“However, this kind of demon goes away only by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:21
Jesus told his disciples this when they questioned why they had been unable to cast out a demon from a young boy. Abortion is a demon in our country. Perhaps this is one that can only be driven out by prayer and fasting. That is the idea behind two of the aspects of 40 Days for Life. We all seem to be fairly familiar with the idea of prayer but fasting? Maybe not so much. Fasting is when we humbly deny ourselves something of the flesh to glorify God and go deeper in our prayer life. Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God and to ourselves that we are serious about our relationship with Him. Anything you can temporarily give up (chocolate, TV, radio, Facebook, snacks, coffee, etc. More ideas can be found atwww.nicksenger.com/csc/101-practical-fasting-ideas-for-lent) can be considered a fast. Fasting is not intended to punish the flesh, but to focus on God as a form of physical prayer. Fasting strengthens us for the Christian lifestyle in which we strive to put God and others before our own wants. If we are able to say, “Yes!” to God in small things like not eating cookies, it will make it easier to say, “Yes!” when the situation is much bigger. Sometimes it can be hard to maintain a fast. We may find ourselves thinking, “Will it really matter to God if I eat this one cookie? Can I really be saving a baby by turning off the TV?” In these instances it may be helpful to take that “hunger” or desire for the object of our fasting and satisfy it with prayer. It is also important to remember that your fasting and any suffering you endure because of it is not limited to you. Your sacrifice is united not only with millions of others around the world as a sign of repentance to God, but it is also united with the suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ who gave His very life for us, so He could save us from our sins by rising triumphantly on Easter! *40 Days for Life continues through March 24 – 165 babies saved so far! There are four aspects of this worldwide campaign to end abortion: prayer, fasting, peaceful vigil, and community outreach. See “Upcoming Events” below to find out more about this mission which has had amazing results in converting abortion workers, closing abortion mills, and saving babies. Vigil locations are in Glen Ellyn and Aurora. News from the last two Thursdays’ Forest View vigils: ** On Thursday, February 14, we estimate that SEVEN precious infants lost their lives. ** One woman chose LIFE! Rosa came with her sister. They ignored the 7:00 am counselor, Terry, but they must have heard what he was saying. Or perhaps it was the presence of the faithful group of prayer warriors that pricked their hearts and awoke their conscience. Maybe it was the prayers offered by so many of you from work or home that called upon the power of the Holy Spirit. Whatever it was, I was able to talk to them as they left; baby still safely in Rosa’s womb. Her sister was crying tears of joy. Rosa was more hesitant, but thanked me for the information about the Women’s Center and happily took a pair of pink baby booties. Her husband does not yet know about her pregnancy, so please pray that he will accept this child with open arms. ** On Thursday, February 21, we estimate that EIGHT children were murdered at Forest View “Medical Center.” ** Jessica decided to give her baby the gift of LIFE! She came with her father around 8:30 am. Her mother showed up about an hour later and all three, I mean FOUR, of them then left together. Jessica was all smiles as she told me she was keeping her baby. As I looked at her joyful face, I couldn’t help but ask for a hug and she gladly obliged! I gave her information about the Women’s Center and told her we would all be praying for her. As I went to give her booties, I realized that I had a feeling that pink just wouldn’t do for her; however, she quickly grabbed them out of my hands stating, “I just know it’s a girl!” That will be one lucky little girl. Praise God! ** Even though Jessica was happy to grab the pink booties, we would love to have some blue ones as well. Click Here for a pattern for all of you knitters out there! Please let us know and we can even pick them up. ** Sometimes blessings come from passers-by. Many cars drive by with a friendly honk or give a thumbs-up. Some even stop by to thank us. On this particular day, an older gentleman on his way to the casino (one block away) stopped by to say how he sees us out there a lot and admires us. When I told him about the save that day, however, he was quick to say, “I’m not really on one side of the issue or the other.” I feel confident, though, that his heart may be pulling him to the side of LIFE if he felt compelled to stop and say hi. Every time you stand outside of an abortion facility you never know who will drive by and be swayed by your prayerful, peaceful presence.
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"Return to the Lord, your God. For gracious and merciful is He.” (Joel 2:13)
Today is the first day of Lent. Are you ready? I’m not! It always makes me a little anxious as I consider what I will do, how I will encourage my children, when I can fit in more prayer, and on and on. Yet, as I read from “The Word Among Us” magazine today, I found that I need to look at Lent a bit differently. They write, “The last thing anyone wants to do is reduce this season of grace to a to-do list. Your heavenly Father is ‘gracious and merciful.’ He is calling out to you so He can bless you. Our works during Lent are meant to arise from a heart that wants to know a deeper freedom from sin and fear – a heart that is looking to God for more of His love. We don’t do them to prove ourselves to God or convince him to bless us. We do them because they can help us feel the presence of God. We do them because they can change our hearts and make us more like Jesus.” So take a deep breath, soften your heart, and keep it open to the Lord this Lent. He will use whatever effort you make over these next 40 days, no matter how small, for your good and the good of others. Need some ideas of ways to “return to the Lord?” Here are a few: 1. 40 Days for Life begins TODAY! – There are four aspects of this worldwide campaign to end abortion: prayer, fasting, peaceful vigil, and community outreach. See “Upcoming Events” below to find out more about this mission which has had amazing results in converting abortion workers, closing abortion mills, and saving babies. Vigil locations are in Glen Ellyn and Aurora. Watch a video of the Aurora site’s kick-off rally where they witnessed a save that very day!: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXRWkZqLqIQ 2. Two Lobby Days in Springfield Feb. 20 and March 13 – Visit your state Congressmen in person and make an impact! You will be provided with all the background to speak with authority on the issues. See the upcoming events tab for more information. 3. Click HERE to view “40 Ways to Embrace Life” . Choose one thing that you will do this Lent to promote LIFE. UPDATE ON A SAVE - We have a little more information about Kathy who chose LIFE at Forest View last July. Her baby girl, Kylee Elise, was born on January 15. Kathy is so appreciative of the presence of people praying for her that day and throughout her pregnancy. She texted, “She really wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you, so thank you so much for that!” - From the update when we first met Kathy, “She came with two Hispanic young men. Neither was the father of her baby. As God would have it, the two men dropped Kathy off and then parked in the parking lot in front of the Women’s Center building which allowed us the opportunity to go right up to their car and talk. We are not legally allowed on the premises of the abortion mill’s parking lot, so it really was an amazing blessing! The one young man, Angel, was willing to listen and was very moved by the pictures of developing babies and aborted babies in the pamphlet I shared. He immediately texted Kathy to come out. And she did! All three came with me to the Women’s Center and left later with a plan for LIFE! - May God bless each person who pleaded to God for the life of this child. We have sent a gift to Kathy and Kylee from all of you! News from the last two Thursdays’ Forest View vigils: ** On Thursday, January 31, we estimate that SEVEN children died at the hands of a “doctor.” ** One couple arrived at 7:00 am and left 20 minutes later. They did not stop to talk or even look our way, so we do not know what happened. ** On Thursday, February 7, we estimate that again SEVEN women chose death for their unborn child. ** As much as we would love to report that there was a save on one of these days, we simply don’t know. Of course, this doesn’t mean there wasn’t one. Former Planned Parenthood director Abby Johnson said that on abortion days when there were people present praying outside, their no-show rate shot up to 75%. However, even if not one baby was saved on these days, our prayers were not in vain. We must continue to go to these places of death. We may be the only ones who mourn the passing of these children at the site of their murder. Each one was a unique individual, a precious baby, who will never be seen in this world. “Blessed are they who mourn for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4) It is a sacred duty to never forget the youngest victims of abortion. To this end, the Pro-Life Action League has launched a project to remember these little ones. Read about it here: http://prolifeaction.org/hotline/2013/topten03/#more-27984(You can also find some comfort here by reading Eric Scheidler’s list of the top ten accomplishments of the pro-life movement!) “This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
I couldn’t help but think this joyfully as I looked out on the energetic crowd of almost 500 who gathered last Saturday in Palatine for the first-ever NorthWest Families March for Life. God blessed us with warmer weather and even sunshine as we reached the plaza. It felt as if God was smiling on us, and I know He was. THANK YOU to each and every one of you who came to bear witness to LIFE. We especially want to thank - - Our wonderful speakers: Carol Rybacki, Jim Sable, and Joe Scheidler - Those who led us in prayer: Bishop George Rassas and Scott Phelps - The many Knights of Columbus - Our generous, anonymous donors - Countless people who donated their time and energy to make the march a success. You can view a video of the March: http://vimeo.com/57767279 Thank you to Chris Iverson of “Prevail: Prolife Events & Activities of IL” Facebook page for creating this beautiful video. Read an article about the March in the Daily Herald: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130119/news/701199889/ Despite the fact that the reporter was biased against life referring to us as “anti-abortion” and including quotes from Planned Parenthood, she did include some good quotes from the moving speakers of the day. View photos of the March at our website. Click on the “March for Life” tab at the top of the home page. Finally, if you missed the March, we have created a handout called “40 Ways You Can Embrace the Gift of Life.” It has many ideas for doing “something new” for Life this year. Even if you were there, the handout has been revised, so be sure to check it out! (on this website under "easy ways to further the Pro-life cause") After 40 years of Roe v. Wade, you will be part of a renewed call to LIFE. UPDATE ON SAVES - Kathy, a young woman who chose LIFE last July at Forest View, gave birth last Friday to a beautiful baby girl, Kylee Elise. In a text Kathy writes, “I’m feeling great and very happy J.” Thank you, God! He has plans for this little girl’s life known only to Him. We will share pictures when we can. - Speaking of pictures, we received a Christmas card from Kim and Josh (a couple who chose Life Feb. 2012 at Forest View). Their daughter Khylie was born Sept. 18 and what a cutie she is! Consider how different each person’s life would be right now if they had made a different “choice.” Praise be to God! News from the last two Thursdays’ Forest View vigils: ** On Thursday, January 10, we estimate that EIGHT babies lost their lives at Forest View. ** One young man stopped to talk to me on the way out after dropping his girlfriend off for an abortion. Chris told me that he was against the abortion, but it was her decision. No matter how I tried to empower him, he left feeling powerless to save his child. We need to pray for men to accept their God-given duty to protect women and children, like Joseph did for Mary and Jesus. ** One couple chose LIFE! They pulled into the parking lot but sat in the car for about ½ an hour talking. Blessedly, they were parked facing the sidewalk where we stood praying and holding up signs of “free help” for the couple to see. Finally, they left! The man gave us a big thumbs-up and smile and accepted a brochure about the Women’s Center. The woman seemed distraught but we called to her, “God loves you!” Praise God! Please pray that this couple’s hearts may be filled with hope and peace. ** On Thursday, January 17, we estimate that SIX women made a “choice” that they will never forget. ** One man spoke to our 7:00 am counselor, Terry. He told Terry that he is Catholic, but he and his wife already have 3 kids and can’t afford a 4th. When Terry brought up adoption, the man said that his wife had “medical problems.” Sadly, nothing Terry said could break through this man’s wall. We must pray for this whole family to seek healing. The siblings have been robbed of their little sister or brother. ** We pray at Forest View (2750 S. River Rd, Des Plaines) every Thursday to offer help to the women and men who arrive between 7:00 am and 10:00 am. We stay and pray while the abortionist, Dr. Goyal, takes the lives of the children from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. We are there until 1:00 pm as the women are leaving to offer hope to them. Could you come for even a half hour? You would be such a blessing! Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Psalm 9:9 The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. With the outcome of the election three weeks ago, we figured that one scripture passage of encouragement might not be enough. But God is our “enough.” He who is, who was, and who always will be. God does not change because of an election and neither will we. We will not lose hope. We will not be downcast. We will persevere and keep doing everything we can to protect the unborn. It may not be getting any easier for us, but our help is in the Lord as it always has been. On Thanksgiving, we pray that you and your families will find many reasons to give thanks! We wish you and yours a Blessed Thanksgiving! P.S. Need a little more up-lifting? Watch this 5 minute video of women living at Heather’s House, a home for women in crisis pregnancies in Des Plaines. It’s a real joy to see these children of God and the “angels” who help them! www.helpaidforwomen.org/our-video News from the last three Thursdays’ Forest View vigils: ** On Thursday, November 1, we estimate FIVE children lost their lives at Forest View. ** We were blessed to be joined in prayer by a wonderful group from Our Lady of Hope and the Knights of Columbus. A big thank you to Jim for organizing this All Saints Day Rosary. ** On Thursday, November 8, we estimate that THREE women made the “choice” to kill the baby in their womb. ** One woman chose LIFE! Laura saw a woman come out of Forest View who had not yet had an abortion, just a pregnancy test. Laura watched as she sat in her car staring hopelessly at the signs by our vigil which state, “Pregnant? Free Help nearby.” As the woman went to leave, Laura approached her car and found out that the baby was not seen as "good news" for this woman and would be a financial strain. However, she looked at Laura with hope in her eyes as she asked about the signs. Laura sent her to the Women's Center where she now has a new lease on Life. If not for those signs, who knows where this desperate woman would be now? And only God knows how many more women have seen these signs and sought help instead of giving in to despair. ** This save happened at 1:00 pm in the afternoon, long after most abortions are complete. This is why we feel it is so important that our vigil run from 7:00 am (when most of the clients arrive) until 1:00 pm (when most are leaving). We never know how God is going to use the prayerful presence. However, sometimes Laura is there alone at this critical time. Would you be willing to join her from 11:30am – 1:00 pm? Even for a half hour? Please call us and let us know. 847-651-4877. ** On Thursday, November 15, we estimate TEN babies died at the hands of a man who calls himself a “doctor.” ** There was a blessing that day. We were informed by the Women’s Center that a woman who had an abortion at Forest View a few weeks earlier was coming in for post-abortive counseling. The most amazing part is that she was referred to the Women’s Center by an employee of Forest View! Please pray that this employee may be experiencing a change of heart and will embrace life. Also, please pray for this post-abortive woman. She has had several abortions and needs the healing power of God. ** You can reach out to those who have been harmed by abortion and share God’s love. Here is a phone number and website for help: 1-888-456-HOPE, www.AbortionRecovery.org “So they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you.’” (Mark 10: 49)
This verse comes from the story Jesus healing a blind man named Bartimaeus. The apostles tell Bartimaeus to have courage and go to Jesus, for Jesus is calling him. What an amazing thing for this man to hear! The One who has been called “Wonder Worker” and “Messiah” is now calling him personally to Himself. However, the apostles’ role in this story is one that cannot be overlooked. They were the ones sent to bring Bartimaeus to Jesus. Indeed, Jesus counted on the apostles to go bring this blind man to Him just like He relies on each one of us. That is one of the main reasons we need to pray at the abortion clinics. It does take courage to stand up in front of a clinic and pray, but Jesus is depending on us to be there for those who are “blind” to LIFE and say to them, “Jesus is calling you.” We pray that their eyes will be opened to God’s love and the gift of His blessings, no matter what the circumstances. But you don’t have to be at an abortion clinic to be like the apostles. Is there someone in your own family or circle of friends whom you have been avoiding talking to because you don’t know what to say or know they disagree with you? Maybe today you are being called to minister to that person who is blind to some aspect of their own life: a bad relationship, a hurtful habit, a lukewarm attitude towards God, misinformation about the upcoming election. “Take courage” and “stand up” for the truth. God will be with you. And in case you’re feeling like the “blind” one today, we hope you find an “apostle” in your life whom you can talk to about God! *The upcoming election may be difficult to discuss with friends, but we have an obligation to do so. Get the information you need by printing out the Family Research Council’s Voters Guide (http://downloads.frcaction.org/EF/EF11L04.pdf ). Share it with your friends! *If you are Catholic, you can also share the “Voter’s Guide for Serious Catholics.” It does not discuss any candidates, but it explains the 5 “non-negotiables” of the faith: abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, human cloning, and homosexual marriage. It clearly states that voting for candidates who support any of these issues is a sin. Finally, here is a link to a 3 minute video that is very powerful and should be shared with every Catholic. http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=D9vQt6IXXaM&hd UPDATE ON A RECENT BIRTH I was blessed to meet Veronica’s little miracle, baby Eliana, last week (see attached picture!). The whole family is doing wonderful! Yet, Veronica told me that she sometimes feels guilty because of what she almost did. I assured her that God loves her for what she DID do – give her daughter LIFE! Still, this had an effect on me: If someone who did not have an abortion can still feel so guilty about the attempt, how much worse is the suffering of the post-abortive woman? Please reach out to those who have had abortions and share God’s love. Here is a phone number and website for help: 1-888-456-HOPE, www.AbortionRecovery.org News from the last two Thursdays’ Forest View vigils: ** On Thursday, October 18, we estimate FOUR infants were killed inside a place called a “medical center.” ** One couple in their 30’s told me that they already have two children and don’t want a third. I told them about the Women’s Center and the financial assistance, but he said they have enough money. “It’s just too much work” to have another the man told me. Personal choice is the reason that 98% of women give for aborting. ** One woman chose LIFE! Felicia and her friend came out of the clinic just after the doctor arrived. They both got in the car, but then the friend got out telling me that Felicia was keeping her baby. I asked if we could help, and the friend said that Felicia was “good, very good!” I gave them information about the Women’s Center and a pair of pink hand-knit booties (Still could use some blue ones!) and they drove off smiling. Praise to God for this save brought by prayer. ** On Thursday, October 25, we estimate that FIVE women allowed a “doctor” to murder the child in their womb. ** Again, we believe there was a save! I saw the big white Cadillac SUV pull in and got to the car in time to hand the young girl (about 15) in the passenger seat a brochure. She took it, but then her mother pulled it out of her hand and hustled the girl inside. I could see the confusion in her eyes. A little while later a different woman, Gail, who was not there for an abortion came out of Forest View for a cigarette. I began talking to her, and she told me that she too is pro-life. I asked Gail to go back into the clinic and give a Rosary to the young girl. Gail went back in, Rosary-in-hand, and ten minutes later the young girl and her mother came out and left! Pray that they will never return to this place of death. “Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.” Psalm 127:3
The world and our NorhtWest Families for Life family has been blessed with another gift! Kim and Josh welcomed Khylie Nichole into their family on September 18. She is an absolutely perfect little girl at 7 lbs, 6 oz, 20 inches long. Kim is also doing well. We met Kim and Josh at Forest View on a cold day in February. They were struggling with their decision and did not know where to turn. I approached them with an offer of help and they gladly came with me to the Women’s Center. As they left, I gave them a pair of hand-knit pink baby booties predicting the baby would be a girl and now we all know that those booties were right! Speaking of booties, we are completely out of blue baby booties. Would you be willing to spend some time this month to knit some blue booties? Maybe your Bible study could knit while you talk. Or maybe you know someone in a nursing home who needs to be needed. A sweet pair of baby booties not only makes a woman feel cared for and loved, but it also shows the humanity of the life inside her. Yes, children are a gift, a reward, not a disease or a “problem” to be “taken care of.” We need to pray that all others would realize this truth, especially during this election season when so much is at stake. At the end of this email there are two different election prayers. Please join in praying daily for our country before this election. In addition to prayer, get all the information you can and share it with others. There are several election guides. Family Research Council has one contrasting the presidential candidates at http://downloads.frcaction.org/EF/EF11L04.pdf . Illinois Family Institute has one that also contains information about local offices at http://illinoisfamily.org/ifi_news/general-election-resources/ . Priests for Life also has a Voter’s Guide: http://www.priestsforlife.org/candidates/index.htm . Ask your pastor if one of these could be passed out at your church. It is perfectly legal and would not harm their 501c status. You can check the Priests for Life website for more legal information. October is Respect Life Month across the country. There’s no better time to get involved! Contact us for a vigil schedule if you need one. Don’t forget that “40 Days for Life” has a 24 hour a day, seven day a week vigil site on Chicago’s north side and another location with a daily 6:00 am – 6:00 pm vigil in Downers Grove. See below for more details and many more ways to get step into LIFE this month. |
Our vigil update writer:
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