More than in any previous campaign, there is strong opposition to what those of us are doing on the sidewalks of 212 cities. And a little later, 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 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 hate 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.
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 very behavior:
“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)
But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me.They will be greatly shamed,for they will not succeed.(Jeremiah 20:11)
If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:18&19)
The first line of this verse stood out to me. "know that they hated me first" I have felt now more than ever a hatred towards believers. But this verse is God's way of saying "I've been there" So often we think we are feeling things no one else has felt or understands, but God Himself has and to a worse degree! He carried the cross bearing all of our sins and was mocked, spat at, and just plain hated the whole way and he still got on that cross and died for us, the ungrateful. I doubt many of us would be willing to die for someone who hated us, let alone an entire world filled with people who hated us. Jesus did just that. It is also wonderful to hear the words "I chose you out of the world". We are special to Him. We are ALL very much wanted and desired by God. Feels good to know that doesn't it?
Continue to pray for the end of abortion but also pray for those who are peacefully praying in front of abortion clinics nationwide. Pray for their safety and that their prayers would be heard.
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 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 hate 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.
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 very behavior:
“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)
But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me.They will be greatly shamed,for they will not succeed.(Jeremiah 20:11)
If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:18&19)
The first line of this verse stood out to me. "know that they hated me first" I have felt now more than ever a hatred towards believers. But this verse is God's way of saying "I've been there" So often we think we are feeling things no one else has felt or understands, but God Himself has and to a worse degree! He carried the cross bearing all of our sins and was mocked, spat at, and just plain hated the whole way and he still got on that cross and died for us, the ungrateful. I doubt many of us would be willing to die for someone who hated us, let alone an entire world filled with people who hated us. Jesus did just that. It is also wonderful to hear the words "I chose you out of the world". We are special to Him. We are ALL very much wanted and desired by God. Feels good to know that doesn't it?
Continue to pray for the end of abortion but also pray for those who are peacefully praying in front of abortion clinics nationwide. Pray for their safety and that their prayers would be heard.
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