The $1,575 Abortion!

Day 22 of 40 Days for Life Campaign

From Shawn Carney
Campaign Director

Late-term abortion received a fair amount of US media attention earlier this year -- coverage centered around the brutal practices and murder trial of Philadelphia abortionist Kermit Gosnell.

Gosnell was convicted of murder. But the ugly practice of late-term abortion continues. And one Texas mom is very thankful for the volunteers who were outside praying when she recently went in for her $1,575 late-term abortion.
 
Praise God for happy endings like this one.

 
Dallas, Texas

 The 40 Days for Life team in Dallas reported hopeful news from their vigil.

Counselors talked to a woman at the abortion center who was 21 weeks pregnant. On her way out of the building, she told the volunteers, “Your prayers saved my baby. I saw you all praying and it touched my heart.”

A bit later, she came back to pick up her $1,575 refund – the cost of an abortion at 21 weeks.

Earlier that day, another woman had arrived for an abortion. But after being inside the abortion center for a while -- and basically ignored by the staff -- she left and spoke to prayer volunteers.

She said the employees left her in a room, alone. She told one staff member she was sick, but no one came to help. So she just walked out.

Volunteers gave her information about the pro-life pregnancy center. She didn't go there right away, as was hoped, but she did leave without having an abortion.

 
Glen Ellyn, Illinois

 Glen Ellyn is about 25 miles from downtown Chicago. "We pray in front of a privately owned abortion facility which is only open on Wednesdays and Saturdays," said Ava, the Glen Ellyn coordinator. "But since we've been praying out there, it has been closed on Saturdays!"

Members of more than 30 faith communities are joining in the prayer vigil. Ava said people walking by often pause and offer a word of encouragement -- some even remain for a while and pray.

"Vehicles stopped by with people traveling from North Carolina and Pennsylvania who were curious to know what we're doing," Ava said. Once they found out, they said they would look for ways to take part when they returned home. "God's grace is definitely evident in this prayer campaign!"


Here's today's devotional from Georgette Forney, president of Anglicans for Life.

Day 22 intention

May those who hold life as trivial realize that we live because God wills it so.

Scripture

Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this, in His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.

-- Job 12:9-10

Reflection by Georgette Forney

Job was a man acquainted with grief, trials and tribulation. He had everything taken from him, including his family. He endured sickness, ridicule and judgment from his friends. Everyone gave him advice about his situation, questioning his spirituality and his God.

Job's circumstances were bad but he never loses faith. Why? Because "the hand of the Lord has made all life." Created by God, he knows his life has meaning and purpose, regardless of the circumstances.

In our present culture, we've lost that basic truth; every life is made and allowed to live by God's sovereign authority. As people who pride ourselves on our independence, we have a hard time acknowledging our dependence on God.

From our creation, when we were knit together in our mother's womb to our last breath, God's word is clear that "in His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind."

It's time for us as individuals, and as a society, to recognize that we exist by God's grace and turn back to Him, honoring His word and His teachings. Why? Because our world is full of Jobs, people who are dealing with trials and tribulations and hurting desperately.

Job's response should be ours as well. Regardless of what we face (even an unplanned pregnancy) God in His wisdom and mercy will redeem it.

How do I know? Job's friends who doubted God's sovereignty cry out to God asking for help, God instructs Job to pray for his friends and after he does, God restores all that Job had lost.

In other words, because Job never lost faith and knew and trusted His Creator, the Lord blessed Job.

Prayer

Thank you Father God for being the Creator of my life and every life. Please give me, and the society in which I live, an appreciation for your gift of life. Please help us set aside our pride and acknowledge that we need you.

Show me how I can honor you today in response to all the blessings you bestow so freely. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Printable devotional

To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2013day22print.pdf