October 1, 2009
I'll have to admit it -- going out to stand and pray
in front of an abortion facility is not exactly an
appealing proposition.
It isn't easy, especially if it's something you've
never done before.
The first time I went to pray outside an abortion
facility I was very worried about what could happen
and who might see me there.
But please trust me; when you make the commitment,
God will provide every ounce of grace that you'll
need to answer His call.
We've gotten notes from people who had never taken
part in 40 Days for Life until this past week.
Hopefully, these notes will encourage you to step out
in faith if you have not yet signed up for a time to
pray at the abortion center.
"I did my first hour Friday night at 10 as part of my
church's adopted day. I could sense such evil," wrote
one first-timer. "It was powerful to pray there for
the end to abortion and the conversion of the
doctor."
Another first-time participant writes, "This issue
has been close to my heart for a long time, but to be
honest, participating in the vigil Friday has put
this front and center in my heart now."
"I wish there was a way I could bottle the experience
and send a copy to each of you so you could
experience it fully right from the comfort of your
living room, but this is something you'll simply need
to experience for yourself," said Carol Marie of the
40 Days for Life campaign in the Reno/Tahoe area of
Nevada and California.
"I believe that when we go to the sidewalk and pray
to end abortion we each are given a special grace so
that we can better address the issue," she added.
"Because we are each called to play our own
particular role in this effort, that grace varies
from person to person, and thus the experience also
differs. How is God calling you to help? What role
are you meant to play?"
Pamela is another person who had never taken part in
40 Days for Life -- or even participated in any
visible pro-life activities -- until this campaign.
"I have to tell you," she said, "it was an eye
opening and powerful experience."
She prayed that God would give her courage. "I have
to admit that I was scared," she said. "The knowledge
that I could potentially watch a woman walk into a
facility carrying a baby and watch her come out
without one brought me to tears."
Pamela arrived late -- and nervous. "I felt an
overwhelming need to pray; and there in the grass I
wept and prayed for the men and women who entered the
facility to work and receive services."
She prayed for everything she could possibly think of
that God could offer these people to change their
hearts and minds.
"What I observed this morning was a demonstration of
grace and truth," she said. "If anyone feels the same
hesitation and uncertainty I did, please consider
coming to the event with another group or a group of
friends. I am certain you will be blessed and
awakened by the experience."
Brian Westbrook of the St. Louis 40 Days for Life
campaign said if people like Pamela can find the
courage to stand for Life on the sidewalk, "then so
can you. We will not end abortion by sitting at
home," he said, "but we must proclaim the truth from
our roof tops and on the street corners."
Ready to give it a try? Visit the list of all 212
communities participating in this 40 Days for Life:
http://40daysforlife.com/location.cfm
Then, if you possibly can, go out and pray at the
vigil closest to you!
Here's today's devotional from Day Gardner, President
of the National Black Pro-life Union...
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DAY 9 INTENTION
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May we grow in joy, knowing we serve a living God.
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SCRIPTURE
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And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we
beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten
of the Father, full of grace and truth.
-- John 1:14
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REFLECTION by Day Gardner
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The Word of God came to us in human form in Jesus
Christ. Every time I contemplate this fact I get
chills! And I think it is something that we, as
Christians, tend to gloss over. I can only imagine
how the first disciples felt when they were looking
into the eyes of the one and only Almighty God who
created them.
The first disciples developed a close relationship
with Him as they daily walked and talked with Him.
They ate with Him, prayed with Him and rested when He
rested. As they listened to the Word of God, who was
and is Jesus....they believed and "beheld His glory."
Today, this is something we can still do because we
serve a living God. Remember, Jesus died on the cross
but rose from the dead in victory! Jesus is every bit
as real and alive for all of us as He was to the
first disciples. He wants us to develop a close
relationship with Him in the very same way. Jesus
wants us to know Him personally. He wants us to walk
with Him and talk with Him on a daily basis.
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PRAYER
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Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for your love and
saving grace in Christ Jesus. Help us to realize
every day the great blessing we have in our Savior.
I pray that we will rise every morning with
excitement and zeal, looking forward to walking
another day in your footsteps fully knowing that you
continue to dwell among us. Amen.
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PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
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To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2009day09print.pdf
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For Life,
David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life