40 DAYS FOR LIFE - DAY 22 - PRAY FOR THE FATHERS . . .

"They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons; they poured out innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters... and the land was polluted with blood. Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against his people, and He abhorred his heritage; he gave them into the hands of the nations, so that those who hated them ruled over them. Their enemies oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their power. (See Psalm 106:37-43)

DAY 22 INTENTION

Pray for fathers who participated in the decision to abort their child, and for those who did not have a voice, that they would find freedom and healing in Christ.

SCRIPTURE

If indeed you have heard Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

-- Ephesians 4: 21-23

REFLECTION - by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life

According to the Guttmacher Institute, one-third of American women will have had an abortion by age 45. Seldom reported however is the fact that an equally significant number of men have played a role in terminating a pregnancy.

Some have participated through persuasion, or by providing the financial means for the abortion. Still others were against an abortion, but had no sway in the decision to terminate their child.

Only in recent years have we realized that men suffer from their loss, as more and more seek healing.

Warren Williams, founder of Fathers and Brothers Ministries says he believes men are coming forward for help because God instilled in men a desire to be a protector of their lineage, a provider for their families, to be a husband and father.

Men are suffering and grieving the loss of their children, and though their grief may be expressed differently than that of a woman, it is grief nonetheless and they too need tender care and biblical counseling to experience forgiveness and healing.

Intervention at the appropriate time in the decision-making process may spare both the young man and woman from the lifelong pain and trauma of abortion. Biblical counseling for post-abortive men and women is essential for them to heal and begin their life anew in Christ.

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, We pray for young men who participated in the termination of their child and are broken as You are over their loss.

Forgive their sin, Lord, and bring opportunity for healing and renewal of their minds in Christ Jesus.

For those suffering from an abortion they did not choose, restore their joy as they learn to forgive others and trust You with their future. In the name of Christ, who heals the brokenhearted, Amen.

“Open your mouth for the speechless,
In the cause of all who are appointed to die.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And plead the cause of the poor and needy.”
(Proverbs 31: 8-9)

Holy God,

Grant that each father in this nation would be convicted in his heart to support and love the mother of his children, and that together they would nurture and protect the babies that have been given them. Place in each parent the desires of Your heart. Show them the blessings of commitment and faithfulness as they seek Your strength and wisdom in raising each child. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Emmett, it is a pleasure to meet you and I thank you for sharing your heart through your song. It is a powerful way to communicate the sorrow and anguish that are a part of abortion. The message is very clear in your singing that abortion hurts fathers just as it hurts mothers. I’m sure that God is using you in an awesome way to communicate this fact. I trust you know the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ who has paid the price for all of our sins. Though I have not personally experienced the pain of participating in abortion, I doubt that any of us have lived lives in which we have not made some errors of great consequence. The amazing thing is that God is there throughout it all, calling to us, using even our worst mistakes to lead us to Him, if we are willing.

Last Sunday we had a midpoint rally for our 40 Days campaign. Part of the program was presented by a wonderful vocalist-—a man just like you, probably close to your age, who presented a similar story of regret and sorrow. He is taking some of the old 70’s songs and rewriting them with pro-life messages and is singing in coffee houses in the area. It is a powerful communication tool and people stop to listen when they know you are trying to keep them from making the same mistake. I wish you many blessings and great success. God is using you to share this message with the world. May He reward your faithfulness.

John 15:9-11

09 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

May it be, O Lord, that the love of the Father for Jesus, the Son, would manifest itself in the hearts of our earthly fathers, that each would have no other choice but to choose life. In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen ...

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