San Marcos = 2 SAVES~!!!

I received a call Friday morning (09/24) from the Prayer Vigil site. Several ladies have made a continuing practice of trying to be at the abortion mill Tuesday, Thursday & Friday mornings year round, as those are the times at which abortions are performed. One of the ladies saw a young Hispanic couple heading to the abortion clinic, and spoke to them for about 15 minutes. Besides sharing all the resources available to help them during and after the pregnancy, she also made them aware of the link between breast cancer and abortion and directed them to seek the services of COLFS or Alternatives. The side-walk counselor left them saying that she would pray for them and their baby. She then joined the other Prayer Warriors and asked one of the other ladies, who is fluent in Spanish, to please speak with them. As the couple was again walking toward the clinic, the Spanish speaking counselor approached them. Since the man was wearing a shirt that had a Cross on it, she felt moved to tell them how Jesus would not want them to have an abortion and end the life of their baby. She told them how they would regret the decision and the pain that would follow. It was the language of their heart.......... They went back to their car and after a few minutes they left the clinic. Thank you Lord~!!

Here is the ‘God-incidence’ part, the lady fluent in Spanish was getting ready to leave the Vigil site just when the other ladies were arriving………and decided to stay on.

Thank you ladies, for your unwavering commitment to pray for our most vulnerable.

As a result of my e-mail I received this one in return~!!

Gene,

I wanted to let you know that my friend and I have prayed at the clinic every week -- normally on Thursday -- since last year's Fall campaign. On Thursday, 9/16 as we had just finished praying, a young woman approached us and spoke with my friend, a member of Silent No More Awareness, and asked several questions regarding abortion. The young woman was scheduled for an abortion that day and, after talking with us, decided that she was not going to keep her appointment. She wanted to keep her baby. Praise God! We saw her get into her car and leave. We have been praying for her every day. We gave her information on COLFS and told her to contact Dr. Delgado.

Katie

Fighting for the Innocents

Pastor Matthew Richardt's, Gloria Dei Lutheran - Escondido, talk at our Candlelight Prayer Vigil Opening Rally -

Today begins 40 Days For Life. We should consider the following.

Years ago, when Nijole Sadunaite, a Catholic, was sentenced in Soviet Lithuania, she told the court: "We owe to Caesar only what remains after having given to God what is His due. The most important thing in life is to free heart and mind from fear, because yielding to evil is the greatest sin."

Yielding to evil is the greatest sin. What a simple but deep insight~!

Yesterday, September 21, was set aside to remember St. Matthew, apostle and evangelist. He wrote the opening book of the New Testament. And speaking of abortion, Matthew is the only one of the Four Evangelists to relate how Herod killed many little boys, two years old and under, in an effort to kill our dear Lord. This event is called in the church "The Slaughter of the Innocents". You can find the account in Matthew 2.

But then keep reading. In the next chapter, Matthew 3, John the Baptist comes preaching, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Keep reading. In chapter 4 Jesus devotes Himself to fasting forty days and nights to do battle against the evil one. Keep reading. In chapter 5 begins the great Sermon on the Mount and this instruction: "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Keep going, one more chapter. In chapter 6 we are given the Lord's Prayer and its closing line (in the earliest form), "but deliver us from evil".

Yielding to evil is the greatest sin. But this means something else. It means that fighting evil is the greatest virtue.

But how~? How do we fight the Slaughter of the Innocents~? With what weapons~? Matthew describes the arsenal, and the Spirit enables us to use each one.

Repentance. Let us repent throughout these forty days in two ways. First, repent of the sin in your own life, turning away from it and not returning. Second, repent on behalf of our society and its sin.

Fasting. Join your Lord in the practice of fasting. Go without a meal or a particular food you're accustomed to. Such fasting, properly understood, works humility and can deepen your prayers and faith.

Loving Witness to the sanctity of human life. "Let your light shine before others." Standing and holding a vigil near an abortion clinic is a powerful and yet gentle, loving witness. Use a candle to remind yourself of - and communicate to others - the Light of Christ, His love and forgiveness.

Prayer. Many beautiful prayers will be said throughout these forty days. Among them will be the prince of prayers, taught to us by the Prince of Peace. Pray the Lord's Prayer from all your heart.

Caution: These are extremely powerful weapons, thought weak in the eyes of the world. They will intimidate our true enemy, but also incite him to greater ferocity~! "But thanks be to God, who is giving us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ~!"

May the Crucified, Risen, Present Jesus help us in every way! Amen.