October 28, 2010
When I was a kid, my grandfather would tell me that he
fasted from skydiving and strawberries -- he didn't
like strawberries!
He was Irish and kidding, of course. But many times we
don't know how to approach fasting. Before I share a
few stories from the front lines, I want to pass along
a note I got on fasting.
"I have been fasting on raw foods, mostly liquids,"
wrote Patricia. "I have not had self control to fast
for a long, long time. But I really feel the grace of
God so powerfully because of His help in my fast."
If you haven't done so already, during these last few
days of the campaign, please give fasting a try! It
could be fasting from a favorite food -- or television
or the internet -- or anything that keeps you from
daily prayer.
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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA
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A 40 Days for Life coordinator received a call from a
woman who was in tears. She is pregnant with her sixth
child and her husband had been laid off from work.
They're struggling financially, trying to care for
their five children in a two-bedroom apartment.
"She felt like her only option was to have an abortion,"
said Wynette in Sacramento, "but her husband lovingly
encouraged her to call the number he found on our
40 Days for Life flier, which had been given to him at
church the previous Sunday. He did not want his wife
to abort their child."
This woman immediately connected with the 40 Days for
Life volunteer -- who also has five children ... and
her husband also hasn't been able to find work lately.
"This turned a challenge into a mutual blessing,"
Wynette said.
"The woman, who was strongly considering abortion,
changed her mind and has chosen life, while also
gaining a new friend in the 40 Days for Life volunteer
... all the result of volunteers simply distributing
40 Days for Life fliers at local churches!"
To see photos of the 40 Days for Life vigil in
Sacramento, please go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1381
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GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA
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More than 250 people turned out for a candlelight vigil
at the 40 Days for Life vigil site in Greenville.
"It was a glorious event," said one of the local team
members. It featured prayer, music from violins and
bagpipes, and "an abundance of flowers."
To see a couple of photos from Greenville, please go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1381
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PERTH, ONTARIO
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This Canadian community is one of many cities taking
part in 40 Days for Life for the first time. And the
campaign is definitely having an impact. "We have
gathered together the different faiths in our community
and beyond," said Karen in Perth.
"Each of the congregations or parishes were asked to
commit to specific dates to pray and fast to see the
tragedies of abortion ended in our nation and abroad,"
she said. "The sense of unity and excitement to be
part of a worthy cause was so uplifting -- a cause
that is so close to God's heart."
The volunteers have prayed for everyone involved in
abortion and for governments at every level, seeking
God's grace "to touch the abortion doctors' hearts --
and the nurses and staff that assist -- that the eyes
of the Planned Parenthood staff would be opened."
Karen said the group has had the opportunity to tell
its story in the media -- even having one media
representative with "tears welling up in his eyes as
we gave our story."
God is at work in Perth, she said. "Nothing is
impossible with God."
Here's today's devotional from Carmen Pate, a member
of the 40 Days for Life board of directors.
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DAY 37 INTENTION
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Pray that we will each submit ourselves this day as a
living sacrifice to God, giving all that we have in
us for those being sacrificed on the altar of
convenience.
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SCRIPTURE
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I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of
God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable
service.
-- Romans 12:1
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REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life
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Since all things are for His glory, we are to offer
ourselves for that purpose. This of course is in
sharp contrast to those who are being swayed by the
enemy to sacrifice their babies on the altar of
convenience, rather than choosing to surrender their
all, including their unborn child, to the Lord for
His purposes.
A career, education goals, or even a boyfriend can
unknowingly become an idol for some young women. In
their minds, abortion is a convenient way to "rid
themselves" of an obstacle in the way of their
"worship."
In light of the sacrifice Christ made on our behalf,
and the fruit of God's mercies on our lives, we owe
God our highest form of praise and worship.
Presenting our bodies as living sacrifices is
therefore reasonable service.
We were made to worship God and God alone. The enemy
who seeks worship for himself distorts God's truth
regarding worship, sacrifice, idols, and children.
As you have given of yourself to rescue those who are
perishing -- the young woman and her child -- you are
worshiping God in the truest sense of the word.
May your example lead an abortion minded client to
turn from her idols to worship the one true God,
sparing her child from the altar of convenience, and
sparing herself from a lifetime of regret.
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PRAYER
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God Almighty, You alone are worthy of our praise and
worship. Having accepted Your Son's sacrifice on my
behalf, I in turn present my body to you as a living
sacrifice. Thank you for deeming me holy and
acceptable because of Christ's shed blood for me.
I pray that you would use me as your vessel to rescue
others who are perishing. Through Christ who is Our
Glory, 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/fall2010day37print.pdf
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For Life,
Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
PS: Are Christians from different churches working
together to pray for an end to abortion in your
community? Please share any stories by leaving
a comment at today's blog entry:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1381