“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke 15:7
In Chapter 15 of Luke, Jesus uses three parables to illustrate how important it is for us to seek redemption for those who are in most need. First the parable of the shepherd who leaves his flock to look for one lost lamb. Next the woman who turns her house upside down to find a lost coin. Finally, the most famous story of redemption, the Prodigal Son. We have to believe in the overwhelming saving Grace of God. He has the power to soften even the hardest hearts. So for these next 40 days let us pray very intentionally for the conversion of Dr. Goyal. Whether you are at one of his clinics or at home, your prayers will be heard. It may seem that this man who has been the hand of death to countless unborn children is beyond salvation. However, you need only look to the life of former abortionist Bernard Nathanson to see that no one is beyond salvation! (See “Confessions of an Ex-Abortionist at http://www.aboutabortions.com/Confess.html. It's a short article.) Make your prayers be heard in heaven that there will be great rejoicing when this one sinner repents. Update on Luci and Joe: ** Luci is a woman who chose LIFE at Forest View back in December. She is a breast cancer survivor and had been advised to have an abortion to avoid a relapse. Luci spoke with one of our counselors yesterday and the good news is that she finally told her entire family, including her two young sons. Everyone was excited about the news which will be a big comfort to her as she continues her journey. She tried to see her old doctor, but that doctor was unable to work out a payment plan that they could afford, so she will be making an appointment with a pro-life doctor. We have raise over $1000 so far, but donations are still needed. Donations will go directly to the doctor she chooses. Thank you! To donate, write a check out to the Women’s Center but in the memo line write “For Luci and Joe’s baby.” You can send the check to: The Women’s Center 2720 S. River Rd. #234 Des Plaines, IL 60018 News from the last week’s Forest View vigil: ** SIX women chose death for their child. ** Two cars arrived with Wisconsin plates causing the prayer participants to wonder who or what they are trying to avoid. A Hispanic man from one of these cars told us that since the woman he brought was not his wife or girlfriend, it was “not his problem.” This attitude of “not my problem” keeps many people from taking action against this crime, much like people in Nazi Germany. When the culture says a baby’s life doesn’t matter, who will they say “doesn’t matter” next? Pray that all those who say they are pro-life will become actively pro-life. ** THREE of the women who came out after the abortion were very willing to take Project Rachel brochures. This is an encouraging act that will hopefully start them on the journey to healing. If you or someone you know is in need of post-abortive healing you can call 1-888-456-HOPE or go to www.hopeafterabortion.com . News from 40 Days - Chicago Suburbs: ** Over 250 people came out to pray during the past week at the Downers Grove facility owned by Dr. Goyal as we began our 40 day vigil. God bless each of you! The vigil continues this week every day from 6:00 am – 6:00 pm at Dr. Goyal’s Wood Dale facility at 203 E. Irving Park Rd. ** From a vigil participant, “There looked like a "save" this morning at about 6am at the Access Health Center Abortion Mill. Initially the man came out in a foul mood and shouted something at our group of about 12 prayer warriors as he got in his car and lit up his cigarette, while putting on his music to drown out the rosary. About ten minutes later the woman came out crying, and got in the car. The man was not happy, but they drove away. As they got to the corner, the man opened his window and yelled something else at us. God bless the courage of that mother, and God bless the health of her baby!” ** A young woman named Faith was driving by and saw our 40 Days for Life banner. She stopped and joined us to pray the Rosary and The Divine Mercy Chaplet. She said she was from northern California but going to school here. She had prayed at a 40 Days site in California and was happy to see our banner and our vigil so she decided to stop and join us. ** A young mother came up to some prayer warriors and asked what we were all about. One of them gave her a copy of the Unplanned book (Former Planned Parenthood Director, Abby Johnson’s story http://www.unplannedthebook.com/ ) so she could get an idea of what was going on. She was happy to get it and will hopefully be inspired to be in the front lines at the next vigil. **A client in the abortion clinic had their car parked facing the prayer warriors in the parking lot. A Rosary was hanging from their rear view mirror. Sadly, we see this all too often at the clinics. ** A woman stopped by to pray. She told the prayer warriors that she had had 2 abortions. She said that she wishes that people would have been there praying for her and she may have changed her mind. She said that it was such a horrible place inside the walls of the abortion clinic. ** If you haven’t been out to a vigil before, please check out the section “What Can I Expect at a Vigil?” at http://northwestfamiliesforlife.weebly.com/40-days-for-life.html News about your spiritually adopted baby: ** One week since conception and your spiritually adopted baby already has all inherited features set – boy or girl, blue eyes or brown, dimples in the chin or cheek? It’s already been determined by genes AND by our amazing God. The baby also has been endowed by our Creator with an immortal soul with a purpose in LIFE. Join us for the next nine months in this journey of prayer for a specific child in a crisis pregnancy by spiritually adopting a baby. Go online to www.spiritualadoption.org to print out a copy of the 2-sentence prayer or pick up a card at the 40 Days vigil site for the week. Name your baby then pray every day for your baby and his/her mother. You can be the difference between life and death for this child. With over 140 babies being killed every day in Illinois, there is much need for as many people as possible to make a commitment to pray for one of these precious infants.
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“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24
This is from the last section of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Matthew, Chapters 5, 6 and 7, begin with the Beatitudes, teach on many topics, and end with a powerful call to action! You may listen to the Word of Jesus and agree with everything He says. However, it is “a wise man” who will then put the words into practice and act on what he has heard. This Lent let us be wise men and women. Take the time to read the Bible during these 40 days and then choose one way every day that you will put the Word into action. We will build our lives on our rock, Jesus Christ. He is an unshakable foundation. No matter what “rains, floods, or winds” come into our lives, we will stand firm! News from the last two weeks’ Forest View vigils: ** On Thursday, Feb. 24th, SEVEN innocent lives were lost. However, they did not die alone or unmourned. The entire time their lives hung in the balance, there were faithful prayer warriors standing outside praying for them and their mothers. We continue to pray for the mothers who made a choice that they will never forget. We pray for their healing. ** One young couple, 26 years old, stopped to talk to us. They struggled about going inside. The father struggled as he waited outside. Then the young woman came rushing out in tears before the abortion. They drove away only to return a short time later to have the abortion. It is so painful to watch the emotional turmoil some of these women go through before the abortion, but it cannot even compare to what they will endure after. ** On Thursday, March 3rd, we estimate EIGHT babies lost their lives in the abortion mill that day. ** A woman named Vanessa chose LIFE! We watched as her husband with their two-year-old daughter in the backseat dropped her off at the door of the clinic. Just after the doctor arrived, Vanessa dashed out the door right up to me. I just happened to be standing very near the door at the time. She asked to use my cell phone and then told me she was not going to do it. We began to walk, my arm around her shoulder to the Women’s Center, and then she turned to me and hugged me. We hugged, cried, and then went inside where she spent a long time talking to a counselor. Neither she nor her husband is working now. Please pray for Vanessa and her husband that they allow themselves to be wrapped in God’s peaceful embrace. ** There is still much construction in front of Forest View, so if you don’t see the signs right away, rest assured that we are there praying every Thursday. We’re probably just hidden behind a backhoe or dump truck! News about your spiritually adopted baby: ** Although the mother does not know yet, she has a new life inside her. She will always have a companion with her for the next nine months. No matter where she goes she bears this new soul inside her. Congratulations new spiritually adoptive parents! At the shower/kick-off last Sunday many of you spiritually adopted a baby. If you haven’t yet, now is your chance. Go online to www.spiritualadoption.org to print out a copy of the very short prayer or pick up a prayer card at the vigil site. Name your baby, then pray every day for your baby and his/her mother. You can be the difference between life and death for this child. With over 140 babies being killed every day in Illinois, there is much need for as many people as possible to make a commitment to pray for one of those precious infants. Special note about the Shower/Kick-Off ** Thank you to everyone who came and made it such a success! We had a great turn-out and a lot of fun. We've all got prayer partners now to help us grow spiritually this Lent. We collected THREE carloads of donations for Women's Choice Services and the Women's Center, not to mention generous cash donations. God bless you! UPCOMING EVENTS: Wednesday, March 9th – April 17th – 40 Days for Life in the Chicago Suburbs. We will be changing the location of our vigil weekly to pray for a week in front of each one of the six suburban clinics owned and operated by Dr. Goyal. *Downers Grove *Glen Ellyn March 9 – 15 March 30 – April 5 *Wood Dale *Des Plaines - Forest View March 16 – 12 April 6 - 12 *Hinsdale *Des Plaines - Dimensions March 23 – 29 April 13 - 17 This worldwide campaign to end abortion consists of prayer, fasting, peaceful vigil, and community outreach. To be part of this dynamic movement: 1. Pray daily for an end to abortion. Join your voice with millions of others crying out to God. 2. Fast for 40 days as a form of physical prayer in solidarity with others around the world. You can sacrifice a certain food, drink, TV, computer, etc. as a way to focus yourself on God. 3. Sign up to cover an hour or more of vigil at one of the SIX locations. NorthWest Families for Life is specifically responsible for filling the two weeks of vigils at the Des Plaines clinics owned by Dr. Goyal. You can sign up online at http://northwestfamiliesforlife.weebly.com/40-days-for-life.html 4. Step out in faith and invite others to join you this Lent. Ask them to pray. Ask them to fast. And if you feel comfortable, ask them to join you to stand witness at an abortion facility. Let them know that it is NOT a protest. It is a peaceful prayer vigil. You can pray by yourself or with others there. Print out the flier or brochure to share (both attached). We will be happy to come speak to your group! 5. Get an announcement in your bulletin. Saturday, April 2nd – Tribute Dinner to Joe Scheidler, Holiday Inn Mart Plaza, 350 N. Orleans, Chicago, 6:30 pm. Contact Judy Parran at 517-546-3092. We’ve got a NorthWest Families for Life table started. If you’re planning to go, feel free to ask to join our table. Make your reservation by March 21st. Cost is $35 a person. Download a reservation form at http://www.prolifesociety.com/prolifesociety/archives/2011/JoeScheidlerTribute/EveningOfTributeApril2.aspx |
Our vigil update writer:
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