March 3, 2009
In San Mateo, California, 40 Days for Life is
front-page news -- much to the amazement of the
volunteers taking part!
The local leaders of this first-time campaign thought
they would never read a word about 40 Days for Life in
the San Mateo County Times, but there it was:
"Abortion protesters hold vigil outside San Mateo
Planned Parenthood."
You can see for yourself at:
http://tinyurl.com/bz35m7
The headline calls it a protest, but it's a fair
article that recognizes 40 Days for Life for what it
is -- peaceful and prayerful.
The story contains the usual Planned Parenthood
comment about "extremists," but the pictures in the
paper show people standing quietly in prayer. Great
job, San Mateo!
Other campaigns have seen their efforts portrayed --
favorably! -- on local TV newscasts.
In Sioux Falls, South Dakota, KELO-TV made a point of
reporting "that this isn't a protest; instead, they're
calling it a prayer service." As vigil participant
Jerry Mootz told the station, "I think there's a
spiritual significance to it. That's why we pray.
We're not demonstrating or pacing back and forth, that
kind of thing." Planned Parenthood only got a token
mention at the end of the story!
You can read the article and watch the video at:
http://tinyurl.com/ak8j8y
Kudos to 40 Days for Life in Wausau, Wisconsin, whose
story was aired on WSAU-TV. In this story the abortion
clinic spokesman said he was worried about the people
standing so close to the street!
The people outside are safe -- it's the little people
inside who are in danger of death by abortion. But
nice of them to care...
This story and video are also online at
http://www.wsaw.com/home/headlines/40316397.html
In Jacksonville, Florida the campaign leaders were
surprised to see they ended up as front-page news --
on the home page of Planned Parenthood of Northeast
Florida! "They even gave the dates and that it will be
24/7," said Pat in Jacksonville. "We appreciate the
widespread coverage that will get for us."
The web site http://www.plannedparenthoodnefl.org
refers to 40 Days for Life as an "anti-choice group."
The abortion group asks for money, of course, and begs
for volunteer escorts "to send a message to the
anti-choice protesters."
Most amusing of all, the Planned Parenthood web site
then offers a $20 coupon in an attempt to lure in new
customers!
Finally today, I'd like to share a quick report I
received from Tom in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Before 8:00am on the first day of their campaign,
there were already two dozen people at the vigil!
Soon, however, one more person arrived -- a policeman.
And he was almost apologetic for being there, since
the disturbance call he'd received was obviously
bogus. But he had to check it out.
"Someone called to complain," Tom said. "40 Days for
Life is making an impact on Day 1... Praise God!"
Whatever you're doing, keep it up. It's working!
Today's devotional was prepared for you by Carmen
Pate, a 40 Days for Life board member and the co-host
of the nationally syndicated Point of View radio talk
program...
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DAY 7 INTENTION
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Pray that the abortionists and all workers in
abortion facilities would be troubled in their
souls regarding their work and would seek truth.
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SCRIPTURE
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Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor,
and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all
malice. And be kind one to another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake
has forgiven you.
-- Ephesians 4:31-32
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REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, Point of View talk show
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We see the evil and oppression in the world, the
arrogance of those who mock God, the millions of
innocent lives destroyed because of the greed of a
few.
Our flesh tells us that we should take justice in our
own hands, but instead of vengeance, the Lord calls us
to love our enemy, to forgive others as we have been
forgiven.
God loves the abortionist and the Planned Parenthood
advocate just as much as He loves you.
It breaks His heart to see them in bondage to sin and
He is giving you this opportunity to introduce them to
the Savior who sets the captive free.
Though you may not experience direct interaction with
these souls, your presence will not go unnoticed. Your
non-verbal communications speak volumes about the God
you serve.
Forgiveness is an act of obedience to God (Colossians
3:13). Forgiveness is not condoning or overlooking the
wrong behavior of others, but rather it is freeing
ourselves so that God can work mightily through us to
touch their hearts for Him.
Let's join our hearts with His in recognizing that
those in the abortion industry are not the enemy, but
rather they are blinded by the enemy.
God desires that we bring them the message of truth
and hope found in Christ, but the messengers He will
use are those willing to forgive.
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PRAYER
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Dearest God, You tell us in Proverbs that the foolish
and the wicked lack wisdom and understanding. I pray
you will trouble the souls of those in the abortion
industry so that they hunger for truth and cry out for
freedom.
I pray that my life would reflect my redemption so
others may see it and trust in You. In obedience to
You, and by your grace, I choose to forgive others as
you have forgiven me. In the name of Christ my
Redeemer 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/spring2009day07print.pdf
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John- thanks for all of your prayers and efforts
that are creating such a buzz about 40 Days for Life
in the news!
Yours In Christ,
Shawn Carney
Spring Campaign Director
40 Days for Life