October 22, 2011
Speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves
requires effort.
At times, it's downright hard. But it's also necessary.
And prayer sustains us. Here are some examples from
Alberta, Colorado and Michigan.
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CALGARY, ALBERTA
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"It's both heartbreaking and encouraging." So said one
of the volunteers in Calgary, who is praying for an end
to abortion.
"We stood on the street corner where we are allowed to
stand and prayed, silently and aloud," she wrote in the
local 40 Days for Life blog.
The blog also notes that the vigil is restricted in
Calgary because of a court order. They can only stand
across the street from the abortion center, and the
number of people praying at any one time is limited.
"We watched young women go in -- several alone," she
said. And she cried.
"It's not just the abortions that represent brokenness
but the loss of family, the loss of parents who will
stand up for their children and protect them, the loss
of men and women who will stand by their training and
protect life instead of taking it away."
When this can go on across the country, she said,
society is broken. "I will continue to pray and
continue to go."
To see photos of the Calgary vigil, please go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2445
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FORT COLLINS, COLORADO
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Fort Collins is in the midst of its second 40 Days for
Life campaign. "This is a growing, grassroots pro-life
effort," said Linda in Fort Collins.
The vigil is across the street from Colorado State
University. The first campaign drew a lot of negative
attention. Not so this time.
"Also, there are about 30 churches involved at some
level -- and five have the big 40 Days for Life banner
proudly displayed on their buildings for all to see,"
she said.
The campaign is getting a big boost from a nearby
Catholic church "whose new pastor has opened his heart
and arms and that of the parish to the 40 Days for Life."
This church is hosting 40 Days for Life events -- and
they've set aside space for what they're calling the
40 Days Cafe. Coffee and other drinks are available –
and a nearby restaurant has donated food for breakfast
and lunch.
"This has been a very great blessing for all concerned,"
Linda said.
I was able to meet Linda and the 40 Days for Life team
in Fort Collins. Here's a link to the photo:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2445
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GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
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Lisa from Grand Rapids sent me a note about Pete, a
10-year-old who's come up with his own unique concept
of fasting for 40 Days for Life.
During this campaign, Pete's mom said he is fasting ...
from warm baths! From Day 1 through Day 40, it's only
cold water for Pete.
"I was speechless," his mom said. She has been fasting
from chocolate. "Here I am whining inside about my
chocolate withdrawal -- and my 10-year-old is taking
cold baths for an offering!"
Lisa said, "Clearly, Pete can teach us all something
about fasting!"
Here's today's devotional from Rev. J. Kirk van der
Swaagh of the Conservative Congregational Christian
Conference.
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DAY 25 INTENTION
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We pray for the conversion of all those who refuse to
acknowledge that human life belongs only to God.
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SCRIPTURE
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Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: "Before
I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were
born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to
the nations."
-- Jeremiah 1:4-5
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REFLECTION by Rev. J. Kirk van der Swaagh
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To be or not to be? There is no question!
The question of "being" is something philosophers
have long pondered.
What is the meaning of being and what is the source?
In the passage before us, we have our answer. We have
being because we are known by God.
For God to declare that he knows and sets apart the
prophet Jeremiah even before he is conceived
indicates that our being rests in God's own being.
Because He is and because He wills we, therefore, are
and do.
The Apostle Paul says as much when he declares before
the philosophers of his day, "In Him we live and move
and have our being" (Acts 17:28).
One of the tragedies of the abortion culture is that
life in the womb has been so heartbreakingly
devalued. To embrace the arguments of the
"pro-choice" crowd one must conclude that the child
in the womb doesn't exist, isn't there, has no being.
But nothing could be further from the truth. That
child is known by God and, as such, has being.
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PRAYER
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Lord God, we confess that in You we live and move and
have our being. Because You are, we are. May we find
grace from You to affirm the being of every human and
may we labor to make this truth known to the world
around 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/fall2011day25print.pdf
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Yours for Life,
Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
PS: Have you seen signs of encouragement from your
local 40 Days for Life campaign? If so, please
leave a comment at today's blog entry:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2445