Devotional for Day 13, March 17, 2014
Dennis DiMauro, Lutherans for Life
Intention: We pray for the strength to love those who do not love us.
Scripture: But the Lord said “You have had pity on the plant for which you have not la- bored, nor made it grow, which came up in the night and perished in the night. And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand per- sons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left, and much livestock? Should I not be concerned about that great city?” —Jonah 4:10-11
Reflection: God doesn’t value people and things like we do. Jonah loved a shade tree more than an entire city of sinful people. We love our dogs more than a terrorist. We love our cars more than a beggar on the side of the road. And sometimes, we love our money more than a child growing in a desperate teenager’s womb. But God isn’t like us. Genesis 1 tells us that humans were the capstone of God's creation.
We were created on the sixth day after God had completed the land, the stars, the plants and the animals.
Therefore, His love for us is greater than His love for a plant, an animal, or any other created thing.
And the book of Jonah tells us that He loves even the most sinful people and seeks to bring them into His merciful arms. And it’s a love that seeks to touch all of his created children: that desperate teenager, the baby growing in her womb, even tyrants and terrorists.
So it’s up to us to imitate God's merciful love by helping and praying for those who persecute us, and those who don’t love us back.
Prayer: Gracious God, loving our enemies seems like one of most difficult things you could ask of us.
Please remind us that this is how you love and that if you ask it of us then you will give us the grace to do it. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Today's update is from Steve Karlen, our North American outreach director. Steve reports from the state of Washington, where he visited five 40 Days for Life locations — all in one day!
At one stop, he learned some very good news about a Planned Parenthood center that’s decreased its business hours ... not once, but twice!
Everett and Marysville, Washington
I met with teams from both Everett and Marysville, where participants ranged in age from little tykes to senior citizens. And they’re making a big impact.
David, the Marysville coordinator, told me the Planned Parenthood there continues to cut the number of days it’s open. They’re down to three days a week now. It had been four days a week for the last year and a half … and five days a week before that.
Renton, Washington
Christina, the director in Renton, introduced me to some of her best helpers. One woman at the vigil comes to pray three hours a day — all year round. It’s a challenging vigil location — a very busy street with lots of noise — and the abortion facility is set way back. We prayed together and sang Amazing Grace.
Federal Way, Washington
The Federal Way vigil is at a Planned Parenthood center in front of a strip mall. One business owner in the area has been quite hostile. The good news, however, is that the campaign is definitely growing. Lisa, the local leader, reports that abortions are down around 25% when they are out praying.
Vancouver, Washington
The Vancouver team shared stories about their vigil. They told of one man who drove up and said he can’t pass by without shedding tears. Another visitor thanked them because the prayer presence was responsible for her one-and-a-half-year-old baby not being aborted.
Bremerton, Washington
I concluded my tour of Western Washington with a stop in Bremerton — a great visit with another very determined team of volunteers. Participation in this campaign, I was told, is especially strong this year.
At one of my stops — I won’t say which one to respect her privacy — a woman spoke to me. She talked about how much 40 Days for Life means to her, but couldn’t help but wonder. If people had been there praying years ago, she might not have had her abortion.
Please keep praying — your presence does make a difference!
Thanks to Steve Karlen for today’s update!