October 2, 2010
Today's message is a praise report from David Bereit
about his whirlwind trip across Michigan. This should
give you an idea of how powerfully God is working
through His people ...
... in many locations ... all at the same time!
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On Monday morning, I got up at 3 AM to catch a flight
to Grand Rapids. Upon arrival, I met up with Abby
Johnson, the former Planned Parenthood abortion center
director who experienced a conversion during last
fall's 40 Days for Life.
At the Grand Rapids 40 Days for Life vigil, we spoke
to more than 40 faithful prayer volunteers and learned
that on Day 2 of the campaign, a couple scheduled for
abortion there changed their mind and turned away due
to the prayer vigil!
See the picture of Abby speaking to volunteers by
visiting:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1169
That night, we spoke at a large right-to-life dinner
and shared the 40 Days for Life story with an
audience of nearly 1,000 pro-lifers, many of whom
signed up to get involved in 40 Days for Life.
On Tuesday morning, I awoke at 5 AM and drove to
Kalamazoo. I was thrilled to see more than 25 people
praying at the vigil outside Planned Parenthood -- in
the pouring rain!
From there, I drove two hours to Ann Arbor, and joined
18 faithful prayer warriors -- it was still raining.
Some of these incredibly dedicated volunteers have
been working for life for more than three decades.
Next was Dearborn, where more than a dozen believers
were standing vigil despite the downpour. One man told
me that he'd previously been "pro-choice" before a
friend invited him to get involved in a Detroit-area
40 Days for Life campaign. Not only did that forever
change his mind about abortion, today he is the leader
of the Dearborn 40 Days for Life campaign!
See the rain-soaked Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor and Dearborn
40 Days for Life participants at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1169
From there, I headed to Southfield, where 13 people
stood vigil outside an abortion facility that is now
up for sale.
This past weekend, a woman pulled up and thanked them
for being there. A year ago she had been on her way to
have an abortion, but the 40 Days for Life prayer
volunteers had changed her mind. She then introduced
them to her baby who was in the car!
Next was Sterling Heights, where I joined about 20
Christians. They were praying fervently for an end to
abortion when I arrived, and were still praying hard
when I had to depart. What devotion!
See pictures from the Southfield and Sterling Heights
40 Days for Life campaigns at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1169
When I arrived in Clarkston, I was greeted by a crowd
of more than 40 enthusiastic volunteers participating
in their city's first 40 Days for Life.
While there, I was interviewed by a radio station and
two local newspapers. The next day, 40 Days for Life
was front page news!
From there, I drove to Flint where more than two dozen
people were praying outside the local abortion facility.
Their dedication -- even in the midst of challenges --
was inspiring.
My final stop of Tuesday was Saginaw, where more than
20 people were standing vigil as the sun was setting.
They excitedly shared that the abortion center manager
came out to let them know she had begun to attend church
services, and quit her job after working there 7 years.
Praise God!!
See the Clarkston, Saginaw and Flint vigils at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1169
On Wednesday, I drove three hours to Traverse City,
where I spoke to the entire student body of a Catholic
high school, and also addressed a large right-to-life
banquet, encouraging the 600 attendees to get involved
in 40 Days for Life.
Early Thursday morning, I joined a group of the Traverse
City volunteers to pray together at their 40 Days for
Life vigil, before leaving Michigan en route to an event
in Illinois.
Five hundred miles, ten cities, three days ...
... one inspiring experience!
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Thanks to David Bereit for that amazing report!
Here's today's devotional from Carmen Pate, member
of the 40 Days for Life board of directors...
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DAY 11 INTENTION
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Pray that when those representing Planned Parenthood
and other abortion groups see volunteers for 40 Days
for Life, they see ambassadors of Christ, and may
each volunteer be consciously aware at all times we
represent Him.
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SCRIPTURE
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I...beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with
which you were called, with all lowliness, and
gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one
another in love.
-- Ephesians 4:1-2
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REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life
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When a former abortionist and post-abortive woman,
Carol Everett, was asked what turned her heart from
death to life in Christ, she replied, "It was
unconditional love" shown by a man who prayed daily
for her in front of the facility where she worked.
He told Carol that "God had sent him" because there
was someone in there that God wanted out. She left 27
days later and now serves as Christ's ambassador to
help others. We too have been sent by Christ as an
ambassador to love unconditionally those God seeks to
"get out" of their bondage and sin.
In his book, "Fishers of Men," Dr. Sumner Wemp
describes what it means to be an ambassador of
Christ, the King of Kings:
* God has chosen us (John 15:16)
* We are sent into a world that is not our home (1
Peter 2:11)
* Our walk must match our talk (1 Timothy 3:7)
* We must abide in Him for daily instruction (John
15:5)
* Know our purpose -- to seek and to save that which
is lost (Luke 19:10)
* We are to reconcile others to God with His
authority (Matthew 28:19-20)
* Our service is to be grounded and rooted in love
(Ephesians 3:17)
Pray that we each will walk worthy of the calling
with which we were called!
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PRAYER
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Dear Heavenly Father, we are humbled that you have
called us and appointed us to be ambassadors of
Christ in a world that is not our home. It is a
calling much higher and grander than our finite minds
can imagine.
We pray that your Holy Spirit will empower us to walk
worthy of the calling. We pray that Your
unconditional love will flow through us onto those
who desperately need Your saving grace. In the name
of Christ who is worthy, 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/fall2010day11print.pdf
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For Life,
Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
PS: We now know what's going on in Michigan! What's
new with 40 Days for Life everywhere else? Please
feel to share your stories by leaving a comment
on today's blog entry at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1169