October 23, 2011
Since 40 Days for Life began as a national -- and
then international -- movement, our leadership team
has always felt that if we were going to ask you to
stand up for life through participation in 40 Days
for Life, the least we could do is come out to the
streets and stand with you.
As a result, Shawn and I have visited more than 300
cities over these last four years, and we consider
it a great blessing to meet many of you, encourage
you and THANK YOU for your faithful involvement in
this mission.
Yes, the non-stop travel, shortage of sleep, fast
food meals and long hours of driving and flying
takes a toll (especially on our amazingly supportive
families back home) but we are honored and humbled to
stand with you, hear your stories and pray with you.
Here's a short summary of what I've been blessed to
experience over just these last two weeks (be sure
to click the link to see the pictures of the
dedicated people in each of these locations
Upon arriving at the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport,
I drove 1.5 hours to ROCHESTER, where the 40 Days
for Life is being held outside a Planned Parenthood
center that recently began performing telemed
RU-486 abortions by webcam -- putting women's lives
at risk for the sake of expanding profits. A TV
news crew was there, helping to raise awareness in
the community.
See a picture of the 40 Days for Life in Rochester:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2449
Then, I drove 2 hours to MANKATO, to join the 40 Days
for Life team in prayer outside a Planned Parenthood
abortion referral center. The lunchtime gathering
drew a big crowd of enthusiastic prayer warriors,
and a TV station interviewed me and reported on
the gathering.
See a photo of the Mankato 40 Days for Life at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2449
Early the next morning, I began the three hour drive
to DULUTH. Despite my 9 AM arrival time at the start
of the work and school day, they had a wonderful crowd
of pro-lifers on the sidewalk outside the independent
abortion center. Three of the four local television
stations and the local newspaper covered the gathering.
See a photo of the Duluth 40 Days for Life at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2449
I then drove 2.5 hours to WALKER, a town of around
1,000 people that has had more than 1,400 people
participate in their 40 Days for Life!
Yes, people have come from many miles away to join
this campaign, which is being held outside their
county courthouse. Though there's no local abortion
center, these prayer warriors feel called to be
intercessors for those participating in 40 Days for
Life campaigns around the world.
See a photo of the Walker 40 Days for Life at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2449
From Walker, I drove 2.5 hours to ALEXANDRIA. I pulled
up and saw the crowd praying outside Planned Parenthood
-- and heard a commotion from across the street.
A lone man was yelling at the Christians through a
bullhorn, trying to mock and antagonize them. The
believers did not respond to his anger. I joined
them in praying -- not only for an end to abortion,
but also for all those who have been negatively
impacted by abortion. A reporter documented everything
for the local newspaper.
See a photo of the Alexandria 40 Days for Life at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2449
From there, it was a 1.5 hour drive to ST. CLOUD,
where I joined a big group of people gathered outside
the local Planned Parenthood at dusk.
See a photo of the St. Cloud 40 Days for Life at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2449
Then I headed 1.5 hours east for the last stop of the
day -- at 9 PM in MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, where the
40 Days for Life is being held outside a hospital
where abortions are performed. What a joy to pray
in the dark with the amazing folks there!
See a photo of the Twin Cities 40 Days for Life at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2449
The next day, I was on a 6 AM flight to Burlington,
Vermont. The visit allowed me the chance to pray with
40 Days for Life folks outside the Planned Parenthood
abortion center, across from the University of Vermont.
See a photo of the Burlington 40 Days for Life at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2449
Next, I was off to Michigan, where I joined a big
crowd of people at the GRAND RAPIDS 40 Days for Life.
They shared with me the story (reported earlier in
this campaign by Shawn) about the three lives that
had been saved there the week before, and how this
campaign has profoundly impacted their city.
See a photo of the Grand Rapids 40 Days for Life at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2449
Early the next morning, I started driving across
Michigan.
I arrived in EASTPOINTE, joined the 40 Days for
Life volunteers and pregnancy center workers in
prayer and watched the dedicated sidewalk
counselors reaching out to offer help to women
going in for abortions.
See a photo of the Eastpointe 40 Days for Life at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2449
Then I drove to STERLING HEIGHTS, joining a circle
of people praying fervently, even as drivers
passing by yelled obscenities at them. They only
prayed more.
See a photo of the Sterling Heights 40 Days for
Life at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2449
From there, I drove to SOUTHFIELD, and joined young
families, elderly people, seminarians and
professionals who were praying outside an
independently owned abortion facility. Little did
we know that shortly thereafter a FOR SALE sign
would be posted at that abortion center!
See a photo of the Southfield 40 Days for Life at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2449
The day ended with a late dinner for all the 40 Days
for Life leaders from the greater Detroit area. It
was a beautiful time of networking, encouragement
and prayer.
See a photo of the Detroit 40 Days for Life leaders:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2449
Early the next morning I drove to ANN ARBOR to pray
with the 40 Days for Life participants. It was a cold,
windy day and prayers were especially needed as
abortions were being performed. God bless the sidewalk
counselors who were reaching out to women, trying to
prevent them from making a tragic abortion decision.
See a photo of the Ann Arbor 40 Days for Life at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2449
Next I was off to Florida. I flew into FT. MYERS and
headed out to the 40 Days for Life outside the local
Planned Parenthood abortion center. This is the first
40 Days for Life conducted in Ft. Myers, and the
campaign has been amazing.
See a photo of the Ft. Myers 40 Days for Life at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2449
From there, we drove down to NAPLES, and joined more
than 75 dedicated people outside a Planned Parenthood
that started doing abortions two years ago.
As I spoke to the prayer volunteers about the many
Planned Parenthood workers who have had conversions
during 40 Days for Life campaigns, the abortion center
director was standing mere yards away -- listening to
every word. Pray that some seed fell on fertile ground!
See a photo of the Naples 40 Days for Life at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2449
All in all, I traveled 7,200 miles over these last
couple weeks, visiting 15 cities and meeting
thousands of people with one focused mission --
END ABORTION.
I'm honored to be laboring side by side with you
in the Lord's harvest field, John!
Here's today's devotional from Vera Faith Lord,
director of the Alpha/Omega Life Ministry and
representative of the Orthodox Church to the National
Pro-life Religious Council...
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DAY 26 INTENTION
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That those who have forgotten their purpose may
discover it in God and therefore have the courage to
choose life.
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SCRIPTURE
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These all wait for you, that you may give them their
food in due season, what you give them they gather
in; you open your hand they are filled with good. You
hide your face, they are troubled; you take away
their breath, they die and return to their dust. You
send forth your Spirit, they are created; and you
renew the face of the earth.
-- Psalm 104:27-30
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REFLECTION by Vera Faith Lord
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"I am a feather on the breath of God."
As the quote above portrays, we are upheld by the
power and purpose of God. Our very existence on
earth, from our body's first breath to its last, when
we leave it to return home, is our Father's choice
and happens only by His willing to do so.
He who created the universe also created that which
is "me." I do not "have" a soul - I AM a soul, as
well as a body. My entire purpose in this life is to
find my way back to my Creator.
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PRAYER
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Beloved Father, remind us today that there is no
truth but you. Do not let us fall prey to the evil
one's lie that we may choose death. Remind us right
now that you, who created all life, are in control of
all life, and let us know right now that you who
created all life, are in control of all life, and let
us choose life always.
Father, please let us hear your voice more today than
yesterday. Keep lighting the pathway home, for us and
for all who participate in this 40 Days for Life
campaign. Father, we're on our way. Through Jesus
Christ our Lord, 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/fall2011day26print.pdf
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For Life,
David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life
PS: Prayer DOES change things! What changes have you
seen through your 40 Days for Life campaign?
Please leave a comment on today's blog entry:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2449