Day 27: 299 alive, thanks to you
The day before this fall’s 40 Days for Life campaign began, the local team in Orange County, California received some great news.
Nathan had just been born — at a very healthy nine pounds!
At once point, however, Nathan’s life had definitely been at risk. Thankfully, he was one of the babies whose mom chose life during the spring 40 Days for Life campaign.
“Please tell all those people thank you,” said Nathan’s mother. “Thank you for being there praying for people that you do not know. You made a huge difference in my life and in my baby’s life. I cannot thank you enough for what you did.”
The Orange County team also got to meet a different baby named Jack. He had been scheduled to be aborted … TWICE!
But his mother chose life.
Jack’s adoptive mom brought him with her when she went to pray at the 40 Days for Life vigil.
We rejoice for all the lives saved …
… 299!
Yes, 299 children have been spared from abortion during the fall 40 Days for Life campaign thus far, thanks to your prayers, fasting, standing vigil, and the grace of Almighty God!
That’s also 299 mothers who have been spared a life of regrets following an abortion decision.
Praise God!
The 40 Days for Life team in Manassas, Virginia sees the value of having a pro-life resource center very close to the abortion facility. Ken said a 19-year-old girl arrived at with her mother, fully intent on making an appointment for an abortion.
“They did an ultrasound and found she was 26 weeks pregnant,” he said. “This abortion facility only does first-trimester abortions, so they sent her away.”
The girl and her mother were directed to the pro-life pregnancy center, where the counselors told her about all the resources that were available.
“The wonderful counselors helped her decide to have her baby,” said Ken. “Another life saved! The prayers of our 40 Days for Life participants were powerful.”
In Houston, Texas, people participating in the 40 Days for Life vigil in front of a Planned Parenthood abortion facility have been able to redirect many abortion-minded women to the pro-life pregnancy resource center around the corner — where they can find real help and compassion instead of Planned Parenthood’s sales pitch for abortion.
One young woman walked into Planned Parenthood, then turned around and came out almost immediately. “I had a bad feeling after walking in the door,” she said, “and wanted to get out of there right away.” When she arrived at the nearby pro-life center, she said, “This is much better. I feel more comfortable here.”
This is most telling. She had a bad feeling about Planned Parenthood — and all she did was walk inside! Doesn’t that demonstrate that we’re in the midst of a spiritual battle? And that just shows that we must pray harder and fast more faithfully.
These bad feelings are also being experienced by those who work in the clinics. Just the other day, I shared the story of the clinic receptionist who said, “I’m going to quit my disgusting job.” She’s not the only one who feels that way.
At another 40 Days for Life location, the prayer vigil participants have had regular discussions with a clinic employee.
She has now decided to leave her job!
“I want out of that place” is the way she put it. And one of her co-workers is almost ready to leave her job as well (that’s why I’m not identifying the location; can you imagine the pressure she would face if her employers found out?).
Please pray for these women — and for all people who seek the courage and strength to leave the deadly abortion industry.
Here’s today’s devotional from Ernest Ohlhoff, Outreach Director for National Right to Life…
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DAY 27 INTENTION
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We pray for humility in our work for God’s Kingdom.
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SCRIPTURE
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Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
– Philippians 2:5-8
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REFLECTION by Ernest Ohlhoff
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There is no limit to what we can accomplish when we don’t care who gets the credit.
Jesus Christ’s life on earth exemplifies a total submission to the will of the Father. His humility, compassion, gentleness and thoughtfulness are reflected over and over again in the New Testament. He was God incarnate, yet He chose to be born to a humble, working class home.
How absurd it must have seemed to the rich and powerful that the Son of God, the Messiah, the one foretold by the prophets, the ‘King of the Jews’ was born and raised as a simple peasant.
During His thirty-three years on earth, He sought no riches, claimed no secular power and gathered no possessions. Yet, His short time on earth changed more lives, softened more hearts, and gave hope to more people, than all the rich and powerful human ‘kings’ combined.
And, at the end of His life on earth, by dying on the cross, He opened the door to eternal life for those who heed his words and follow in his footsteps.
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PRAYER
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O Lord, help us follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Let us humbly and diligently work to restore legal protection for the unborn, the disabled, the medically dependent and all innocent children of God whose lives are threatened. Let us remember the old adage that “He can never lead who has not first learned to obey.” And, Lord, grant us a peaceful heart as we labor in your name. Amen.
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PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
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To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2009day27print.pdf
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Thank you SO MUCH for your prayers and efforts that are making such a powerful impact.
I appreciate you!!
Yours for Life,
David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life