Devotional for Day 15, March 19, 2014
Carmen Pate, Alliance Ministries
Intention: Pray that we will not become defeated by the enemy’s attacks but rather call on the name of the Lord who is on our side and our help in time of trouble.
Scripture: What if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us? They would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger. Praise the Lord, who did not let their teeth tear us apart! Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. — Psalm 124:2,3,6,8
Reflection: The enemy attacks in many ways, but one of his favorites is to slander us with hopes of tarnishing our reputation and character, and ultimately to defeat our good work for the Lord. It is interesting to note however that it is usually not the slander that causes harm to our testimony, but our response to the slander. Proverbs 24:10 says, “If you faint in the day of adversity your strength is small.” If we are applying God’s truths to our lives moment by moment, we are not swayed by the lies of the enemy and we will be strong. Standing on the front lines, armed with God’s truth, places you in the battlefield for the mind.
As you are prepared to present words of love, for the sake of the unborn and for the distraught and confused women and men who are entering the abortion facilities, know that the enemy has prepared his forces to attack your mind. Unkind words from a protester, or vicious lies in the local paper about who you are and what your mission is, can indeed be hurtful. But rather than give in to defeat, that is the time to shine for the Lord, standing firm, as you call on Him to defeat the enemy. Remember the words of Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Let’s stand strong for those who need us most.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to ignore the verbal attacks of the enemy and instead turn to You, our refuge and strength. Help us to find shelter in the blessed promises and provisions of Your Word. Thank you that no enemy can defeat us, and we praise You knowing that nothing can separate us from Your love. In the name of Jesus, we come to You, amen.
Orlando is known for Walt Disney World and other entertainment attractions. But the city has its poor neighborhoods as well ... and one of them is home to a large Planned Parenthood abortion facility.
I visited the Orlando campaign this week, where 150 people attended their mid-point event — including one woman who came to angrily protest the event … but ended up thanking us for being there.
That is just one of the moving stories from my visit to Orlando … and my stop in Springfield, Illinois.
Orlando, Florida
Travel issues prevented me from arriving for the Orlando kickoff rally – so I rescheduled my visit. I was moved by the efforts of Irene, the local leader, and her team.
Attendees included the directors of three local pregnancy resource centers. There was music, prayer and joy – and Planned Parenthood staffers listened to the talks just a few yards away. One of the pregnancy centers had even brought an RV, fully equipped with an ultrasound machine!
I met a volunteer who brings her son, who has Down syndrome, to Planned Parenthood to pray weekly. She said, "He is such a powerful witness that every life is sacred, when so many want to disregard those with disabilities.
"When we come here to pray, it is like jumping into the water to save a drowning child," she said. "We are honored to do it. Where else can you save a life just by showing up and being a witness to God's love?"
The event drew one counter-protester. But at the end of the evening, she came over and put down her sign, saying she had misjudged our intentions. She thought we were there to judge women. But she soon realized that the campaign is driven by love and compassion – and it saves lives.
Irene gave her some information and invited her to pray on the sidewalk. The woman had spoken to a member of the Knights of Columbus, whose explanation helped her realize that 40 Days for Life was something she could support. “If it saves one baby,” she said, “it is worth it!”
Springfield, Illinois
After speaking at a pregnancy center banquet, I went to visit the 40 Days for Life team in Springfield, Illinois. The Planned Parenthood center in Springfield does RU 486 abortions ... just a few blocks from the Abraham Lincoln presidential library.
I was inspired by the local leader, Andrea, who also works for Springfield Right to Life. “I’ve been involved in Right to Life for 30 years and 40 Days for Life is the most important thing we can be doing,” she said.
Andrea has led four campaigns in Springfield because “it puts prayer first — and that’s what we need.”