October 23, 2010
Never prayed at an abortion center before?
If you're still not sure about this, please read
these stories before you take that leap of faith that
thousands are taking right now.
"I thought I SHOULD go and pray," Pamela wrote,
"but I always found an excuse not to do it." Then
she listened to the 40 Days for Life countdown
webcast before the current campaign.
"What struck me was that they said they were actually
blessed by praying," she said. "Any resistance I had
was overcome."
So she went -- and got hooked. "Every single
experience I had -- whether praying alone, with my
daughter, with others ... was really inspiring. I
think if you can at least go one time ... you will
also get hooked."
Theresa is a first-time 40 Days for Life prayer vigil
participant this fall.
"I felt nervous energy all morning," she said, but
"once I was there and began to pray, I immediately
felt the grace of the Holy Spirit. At times I would
be alone physically, but I always felt safe and
empowered."
At first, Mary didn't want to go pray because she
didn't want to offend anyone. Eventually, she got
over it and went to the vigil.
"I may be saving the life of a child -- a child like
any other child," she said, "deserving a chance
at life. I pray for courage and boldness, and it is
granted."
"I was very hesitant to pray at our local abortion
provider, and declined for several years out of fear,"
said Pia. "I have three children, and felt extremely
nervous about praying outside this facility, which
is not in the best part of town."
When she explained her fear to the local 40 Days for
Life coordinator, he said he understood -- but he
also reminded her to "be not afraid."
It was the encouragement of her 14-year-old daughter
and her daughter's friend that convinced Pia to go
pray at the vigil. "Locally we have had several saves,
and there is no doubt in my mind of the power of
prayer," she said, "especially that of our youth."
"I, too, was one who was scared to go to the clinic
to pray," wrote Kris. "But God spoke to me and told
me 'Go, I will give you the words and protection.'
Thank God I listened!"
This particular prayer vigil was being held at an
abortion center that was under construction. It
wasn't yet open, but the vigil helped draw public
attention to what would soon be happening at this
building.
"One morning when I was feeling very anxious, I went
and a young girl -- about 17 -- stopped and wondered
if the clinic was open yet," Kris said. Her boyfriend
was pressuring her to have an abortion.
"My blessing -- that still keeps me going today --
was her deciding not to have the abortion," said Kris.
"Have courage and don’t fear, because God is with each
one of us."
Here's the link to the list of cities where 40 Days
for Life vigils are taking place:
http://40daysforlife.com/location.cfm
If you're waiting for an invitation ... this is it!
Today's the day. Won't you join us?
Here's today's devotional from Carmen Pate, a member
of the 40 Days for Life board of directors.
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DAY 32 INTENTION
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Pray that we display an attitude of humility as we
stand in peaceful vigil, as we fast, as we knock on
doors in our communities. Though we proudly proclaim
Christ's truth, may our boasting be only in His
grace.
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SCRIPTURE
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These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an
abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises
wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil,
a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows
discord among brethren.
-- Proverbs 6:16-19
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REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life
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The Lord who made us knows us well. I can't help but
think that perhaps as He inspired these words, He
knew that our tendency might be to make the judgment
call on which sins should be labeled as detestable.
He wants us to be absolutely clear, however, that the
sinfulness of man encompasses much more than the
external sins that we easily identify.
Lest we assign a particular sin as that of an
abortionist, or a worker in an abortion facility, or
an abortion activist, the Holy Spirit insured that
our sin of pride would be listed first.
In this passage that speaks of eyes, tongue, hands,
heart, and feet we realize than every part of our
being is subject to the curse of sin.
We all need Jesus Christ who saved us from the
penalty of sin, saves us from the practice of sin as
we abide in Him, and will one day remove us from the
presence of sin. Praise His Holy name!
Proper self-esteem in a follower of Christ is a
matter of recognizing and confronting yourself in
your humanity, including the tendency to sin. It is
also a matter of embracing Jesus' work on the cross
-- His grace that covers a multitude of sins.
The Apostle Paul sums it up best in 2 Corinthians
10:17-18: "But he who glories let him glory in the
Lord. For not he who commends himself is approved,
but whom the Lord commends."
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PRAYER
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Dear Father, guard my heart. Prick my conscience and
may I be receptive to your rebuke at any moment I
drift towards pride. May I remember in fear and
trembling that You cause the proud to fall, but the
humble You raise up.
Lord, may I never forget my true identity is in
Christ and that apart from Him I am nothing. By His
grace, I pray, 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/fall2010day32print.pdf
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For Life,
Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
PS: How has 40 Days for Life affected you? If you
have a story to share, please leave a comment
at today's blog posting:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1355