What a day !!
We finished out the fall 40 Days for Life yesterday
at a concluding event in Sarasota, Florida, that was
attended by more than 300 people (along with the
local Planned Parenthood CEO, who was furious as
hundreds of people gathered outside her new 40,000+
square foot abortion mega-center that is nearing the
completion of construction.)
This day after 40 Days for Life has finished, there
are more blessings than we can count, and I thank you
for every contribution you've made to this largest
coordinated pro-life outreach in history.
It's a good day to look at where we've been -- and
where we're going.
For one thing, 40 Days for Life has gotten far more
media attention than it's ever gotten before, meaning
more people in more cities saw for themselves what
this effort is all about. Here are a few of the many
newspaper articles local teams have generated: >> Washington Times
http://snipurl.com/4ymh0 >> Chicago Sun-Times
http://snipurl.com/4ymf6
And here's what 40 Days for Life looked like on local
TV newscasts (be sure to watch the video clips!): >> WREG-TV Memphis
http://snipurl.com/4ymkn >> KFSN-TV Fresno
http://snipurl.com/4ymlo
>> WPTY-TV Fort Wayne
http://snipurl.com/4ymnn
We've had numerous reports of clinics shutting their
doors on days when abortions are usually scheduled.
Other abortionists apparently decided to take time
off. "There's a sign on our clinic door -- closed
until November 5," wrote one vigil participant.
"God is moving."
In Oklahoma City, Karen reports that someone called
the clinic and was told the abortionist won't be back
until November 6. "That's two whole weeks plus two
days of closure for the clinic," she said. "I know
our prayers had an effect on him!"
The abortion businesses expect that we will simply
"go away" after 40 Days for Life is over. But they
don't know the hearts of the people who've stood
vigil and seen the results.
"Why not 365 days for life?" asked Pablo. "We could
keep the pressure on ... I'm sure we can find
volunteers."
"I agree with Pablo," wrote Ed. "Why not a perpetual
vigil for life? My wife and I drove 3 1/2 hours each
way to pray for two hours at an abortion clinic last
Saturday. We're going again tomorrow."
One of the local teams has been praying for the
security guard at an abortion center. They wave at
him, and he waves back. This has been going on since
the start of 40 Days for Life.
Just this week, he finally approached the group on
the sidewalk. "I heard that you help women if they
need food or clothes or anything for their babies. If
I find women in need, can I send them to you?"
"How do I tell the security guard no? That 40 Days
for Life is almost over, so if you find a woman in
need we won't be here anymore?" asked the local
campaign director.
"It was such a clear sign that we can not stop. If he
would have just quit the job we would have thought
our work done, but because he wants to help us with
our work it was a clear sign that we have to keep
going."
And keep going, we will. As to what form that will
take, and what specific needs we'll address -- we're
already praying hard for discernment and the Holy
Spirit's guidance.
We encourage you to do likewise. The conclusion of
this 40 Days for Life campaign is just the end of a
chapter, not the end of the book.
"I am hearing the same thing over and over," said
Jennifer. "40 Days for Life may be over, but it is
only a beginning. A volunteer told me today the
clinic workers are not going away and neither are we.
We will not quit until this clinic closes down."
Here's today's "bonus" devotional from Fr. Frank
Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life and
President of the National Pro-life Religious
Council...
-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 41 INTENTION
-----------------------------------------------------
Pray that the witness of 40 Days for Life bears
abundant fruit, and that we begin again each day to
storm the gates of hell until God welcomes us into
the gates of heaven.
-----------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
-----------------------------------------------------
On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of
hell will not prevail against it.
-- Matthew 16:18
-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone
-----------------------------------------------------
When we read this verse, we usually think that the
Lord is promising that the church, which is His Body,
will withstand all the attacks launched against it.
Of course, that is true.
But when we think about it more carefully, we realize
that in a battle, the gates do not run out into the
battlefield to attack the enemy. Rather, they stand
still to defend the city from the enemy attacking it.
So when the Lord says that the gates of hell will not
prevail against the church, who is doing the
attacking? It is the church storming the gates!
The church, all of God's people in Christ, is called
to take the offensive, to run into enemy territory,
and to gain ground for Jesus Christ. We do not wait
for an invitation; we already have a command. We
prepare, but we do not wait for circumstances to be
perfect; we already have one who has gone before us.
During these 40 days, we have stormed the gates. We
have taken the offensive. We have pushed forward the
boundaries of the kingdom. And we must keep doing so,
in numerous ways.
Indeed, the gates of hell will not prevail. The gates
of falsehood will flee in the presence of truth. The
gates of sin will melt in the presence of grace. The
gates of death will fall in the presence of the
church, the People of Life!
-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
-----------------------------------------------------
Father, we praise you. We have heard the voice of
your Son, and therefore we can make our voices heard.
We have done battle with the power of evil, and
therefore we can have compassion on those still
within its grip. We have been freed from the kingdom
of darkness, and therefore we can bear witness to
your Kingdom of Light.
May the witness of all your people through these 40
Days for Life bear abundant fruit, and may we begin
again each day to storm the gates of hell until You
welcome us into the gates of heaven. We pray in the
victorious name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
-----------------------------------------------------
With just one day remaining before Americans go to
the polls to decide the most critical election in
recent history, here are some things that ALL of us
can do to positively impact the outcome on Tuesday,
November 4:
1.) PRAY AND FAST
If ever there was a time for massive, unified prayer
for our nation -- that time is NOW! Please commit to
pray fervently, and if you feel led -- fast these
last two days.
2.) EDUCATE YOURSELF ABOUT WHAT'S AT STAKE
Here are several short, but highly effective videos
that underscore what's at stake in the elections:
For all Christians:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwLY_HRt-AM
For Catholic Christians:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61wj4tJICcc
3.) EDUCATE YOURSELF ABOUT THE CANDIDATES
A great resource to learn about the candidates and
where they stand on life issues is:
http://www.politicalresponsibility.com
4.) GET TO THE POLLS EARLY TO CAST YOUR VOTE
Find your polling place by visiting:
http://www.vote411.org/pollfinder.php
Go early in the day and be willing to wait in a line,
if necessary, due to likely high voter turnout.
5.) GET LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE OUT TO THE POLLS
This is not the time to argue and debate with people
who do not understand the importance of protecting
life. We must use every available minute to encourage
pro-life friends, family members, co-workers, and
fellow believers to turnout to vote.
Also, be sure to contact the offices of pro-life
candidates and ask what you can do to help with "Get
Out the Vote" efforts. For a short video that reminds
us WHY this is important, watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5SXjYkQpDk
By each of us investing time and energy into these
activities, we can ensure that we will wake up
Wednesday knowing we did all we could to "speak up
for those who could not speak for themselves."
Yours for Life,
David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
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