Sunday, March 16, 2014

From 40 Days For Life: DAY 12: It's warmer Down Under!

40 Days for Life
Dear Deacon John,
 
40 Days for Life is coast to coast in Australia! There are seven different cities that are currently conducting vigils.

The campaigns all have an air of familiarity to them, but there’s one slight difference. It’s a lot warmer than it is in many other campaign locations, since the seasons are different in the Southern Hemisphere.

So if you’re still dealing with winter in North America or Europe ... I hope a few reports from Down Under will warm you up!

Perth, Australia

“We had another two turnarounds,” said Brad, the 40 Days for Life coordinator in Perth. “Interestingly, one of them occurred as a direct result of defying the abortionist’s demands to stop handing out flyers offering support to at-risk women.”

About 30 minutes after delivering this ultimatum, the abortion facility lost a customer who took a brochure as she walked through the gate, slowed to the read it while approaching the door, then stopped, turned around and walked out.

Brad was able to talk about 40 Days for Life on a local radio station. You can listen to a clip from that interview here:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=5466

Canberra, Australia
 

Bev sent a picture from the Canberra campaign – the first to be held in Australia’s national capital. It’s always a powerful statement when the vigil is conducted in a country’s capital city, and there are several currently going around the world.
 
In addition to Canberra, there are first-time 40 Days for Life campaigns in progress in the national capitals of Wellington, New Zealand and Zagreb, Croatia.

Tweed Heads, Australia

Tweed Heads is a community on Australia’s east coast, about an hour’s drive south from Brisbane, where another 40 Days for Life campaign is taking place.

Irene, the Tweed Heads coordinator, says prayer volunteers are amazed at the number of people who walk by the building every day and have no idea that abortions are done there.

There are signs that the vigil is having an effect. On the first day of the campaign, the abortion staff called the police. “They came, but went away satisfied that we weren’t going to cause problems,” Irene said. “There was the odd drive-by by police over the week, but nothing further has eventuated.”

There is also a physical change to the building itself. “Blinds have been placed at all the second story windows so patients are unable to see the prayers across the road,” Irene said, “and the huge sign that used to say ‘Options Clinic’ now simply says ‘Clinic,’ even though it’s still the Options Clinic.”
 
Today's devotional is from Carmen Pate of Alliance Ministries.

Day 12 intention

Pray to God, who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, to end abortion.

Scripture

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

— Ephesians 3:20-21

Reflection by Carmen Pate

God's power working in and through His people is unlimited and far beyond our comprehension when we submit to God's Word and Spirit. He receives glory when we are obedient to His calling and faithfully serve Him in His strength.

Consider God's hand of providence on this nation because of the faithfulness of a few who were totally committed to God and His truths.

It is interesting to note the words of Mother Teresa of Calcutta: "Yours is the one great nation in all history which was founded on the precept of equal rights and respect for all humankind, for the poorest and weakest of us as well as the richest and strongest."

Mother Teresa, in addressing the Supreme Court of the United States said, "Human rights are not a privilege conferred by government. They are every human being's entitlement by virtue of his humanity. I have no new teaching for America. I seek only to recall you to faithfulness to what you once taught the world.

She continued, "Your nation was founded on the proposition very old as a moral precept, but startling and innovative as a political insight that human life is a gift of immeasurable worth, and that it deserves, always and everywhere, to be treated with the utmost dignity and respect."

It is time to restore that dignity and respect. Our God is able. Are we willing to remain faithful until His work through us is done?

Prayer

God Almighty, Who is powerful and willing to supply, our hearts cry in unison for You to restore dignity and respect to human life, not only in America, but around the world.

Lord, may our hearts remain faithful to your calling, and may You begin Your transforming work with me.

Keep me ever mindful that with You Lord, nothing is impossible; without You, I can do nothing. To You be glory forever and ever, Amen.

Printable devotional

To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share:

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2014day12print.pdf
 
For Life,
 
 Shawn Carney
SHAWN CARNEY
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
 
PS: If you have stories to share about your own involvement in this 40 Days for Life campaign, please respond at the bottom of today's blog entry:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=5466