Devotional for Day 38, April 11, 2014
Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life
Intention: Pray that we become vessels of hope to all around us, especially to those who minister in the pro-life movement.
Scripture: On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the ord esus. “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen” — Luke 24:1-5
Reflection: This meditation, based on a sermon I once heard, is adapted for pro-life concerns. It’s Friday. Jesus is on the cross. e has been killed by his enemies; he is off the scene. But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’ It’s Friday. Abortionists continue their work 3,300 times a day, tearing off the arms and legs of little babies and crushing their heads. But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’ It’s Friday. Pro-abortion groups receive blood money from billionaires who are as deceived as they are. But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’
It’s Friday. Liars attempt to speak for all women and hide the pain of abortion, and ignore the evidence of how it harms women, and call abortion a blessing. But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’ It’s Friday. People of hardened hearts guard the clinics and usher desperate women in to have their abortions, while keeping them from the pro-life people who want to give them hope. But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’ Hope does not mean that we ignore or minimize the evils around us. It means, rather, that we see the whole picture, which is that evil is conquered because of what happened one Sunday morning. We are called to proclaim, celebrate, and serve that victory, waiting in joyful hope for Christ’s return and the full flowering of the Culture of Life! Indeed Sunday’s comin’
Prayer: Lord, fill your people with new hope. Make us vessels of hope to all around us, especially to those who minister in the pro-life movement, that as we en- gage in the difficult work ahead, we may experience the peace and joy that come only from you and that nobody can take away from us. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.
I’m speaking at an event in Beaumont, Texas today … celebrating the closing of the abortion facility there. We pray for more closures — around the globe — this final Saturday of the campaign ... as we take a world tour!
Robert Colquhoun, our international outreach director, has collected a few stories from leaders in England, Australia, Spain and Russia who are praying — and working — to end abortion where they live.
Sydney, Australia
“Down here in Sydney, Australia, our 40 Days campaign has been a true success story!” said Andrew, the local coordinator.
“The great news is that no abortions have taken place on either Thursday or Friday for five out of the six weeks of the campaign,” he said. “When we began praying there, they were doing abortions on four days … and now only two! Thanks be to God that our presence is having a significant impact!”
Madrid, Spain
One of the vigil participants in Madrid wrote about her experiences outside the abortion center.
“At the beginning, there were seven of us praying,” she said. “A woman and man came over and started to berate us.” They clearly wanted the prayers to stop. But the volunteer noticed that the woman had tears in her eyes.
In her grief, this woman said that she had not wanted to have an abortion, but that she didn’t have the means to keep the baby.
“We were able to tell her that help is available for mothers who have aborted,” the vigil participant said. But the woman’s companions moved between her and the people praying, insisting that they leave.
The volunteer asked for prayers for this suffering woman. “I am asking Jesus that she may not experience 40 years of post-abortive depression … like those of a family member of mine … before finding the true consolation that only Christ gives.”
Moscow, Russia
Arevik in Moscow said a woman arrived for an abortion “because she was not ready for a second baby.” However, the woman told vigil participants she had changed her mind and canceled the appointment.
Arevik said the volunteers have also heard about an abortion worker with a troubled conscience. “We are praying,” the Moscow leader said, “and we believe that God is doing something here!”
Birmingham, England
40 Days for Life is a Christian outreach. And the volunteers in Birmingham have been able to show Christ’s love to many who are non-Christian.
Isabel spoke to a Muslim couple, who had an appointment for an abortion. After a visit to a counseling office in London, they skipped the abortion appointment and are looking at other options.
They were very grateful to all who helped. “We have never come across anything like this before where people help each other for free,” they said. “Do all these Christians know we’re Muslim? Why would Christians help Muslims?”
“They still need lots of prayer,” Isabel said, “but they were truly amazed.”