40 Days for Life: Day 2
Just wanted to include with this post the email I received this morning on the wonderful things already happening with 40 Days for Life. I have to say that not been able to attend any of the vigils in Rochester, NY (about one hour from my home) as of yet, but hope to make a couple of vigils during the 40 days with my family. I am also so proud to hear that my home state--Indiana has great participation in 40 Days for Life.
Here is the email:
Dear Kimberly,
What a way to start the day! The fall 40 Days for Life campaign was barely hours old when we received an e-mail from Jennifer in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. She and a few others had arrived at 6:30 Wednesday morning to pray at the abortion center.A couple arrived in the parking lot, got out of their car and walked towards the building. "Joe gave them a flyer," said Jennifer, "and she brought it into the clinic. About 10 minutes later they came out of the clinic and went to the car."The woman argued with the man for a time, but then they got in the car and left. "This lady looked at us praying and blessed herself with the sign of the cross," Jennifer said. "We saved our first baby!" Shortly thereafter, a text message appeared on my phone from Chris, the campaign director from New York City: "David! 1st 40 Days turnaround!" Later in the day, another life was saved at the same location .Nance, organizer of the Grimes and Waller county, Texas, 40 Days for Life efforts e-mailed, "a BABY SAVED from Planned Parenthood in Houston!!! "While driving to the 40 Days for Life kickoff event in South Bend, Indiana tonight, I received an excited call from the Indianapolis campaign leader. A first time 40 Days for Life volunteer was praying outside the Planned Parenthood abortion facility this morning when a car leaving the center pulled over and the occupants beckoned for her to come near. The volunteer nervously approached and was told by the mother in the vehicle, "Your prayers are working. My daughter just decided to not have an abortion."We are hearing amazing success stories like this from all across North America......So let's spread the news! In addition to prayer, fasting and constant vigil, the other component of 40 Days for Life is grassroots community outreach. Prayer and fasting allow us to humble ourselves before God and ask for his grace and mercy. Constant vigil allows us to bring Christ's love to the locations where lives are on the line and people need to know that others are concerned about their well being. Community outreach allows us to tell the story to entire neighborhoods, entire cities. Some people might say, "Abortion doesn't affect me; I wouldn't have one -- or encourage anyone else to have one -- but it's none of my business."Well, it is everyone's business when the rights of the most helpless in our midst are being trampled --and we need to say so. Others in our communities may have simply given up on ever changing the abortion status quo. They need someone to rekindle that fire -- and that someone maybe you! Whether the outreach is manning a booth in the mall, engaging the local media, speaking to church or civic groups, conducting a door-to-door campaign, or simply spreading the word to friends, family, co-workers,and fellow believers, it's important to reach people who don't ever think about abortion -- and don't ever drive by the clinic -- with the reality of how abortion negatively affects the community. Ernie and Mary Beth in Pensacola, Florida report that their campaign, which is holding vigils at two abortion facilities, received an enthusiastic and appropriate send-off from Rev. John Licari."He talked about how abortion hurts women and families," they said. "His theme was: Don't hide your light under a bushel basket. We need to bring the light of Christ into a world so desperately in need of His love and mercy, especially at the abortion clinics. He reminded us to 'be not afraid.'"We are the light of the world. Let's go forth and shine!
Here's today's devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone,National Director of Priests for Life...
DAY 2 INTENTION
Just wanted to include with this post the email I received this morning on the wonderful things already happening with 40 Days for Life. I have to say that not been able to attend any of the vigils in Rochester, NY (about one hour from my home) as of yet, but hope to make a couple of vigils during the 40 days with my family. I am also so proud to hear that my home state--Indiana has great participation in 40 Days for Life.
Here is the email:
Dear Kimberly,
What a way to start the day! The fall 40 Days for Life campaign was barely hours old when we received an e-mail from Jennifer in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. She and a few others had arrived at 6:30 Wednesday morning to pray at the abortion center.A couple arrived in the parking lot, got out of their car and walked towards the building. "Joe gave them a flyer," said Jennifer, "and she brought it into the clinic. About 10 minutes later they came out of the clinic and went to the car."The woman argued with the man for a time, but then they got in the car and left. "This lady looked at us praying and blessed herself with the sign of the cross," Jennifer said. "We saved our first baby!" Shortly thereafter, a text message appeared on my phone from Chris, the campaign director from New York City: "David! 1st 40 Days turnaround!" Later in the day, another life was saved at the same location .Nance, organizer of the Grimes and Waller county, Texas, 40 Days for Life efforts e-mailed, "a BABY SAVED from Planned Parenthood in Houston!!! "While driving to the 40 Days for Life kickoff event in South Bend, Indiana tonight, I received an excited call from the Indianapolis campaign leader. A first time 40 Days for Life volunteer was praying outside the Planned Parenthood abortion facility this morning when a car leaving the center pulled over and the occupants beckoned for her to come near. The volunteer nervously approached and was told by the mother in the vehicle, "Your prayers are working. My daughter just decided to not have an abortion."We are hearing amazing success stories like this from all across North America......So let's spread the news! In addition to prayer, fasting and constant vigil, the other component of 40 Days for Life is grassroots community outreach. Prayer and fasting allow us to humble ourselves before God and ask for his grace and mercy. Constant vigil allows us to bring Christ's love to the locations where lives are on the line and people need to know that others are concerned about their well being. Community outreach allows us to tell the story to entire neighborhoods, entire cities. Some people might say, "Abortion doesn't affect me; I wouldn't have one -- or encourage anyone else to have one -- but it's none of my business."Well, it is everyone's business when the rights of the most helpless in our midst are being trampled --and we need to say so. Others in our communities may have simply given up on ever changing the abortion status quo. They need someone to rekindle that fire -- and that someone maybe you! Whether the outreach is manning a booth in the mall, engaging the local media, speaking to church or civic groups, conducting a door-to-door campaign, or simply spreading the word to friends, family, co-workers,and fellow believers, it's important to reach people who don't ever think about abortion -- and don't ever drive by the clinic -- with the reality of how abortion negatively affects the community. Ernie and Mary Beth in Pensacola, Florida report that their campaign, which is holding vigils at two abortion facilities, received an enthusiastic and appropriate send-off from Rev. John Licari."He talked about how abortion hurts women and families," they said. "His theme was: Don't hide your light under a bushel basket. We need to bring the light of Christ into a world so desperately in need of His love and mercy, especially at the abortion clinics. He reminded us to 'be not afraid.'"We are the light of the world. Let's go forth and shine!
Here's today's devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone,National Director of Priests for Life...
DAY 2 INTENTION
-Pray for those who work in the abortion industry, and for those who have repented of committing abortions and have resolved to defend life.
SCRIPTURE
Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man."-- Luke 23:46-47
REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life
"Those of us who have participated in the killing of unborn children are the Centurions of today. We have dropped our swords against the unborn child. Now we must recognize the depth of our guilt and deal with the ramifications... To revitalize our humanity we need to forgive and be forgiven, to reconcile and be healed."These words come from a brochure of the Society of Centurions, an organization for former abortion providers. These words convey in a beautiful and moving way what is happening across the nation as hundreds of abortionists and their staff members experience repentance, conversion, and healing.How does this conversion begin? Dr. Philip Ney writes, "The factors that changed their opinion on performing abortions, in the following order of frequency, were: evidence of the infant's humanity, a spiritual experience, personal distress, evidence of the mother's distress, scientific articles, being accepted as a person, a personal relationship with a pro-lifer, pro-life pickets." (The Centurion's Pathway, p. 77).
The journey is not easy. But the Jesus who heals us calls us to face the truth of what we've done, make restitution where possible, and engage in the hard work of mending relationships. Let's pray for the Centurions; may their numbers increase!
PRAYER
Lord, we thank you for those who have repented of committing abortions and have resolved to defend life. We too repent and resolve.We repent of every instance in which fear has made us silent when we should have spoken. We repent of the ongoing bloodshed in our land, and for thinking that we can deprive the unborn of protection but keep it for ourselves.We resolve that we will advance the cause of righteous candidates for public office, and that we will be more afraid of offending you by our silence than of offending others by our speech. We resolve that we will proclaim your name to the nations,through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.
What a blessing 40 Days for Life is for our country!! I encourage you to try and make a vigil in your area. Let your voice be heard!! Let others know that abortion is what it is--MURDER!!!!
We can make a difference and we can save the babies. We can change the tide of this country. We must save the babies, change the hearts of those seeking abortions, those performing abortions, and those who encourage laws that allow abortions. Action and prayer: we need your help to save the babies. In truth, if you save the babies, you are saving the world!!
Blessed be God Forever!!
JMJ
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