A Fleece Blanket is a Poor Substitute

“Just wanted to let you know of our experience on March 20. My daughter - home on Spring Break - took our shift at the corner and witnessed a couple of wonderful/sad events. One was an apparently poor and maybe homeless family group walking up Union Ave - all with joy on their faces since they were going on an outing to Pizza Hut. One of the children asked what we were doing and her mom answered - she hadn't really looked at our signs until then. She said - Oh you're the people who are telling people about abortion. Her answer to her child was lovely - they are praying for the babies.

We also saw many adult women stop at the corner to pick up young women - sad day since we can only assume what had happened in that building. Several of the young women got into the waiting cars and wrapped up in fleece blankets and tipped their seats back so they couldn't see out the windows. Made us wonder if Planned Parenthood sent their drivers off to the cars with a "free" blanket to wrap up in - a poor substitute for the baby blanket the young women could be holding.

… She [my daughter] did not want to be at PP on a day that they performed abortions but in the end was touched that we were there on one of those days. I find it most important to have volunteers there on those days - how many women have refused to go in for the procedure knowing that someone is outside praying for them?

Thanks for all you do and God bless” - Ann

Declare Victory!

Attend 40 Days for Life Memphis Victory Rally!

Location:  McLean Baptist Church
Date:   Monday, April 6, 2009
Time:   5:00 PM - 8:30 PM

McLean Baptist’s Address: 815 North Mclean Blvd

Beginning with a potluck dinner (from 5p-6p), please help us to celebrate the many blessings of God during the 40 Days for Life!

Share with us how God touched your life, and those you encountered while standing vigil and joining with others in prayer and fasting for the last 40 Days.

We will then drive to Planned Parenthood for a candle-lit walk around Planned Parenthood. Keep mind of the weather as it has been sporadic!

Ask “What Can I do?” – God is calling!

There is one more week of the 40 Days. That means there is still one more week for you to come join us in prayer in front of Planned Parenthood for the unborn!

“The Levite asked: ‘If I stop to help this man what will happen to me?’

But then the Good Samaritan came by. And he reversed the question: ‘If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?’” – MLK

The unborn child is the orphan, the supposedly unwanted, the poor, the defenseless… Don’t ask “What will happen to me if I go down to Union to be a witness for him.” Instead ask, “What will happen to him if I do not?”

God is calling.

Satan's 'Hissy Fit' in Memphis

The National 40 Days for Life Campaign recently blogged about the apparent hissy fit that Satan is throwing, which has been displayed across the nation at 40 Days for Life campaigns. Their blog post has inspired our own.

Melissa, said: "You know when abortions are happening here at Planned Parenthood because it is on those days that you receive the most negative and hateful feedback from those walking and driving past. He really hates us being here."

It is so true.

Marie said, "There were about six of us out there on Friday. I was talking to some of the other people and my back was turned to the street. All of the sudden everyone gasped. Someone had tried to throw a drink at me! Luckily, they were a very bad aim and missed me by a foot or so. It was so rude, but it just goes to show how the 'ol' boy' loathes us being there. I am ready to go back!"

Tom was standing in prayer at 4 AM when two young women drove past him and silly-stringed him. The silly string was there on the sidewalk for about three weeks. It just would not come off!

I think the most ridiculous and disgusting thing that happened to anyone standing vigil was someone screaming in support of Planned Parenthood as they drove by threw a pen at one of our prayer volunteers who was in a wheelchair!

Planned Parenthood has started a rather un-original campaign called "pledge-a-picketer" to, as they write, "make lemons out of lemonade" or something or other. As usual, everything is about money with them. As our Campaign Director said, "They fail to realize that God is far more powerful then money." This is beside the point though... the point is that as they advertise for their effort to "make lemonade" they call us an "anti-choice extremist campaign." It is honestly laughable as everything we do is peaceful, lawful, and prayerful. We simply stand there in prayer with signs saying, "Pray to End Abortion" and quoting Jeremiah 1:5. We are even praying for them!

They go on to say though, "These 'sidewalk counselors,' as they call themselves, carry grisly signs, intimidate patients as they enter and leave, and harass and annoy passersby."

One prayer volunteer, Missy, said: "Despite that we do not do any of that, ironically everything they say that we're doing out there has been done to us by their supporters."

Kerry said, "There is this one woman who drives down Pine Street most mornings. She has made a little sign on some construction paper which she holds up to her window, giving us either a rude face or gesture. All we do is smile and wave... ya know, lately she has stopped... I guess she just isn't as committed. Maybe she has had a coversion of heart."

Walter said, "It is interesting how some people can get so riled up by a simple sign asking them to pray to end abortion that they would stop their cars just to get out and flip us off and squench their face together before getting back in the car. It just goes to show that their conscience is really being bothered... I mean, 'pray to end abortion' ... how does that make someone so angry? I take comfort in these persecutions and I pray for them. I really think that one woman was hurting. She had probably had an abortion."

Like Walter, we take comfort because Jesus told us to expect opposition and that he would acknowledge our faithfulness, "Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil gainst you (falsely) because of me," He says in Matthew, "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven."

While it is obvious that Satan despises our prayerful presence in front of Planned Parenthood it is even more obvious that God blesses and is pleased with it. Daily the amount of positive feedback we receive is triple anything negative we receive... even on abortion days. Anyone who has stood at Planned Parenthood in prayer can attest to the minor and major blessings God continues to shower on us as lives are saved, women are saved from a life of regret, woman and men are led to post-abortive counseling, people are comforted by our presence...

As the National Campaign Director wrote, "Knowing that Christ is blessing you is tremendously reassuring! The idea of Satan having a 'hissy fit' because of your prayerful witness is just a nice added bonus."

Second Child Reported Saved

As people prayed at the 40 Days for Life vigil, a young woman was pacing outside the building that houses the abortion facility. “She walked back and forth a few times and was crying. Finally she got back into her car and left,” said one volunteer.

The young woman decided not to keep her appointment. “Her boyfriend did not appear to be happy,” the volunteer added. “We need to pray for them.”

THANKS BE TO GOD!

Vanished

Here is a look at what the young person quoted below was referring to when she said that 1/3 of her generation is missing:

The Face of 40 Days for Life Memphis is Young!

The face of 40 Days for Life Memphis is so young! It really gives us so much hope and joy to see young Memphians as they passionately become involved in the campaign.

Since the start of the local 40 Days for Life effort young people have been showing out in great numbers to join us in prayer on the corner of Union Avenue and Pine in front of Planned Parenthood. They desire to stand up for life. I was standing next to one young person on Union and asked her why she was there. She told me:

"One third of my generation is missing. I do not know any of my friends or relatives that have not been affected by abortion. Two of my siblings are missing and my mother hurts. One of them was murdered right here at this Planned Parenthood. When there is an injustice you do something about it. Unfortunately right now, all we can legally do to stop the injustice going on inside is stand out here and pray and be a witness and reminder to the preciousness of life. That is why I am here. I hope my prayers and witness will be a means in which God saves a precious life and brings conversion of heart to a mother my age."

And joining us in prayer is not where their presence ends. Half of our leadership committee is under the age of twenty-six, and our Campaign Director is only but eighteen years and still in high school! Half, and some weeks all, of those that show up to participate in our door-to-door advocacy campaign on Saturdays are young people. They voluntarily lead us in prayer and song at our rallies and even practically lead them. They have become the face of 40 Days for Life Memphis and it has brought us so much hope!

Last week Blessed Sacrament Homeschool Group joined us in prayer and lined the corner and front of the building that leases to Planned Parenthood with young prayer warriors! They are pictured here. May God reward them for all they do to seek to protect life from conception until natural death!

He Regrets Lost Fatherhood

"Yesterday we were out there at around 4:00 pm and a man, Brian, walks up to us. He asks if we can give him a ride to a restaurant downtown where he had left his bag, as he had been cleaning windows that morning in an effort to get the money that had failed to be wired to him to finish his travel to Louisiana. We were a little leery. One of the men we were standing with told him, 'I tell you what… you hold this sign here and I will go get your bag.' Surprisingly Brian was alright with that. Then he looked over at me after about ten minutes with a look I won’t forget. He said, 'You know… I had two girlfriends that had abortions. I never would have guessed I would ever be doing this. If you would have told me even yesterday that I would be in Memphis on a street corner holding a sign that says 'Pray to End Abortion' I would have laughed at you.' He went on to tell me the pain and guilt he felt at agreeing to the murder of his children and how much he had wanted the child with his last girlfriend. We told him about Silent No More and the healing he could seek to overcome those feelings… I don’t know if he will actually seek that, but at the end of the day I was still standing there with him. As we packed up the supplies he said, 'Everything happens for a reason. God wanted me here today. Thank you.'"

Rain or Shine

"You are the salt of the earth...You are the light of the world." Matthew 15:13-14

St. Francis of Assisi Youth Group came to pray at Planned Parenthood today and be a witness for life.

Testimony

Our street friend Sydney who stops by to hold a sign and pray with us every once in a while.

“Meeting so many people from different corners of God’s church is a blessing for me! Knowing that I am being used as an instrument for Christ is another blessing. We don’t see how it affects everyone, but when they do come up to me and tell me that they have been touched by my standing there in prayer… what a blessing...it is so humbling.”- Prayer Volunteer (sent to us via phone)

Positive Experiences

Some comments we have received through e-mail and phone with in the last couple weeks:

"When I was out there earlier in the week a woman came up to me. She thought no one really cared about abortion. She thought we were doing a great thing and said that a peaceful, prayerful vigil was the 'right thing'"

"A lady came by today. She came over and said, 'I just wanted to read your sign. I really believe that."

"I went to stand vigil today. It is amazing the amount of honks and waves you receive while out there! It gives me so much hope!"

"Went to Planned Parenthood this last week. A pastor came by and said that he really appreciated us being there."

"It was raining cats and dogs yesterday! Two girls rolled the window down and said 'Thank you' to us."

"I love the fellowship when standing vigil."

"A woman stopped in her car and while she was waiting to turn right off Pine Street onto Union she looked over at us standing and holding our signs and mouthed, ‘Thank you.’ Then a little while later another woman pulled up and said, ‘Ya’ll are doing a great job!’ She stuck her thumb up. It is so positive!"

“A young guy came by that has been involved in the past with Bound for Life. He was really excited to see us out there. He asked for a picture and said he appreciated our presence in front of Planned Parenthood.”

Children are a witness for life!

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward." Psalm 127: 3-5

This week home schooled children from Mississippi drove up to stand in prayer for an end to abortion. They were a joy to have along side us and were such beautiful witnesses of how precious life and the child is! God bless them and their families for joining together with us during the 40 Days of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion.

Mid-Point Rally full of Passion!

The 40 Days for Life Mid-Point Rally was a wonderful success! While our crowd was some what smaller then usual, those who attended made up for numbers by their love and passion for the unborn - which rivaled a crowd of 300 easily! Twenty-eight people attended the simple, yet powerful two hour event on Sunday, March 15th at Catholic Charities Gymnasium on Jefferson.

It was a blessing to be together to celebrate life and hear the inspiring stories of how the campaign has touched the lives of those involved and how our prayerful presence has touched the lives of many Memphians.

The afternoon event began with an opening prayer from Kent Pruett, President of Tennessee Citizens Concerned for Life. Testimonies were shared and we joined together in songs of praise before we set out on our walk to Planned Parenthood. We received honks and waves as we made our way toward the abortion facility where 50 children are weekly murdered. As we came upon 1407 Union, Planned Parenthood, we united with our prayer volunteers who were there praying while the rest of us were attending the rally! It was a great moment. We circled the building as the Children of Israel had circled Jericho, praying in faith that the abortion industry too would crumble to the ground. Young people present led us in song and prayer. It was touching.

It truly was a fantastic event! May God use the next half of the campaign for His greater glory as we pray for an end to abortion!

To see more pictures of our Mid-Point Rally in Memphis visit here.

"40 Days for Life" by Four Life

While standing vigil at Planned Parenthood in Memphis a group of young people were inspired to write a song about their experience and 40 Days for Life. They sent it to us and we hope you enjoy it! Look out Jonas Brothers! They call themselves: Four Life. ... Get it? ...

Lyrics

First Verse:
“The 40 Days For Life” is a pro-life campaign
We stand out on the sidewalk in the sun and in the rain
We pray to end abortion at the corner of Union and Pine
To show the folks in Memphis that we’re loving and we’re kind

Chorus:
End abortion
Save the babies
End abortion
Save the babies

Second Verse:
The people that pass by us are sometimes nice and sometimes mean
Some people will wave and some will do a naughty thing
The people that stand with us can be young and can be old
And if we end abortion we won’t have to stand in the cold

Chorus:
End abortion
Save the babies
End abortion
Save the babies

Third Verse:
We stand out on the corner for 40 days straight
Holding signs to tell the world that our God is great
“Pray to end abortion” is what our signs say
And if that’s what you’d like to do then come stand out here today!

Chorus:
End abortion
Save the babies
End abortion
Save the babies

TODAY!

New 40 Days Memphis Youtube Channel!

We have a new means of getting updates and news to you! Youtube! We have started our own youtube channel. www.youtube.com/40daysforlifememphis

Become our friend. Subscribe to us. Favorite our videos. Rate our videos.

Respect for ALL Life

Being Pro-Life is more than just wanting to save the lives of babies and the souls of women seeking abortion. Being Pro-Life means you care about humanity, all humanity, through all stages of life.

There is a popular song by Brandon Heath whose chorus goes like this:

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity.

Give me your arms for the broken hearted
Ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see.

This afternoon I watched a powerful pro-life scenario...it was about 1:30 and there were about 5 of us out at Planned Parenthood. It was cold and so I was counting my last remaining minutes when I noticed a man lumbering down the road toward our little band. It was apparent that he was homeless the closer he got.

He stopped, spoke briefly and then read our signs, nodding all the while. He shared a bit about himself and introduced himself as Michael. He told us that he loved Jesus but that (in his own words) he was a drunk. After a short conversation he went down the road.

Just a bit later he came back passed us and Kathy W. asked him if we could pray with and for him; he readily agreed. She asked the LORD to work in his life anew and to deliver him from alcohol. After the "amens" Kathy ministered to him - beseeching him to go back to his church, to get sober. As she wept, Michael (whose name means "one who is like God") reached up with his dirty, calloused hands and wiped away her tears.

And as he wiped them he told her how beautiful she was, and she is. But Michale wasn't just seeing Kathy, he was coming face to face with Christ - in her! At that very sacred moment I knew God was at the corner of Union and Pine, again...still. Christ is there because we are gathered there in His name and for His glory.

We have chosen to stand for life. He sends those we need to minister to whether they are confused young women, desperate enough to take the life of their unborn or a homeless man whose presence reminds us that all life is sacred.

- Judy

"He or she is a human being in God's eyes..."

"I know it's common today to think of abortion as a simple answer to an inconvenient problem - but it is actually a far more serious issue. Your child isn't simply a mass of tissue; he or she is a human being in God's eyes." - Pastor Billy Graham

Praying for an end to abortion with new friends!

A prayer volunteer shared her testimony at one of our events. She said that one of her favorite times when standing vigil is when the people arrive for the next hour or when she arrives for the next hour. She said it is a great time because you are able to meet "new people" and pray with them.

"Happy is that people..."

"Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord." Psalms 144:15