Devotional for Day 36, April 9, 2014
Vera Faith Lord, Director, Alpha/Omega Life Ministry
Intention: Pray that those who have forgotten their purpose may discover it in God and therefore have the courage to choose life.
Scripture: These all wait for you, that you may give them their food in due season, what you give them they gather in; you open your hand they are filled with good. You hide your face, they are troubled; you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. You send forth your Spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the earth. — Psalm 104:27-30
Reflection: “I am a feather on the breath of God.”
As the quote above portrays, we are upheld by the power and purpose of God. Our very existence on earth, from our body’s first breath to its last, when we leave it to return home, is our Father’s choice and happens only by His willing to do so.
He who created the universe also created that which is “me.” I do not “have” a soul – I AM a soul, as well as a body.
My entire purpose in this life is to find my way back to my Creator.
Prayer: Beloved Father, remind us today that there is no truth but you.
Do not let us fall prey to the evil one’s lie that we may choose death.
Remind us right now that you, who created all life, are in control of all life, and let us know right now that you who created all life, are in control of all life, and let us choose life always.
Father, please let us hear your voice more today than yesterday.
Keep lighting the pathway home, for us and for all who participate in this 40 Days for Life campaign.
Father, we’re on our way. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.
The 40 Days for Life campaigns in the United Kingdom continue to get media attention. However, much of it is less than complimentary. Even the headlines reflect the abortion industry’s claim that vigil participants “harass” their clients.
Of course, a picture is worth a thousand words – and the pictures always show the harassment claim is a pure fabrication.
Robert Colquhoun, our international outreach director, takes a look at a couple of UK campaigns today.
London, England
First of all, here’s a brief video report on behalf of the 40 Days for Life vigil in London’s Ealing section. This is a very successful campaign which is led by Iulia, who came to London from Romania.
To see the video, click the image below:
Or you may go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=5875
The vigil takes place outside an abortion business located in a building that formerly served as a Christian house of healing, which is why there is still an image of the archangel Michael on the outside wall.
The campaign has witnessed 19 children spared from abortion thus far. One of those mothers told counsellors that she was moved to seek their advice after seeing people kneeling in prayer opposite the Marie Stopes abortion facility.
“The couple is Christian and in a very difficult financial situation,” Iulia told me. “I talked to them for one hour, telling them about the help we offer … but they could not believe me, as no one has ever helped them. They were very touched by the thought that someone they’ve never seen before could love them so much!”
Another vigil participant spoke of an older woman who approached with a plastic bag.
From this bag, she took out handfuls of white cherry blossom petals, and scattered them near the abortion facility’s entrance. “She knelt down, said a prayer, and quietly left without a single glance,” the volunteer said. “It lasted all of two minutes, but her actions spoke volumes.”
Cardiff, Wales
The Cardiff campaign has faced more than its share of opposition, both on the pavement and in the media. A couple of stories from their local press showed what the volunteers must contend with.
One article featured the headline, “Pro-life campaign accused of harassing women as they visit Cardiff abortion clinic.” But the photo accompanying the story showed a more accurate picture of the vigil, as about a half dozen volunteers stood in a peaceful circle of prayer.
The same newspaper featured a commentary called “Those who stand in judgement should take a look at themselves.” The writer actually put these words into print: “Each lunchtime I find myself resisting the urge to lob my sandwiches at them, or simply shout in their self-righteous faces, ‘WHY?’”
This is a sign the prayer volunteers are doing excellent work, when you have silly articles in the secular press. They are a solid campaign!
Thanks to Robert Colquhoun for today's international update!