Day 31 - March 19
Intention:
Pray for opportunities to share with an abortion-minded woman that the newness of life she is seeking is found only in Christ.
Scripture:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.
-- 2 Corinthians 5:17
Reflection:
An unexpected pregnancy is perceived by many young women as the end of their life as they know it. News of an unexpected pregnancy pulls the rug from under her well laid plans. Sadly, these women may choose abortion as a matter of self-preservation, believing that an abortion will help return life to normal and give them opportunity to start anew.
They don't see abortion as killing a child, but rather as saving their own life. Of course, abortion will not bring the newness of life they are seeking, but instead will bring death to their child, lifelong regret, and unexpected -- possibly devastating -- consequences to their own life. But abortion will be the choice made if we don't meet them at the crossroad between life and death with a better way.
Almost without exception, these young women are looking for love, acceptance, and to be valued. In their efforts to have those needs met, they have become promiscuous. Most, if honest, will admit the needs were only met momentarily, if at all, during their brief encounter, and afterward the needs returned unmet.
The truth is, only Christ loves them unconditionally with an everlasting love. Only Christ will accept them as they are, and only Christ sees them for their true value in Him. He has a perfect plan for each woman and her child if only she will allow Christ to transform her life as she surrenders to Him. No, an unexpected pregnancy is not the end of life, but rather can be the beginning of two beautiful lives if God's plan for them is given opportunity to unfold.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, you give us a new song, a new purpose, a new direction, a new perspective. You remind us that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Christ came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. Give us boldness to share this Good News with those who are at the crossroads and may they choose life for their children and enjoy newness of life in You. Because of Christ we pray, amen.
Carmen Pate
Co-host, "Point of View" Talk Show
From today’s email:
For a day when abortions are typically scheduled, last
Saturday was, by usual standards, not very busy at the
abortion center in Raleigh, North Carolina where a
40 Days for Life prayer vigil is taking place.
One vigil participant noted there were only six
clients. In fact, the facility had more employees
on hand than clients.
The day before, it appeared that there was a staff
meeting in progress at the abortion center and the
number of clients was — ZERO!
“Fridays and Saturdays are typically their busiest
days,” said Mary in Raleigh. “To have maybe six
clients on Saturday and zero on Friday is very
interesting to me and makes me wonder if the dynamics
are changing.”
It is very clear, however, that the dynamics OUTSIDE
are changing. Two area churches adopted the 40 Days
for Life vigil during the day last Saturday.
Thanks to these two churches ...
... 213 people turned out to pray on the sidewalk ...
... on this one day alone!
“After four campaigns — this one being the fifth —
the increase of prayer warriors has been phenomenal,”
Mary said. More vigil hours are being covered, and the
number of full days adopted by churches has increased
by 40 percent.
“For this I thank you,” she said. “Your prayers are
working. We don’t always see them, but they are
working. I can say this with confidence because God
desires this from each of us.”
God indeed desires this from each of us. That is what
is drawing people to the 40 Days for Life vigils. And
He responds with His grace to let you know you’re
making a difference — even if the only creatures that
seem to notice are the animals.
“There is a large yellow or orange cat that keeps
vigil with me on the sidewalk at nights,” said a man
who frequently prays from midnight to 6 a.m. at the
40 Days for Life site in Reno, Nevada.
“An owl perches himself on the power pole across the
street and hoots at me every pass I make in front of
the clinic,” he said. “I pace while I pray — and he
continues to hoot, as if in agreement. I want to
report to you that it is very powerful at night.”
Praying at the very doorstep of the places where
innocent lives are destroyed is indeed very powerful.
40 Days for Life taps into the spiritual value of
covering these abortion centers in prayer — 24 hours
a day, seven days a week. When you make that sort of
sacrifice, it DOES make a difference!
God hears your prayers — and answers them when, where
and how they’re needed most.
Have you had an opportunity to pray at a 40 Days for
Life vigil yet? There’s still plenty of time!
Please click here to find the location nearest you:
http://40daysforlife.com/location.cfm