate to wanting to stay in the car for comfort. Many times I myself have chosen comfort. I hope next time an opportunity arises I will think of these two men and remember that God has a plan, no matter what the weather.
Thank you for being God’s faithful messengers.
October 17th, 2008 at 11:08 am
How totally awesome. God is so great. Yesterday it was also raining here in Louisville. There were seven of us standing in prayer at the facility, when a young women came out of the abortion clinic. She and her boyfriend had driven 3 1/2 hrs from Paducah, but she had already decided she couldn’t go through with it. We all were so estatic, we couldn’t contain ourselves.
October 17th, 2008 at 11:56 am
I have been praying at the DC Planned Parenthood almost every night. It makes me sad knowing this is happening blocks away from where I live. I spent an hour last night with friends praying the mysteries of the rosary and then another hour dedicated the stations of the Cross, Precious blood of Jesus. I had a feeling that it would be closed today, thanks for posting this sign online here, it gives me hope!
October 17th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Praised be our loving Saviour!! What a wonderful testimony. As the election draws closer, I feel in my heart the need to pray more and more for God to move our nation to vote for LIFE.
Thank you 40 days for life volunteers and organizers..may God continue to bless you and the efforts to end the slaughter of abortion forever.
Jesus, we trust in YOU!
October 17th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Praise God!
It makes me laugh to think of Planned Parenthood closing down because of you. Surely this is a sign that the enemy is afraid of our God and what He can do.
October 17th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
We must keep in mind that no matter who wins the election in November, it is GODs will and He doesn’t make mistakes. We must not lose heart but continue to pray for the Life of the Unborn and an end to abortion, euthanasia, gay marriages and all the things that are wrong with America. GOD bless everyone whose praying in front of their local “murder mill”. In my city I have not heard of any so I choose to fast and pray instead.
October 18th, 2008 at 11:42 am
I feel so Blessed in hearing and reading all these testimonies at the 40 Days for life clinics. I say the Rosary almost everyday for the unborn. But now reading and hearing these testimonies I feel called to go to the Abortion Clinics and pray for these women and babies. Thank you for showing Gods Love and Mercy in your testimonies. May God Bless you and may I be a part of these prayerful people also. Love Linda Novosad
October 19th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Congratulations in all of your efforts and God’s responses. In our Ministry in Puerto Rico we have been praying the un-born Rosary and fastening. We have also spread the word among Christians from different Churches and they joined us in our prayers to end abortions.
Keep going and God less you all.