40 Days for Life Day 24

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DAY 24 INTENTION
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Pray that we may realize the generational impact of abortion.
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SCRIPTURE
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Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife because she was barren; and the Lord granted his prayer and Rebekah his wife conceived. The children struggled together within her, and she said," If it is thus, why do I live?" So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples, born of you, shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the elder shall serve the younger."-- Genesis 25:21-23
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REFLECTION
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What an answer to prayer! Who dares to say that the unborn are not human,with distinct personality and character right from the moment of conception? This account emphasizes the vitality and uniqueness of the twins who, because of Isaac's prayer for his wife, were conceived in Rebekah's womb. When Rebekah was told by the Lord that the older would serve the younger twin, God already knew that Jacob and Esau would lead turbulent and conflicted lives. God knows us and knows all about us, including our personality and disposition long before we are actually born, indeed, from the moment we are conceived in our mother's womb. What a tragedy of gargantuan proportions that babies, planned and endowed by the Creator, with distinct and unique personalities and with, perhaps, a future and destiny intended for greatness, have their lives snuffed out by cruel abortionists before they ever see the light of day! May our prayers that the dreadful scourge of abortion in our land may vanish be as fervent as Isaac's were for Rebekah.
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PRAYER
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O, God, you formed us in our mother's womb and planned a unique and special life and purpose for each of us, and we do thank you. Grant that we may pray and work for an end to abortion, especially in these 40 days, so that no unborn baby you have made may fail to achieve your divine intention for him or her because of intentional abortion. We pray this for the sake of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ and in His Holy Name. Amen.
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Let's make this February 29 a leap day that we'll still remember four years from now!
Yours for Life,
David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

P.S.- CONGRATULATIONS to Virginia State Sen. Ken Cuccinelli who took a leap of faith to introduce an amendment to strip tax funding from abortion giant Planned Parenthood in his state. Wednesday's vote was tied at 20 to 20 before Lt. Governor Bill Bolling cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of the amendment! The final state budget will be decided over the next week, and it is very likely that the Planned Parenthood amendment will now be part of the budget negotiations. We're all quick to complain when things go wrong in our culture. Now let's send a resounding thank you to Sen. Cuccinelli and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling for taking such a bold "leap." No matter where in the country you live, this action is a big boost for the fight against Planned Parenthood. Please e-mail these men and congratulate them for their courage:
* SEN. KEN CUCCINELLI: district37@sov.state.va.us
* LT. GOVERNOR BILL BOLLING: bill.bolling@ltgov.virginia.gov <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Shalom~~

40 Days for Life Day 23

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DAY 23 INTENTION
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For the medical community, that the truth they know about the human body may become awe and wonder at the God who made it.
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SCRIPTURE
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Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.--Psalm 139:16
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REFLECTION
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Human beings -- God's tapestries. Psalm 139 is a psalm that reveals the enormity and otherness of God. His divine attributes are on display: omniscience (2-4), omnipresence (7-12), loving-kindness (17-18), justice (19-20), righteousness (23-24), and omnipotence. Yet, when it came to express this last attribute, what example did the psalmist use -- God's creation of mountains, seas, or far-flung galaxies? No, he used none of these. To express the wonder of God's unparalleled creative power the writer mentions the fashioning of the human in the womb (14-16). The Hebrew word used to express God's forming of us in the womb, raqam, is the same term for needlework or embroidery. In other words, we are a tapestry that displays God's artistic mastery. And, like the artist who knows his creation down to the last detail, God intimately knows us. This reality provokes the writer to awe and wonder. He proclaims, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." What is true for this psalmist is true for each human being. Each is fashioned by God and known by him and wecan proclaim on behalf of each, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made."
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PRAYER
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Gracious God, help us to appreciate the wonder and beauty of Your creation. Help us proclaim on behalf of every one of our fellow human beings, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." May the knowledge that we are intimately known by You shape our lives and actions. In Jesus Name, Amen.
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Yours for Life,
David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Shalom~~

40 Days for Life Day 22

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DAY 22 INTENTION
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Pray for fathers who participated in the decision to abort their child, and for those who did not have a voice, that they would find freedom and healing in Christ.
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SCRIPTURE
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If indeed you have heard Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.-- Ephesians 4: 21-23
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REFLECTION
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According to the Guttmacher Institute, one-third of American women will have had an abortion by age 45. Seldom reported however is the fact that an equally significant number of men have played a role in terminating a pregnancy. Some have participated through persuasion, or by providing the financial means for the abortion. Still others were against an abortion, but had no sway in the decision to terminate their child. Only in recent years have we realized that men suffer from their loss, as more and more seek healing. Warren Williams, founder of Fathers and Brothers Ministries says he believes men are coming forward for help because God instilled in men a desire to be a protector of their lineage, a provider for their families, to be a husband and father. Men are suffering and grieving the loss of their children, and though their grief may be expressed differently than that of a woman, it is grief nonetheless and they too need tender care and biblical counseling to experience forgiveness and healing. Intervention at the appropriate time in the decision-making process may spare both the young man and woman from the life long pain and trauma of abortion. Biblical counseling for post-abortive men and women is essential for them to heal and begin their life anew in Christ.
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PRAYER
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Dear Heavenly Father,
We pray for young men who participated in the termination of their child and are broken as You are over their loss. Forgive their sin, Lord, and bring opportunity for healing and renewal of their minds in Christ Jesus. For those suffering from an abortion they did not choose, restore their joy as they learn to forgive others and trust You with their future. In the name of Christ, who heals the brokenhearted, Amen.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Shalom~~

40 Days for Life Day 21

Today's Reflection is heart warming, touching and hope producing. Please read it.


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DAY 21 INTENTION
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Pray that we become vessels of hope to all aroundus, especially to those who minister in thepro-life movement.
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SCRIPTURE
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On the first day of the week, very early in themorning, the women took the spices they hadprepared and went to the tomb. They found thestone rolled away from the tomb, but when theyentered, they did not find the body of the LordJesus. "Why do you look for the living among thedead? He is not here; he has risen!"-- Luke 24:1-5
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REFLECTION
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This meditation, based on a sermon I once heard,is adapted for pro-life concerns.

It's Friday. Jesus is on the cross.
He has been killed by his enemies;
he is off the scene.
But that's because it's Friday.
Sunday's comin'!

It's Friday.
Abortionists continue their work 3,300 times a day,
tearing off the arms and legs of little babies
and crushing their heads.
But that's because it's Friday.
Sunday's comin'!

It's Friday.
Pro-abortion groups receive blood money
from billionaires who are as deceived as they are.
But that's because it's Friday.
Sunday's comin'!

It's Friday.
Liars attempt to speak for all women and hide the pain of abortion,
and ignore the evidence of how it harms women,
and call abortion a blessing.
But that's because it's Friday.
Sunday's comin'!

It's Friday.
People of hardened hearts, guard the clinics
and usher desperate women in to have their abortions,
while keeping them from the pro-life people
who want to give them hope.
But that's because it's Friday.
Sunday's comin'!

Hope does not mean that we ignore or minimize the evils around us. It means, rather, that we see the whole picture, which is that evil is conquered because of what happened one Sunday morning. We are called to proclaim, celebrate, and serve that victory, waiting in joyful hope for Christ's return and the full flowering of the Culture of Life!Indeed, Sunday's comin'!
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PRAYER
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Lord, fill your people with new hope. Make us vessels of hope to all around us, especially to those who minister in the pro-life movement, that as we engage in the difficult work ahead, we may experience the peace and joy that come only from you and that nobody can take away from us. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.
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Today let's overcome ambivalence with prayer and
be open to the calling of the Holy Spirit!
Yours for Life,
David Bereit
National Campaign Director

40 Days for Life

Shalom~~Sunday's comin'!

40 Days for Life Day 20

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DAY 20 INTENTION
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We pray for humility in our work for God's Kingdom.
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SCRIPTURE
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Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.-- Philippians 2:5-8
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REFLECTION
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There is no limit to what we can accomplish when we don't care who gets the credit. Jesus Christ's life on earth exemplifies a total submission to the will of the Father. His humility, compassion, gentleness and thoughtfulness are reflected over and over again in the New Testament. He was God incarnate, yet He chose to be born to a humble, working class home. How absurd it must have seemed to the rich and powerful that the Son of God, the Messiah, the one foretold by the prophets, the 'King of the Jews' was born and raised as a simple peasant. During His thirty-three years on earth, He sought no riches, claimed no secular power and gatheredno possessions.His short time on earth changed more lives,softened more hearts, and gave hope to more people, than all the rich and powerful human 'kings' combined. And, at the end of His life on earth, by dying on the cross, He opened the door to eternal life for those who heed his words and follow in his footsteps.
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PRAYER
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O Lord, help us follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Let us humbly and diligently work to restore legal protection for the unborn, the disabled, the medically dependent and all innocent children of God whose lives are threatened. Let us remember the old adage that "He can never lead who has not first learned to obey." And, Lord, grant us a peaceful heart as we labor and pray in Your name. Amen.
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As we move into the second half of 40 Days forLife, let's double our efforts and finish strong!Yours for Life,
David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Shalom, dear ones~

40 Days For Life Day 19

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DAY 19 INTENTION
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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 of Whom were present.
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SCRIPTURE
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I...beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness, and gentleness, with long suffering, bearing with one another in love.-- Ephesians 4:1b-2
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REFLECTION
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When Carol Everett, a former abortionist and post-abortive woman, was asked what turned her heart from death to life in Christ, she said, "It was unconditional love," shown by a man who prayed daily for her in front of the abortion clinic 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. What a high calling it is -- much higher than any presidential appointment to another country. In his book, Fishers of Men, Dr. Sumner Wemp describes what it means to be an ambassador of Jesus 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)
* Do not let kindness and truth leave you (Proverbs 3:3-4)
* 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!
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PRAYER
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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.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 to those who desperately need Your saving grace. In the Name of Christ who is worthy, Amen.

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Yours for Life,
David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

Shalom~

40 Days For Life Day 18

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DAY 18 INTENTION
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May we absorb the truth that God is paying attention to us, and to each human life, personally and individually.
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SCRIPTURE
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When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor.-- Psalm 8:3-9
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REFLECTION
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How often we ignore the phrase, "stop and smellthe roses" and instead submit to the all too"urgent" task at hand. Is this tendency what keeps us, at least in part, from acknowledging that God's care for His sacred creation is paramount in His own mind? The Psalmist speaks of God's handiwork: the heavens, the work of his "fingers," and then points to God's masterpiece -- human life. He declares to us that God is mindful of us. God keeps His masterpiece in His thoughts. God, the creator of the awe-inspiring heavens, is not distracted by the tasks before Him. He is not pulled away, as we might be, by thoughts of something "more important. "God is paying attention to and attending to His crowning glory, His masterpiece of creation, which cannot be duplicated or replaced, which surpasses the beauty of all other created things -- the human being. There is no way to adequately describe how God feels about us as human beings. There are no words to fully portray His love, compassion or desire to be in communion with us. Perhaps, the closest we can come, is to contemplate the thoughts of a mother as she gazes for the first time at her newborn child. God cares for Life. We, as His followers, should take time to consider the life He has created and called upon us to love and protect.
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PRAYER
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Lord, you are the creator of all things. Guide my thoughts to consider your creation in all of its majesty, beauty and holiness. Guide my heart especially to your creation of precious human life. Help me to comprehend how essential life is in your own heart. Teach me to appreciate, love and protect all human life through your son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Today, let's pierce the darkness by heeding thewords of Matthew 5:16: "Let your light shinebefore men in such a way that they may see yourgood works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
Yours for Life,
David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

Shalom~

New Links of Interest "Are You Good?" "We Need a Fence"

After we have been saved for many years, we may start to think we are "good" people. We can forget past sins and as we strive to be holy because He is holy and commands us to be so too it is easy to think we are pretty good people. The site: Wayof theMaster.com is really quite amazing. It can be used as a witnessing tool and its a great reminder to each of us why we need a Savior. If you score not guilty on 8 or more please send a comment to the blog. I'll send you a halo. Try it and see how you do. You will probably be surprised. I was! Click on *Are You a Good Person* and find out.
http://www.wayofthemaster.com/

You may not have an opinion one way or another as to the need for a fence between the U.S. and Mexico. You may have an opinion. This site will give you some thoughts on the matter. You can guess the opinion of the host of the site by its name.
http://www.weneedafence.com/

Shalom~~

40 Days For Life Day 17

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DAY 17 INTENTION
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Pray that we choose to trust God to bring an end
to abortion soon, no matter how impossible that
may seem to others.

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SCRIPTURE
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The hand of the Lord was upon me, and He brought
me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the
middle of a valley; it was full of bones.

He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a
great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones
that were very dry.

He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" I
said, "O Sovereign Lord, you alone know."

-- Ezekiel 37:1-3

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REFLECTION
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You and I are standing in a world today over a
field of dry bones: those who have been killed by
abortion, those who have been killed by so many
other things attacking the dignity of human life.
And God has placed us here; we find ourselves here
in the midst of this incredible tragedy.

Like Ezekiel, you and I are in a dilemma because
God says to us: "Speak and proclaim the Word of
Life. Keep doing it. Let nothing deter you."

People can say, "This is humanly foolish, humanly
impossible. How can we transform the world from
the path of death that it's on?"

Yet we choose to do the "foolish" thing rather
than the dangerous thing.

If you ever doubt that we can bring an end to this
culture of death, this destruction of the family,
this destruction of life by abortion, if you ever
think for a moment that it's impossible, then ask
yourself this: Can a man who has been scourged,
crowned with thorns, nailed hands and feet to a
cross, pierced with a lance, has died and been
buried; can such a man ever live again?

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PRAYER
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Lord, I thank You for giving me the holy dilemma
of having to choose between the foolish thing or
the dangerous thing.

Yet for me the solution is clear.

Lord, I will obey You, even if it means aiming for
a goal which, in the eyes of others, seems
foolish.

I will obey You, and will hope for the end of
abortion soon, no matter how impossible that may
seem to others. I dare not mistrust You; I dare
not doubt Your power; I dare not fail to follow
Your call. In You, who raise the dead, all hope
comes alive. Amen.

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Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Shalom~

40 Days For Life Day 16

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DAY 16 INTENTION
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May the mystery of the Incarnation increase our
zeal for defending life.

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SCRIPTURE
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Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid,
Mary, for you have found favor with God. And
behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring
forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He
will be great, and will be called the Son of the
Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne
of His father David. And He will reign over the
house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there
will be no end."

-- Luke 1:30-33

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REFLECTION
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"God has assumed Humanity, joining it with
Divinity, and kindled in men's hearts new love of
me." These words were written by a Roman poet in
the Fourth Century. He spent his life finding ways
to express the greatest mystery of the world: the
incarnation, in which God became man.

The womb has been referred to as the "first home
of the whole human race." It is the place where
life begins, where our stories start.

In the womb the great men and women of history
began their magnificent march through life.

In the womb Divinity met humanity, and God the Son
was born into the world.

As one of the Fathers of the early church, St. Leo
the Great, declared, "Within her spotless womb
Wisdom built itself a house and the Word became
flesh."

Recently, I was at the hospital for the birth of
my fourth grandchild. Looking through the nursery
window at the rows of newly born babies, I began
to think of the great stories that would be
written about these tiny lives.

During his visitation with the Virgin Mary, the
angel prophesied to Mary about the life of her
child. Here in this hospital, I pondered, what
would he say about each of these?

Would they meet the one who also came from His
mother's womb to redeem the world and kindle our
hearts afresh for God?

I thanked God for each baby alive and prayed for
each story yet to be written.

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PRAYER
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Heavenly Father, you have made the womb of each
woman a very special place.

Help us to hold fast to the sanctity of this first
home of humanity, remembering the wonderful
mystery, that God inhabited the womb of a young
woman and came forth as the savior and deliverer
of the world.

We ask this in the Name of the one who came forth,
Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

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Praise the Lord who hears our prayers!

Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

Shalom~~

40 Days For Life Day 15

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DAY 15 INTENTION
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Pray that we will not become defeated by the
enemy's attacks but rather call on the name of the
Lord who is on our side and our help in time of
trouble.

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SCRIPTURE
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What if the Lord had not been on our side when
people attacked us? They would have swallowed us
alive in their burning anger.

Praise the Lord, who did not let their teeth tear
us apart! Our help is from the Lord, who made
heaven and earth.

-- Psalm 124:2,3,6,8

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REFLECTION
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The enemy attacks in many ways, but one of his
favorites is to slander us with hopes of
tarnishing our reputation and character, and
ultimately to defeat our good work for the Lord.

It is interesting to note however that it is
usually not the slander that causes harm to our
testimony, but our response to the slander.

Proverbs 24:10 says, "If you faint in the day of
adversity your strength is small."

If we are applying God's truths to our lives
moment by moment, we are not swayed by the lies of
the enemy and we will be strong. Standing on the
front lines, armed with God's truth, places you in
the battlefield for the mind.

As you are prepared to present words of love, for
the sake of the unborn and for the distraught and
confused women and men who are entering the
abortion facilities, know that the enemy has
prepared his forces to attack your mind.

Unkind words from a protester, or vicious lies in
the local paper about who you are and what your
mission is, can indeed be hurtful.

But rather than give in to defeat, that is the
time to shine for the Lord, standing firm, as you
call on Him to defeat the enemy.

Remember the words of Romans 8:31, "If God is for
us, who can be against us?" Let's stand strong for
those who need us most.

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PRAYER
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Dear Lord, help us to ignore the verbal attacks of
the enemy and instead turn to You, our refuge and
strength.

Help us to find shelter in the blessed promises
and provisions of Your Word.

Thank you that no enemy can defeat us, and we
praise You knowing that nothing can separate us
from Your love. In the name of Jesus, we come to
You, Amen.

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Shalom~~

Everything You Wanted to Know about the Federal Budget but were Afraid to Ask

I'm so excited. I just became aware of 2 wonderful websites that have all the informantion that is possible to know about the Federal Budget. These sites are FANTASTIC. Check them out: http://www.washingtonbudgetreport.com/
and http://www.realtimenumbers.com/
You won't be disappointed.

Shalom~~~

40 Days For Life Day 14

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DAY 14 INTENTION
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Pray that we will have faith to realize that even
now our Lord can bring an end to abortion.

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SCRIPTURE
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On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had
already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany
was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many
Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them
in the loss of their brother.

When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went
out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. "Lord,"
Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my
brother would not have died. But I know that even
now God will give you whatever you ask."

-- John 11:17-22

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REFLECTION
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Martha was right. Jesus is Lord of life and death.

She knew that, which is why she was able to make
this statement, yet at the same time she had to
wrestle with the fact that Lazarus died anyway.

Jesus indeed is Lord over life and death, but here
the power of death was still displayed right in
front of her.

Yet in this clash between the conviction of faith
and the evidence of human experience, Martha
allowed hope to shine through. "Even now, God will
give you whatever you ask."

Even now. Those words show the power of hope, born
of faith. Even now, when death has already done
its work, life can be victorious.

Even now, when the last word seems to have been
spoken, we can hope that a word will be spoken
again to restore life.

Even now, when Lazarus has already been laid in
the tomb and it seems impossible to do anything
about it, things can change. And things did
change. The Lord raised Lazarus from the dead.

We live in a society where many believe the
abortion issue has been settled, and its practice
so deeply ingrained in our policies and attitudes
that it is unrealistic to think we can stop it.

Yet we are the people who say to Jesus, "Even
now..."

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PRAYER
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Lord Jesus, even now, you are master of life and
death.

I come before you as Martha did after Lazarus has
died. I come before you after countless brothers
and sisters of mine have died from abortion.

And I pray to you: even now, you can stop the
forces of death.

Even now, you can bring us into a culture of life.

Come, Lord Jesus. Speak your word yet again, and
free our nation from the shackles of death. In
Your Holy Name we pray, Amen.

--------------------------------------------------

Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

40 Days For Life Day 13

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DAY 13 INTENTION
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We pray for the strength to love those who do not
love us.

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SCRIPTURE
--------------------------------------------------

But the Lord said "You have had pity on the plant
for which you have not labored, nor made it grow,
which came up in the night and perished in the
night. And should I not pity Nineveh, that great
city, in which are more than one hundred and
twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between
their right hand and their left, and much
livestock? Should I not be concerned about that
great city?"

-- Jonah 4:10-11

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REFLECTION
--------------------------------------------------

God doesn't value people and things like we do.

Jonah loved a shade tree more than an entire city
of sinful people. We love our dogs more than a
terrorist. We love our cars more than a beggar on
the side of the road. And sometimes, we love our
money more than a child growing in a desperate
teenager's womb.

But God isn't like us. Genesis 1 tells us that
humans were the capstone of God's creation.

We were created on the sixth day after God had
completed the land, the stars, the plants and the
animals. Therefore, His love for us is greater
than His love for a plant, an animal, or any other
created thing.

And the book of Jonah tells us that He loves even
the most sinful people and seeks to bring them
into His merciful arms. And it's a love that seeks
to touch all of his created children: that
desperate teenager, the baby growing in her womb,
even tyrants and terrorists.

So it's up to us to imitate God's merciful love by
helping and praying for those who persecute us,
and those who don't love us back.

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PRAYER
--------------------------------------------------

Gracious God, loving our enemies seems like one of
most difficult things you could ask of us.

Please remind us that this is how you love and
that if you ask it of us then you will give us the
grace to do it. This we ask through Christ our
Lord, Amen.

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Let's not be deterred by opposition, and let's
keep praying, fasting and working to end this
tragedy of abortion!

Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Shalom~~

40 Days For Life Day 12

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DAY 12 INTENTION
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Pray to God who is able to do immeasurably more
than all we ask or imagine, to end abortion in
America.

--------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
--------------------------------------------------

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly
abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that works in us, to Him be
glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all
generations, forever and ever. Amen.

-- Ephesians 3:20-21

--------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION
--------------------------------------------------

God's power working in and through His people is
unlimited and far beyond our comprehension when we
submit to God's Word and Spirit. He receives glory
when we are obedient to His calling and faithfully
serve Him in His strength.

Consider God's hand of providence on this nation
because of the faithfulness of a few who were
totally committed to God and His truths.

It is interesting to note the words of Mother
Teresa of Calcutta: "Yours is the one great nation
in all history which was founded on the precept of
equal rights and respect for all humankind, for
the poorest and weakest of us as well as the
richest and strongest."

Mother Teresa, in addressing the Supreme Court of
the United States said, "Human rights are not a
privilege conferred by government. They are every
human being's entitlement by virtue of his
humanity. I have no new teaching for America. I
seek only to recall you to faithfulness to what
you once taught the world.

She continued, "Your nation was founded on the
proposition very old as a moral precept, but
startling and innovative as a political insight
that human life is a gift of immeasurable worth,
and that it deserves, always and everywhere, to be
treated with the utmost dignity and respect."

It is time to restore that dignity and respect.
Our God is able. Are we willing to remain faithful
until His work through us is done?

--------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
--------------------------------------------------

God Almighty, Who is powerful and willing to
supply, our hearts cry in unison for You to
restore dignity and respect to human life, not
only in America, but around the world.

Lord, may our hearts remain faithful to your
calling, and may You begin Your transforming work
with me.

Keep me ever mindful that with You Lord, nothing
is impossible; without You, I can do nothing. To
You be glory forever and ever. In Jesus name, Amen.

--------------------------------------------------

This is the day that the Lord has made, let us
rejoice and be glad in it!

Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

Shalom~

40 Days For Life Day 11

--------------------------------------------------
DAY 11 INTENTION
--------------------------------------------------

Pray that people of faith will have their strength
renewed even in the face of the violence of
abortion.

--------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
--------------------------------------------------

The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his
mercies are not spent. They are renewed each
morning, so great is his faithfulness. I say to
myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will
wait for him."

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to
the one who seeks him; it is good to wait in
silence for the saving help of the Lord.

-- Lamentations 3:22-26

--------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION
--------------------------------------------------

The Book of Lamentations, a short book of only
five chapters, contains some of the most poignant
expressions of human grief.

These verses are used in many Churches on Good
Friday, since they can be seen to express a
prophecy of the suffering of the Lord and the
lamentation of his followers on that dark day.

But in the midst of his grief, Jeremiah writes the
verses quoted above. "The favors of the Lord are
not exhausted." It is a call to hope that no
matter how much violence there is, life will
prevail in the end.

Why does he say, however, that God's mercies are
renewed each morning?

Because early in the morning, on the first day of
the week, the women came to the tomb -- and they
found that the events of that morning changed
everything.

Christ's victory over death came in the morning,
and therefore each day we can renew our confidence
that life has the final victory.

--------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
--------------------------------------------------

Lord, look kindly on your people who weep and
mourn amidst the vast devastation that abortion
has brought upon our land. We cannot even count
the children killed, and the mothers and fathers
wounded.

We cannot measure the devastation and corruption
abortion has brought upon the very fabric of our
society. But we declare today that your favors
have not been exhausted, your mercies have not
been spent. They are renewed each morning.

Give us new strength today in the resurrection of
Christ your Son, that we may bear effective
witness to the victory of life! In His name we
pray, Amen.

--------------------------------------------------
40 Days for Life
David Bereit

Shalom~~

40 Days For Life Day 10

Please note the request at the bottom of the blog.
Please spend some time in prayer on Saturday whether
at an abortion site or in your home.

--------------------------------------------------
DAY 10 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
--------------------------------------------------

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 freely. In the name
of Jesus, Amen.

--------------------------------------------------

Tomorrow -- Saturday -- is the day when more
abortions are done across America than any other
day of the week.

More than 7,000 children are currently scheduled
to die tomorrow, and their mothers and fathers are
about to make a tragic decision that will haunt
them for a lifetime.

Can you -- like Melissa -- take one hour to go out
and pray tomorrow at a 40 Days for Life vigil (if
there is one near you) or outside a nearby Planned
Parenthood center or other abortion facility?

It could make a life-saving difference, and -- who
knows -- it could even impact an eternal soul!

Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

Shalom~~

Global Poverty Act: a new Tax

The Family Research Counsel is warning us about the Global Poverty Act. It is a must read and must react with prayer and action.

Bill Forces U.S. to Give 'Til It Hurts

"Less than a day after the President agreed to put more money in taxpayers' pockets, the U.S. Senate is attempting to take some of those dollars back. The Global Poverty Act, while seemingly charitable and big-hearted, sounds nicer than it really is. Under a guise of Good Samaritanism, the bill would require our government to spend $845 billion above and beyond what America already spends on global aid! In addition to surrendering more dollars, the U.S. would also be required to surrender some of its own sovereignty over foreign aid by putting it under UN control. The bill would force the U.S. to sign onto the U.N.'s Millennium Declaration, which would commit us not only to "banning small arms and light weapons," but also to ratifying a series of objectionable treaties such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the International Criminal Court Treaty, the Kyoto Protocol (global warming), the Convention on Biological Diversity, and so on. Considering the magnitude of the legislation, one would think that the Senate would proceed with caution. Not so! In an effort to fast-track the bill, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has yet to hold a single hearing. Instead, S. 2433 is scheduled for a vote in the Committee as early as today. Currently, the bill has just seven sponsors, who include Senators Barack Obama (D-Ill.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), Richard Durbin, (D-Ill.), Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.). Contact your senators and tell them to oppose S. 2433! Impoverishing Americans through oppressive taxation and regulation will never succeed in enriching the world."

Additional Resources
S. 2433: Global Poverty Act of 2007"

For more information on this bill go to:
http://www.frc.org

Shalom~~

40 Days For Life Day 9

--------------------------------------------------
DAY 9 INTENTION
--------------------------------------------------

Pray that the post-abortive woman would be
repentant, accept forgiveness, be healed and
restored, and bring glory to God with her new
life.

--------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
--------------------------------------------------

I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I
have not hidden. I said, "I will confess my
transgressions to the Lord," and You forgave the
iniquity of my sin.

-- Psalm 32:5

--------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION
--------------------------------------------------

Because abortion is legal in America, many have
justified their choice. "If it's legal, it can't
be wrong, right?"

We now have an entire generation of men and women
who have never known abortion to be illegal; a
generation of people who have never been broken
over their sin of abortion.

As a result, the consequences of unconfessed sin
weigh on their souls, yet they have never
connected the dots as to why their hearts are
heavy. No wonder we have millions of women who are
struggling with depression, addictions, eating
disorders and more.

Post abortion syndrome is very real but recovery
begins when the individual agrees with God as
David confessed in Psalm 51:3-4, 14, "Against You,
You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in
Your sight -- that You may be found just when You
speak, and blameless when you Judge. Deliver me
from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my
salvation."

Brokenness is the key to accessing God's glorious
mercy and healing. Christ came to heal the broken
hearted and He is waiting with open arms to take
the post-abortive woman on a glorious journey of
healing and restoration if she will only run to
Him.

God will not waste any sin we lay at His feet.
Imagine millions of healed and restored
post-abortive women like myself singing aloud of
His righteousness and giving testimony of His love
and forgiveness.

What a day of rejoicing that will be!

--------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
--------------------------------------------------

Heavenly Father, we have turned our backs on you
and your principles in your Word. We have allowed
man to usurp Your role as God over life and the
number of our days.

But we come to you in brokenness and repentance
over our sin.

We cry out for Your mercy and ask you to remove
the scourge of abortion from our land. Use us as
your vessels, Lord, to bring the light of Your
Truth to our nation once again. In Jesus name
we pray, Amen.

--------------------------------------------------

If you know someone who has experienced the pain
of an abortion, pray for them, and let them know
that they can find hope and healing.

Also, tell them about the helpful resources
available from:

* Abortion Recovery InterNational
http://www.abortionrecovery.org

* Rachel's Vineyard Ministries
http://www.rachelsvineyard.org

Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

Shalom~~

40 Days For Life Day 8

--------------------------------------------------
DAY 8 INTENTION
--------------------------------------------------

We pray for a renewal of our zeal to offer
generous help to the unborn and their families.

--------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
--------------------------------------------------

If I have despised the cause of my male or female
servant when they complained against me, what then
shall I do when God rises up? When He punishes,
how shall I answer Him? Did not He who made me in
the womb make them? Did not the same One fashion
us in the womb?

-- Job 31:13-15

--------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION
--------------------------------------------------

The ground is level as we stand before God.

Job lived with an awe provoking sense of God's
expectation of him, particularly regarding his
obligation to care for the weak and needy.

He knew that in God's economy everyone stands on
level ground when it comes to our status as God's
creatures. Because of that central truth, we must
take care of each other.

Job also knew that he didn't deserve any of the
good things God gave to him. Instead, those
blessings came to Job from God's benevolent heart.

As an extension of that knowledge, Job
instinctively linked his obligation to be generous
to others to God's kindness toward him.

As in Jesus' parable of the unmerciful servant
(Matthew 18:23-35), Job knew that it is an
egregious sin to deny to others what we enjoy
ourselves.

He actually calls down on his own head severe
condemnation and even punishment should he fail to
share with others out of his own abundance (see
verses 16-23).

Proverbs 3:27 reads, "Withhold not good from them
to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your
hand to do so." Some things are so obvious that we
don't even need to pray except to ask of God
forgiveness and the power to do what so obviously
needs doing.

--------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
--------------------------------------------------

God, forgive us when we try to explain away the
obligation we have to help others who need help.

Enable us to not devalue them because they are in
the circumstance that they are in, but to see them
for what they are, those, who like us, were formed
by your hand in their mother's womb. In Jesus' name,
Amen.

--------------------------------------------------

Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

Shalom~~

40 Days for Life Day 7

--------------------------------------------------
DAY 7 INTENTION
--------------------------------------------------

Pray that the abortionists and all workers in
abortion facilities would be troubled in their
souls regarding their work and would seek truth.

--------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
--------------------------------------------------

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and
clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you,
with all malice. And be kind one to another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God
for Christ's sake has forgiven you.

-- Ephesians 4:31-32

--------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION
--------------------------------------------------

We see the evil and oppression in the world, the
arrogance of those who mock God, the millions of
innocent lives destroyed because of the greed of
a few.

Our flesh tells us that we should take justice in
our own hands, but instead of vengeance, the Lord
calls us to love our enemy, to forgive others as
we have been forgiven.

God loves the abortionist and the Planned
Parenthood advocate just as much as He loves you.

It breaks His heart to see them in bondage to sin
and He is giving you this opportunity to introduce
them to the Savior who sets the captive free.

Though you may not experience direct interaction
with these souls, your presence will not go
unnoticed. Your non-verbal communications speak
volumes about the God you serve.

Forgiveness is an act of obedience to God
(Colossians 3:13). Forgiveness is not condoning or
overlooking the wrong behavior of others, but
rather it is freeing ourselves so that God can
work mightily through us to touch their hearts
for Him.

Let's join our hearts with His in recognizing that
those in the abortion industry are not the enemy,
but rather they are blinded by the enemy.

God desires that we bring them the message of
truth and hope found in Christ, but the messengers
He will use are those willing to forgive.

--------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
--------------------------------------------------

Dearest God, You tell us in Proverbs that the
foolish and the wicked lack wisdom and
understanding. I pray you will trouble the souls
of those in the abortion industry so that they
hunger for truth and cry out for freedom.

I pray that my life would reflect my redemption so
others may see it and trust in You. In obedience
to You, and by your grace, I choose to forgive
others as you have forgiven me. In the name of
Christ my Redeemer I pray, Amen.

--------------------------------------------------

During these 40 Days for Life, let's show abortion
advocates the meaning of the words in the classic
hymn, "and they'll know we are Christians by
our love."

Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

Shalom~~

40 Days for Life Day 6

--------------------------------------------------
DAY 6 INTENTION
--------------------------------------------------

Pray that those tempted to abort may understand
that their child is already present, and already a
real person.

--------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
--------------------------------------------------

And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting
of Mary that the babe leaped in her womb; and
Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said,
"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the
fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For
indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting
sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb
for joy."

-- Luke 1:41-44

--------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION
--------------------------------------------------

Jesus not only loves unborn children -- He was one
himself!

Think about this for a moment.

We often hear people speak of a pregnant mother by
saying, "She's expecting a child."

Now if one is expecting a package, the package is
not yet there.

As reflected in our verse for today, however, this
is not the case with the mother.

Her gift is already there.

The pregnant woman, a mother already, does not
have a child "on the way," but has a child,
already present and in full possession of his or
her human rights, starting with the right to life.

--------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
--------------------------------------------------

Jesus, open my eyes to your presence in the life
of every child. Open my heart to joy in the birth
of every child, a birth that reflects the joy of
your own birth in Bethlehem.

As you shared life in the womb of Mary, so now
send your protection upon every child still in the
womb, and grant to their mothers the strength and
joy that comes from welcoming the gift of life. We
pray through Christ our Lord, Amen.

--------------------------------------------------

Let's give thanks to God for all the wondrous
things He is doing through this effort!

Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

Shalom~~

40 Days for Life Day 5

--------------------------------------------------
DAY 5 INTENTION
--------------------------------------------------

May God's justice sober our society; may mercy
triumph over judgment.

--------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
--------------------------------------------------

Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a
reckoning; from the hand of every beast I will
require it, and from the hand of man. From the
hand of every man's brother I will require the
life of man.

Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall
be shed; for in the image of God He made man.

-- Genesis 9:5-6

--------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION
--------------------------------------------------

The value of every human being can hardly be seen
more clearly than with this verse. God, the King
of the universe, has created all human beings in
his image, and declares forthrightly that shedding
the blood of any individual will require the blood
of the one who shed it.

God's concern for human beings is not limited to
any particular group. Indeed, his concern is
universal, and includes male and female, young and
old, born and unborn, disabled and able-bodied,
the citizens of every nation on earth.

Abortion, the deliberate killing of the unborn, is
the shedding of innocent blood. Surely the blood
of millions upon millions of innocent children
cries out to God.

It is true that we live in an age of grace, and
yet this passage (among many other texts which
express similar sentiments) should give every
thinking Christian pause.

Christians of all people, entrusted with the Word
of God as we are, must take a stand. We must speak
out. We must do all that we can to protect the
innocent, to pursue justice, and to encourage the
repentance of all those who bear responsibility
for this great evil.

Only in this manner can we hope to forestall the
judgment that must otherwise surely come.

This passage should also be seen as an
encouragement to educate and disciple our children
and grandchildren about what it means to be human,
and the responsibility that will become theirs in
this ongoing struggle.

--------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
--------------------------------------------------

O Father, forgive us for our lack of courage and
our want of compassion for the unborn and for
those lost and hurt by abortion. Fill us anew with
your Spirit.

Renew our minds, strengthen us in righteousness,
help us be people of salt and light within our
nation.

May every human being, from conception to natural
death, be treated with the respect due those made
in your image. We ask this in the name of Jesus
Christ, Amen. Amen
--------------------------------------------------

Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Shalom~~

40 Days for Life Day 4

Today's reflection instructs us to put on the full armor of God. This is so very important whenever we engage in spiritual warfare. We can cover ourselves and our families. If you are not familiar with this or have never done this, please read the reflection below very carefully and learn how to put on the full armor. Then put it on in prayer and be a warrior for Jesus.


--------------------------------------------------
DAY 4 INTENTION
--------------------------------------------------

Pray that we each will daily put on the full armor
of God, so that we are strong in the Lord and the
power of His might.

--------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
--------------------------------------------------

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers, against
the rulers of the darkness of this age, against
spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly
places.

Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that
you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and
having done all, to stand.

-- Ephesians 6:12-13

--------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION
--------------------------------------------------

I am confounded to see how the battle over the
issue of life is perceived more often in churches
today as political rather than spiritual.

Ironically, the enemy has used this twisted
perception to silence many in the body of Christ.

We must see the battle for what it is and we must
daily "put on" the armor God has given us:

-->> Gird your waist with Truth (vs. 14) -- Commit
your emotions to believe truth and to speak truth,
regardless of the repercussions.

-->> Put on the breastplate of Righteousness (vs.
14) -- It will protect our hearts -- the innermost
springs of our beings -- from all unrighteousness
so evident in this fallen world.

-->> Shod your feet with the preparation of the
Gospel of Peace. (vs. 15) -- Preparation is vital
if we are to be effective in God's work.

-->> Taking the shield of faith (vs.16) -- The
Accuser will instill doubt, fear, and guilt. Faith
acts as an invisible shield that deflects such
false accusations.

-->> Taking the Helmet of salvation (vs.17) -- A
helmet protects the head, the brain and in turn
our mind and thoughts. Satan hopes we will set
aside divine revelation for human reasoning.

-->> Taking the sword of the Spirit (vs.17) -- The
Word of God, the only offensive weapon in this
armor, was used by the Lord Jesus against Satan.
The living Word is powerful and effective.

Our armor is complete. We are ready to wage war,
and the next verse tells us how, "Praying always
with all prayer and supplication in the spirit."
(vs.18)

--------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
--------------------------------------------------

Dear Lord, as you lead us into the spiritual
battle of abortion may we be reminded that the
battle is truly Yours. Thank you for hearing our
requests for direction and protection. Thank you
for the victory that is ours because of Your Son
Jesus and in His name, Amen.

--------------------------------------------------

Let's press on with the full armor of God!

Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

Shalom~

40 Days for Life Day 3

--------------------------------------------------
DAY 3 INTENTION
--------------------------------------------------

May God's people understand that the Lazarus of
the 21st Century is the unborn child, and respond
accordingly.

--------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
--------------------------------------------------

There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and
fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his
gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with
sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich
man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his
sores.

The time came when the beggar died and the angels
carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also
died and was buried. In hell, where he was in
torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away,
with Lazarus by his side.

So he called to him, "Father Abraham, have pity on
me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger
in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony
in this fire."

But Abraham replied, "Son, remember that in your
lifetime you received your good things, while
Lazarus received bad things, but now he is
comforted here and you are in agony.

"And besides all this, between us and you a great
chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go
from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over
from there to us."

-- Luke 16:19-31

--------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION
--------------------------------------------------

The rich man did not go to hell because he was
rich. He went to hell because he ignored the other
man. He thought that because Lazarus had less,
that he was worth less.

He failed to recognize that Lazarus was his
brother. Lazarus was waiting at the door of the
rich man for scraps of food; the Lazarus of our
day, the unborn child, is waiting at the door of
the womb for birth itself.

God does not only prohibit aborting the unborn; he
prohibits ignoring them.

--------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
--------------------------------------------------

Father, I thank you for the life that I possess,
and for the birth that you granted me. I hear the
cries of the Lazarus of our day; I see them
sitting at the door.

Grant that I may never ignore them, and that
through this 40 Days for Life campaign, I may stir
many others to pay attention to them as well.
Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

--------------------------------------------------

Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

Shalom~

40 Days for Life Day 2

--------------------------------------------------
DAY 2 INTENTION
--------------------------------------------------

May the King of the Universe, who entered this
world as a helpless infant, give us the humility
to be healed.

--------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
--------------------------------------------------

My power is made perfect in weakness.

-- 2 Corinthians 12:9

--------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION
--------------------------------------------------

The great mystery of the Humility of God is very
near and dear to the mission of those serving in
pro life and in a special way, post abortion
ministries across this nation.

For those wounded by their participation in
abortion, the door to healing often feels like
crossing an abyss of great fear: fear of judgment,
fear of being torn apart by the pain, by self
hatred and rage at those who hurt and abandoned
you, and manipulated you in your time of
temptation.

For men in particular, entering the unknown waters
of emotional vulnerability, so necessary to
healing calls for a different kind of courage that
feels deceptively like weakness.

The door to healing is humility.

It is born in the inability to no longer control
the pain, to live with the consequences of that
tragic decision to reject life. The hearts cries
out, "I have committed a grave offense against my
Creator and I am consumed by regret, grief and
sorrow!"

During these forty days let us pray for all who
have participated in abortion and with love call
them to healing and reconciliation. With healing
these women and men can become as John Paul II
proclaimed in the Gospel of Life, "the most
eloquent defenders of everyone's right to life."

Jesus proclaimed, "I am the Vine, you are the
branches" (John 15:5). To bear the greatest fruit,
the branches must be pruned. Each level of pruning
of the vine requires a deeper level of humility so
that we can abandon ourselves to His will.

This is not a lofty theological concept as much as
it is an earthy experience of pulling weeds,
tilling rocky soil, pruning and healing the vines.
"If a man wishes to come after me, he must deny
his very self, take up his cross, and begin to
follow in my footsteps" (Matthew 16:24).

--------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
--------------------------------------------------

Lord, during these forty days, we ask that with
each day of this sacred vigil, everything in us
that separates us from your perfect will would be
pruned from our hearts and souls.

In this blessed freedom may we experience a
powerful anointing of your Holy Spirit. Filled
with confidence and trust may we proclaim with the
mother of Jesus, "Let it be done to me, according
to your Word." In Jesus Name, Amen.

--------------------------------------------------

May God richly bless everyone who is sacrificing
their comfort and convenience to "speak up for
those who cannot speak for themselves!"

David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

Shalom~

40 Days For Life Day 1

David Beriet is sponsoring another 40 Days for Life Campaign. It will run from Good Friday to Easter. If you do something special during lent perhaps this would be something you would consider doing. If you chose to participate in these divotions you will honor God, be of great benefit to the world and bring yourself closer to God.

The prayers at the end of the devotions are some of the best examples of what it means to humble yourself and pray! May you be blessed as you participate.
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DAY 1 INTENTION
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For God's blessing upon the coming 40 Days for
Life campaign.

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SCRIPTURE--------------------------------------------------

If My people who are called by My name will humble
themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn
from their wicked ways, then I will hear from
heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.

-- 2 Chronicles 7:14

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REFLECTION--------------------------------------------------

Not unlike God's chosen people of Israel, we must
humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn
from our wicked ways, if we expect God to hear
from heaven, forgive our sin, and heal our land.

The need for repentance has not been greater since
the Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade in 1973.
The number one cause of death in America is the
needless sacrifice of our children at the altar of
convenience called abortion. Conservative
estimates put the number of deaths at nearly 48
million.

And lest we think this is an issue outside the
church walls, 43 percent of women obtaining
abortions identify themselves as Protestant, and
27 percent identify themselves as Catholic. One in
four women has at least one abortion by the age of
45 -- both non-Christian and Christian alike.
Where was the voice of Truth -- the church?

Mary Comm of In Our Midst Ministries, Inc. sums up
the issue best as she writes, "We (the church)
have been an unintentional accomplice to the
millions of lives lost and to the multiplied
millions of lives devastated by abortion. We
didn't want them to abort. We didn't mean for them
to abort. But, because of our lack of knowledge,
because of our fear, we have continued to stand by
and do nothing."

"We, God's hands and feet in this dark and hurting
world, have been an unintentional, unknowledgeable
accomplice, but an accomplice nonetheless."

May today mark the beginning of change within the
church, as God's people, in unity, seek His
forgiveness.

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PRAYER
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Heavenly Father, we have turned our backs on you
and your principles in your Word. We have allowed
man to usurp Your role as God over life and the
number of our days.

But we come to you in brokenness and repentance
over our sin.

We cry out for Your mercy and ask you to remove
the scourge of abortion from our land. Use us as
your vessels, Lord, to bring the light of Your
Truth to our nation once again. Because of Christ
and in His Name we pray, Amen.

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Yours for Life,

David Bereit

Shalom

February 5th Primary Day

Super Tuesday is upon us. If for any reason you cannot vote in the Super Tuesday primary elections, RUN to the voter registration link on our Home Page and register!!! It is too late to register in time to vote on Super Tuesday but, it is SOOOO important that you register NOW so you CAN vote in the November elections!!!!!

PRAY: for candidates that are God-fearing, pro-life, pro-marriage, and pro-family to get each parties nomination and be supported and find favor and ultimately be elected in all local, state, and national campaigns. Pray against media and special interest manipulation and against dirty tricks from succeeding during this election cycle. Ask God to expose corruption, immorality, bribery, the occult, and hidden anti-biblical agendas and pray that the electorate will not vote for those who practice the same. PRAY that all Christians will register to vote and will participate in the election process.

The New York Family Policy Council exists to reaffirm and promote the traditional family unit and the Judeo-Christian value system upon which it is built. Use the information below to cast an educated vote.

Obama & Clinton, Huckabee, Romney, McCain

On abortion:
pro-choice, pro-life, pro-life, pro-life

On Federal Marriage Protection Ammendment:
Opposed, Supports, Supports, Opposed

On Embryonic Stem Cell Research Taxpayer funding
that destroys Human Embryos:
Supports, Opposed, Opposed, Supports

On appointing Originalist Judges to Federal
Courts: Opposed, Supports, Supports, Supports

On Taxes: Pledge not to raise Taxes:
Not Signed, Signed, Signed, Not Signed

On Iraq: Immediate Troop Withdrawal:
Supports, Opposed, Opposed, Opposed

On drilling oil in ANWR:
Opposed, Supports, Supports, Opposed

Clinton & Obama, Huckabee, Romney, McCain

On Illegal Immigration support beyond emergency care:
Supports, Supports, Opposed, Supports

On Education: No Child Left Behind:
Opposed, Supports, Supports, Supports

On Health Care: Health Savings Accounts:
Opposes, Supports, Supports, Supports

On Secure Borders:
Obama Supports, Clinton no info,
Huckabee no info, Romney, McCain Support

*This information was obtained from Advance USA a www.advanceusa.org.
This is information only, not an endorsement of any candidate.
The New York Family Policy Council neither endorses nor opposes candidates or political parties.


Shalom~~