October 7, 2011
"Hang in there!" is one way to say it. In Cincinnati,
the thought was "persevere." In Puerto Rico, it was
"commitment." In Pittsburgh, "stand faithfully."
And really, to put it all together, we are all called
to make a commitment, stand faithfully and persevere in
our witness -- and most of all, as Paul says, in prayer.
Here are few stories of those who are doing just that.
-------------------------------------------------------
CINCINNATI, OHIO
-------------------------------------------------------
A rainy day greeted the 40 Days for Life team for the
campaign's opening, "but, of course, we weren't going
to let that stop us," said Mary in Cincinnati. "By the
time we held our official opening prayer hour in the
early evening it was clear and dry."
Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Binzer of Cincinnati's Catholic
archdiocese led prayer and spoke about the importance
of public witness to the sanctity of life.
He reminded vigil participants that even if you don't
often see the fruits of your sacrifices and hear from
the mothers' lips that their babies are going to be
saved, we need to persevere.
"You could feel the unity of all those present,"
Mary said.
To see photos from the Cincinnati 40 Days for Life
campaign, please go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2322
-------------------------------------------------------
BAYAMON, PUERTO RICO
-------------------------------------------------------
"People in Puerto Rico are coming together, sharing
their gifts and talents, and committing to vigil hours,"
said Zulimar, the coordinator of Puerto Rico's first
40 Days for Life campaign.
On the campaign's first day, there was a pro-abortion
demonstration in front of the cathedral in San Juan
that got media attention. "We responded letting the
community know about the 40 Days for Life campaign and
encouraged all Christians to join the prayer vigil,"
Zulimar said.
The bishop of San Juan also responded, saying that
"more than this being a religious issue, it is a
matter of human rights. It is a matter of the most
fundamental right that a human being has: the right
to live."
The day ended with encouraging results as the abortionist
left early, closing the clinic for the day as vigil
participants -- on their knees -- prayed faithfully.
To see a picture from 40 Days for Life in Bayamon,
please go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2322
-------------------------------------------------------
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA
-------------------------------------------------------
Nikki sent me an e-mail about two of the volunteers at
the vigil in Pittsburgh, who are showing that 40 Days
for Life is blessed by both pro-life veterans and
newcomers praying outside the abortion facility.
There's Bob, who "stands in front of Planned Parenthood,
holding his sign, every abortion day, and has been
doing it faithfully for almost 20 years. Rain, snow,
freezing cold or blistering heat -- he is there."
Nikki, the local coordinator, also mentioned Jessica,
who had signed up for a prayer time, but then e-mailed
to say she wasn't really sure.
"I encouraged her that others would be there to welcome
her, and she came," Nikki said. "She was very blessed
by the experience and said she will be back, and will
try to get a group from her church to come as well."
To see photos from 40 Days for Life in Pittsburgh,
please go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2322
Today's devotional is from Rev. John Ensor of
Heartbeat International.
------------------------------------------------------
DAY 10 INTENTION
------------------------------------------------------
Pray for your local pregnancy help center: for those
who answer calls from women considering abortion, those
who provide ultrasounds, and those who personally help
mothers prepare to parent or place for adoption.
------------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
------------------------------------------------------
Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the
hand of the wicked.
--Psalm 82:4
------------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Rev. John Ensor, Heartbeat International
------------------------------------------------------
When a woman arrives at her local pregnancy help center,
the hard work of "rescuing the weak" begins.
They listen to her. What desperate circumstance is
driving her?
They act. A professional ultrasound and medical care
is provided.
They pray, "God use us." Then, they take up her burdens
and work towards life.
It is cross-bearing for the child-bearing.
Recently, I prayed for one volunteer who was working
with one mother in her struggle. Here is what "rescue
the weak" looked like in this one case:
• Aug 3: She made an appoint-ment for Thursday to get
an abortion and while she feels terrible about it,
she also feels like she has no choice. Pray that her
heart is changed!
• Aug 10: She is 12 weeks along but missed her
appointment. She had some good conversations with
people at the pregnancy center. She is now considering
adoption.
• Aug 13: Things are down again. She now has an
abortion scheduled for Monday. Pray!
• Aug 17: Missed appointment! God is working in her life.
• Sept 1: We've hit another rocky period. She has an
abortion scheduled for tomorrow. She found out today
that her parents are planning a trip to visit her
and she is panicking.
• Sept 15: Missed third appointment. But feels like
she has no choice. Please pray today.
• Sept 20: She fears her parents but has agreed to
another ultrasound (a breakthrough).
• Sept 22: I was there with her for her ultrasound.
She saw her baby moving and made the realization
that she wants to carry her baby.
Please keep praying against attack by the enemy. We
are overwhelmed by seeing God's hand move in this
situation and are so very thankful for the prayers
lifted up by each one of you. God is good!
------------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
------------------------------------------------------
Father, we praise you for this one sister who gave
herself, heart and soul, to rescue this one mother
and baby. O may you empower the hundreds more today
who are serving in our pregnancy help centers. Grant
those answering calls, providing ultrasound and
following up with a bold spirit of truth, love and
perseverance.
------------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
------------------------------------------------------
To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2011day10print.pdf
-----------------------------------------------------
For Life,
Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
PS: How is 40 Days for Life affecting your city?
Please leave a comment on today's blog entry at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2322
.