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I’m boarding a plane to visit the 40 Days for Life
campaign in Rockland County, New York — and later
tonight, I’m speaking at a pregnancy center event.

This location is a great example of collaboration
because the pregnancy resource center is across the
street from the Planned Parenthood abortion facility
and they work closely with the 40 Days for Life
volunteers to help women find loving alternatives.

This is the second location for 40 Days for Life
in Rockland County — the first abortion facility
CLOSED after a 40 Days for Life campaign a few
years back!

Praying in front of an abortion center makes a
difference — in New York or anywhere else. Like most
people, I was a bit fearful the first time I did it.
But that fear is no match for the peace and hope that
prayer brings to what seems like a hopeless situation.

If you have never done it, now is the time! But don’t
take my word for it — here are some personal prayer
experiences that vigil participants shared on the
40 Days for Life blog.

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA

One volunteer wrote about his first time as a 40 Days
for Life participant at the Raleigh vigil. During his
90 minutes of prayer, he watched people come and go.
“The thing that struck me the most was how everyone
who went in and came out was trying very hard not to
look at me,” he said.

He watched as a worker came out with letters to put
in the mail. “She had to walk by me to get to the
mailbox. The whole time to the mailbox and back ...
she walked with her head down and turned away.”

He said that the workers and clients alike didn’t
look angry, and didn’t look like they were trying
to ignore him. No, he said, “they looked ashamed.”

He prayed that all these people would come to know
Jesus, that they would “turn from the very thought”
of aborting babies and become advocates for life. “I
didn’t want to leave,” he said. “I hope to get back
to pray ... during this 40 Days for Life campaign.”

LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA

Another writer said that as she prayed during the
vigil at a Long Beach Planned Parenthood location,
she also handed out information about pro-life
pregnancy resources in the area.

“Most took the info from me because I wore a smile,”
she said, “and couldn’t look mean if I tried to!”

One woman in particular left a strong impression.
“She got out of her car right in front of the front
door, and she looked as if she had been crying, she
was so distraught,” the volunteer said.

“She wouldn’t talk to me or take my info — but
went into the building.”

The woman was still inside two hours later when
this vigil participant left. “The hopelessness
and devastation on her face I will never forget.
I prayed for her and her baby, that she would
change her mind as God spoke to her heart.”

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA

Two women were praying outside the abortion facility
in Melbourne when a young couple drove up. They got
out of their car quickly — and walked hurriedly
towards the building.

As they reached the door, “the young woman looked
back at us,” one of the volunteers said. “We lifted
the intensity of our prayer. About 15-20 minutes later,
they came out again.”

She said the man was very angry and spoke to the woman
rather aggressively. They got into their car and drove
off. It appeared the man was all in favor of abortion,
but the woman was not.

“We have been praying for them ever since,” she said.
“Please continue to pray for this young couple. May
40 Days for Life be successful in ending abortion
around the world!”

The 40 Days for Life team in Melbourne has put together
a short but powerful video about the local campaign.
It’s sure to be impressive wherever you’re watching!

You can check it out at:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3367

Day 11 - October 6

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 we represent Him.

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 4:1-2

Reflection:

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

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)
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. It is a calling much higher and grander than our finite minds can imagine.

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
40 Days for Life board of directors