Friday, October 17, 2014

From 40 Days For Life: DAY 24: Abortion workers and you

40 Days for Life
Dear Deacon John,
 
As we get into the second half of the campaign, two groups of people are being challenged — those who have thought about praying at a vigil but haven't done so yet ... and abortion workers who have — for the first time — begun to question their jobs.

We've seen 104 abortion workers have a change of heart and resign during 40 Days for Life campaigns ... and most of them do so in the last half of the campaign. They may brush off or even mock the peaceful vigil outside their workplace at first, but over time they begin to turn their attention to the work going on inside their building.
 

 
God uses your peaceful presence to save lives ... and touch the hearts of those who work in the abortion industry. If you have considered going out to pray but haven’t done so, there is still time ... and that time can have a huge impact on abortion in your community!

Find the 40 Days for Life location nearest you. God answers prayers! Here are a few examples.
 
Little Rock, Arkansas
 

 
“We had a save today!” said Rita in Little Rock.

A young girl came with her boyfriend to have an ultrasound. She went inside while he went to park the car. As he walked to the building, the volunteers told him about the pregnancy resource center.

“He said he would go in and tell her about it,” she said. The woman came out a few minutes later. “We told her that we could get her a free ultrasound and we walked her to the pregnancy resource center.”

She later got back in touch with the vigil participants and told them she is keeping her baby.

Rita said later that same day, there was more good news. “Another lady changed her mind … she said she couldn’t go through with it.” She left the abortion center and did not return.
 
Columbia, Missouri
 

 
Planned Parenthood in Columbia is no longer doing abortions – but they’re certainly referring women to other locations that perform them. So there’s still a reason to pray on the sidewalk outside.

“It appeared that several women were there for abortion counseling,” said Kathy, the Columbia leader. “Please pray for these women, especially the ones who refused our information and rushed out of the driveway.”

Prayer volunteers did succeed in convincing a couple of women to visit the local pregnancy help center for life-affirming assistance.

Kathy said there was one busy day at Planned Parenthood recently, but on many days, business is off. “And only three workers were there – down from six. One has to wonder, what is going on?”

An empty parking lot is always good news. “Keep praying for this clinic to close,” she said. “When clinics close, babies are saved.”
 
Cincinnati, Ohio
 

 
A determined group of volunteers stood outside Planned Parenthood on a very rainy night in Cincinnati, as Archbishop Dennis Schnurr led them in prayer. “The archbishop commented on how we are witnesses for life … and making a difference,” said Theresa in Cincinnati.

With so much rain in the forecast, the Cincinnati team said it was uncertain whether anyone would actually go out that night – but the leaders really appreciated their perseverance.

“Let us continue during these 40 Days for Life with prayer, fasting and community outreach to end abortion,” Theresa said.

Here’s today’s devotional from Carmen Pate of Alliance Ministries.
 
Day 24 intention

Pray that God will continue to bless the efforts that have gone into the 40 Days for Life campaign, as we trust Him for the results.
 
Scripture

Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand. O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the  prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name.

— Nehemiah 1:10-11
 
Reflection

Nehemiah provides an awesome blueprint for volunteers in God’s service, particularly those responding to the devastation abortion has caused our nation.

Nehemiah grieved for God's reputation as he witnessed the condition of the city walls of Jerusalem. The walls were broken down which was seen by neighboring people as a sign of weakness on the part of Jerusalem's God. No wall meant no security for the city and its people.

We learn from his story that he covered every detail in prayer; inspired others to join the cause; organized others to help do the work; confronted opposition directly and turned to God when discouraged; and finally celebrated what was accomplished and gave God all the glory!

Like Nehemiah, we must acknowledge God’s sovereignty as we serve Him before a mocking world. We too need to be reminded that we are “fighting” for our families. We too must have an attitude of confession and repentance before a Holy God. We must pray for strength, refute slander, and not be diverted from our work.

Like Nehemiah, we will draw attention from the enemy when we are seeking to protect the well-being of God’s people. We too must stand firm and seek God's help to persevere until the task is done. We too will be victorious.
 
Prayer

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in heaven and in the earth is Yours. We pray for your continued guidance and protection throughout the remainder of this 40 day campaign.

May we be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in Your work, knowing that our labor will not be in vain. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.
 
Printable devotional

To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:

http://40daysforlife.com/media/fall2014day24print.pdf

For Life,
 
 Shawn Carney
SHAWN CARNEY
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life