[Salvation]

March 7, 2010

Day 19 - March 7

 

Intention:

Pray that when those representing Planned Parenthood and other abortion groups see volunteers for 40 Days for Life, they see ambassadors of Christ, and may each volunteer be consciously aware at all times of Whom we represent.

Scripture:

I...beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness, and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.

-- Ephesians 4:1b-2

Reflection:

When Carol Everett, a former abortionist and post-abortive woman, was asked what turned her heart from death to life in Christ, she said, "It was unconditional love," shown by a man who prayed daily for her in front of the abortion clinic where she worked.

He told Carol that "God had sent him" because there was someone in there that God wanted out. She left 27 days later and now serves as Christ's ambassador to help others. We too have been sent by Christ as an ambassador to love unconditionally those God seeks to "get out" of their bondage and sin. What a high calling it is -- much higher than any presidential appointment to another country.

In his book, Fishers of Men, Dr. Sumner Wemp describes what it means to be an ambassador of Christ, the King of Kings:

• God has chosen us (John 15:16)
• We are sent into a world that is not our home (1 Peter 2:11)
• Our walk must match our talk (1 Timothy 3:7)
• We must abide in Him for daily instruction (John 15:5)
• Know our purpose -- to seek and to save that which is lost (Luke 19:10)
• We are to reconcile others to God with His authority (Matthew 28:19-20)
• Do not let kindness and truth leave you (Proverbs 3:3-4)
• Our service is to be grounded and rooted in love (Ephesians 3:17)

Pray that we each will walk worthy of the calling with which we were called!

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we are humbled that you have called us and appointed us to be ambassadors of Christ in a world that is not our home. We pray that your Holy Spirit will empower us to walk worthy of the calling. We pray that Your unconditional love will flow through us onto those who desperately need Your saving grace. In the name of Christ who is worthy, amen.

Carmen Pate Co-host, "Point of View" Talk Show

[Salvation]

From today’s email:

Stacy took part in the 40 Days for Life vigil recently
in Jackson, Mississippi. It was the first time she had
ever gone to pray at an abortion center. “I arrived
not knowing what to expect,” she said. “I’m so glad
I went.”

She met some wonderful people whom she joined in
prayer. But she also had a passerby curse at her. And
a while later, a young couple and their friend entered
the building, yelling that they would call the police
because they were being harassed. “But I hung in there
anyway,” she said.

Stacy completed her prayer time, but felt led to stay
a little longer.

A short time later, this same couple and their friend
left the building — the ones who’d threatened to call
the police.

But they had taken on a different attitude.

“She changed her mind! They seemed so relieved. It was
amazing how all three seemed so happy about the
decision,” Stacy said.

“It was unbelievable. Praise God!”

The prayer team them met a woman who was pregnant with
twins. “She already had three kids and was scared
to death. After we talked and prayed with her she
seemed broken and said she would think about it.”
Stacy said she’s confident this woman will make the
right decision — but we need to pray for her!

“I’m so glad I was able to see for myself what God
can do through those who will reach out,” she said.
“I know from this experience I am forever changed.
These women, in deciding to make the right choice,
have changed their lives in spectacular ways — but
they also have changed mine.”

Anita in Arizona didn’t see such amazing results in
her prayer time at the 40 Days for Life vigil. But
that’s all right. Sometimes you see it. Sometimes you
don’t. God reveals His plan differently to each of us.

“I was doing my usual daily routine of getting my son
to school,” she said. Then she glanced at the clock.
“We were way ahead of schedule.”

A still, small voice told her, “Go and pray at Planned
Parenthood.” So she did. “God has given me extra time
to pray today. I knelt down in the dirt and I prayed
for 20 minutes.”

Only God knows who may have been touched by those
prayers. “Maybe there was a woman waiting for the
center to open, and then changed her mind. I do not
know,” Anita said. “What I do know is that we are
called to be faithful, not successful. We are to
listen and obey and leave the successful part up
to God.”

Anita said she may never see the fruit of those
20 minutes of prayers, “but I know our loving God
can use that tiny bit of time and those few little
prayers to move evil and blindness out of the way.
Let’s keep praying!”