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Day 11 email update:

Today's devotional speaks of being ambassadors of
Christ. That's exactly what each of us is called to
do during this 40 Days for Life campaign -- and I am
so gratified to see how many of you are taking this
call to heart.

But it isn't always easy.

More than in any previous campaign, there is strong
opposition to what you are and others are doing on
the sidewalks of 212 cities. And in a couple of
minutes, I'm going to ask you to watch a 38-second
video that shows the challenge -- and the proper
response to that challenge that demonstrates to the
whole world exactly what sets 40 Days for Life apart.

Carol Marie in Reno, Nevada reports that 40 Days for
Life vigil participants often have to deal with
"tirades, nasty comments and empty threats" from the
abortionist, who clearly wishes the prayer presence
outside his offices would go away.

The people praying at the vigil do not respond; they
just keep praying. "I am happy to learn that we
continue to demonstrate that we are there to share
the love of Christ with those who come to the
abortion site," Carol Marie said, "regardless of
their reason for being there, regardless of the role
they are playing in this tragedy."

Paul in Lake Jackson, Texas said 40 Days for Life
vigil participants there had a most challenging time
recently. "We were visited by an angry protester that
spent 45 minutes shouting at us and trying to argue
with us right in front of our vigil space," he said.
"By the grace of God, we were cool headed and tried
not to engage her in any conversation but she was
very persistent.

It got to the point where one of the vigil
participants had to call the police. "The officer
that spent some time with the woman and told us
afterward she wouldn't be back," Paul said. Even the
mayor came later to offer his support. "Through it
all we kept praying."

Clair in Kalamazoo, Michigan notes that a water
bottle and a nearly-empty drink can were thrown at 40
Days for Life vigil participants from passing
vehicles. Thankfully, no one was hurt. "The
individuals who threw these items would like it very
much if we stopped coming out," she said. But
Kalamazoo is committed to press on with their 40 Days
for Life campaign.

The group did file a police report, and the officers
promised to help. "They have told us there will be
more patrols going past the Planed Parenthood
facility," said Clair.

A slight increase in the incidents of taunting and
heckling have been reported, as "pro-choice" bloggers
are furiously attempting to rally abortion advocates
to go out to abortion centers and demonstrate against
the 40 Days for Life prayer vigils.

The 38-second video I'd like you to watch is one that
I discovered on YouTube. It was recorded outside Dr.
Emily's Women's Health Center in The Bronx, New York
-- one of the country's busiest abortion facilities,
that ends the lives of thousands of children yearly.

You'll see a small 40 Days for Life group, including
several Catholic nuns, standing in a circle praying
peacefully and quietly. You won't see the abortion
demonstrators, but you'll certainly hear them as they
angrily chant slogans in an attempt to drown out the
vigil participants' prayers.

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=305

This, in a 38-second nutshell, is what 40 Days for
Life is all about. We stand up for those who have no
voice, in a world that doesn't want to listen, where
people yell in an effort to drown out the truth.

But never forget -- Jesus told us to expect this:
"Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute
you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely
because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward
will be great in heaven" (Matthew 5:11-12).

40 Days for Life gives us the opportunity to live
that out in a unique way. And, if we aren't being
persecuted for our faith at times -- are we really
living out the fullness of the gospel?

Thank you for being prayerful and peaceful ... and
for living the gospel.

Day 12 email update:

It wouldn't be 40 Days for Life without reports of
wet weather. But a bit of rain hasn't discouraged
people from coming out to pray. In fact, not even a
LOT of rain has dampened the desire to go to the
sidewalks outside abortion centers to ask for God's
grace and mercy.

It was before 6 in the morning -- well before sunrise
-- when people gathered to pray at a 40 Days for Life
prayer vigil outside a Nashville abortion center. And
it was pouring.

"Advocates braved torrential rains and a dark night
sky to speak for the helpless and vulnerable," said
Jane. "Of special encouragement was the enormous
courage of a pregnant mom who refused to be forced
into an abortion she did not want."

Clearly the sight of people praying in the rain
helped inspire her courage. To see what the people
approaching that clinic saw on a stormy day in
Nashville, go here:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=312

The rain also didn't stop a group of sixth and eight
graders from St. Michael School from praying at the
40 Days for Life vigil in Dallas.

As the children prayed, a woman arrived for an
abortion appointment. Counselors met her and learned
she was 12 weeks pregnant. The counselor, Joanne,
asked one of the other volunteers to bring a fetal
model of a 12-week baby to show the young woman.

Milissa brought the model -- along with her 8-month
old baby. Joanne told the woman, "The only difference
between your baby and Milissa's baby is time."

The woman who had arrived for an abortion began to
cry. She had seen the truth.

The volunteers walked with her to the pro-life
pregnancy center across the street. And the school
children kept praying -- in the rain.

To see the children ... and their umbrellas, go here:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=312

It's also been rainy in Denmark, where Susanne Westh
Larsen is coordinating that country's first 40 Days
for Life campaign outside a hospital where abortions
are performed.

Susanne reports "strong wind, some rain and dark
skies over the hospital. Sometimes I have had to hold
very strongly onto the signboard so not to have it
fly away from me. It illustrates the anger that is
obviously directed against the campaign both on inner
and outer planes."

Newspaper articles about 40 Days for Life in Denmark
are "not too positive," and many of the comments are
outright hostile. "But there have been positive
reactions also," Susanne added.

Susanne has put up 40 Days for Life posters -- and a
cross-shaped display of photos of unborn babies that
her husband put together. You can see the display at:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=312

The poster says "Let me live!" Below the image of an
unborn child, there's scripture: "Harden not your
hearts."

A 4-year-old boy took great interest, so Susanne
asked his mother if the child could have a copy of
the picture. His mom agreed. Six teenagers also took
the pictures. "It certainly makes my day when small
children and teenagers see and recognize and love
these little unborn babies," Susanne said.

If you've followed any 40 Days for Life campaign
before, you may expect this report about rainy
weather to end with a rainbow. It does! Go here to
see it:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=312

Prior to their kickoff event, Amy in St. Petersburg,
Florida said it rained for two hours. "I was
receiving phone calls inquiring if the prayer vigil
would be canceled!" Right on schedule, the rain
stopped. "As the people began to arrive," Amy said,
"we were blessed with a beautiful sign from God!"

Yes, the rainbow is a sign; but so are God's people,
who faithfully answer His call.

Day 11 - October 3

Intention:

Pray that when those representing Planned Parenthood and other abortion groups see volunteers for 40 Days for Life, they see ambassadors of Christ, and may each volunteer be consciously aware at all times we represent Him.

Scripture:

I...beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness, and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.

-- Ephesians 4:1-2

Reflection:

When a former abortionist and post-abortive woman, Carol Everett, was asked what turned her heart from death to life in Christ, she replied, "It was unconditional love" shown by a man who prayed daily for her in front of the facility where she worked.

He told Carol that "God had sent him" because there was someone in there that God wanted out. She left 27 days later and now serves as Christ's ambassador to help others. We too have been sent by Christ as an ambassador to love unconditionally those God seeks to "get out" of their bondage and sin.

In his book, "Fishers of Men," Dr. Sumner Wemp describes what it means to be an ambassador of Christ, the King of Kings:

God has chosen us (John 15:16)
We are sent into a world that is not our home (1 Peter 2:11)
Our walk must match our talk (1 Timothy 3:7)
We must abide in Him for daily instruction (John 15:5)
Know our purpose -- to seek and to save that which is lost (Luke 19:10)
We are to reconcile others to God with His authority (Matthew 28:19-20)
Our service is to be grounded and rooted in love (Ephesians 3:17)

Pray that we each will walk worthy of the calling with which we were called!

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we are humbled that you have called us and appointed us to be ambassadors of Christ in a world that is not our home. It is a calling much higher and grander than our finite minds can imagine.

We pray that your Holy Spirit will empower us to walk worthy of the calling. We pray that Your unconditional love will flow through us onto those who desperately need Your saving grace. In the name of Christ who is worthy, amen.

Carmen Pate
Co-host, "Point of View" Talk Show