12 Sep Blessed Are You (Lk 6:20-26) by Kathy Forck
Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Leaders. Guest Authors.
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“Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.” ~ Lk 6:20-26 (full readings)
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Kathy’s Reflections: In Columbia, Mo, we will begin our seventh 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil on Sept 26, 2012. I ponder how God has used these faithful and prayer-driven people to witness the departure of each of the seven doctors who performed abortions during these three years. Because of a constant and unwavering commitment to pray at least one day a week at this place in addition to the previous six vigils, God has rewarded their faithfulness. Currently abortions are not happening in Columbia which is one of the two abortion facilities left in Missouri. As some of the drivers and passengers of the cars and trucks whiz by and yell obscenities, offer crude hand gestures and tell us, “Get a job”, we cannot help but remember this verse and ponder the JOB that God has given us. I marvel how God has changed our hearts as we accept this suffering now with joy as we continue our job. The job of standing firm on this cracked, dilapidated sidewalk looking at a building whose only shrubbery is dying before our eyes as over 1000 days have passed these three years. 40 Days Prayer Warriors and sidewalk counselors keep praying, kneeling, offering help to moms, and offering sympathy and help to those who come to us to tell us of their abortions. We continue our peaceful prayer presence and pray for all who have been affected here.
* Kathy Forck and her husband Mike are the Campaign Directors of 40 Days for Life in Columbia, MO. They have four children and five grandchildren.
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Faith Challenge: Support and pray for the success of all the 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigils across the world. Pray especially for the conversion of the workers and the doctors who do the abortions. Love the women who come to these places who feel they have no choice. Spiritually adopt those babies who are brought to abortion facilities and know that with God all things are possible as you pray for their lives. And on this feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary, invoke the sweet name of the mother of Jesus, that she will intercede for all of us as we do her Son’s work.
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Counter-Culture News: LSN, LifeNews, Priests for Life, AFA,Vatican, Project Rachel.
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Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. LIFE Runners Creed. Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day: Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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Faith Quote: “Let the entire body of the faithful pour forth persevering prayer to the Mother of God and Mother of men.” (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, 69).
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Through Christ our Lord,
Kathy
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* Pray/Fast: Prayer connects us with God’s will and His miracles, changing us & helping others. Fast from things that take your eyes off Jesus. Those who pray together stay together, and close to God!
* Save Unborn (and families): Abortion (images) is #1 death cause (22% pregnancies). Prov 24:11 and Jer 1:5. “A great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish.” Mother Teresa.
* Evangelize: Make room for unbelievers and re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Matt 28:19.