Click here for information about 40 Days for Life and how to get involved.
Penny Morrell’s speech:
Our minds and our lives are a garden. What we feed it, water it, and weed it with is what will be produced. We’ve got to weed the bad thoughts out of our minds and habits out of our conduct. It’s a constant vigil. The pro-life seeds you sow today may become the beautiful fruits of life tomorrow.
Acts 17:11 “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures DAILY, whether those things were so.” It’s a constant vigil
Concerned Women for America founder, Beverly LaHaye, said of the recent March For Life: “As we gather to remember and mourn the 50 million children killed by abortion since 1973, we are encouraged by the stories of those who have experienced abortion and are now reaching out to others. The effectiveness of these ministries is a testament to prayer and action, the founding tenets of Concerned Women for America (CWA). Even in our nation’s highly politicized environment, let us not forget how vital prayer is to our efforts to save the innocent and restore the broken.” It’s a constant vigil.
Feminists will say that abortion is the personal decision of a woman that causes no emotional ramifications. However, experience has proven that not only does abortion haunt the women involved, but also others in their lives. Michaelene Fredenburg, creator of the Abortion Changes You outreach, and author of the book “Changed”, spoke with CWA President Wendy Wright about the impact the abortion decision has on boyfriends, husbands, parents, siblings and future children.
Each woman who has experienced an abortion has a unique story, yet there are common themes of betrayal by abortionists, regret, and loss of self-esteem through most of those stories. Thankfully, an increasingly common theme is one of redemption, forgiveness and healing. Two women, Lisa Dudley and Tracy Reynolds, have found healing and are now reaching out to other post-abortive women through Operation Outcry. Helpline number: 866-482-5433.
There is encouraging news from the battle to protect human life in America from Focus On The Family … Among women at risk for abortion, providing counseling and ultrasound results in nearly 60% more stated decisions for life than with counseling alone. It is estimated that ultrasound grants to crisis pregnancy centers have saved as many as 72,000 babies!
Abby Johnson, the former director of an abortion facility in Houston has moved to a pro-life position by witnessing the ultrasound of an unborn baby during an abortion, and by the kindness and fervent prayers of loving Christians. The Lord never gave up on Abby–just as we know that He never gives up on any of us. We are all within close reach of His redemptive arms. We are praying for George A. Hill, President/CEO of Family Planning Association of Maine . It’s a constant vigil.
We must promote a culture of life in America and here in Maine. We can exercise compassion and commit to pray for those involved in the abortion industry, as well as for those women who are considering abortion. America is swinging to the right on this issue, but for us, it’s a constant vigil.
CBS is facing pressure from pro-abortion groups to scrap a pro-life commercial Focus on the Family plans to run featuring Tim Tebow. Tim Tebow is a renown football star from the University of Florida whose mother chose life over abortion despite a serious medical condition during her pregnancy with Tebow.
However, a coalition of pro-abortion groups called on CBS this week to reject the pro-life ad. The New York-based Women’s Media Center is coordinating the attack on the ad along with the pro-abortion National Organization for Women, the Feminist Majority and other groups.
Voters in Massachusetts have confirmed what all polls have been telling us – that the American public is overwhelmingly opposed to the health care bill in its current form. Senator- elect Brown (R) made opposition to the so- called Health Care bill a cornerstone of his campaign. He repeatedly made it clear that if elected, his vote would be the ’41st’ vote in the Senate, which would de-rail the current health care bill….and derail the taxpayer funded abortion component of the bill.
Dawn Johnsen, the President’s pick for the Office of Legal Counsel as you might remember, was selected in February of last year, but her record of extremism as an attorney in the pro-abortion movement made her so overwhelmingly unpopular that Senate leaders had no choice but to return the nomination to the White House in December. Unfortunately, the woman who once compared pregnancy to slavery is back for confirmation. President Obama re-nominated Johnsen to the Department of Justice, where the former NARAL Pro-Choice America counsel would be in charge of setting policy for the entire government. This could be particularly devastating for the pro-life movement, since her previous “accomplishments” include drafting five “lethal” Executive Orders for President Bill Clinton that made abortions easier for women–and young girls–to obtain. She is an unapologetic opponent of parental notification in abortion and has even fought to strip the Catholic Church of its charitable status because of its position on life.
National Director of 40 Days For Life, David Bereit, said that at least 2,168 children have been saved worldwide since 40 Days for Life began in 2007, and at least 27 abortion workers have quit their jobs. More than 300,000 dedicated people have participated. It’s a constant vigil.
“We’ve seen a tremendous amount of fruit,” Bereit said. About 175 people from across the State of Maine have gathered to sing and pray on Gabriel Drive in Augusta.
In keeping with the constant vigil, there were/are several events as follows:
- Training people in the pro-life movement what to say everywhere to a woman considering an abortion, and what not to say.
- Maine Right to Life also has started a Pro-Life University. It’s a way for pro-life people to become aware of what it means to be pro-life.
- Yesterday, volunteers sold chocolate treats and precious life feet at the 17th Annual Chocolate Festival in Fairfield, Maine as a fundraiser.
- Today, this 40 Days kickoff
- Feb. 15, (President’s Day) tomorrow: community outreach. The community outreach campaign is a door-to-door visit to people in Augusta. The visit is to make them aware that an abortion center is in their neighborhood. Volunteers will ask them to sign a petition agreeing to pray and fast for an end to abortion for 40 Days.
- Feb. 17-March 28, 40 Days For Life daily at the abortion facility in Augusta.
The Persistent Widow
This woman is featured in the Bible in Luke 18:1-8. We are told right away that this is a parable.A parable is a short allegorical story designed to convey a truth or moral lesson.
Since it is a parable, we know that this widow did not really exist although there were many widows in Jesus’ time. They were powerless and among the most vulnerable in society. Many, who were without sons to take care of them would fall victim to thieves and other unscrupulous people.
The judge in the parable did not fear God, nor did he care about people. He did not live by the laws that govern righteous and moral conduct. But, the widow must have been strong. We know this because she was persistent. She kept going to the judge and asking for justice against an adversary. Even though the judge did not care about her or about keeping God’s laws, he finally gave her justice because he was afraid that she would wear him out with her persistence.
There are many widows in our time. There are also many powerless and vulnerable people. Any of us could be that widow. Have you felt helpless and alone, when facing trouble over which you have no control? Jesus told the disciples this parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. It’s a constant vigil.
We know that our God is not like the judge in the parable. God loves His children. So, how much easier it should be to go to Him than to that unjust judge. As the parable says, those who pray (cry out day and night to Him), will see justice and quickly. He answers prayer!
In closing, January 29, 1843 was the birthday of William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States.
He was killed by an assassin at the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo, New York in 1901. The circumstances around his death demonstrate real Christianity. After being shot twice at point blank range, President McKinley forgave his attacker, ordering those who tackled the man not to hurt him. He then asked that his wife be notified carefully. “My wife, Be careful how you tell her-oh, be careful”
As the surgeons began working to retrieve the bullets, the President began praying”Thy kingdom comeThy will be done, for Thine is the kingdom and power and glory”.
He lived for about a week. On the last day of his life on earth, he asked for his doctors to be brought into his room. He reminded them “It is useless, gentlemen; I think we ought to have prayer.” He led them all in prayer. After kissing his wife, he told all who were gathered; “Goodbye! Goodbye all!”
His last words were:
“It is God’s way; His will, not ours be done.”
“Nearer my God-to-Thee-“
“E’en tho’ it be a cross-“
“That has been my inextinguishable prayer.”
“It is-God’s-way.”
Who but God knows what wonderful testimony is being prepared today? Maybe in a child being born or maybe in your life. Prayer is a constant vigil. Thank you.