©2013 — 40 Days for Life www.40daysforlife.com
Devotional for Day 1, September 25, 2013
David Brandao, Communications Director, 40 Days for Life
Intention:
That we may use these 40 Days for Life
to plead for God’s mercy and grace upon
all those involved in the sin of abortion.
Scripture:
Blow the trumpet in Zion! Proclaim a
fast, call an assembly. Gather the people,
notify the congregation. Assemble
the elders; gather the children and the
infants at the breast… Let the priests,
the ministers of the Lord, weep and
say, "Spare, O Lord, your people.”
—Joel 2:15-17
Reflection:
The toll of abortion cannot be measured.
We hear estimates of almost 50
million innocent victims, but that’s only
one aspect of the harm that has unfolded
in abortion’s wake. There are also
the mothers and fathers of these millions,
as well as the grandparents,
brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles,
cousins. Unborn lives destroyed. Lives
of the living shattered.
It’s overwhelming and depressing, but
even in the midst of such unfathomable
darkness, the church teaches us to have
hope. Yes, it was indeed Calvary that
followed Christ’s 40 days in the desert,
but without Calvary there would have
been no Resurrection – His victory
over death that opened the gates of
heaven to those who believe in and follow
Him.
The psalmist encourages us to go humbly
before God as we seek His will:
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within
me… Give me back the joy of your
salvation and a willing spirit sustain
in me… O Lord, open my lips, and
my mouth shall proclaim your
praise (Psalm 51:12-17).
We are called to be God’s messengers;
or as the Apostle Paul wrote:
We are ambassadors for Christ, as if
God were appealing through us. We
implore you on behalf of Christ: be
reconciled to God (2 Corinthians
5:20).
That is the true message to all we encounter
at the abortion centers and in
our communities who have been deceived
by the Culture of Death. We
don’t bring condemnation; we bring
God’s good news.
Prayer:
Lord, we ask for the strength, courage,
wisdom, determination and stamina to
carry out this mission according to
Your will.
Guide us, we pray, as we go forth and
proclaim Your truth, always doing so
with a spirit of love and compassion, as
was demonstrated to us through the
work of Your Son, Jesus Christ. In His
name we pray, amen.
Prayer Ping for everyone! Be pro-life! Go out and be a part of a peaceful demonstation at a Planned Parenthood site.