URGENT: THIS SUNDAY (1/20) is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. Next Tues. - 1/22 - will mark 46 years since the Roe v. Wade decison that has led to over 6 MILLION unborn babies being aborted. ENCOURAGE YOUR PASTOR to make note of the tragedy of abortion, if but to pray THIS SUNDAY that more women will choose LIFE [and not abortion] for their unborn child.
BE Prepared TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST ABORTION
(...because ALL Babies Matter! - http://www.lifenews.com/2017/03/01/why-do-unborn-babies-matter-just-because-they-are/ : Go to: LIFE Training Institute - http://prolifetraining.com/resources/five-minute-11/
Be Prepared TO ENGAGE WITH THE PC CULTURE:Go to:"Tactics" -
http://townhall.com/columnists/mikeadams/2016/04/29/tactics-n2154983
"Don't Argue the Exceptions - Beating Bad Arguments For Abortion and Transgenderism" - by John Stonestreet, Breakpoint.org, May 25, 2017; http://breakpoint.org/2017/05/breakpoint-dont-argue-exceptions/
-------------------------------------------
"A TALE OF TWO MARCHES - THE TWO SIDES OF THE ABORTION DEBATE" - by John Stonestreet and G. Shane Morris, Breakpoint.org, January 18, 2019; http://www.breakpoint.org/2019/01/breakpoint-a-tale-of-two-marches/ [AS I SEE IT: TODAY, Fri. Jan. 18, is the 45th annual March For Life. May God use the event to bring even greater unity and perseverance to those who labor on behalf of the unborn. May the mainstream media somehow give it the attention it deserves (though I will not hold my breath.) - Stan]
Today, tens of thousands are descending on Washington, D.C., for the forty-fifth year in a row to demand an end to legal abortion. Every year since Roe v. Wade, the March for Life has served as a public witness to the whole nation of the millions killed in the womb in the name of sexual freedom.
But this year, the March for Life will be immediately followed by another and very different demonstration. Tomorrow the Women’s March—which gained notoriety in 2017—will take to the National Mall in support of causes that have expanded far beyond just women—and they’re all progressive causes. But the central cause of the Woman’s March is unquestionably abortion.
The Women’s March started as a protest against President Trump and his checkered history with women. But since then, it has morphed into an openly pro-abortion demonstration. There is no room at the event for any other view, as Kristen Day, executive director of Democrats for Life of America, found out last year when she was chased off for holding a pro-life sign.
Devotion to abortion has hijacked not only this women’s movement, but an entire political party. Democratic delegates cheer Roe v. Wade at their national conventions and have officially adopted abortion at any time for any reason into the DNC platform. Funding international abortions was among the first priorities of the new majority in the U.S. House this year, and supporters of the so-called “right to choose” have gone from defending abortion as a tragic necessity to openly celebrating and even joking about it.
Shout Your Abortion is an organization that produces videos and testimonies from women in an effort to remove the “stigma” of abortion. In a recent sickening video, the founder of Shout Your Abortion sat down with middle school children and explained to them why killing an unborn baby is just like having a bad “dentist appointment.”
She described to two young girls how an abortionist “suck[ed] the pregnancy out” of her womb, and shot down another student’s suggestion that adoption might have been a better option. If you’re not already queasy, the founder of Shout Your Abortion plans to keep on shouting in a soon-to-be-published children’s story book.
Even Planned Parenthood has gotten bolder about what they do. They’ve now dropped their long-used strategy of insisting that dismembering babies is just “3 percent” of their business. But it wasn’t because they were repeatedly called out for their dishonesty (even the Washington Post, by the way, gave them three Pinocchios for that claim). No, earlier this month, Planned Parenthood’s new president, Leanna Wen, announced on Twitter that providing and expanding abortion is her organization’s “core mission.”
The pro-choice movement is now officially and unashamedly the pro-abortion movement, and they will not tolerate anyone unwilling to join their celebration of death. Pro-life activist Lila Rose thinks this has a lot to do with how hard our movement has pushed their movement. She told me this week on the BreakPoint Podcast that abortion proponents are on the defensive right now. With two new pro-life justices on the Supreme Court and another looking increasingly likely, it’s no wonder.
But something deeper is fueling the anger on display at the Women’s March and by abortion defenders. On Tuesday, Lila and several other leaders at a panel discussion in Washington, D.C., suggested that 45 years and sixty million abortions have left behind a wake of wounded souls. In other words, all this shouting about abortions is only an attempt to drown out the voice of conscience welling up inside millions of men and women who have made a terrible choice.
And if that’s true, neither the pro-choice demonstrators at the Women’s March nor the execs at Planned Parenthood are really our enemies. No, they’re broken people in need of repentance and forgiveness. So as we march for life in Washington for the 45th time, let’s pray that God uses our efforts to break the hold of death on our culture and our laws, but also to usher the many victims of abortion into eternal life.
RESOURCES
The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage the Culture - Scott Klusendorf | Crossway | 2009> https://colsoncenter.christianbook.com/case-life-equipping-christians-engage-culture/scott-klusendorf/9781433503207/pd/503207
"The State of the Pro-Life Movement: Lila Rose" - BreakPoint Podcast January 16, 2019 - http://www.breakpoint.org/2019/01/the-state-of-the-pro-life-movement-lila-rose/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I’ve Been Going to the March for Life Since I Was 12. Here’s 3 Things I’ve Learned" - Rachel del Guidice / @LRacheldG / January 17, 2019 / https://www.dailysignal.com/2019/01/17/ive-been-going-to-the-march-for-life-since-i-was-12-heres-3-things-ive-learned/
-------------------------------------------
PRAYER MATTERS:
"To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world." - Karl Barth; "Prayer is inviting God into a seemingly impossible situation and trusting/resting in His love and grace to accomplish His perfect will in His perfect time and for His greatest glory. Intercession is the one of the great privileges AND responsibilities for EVERY believer." - Stan
“INTERCESSORS ARE THE RUDDER” – A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT - Wanda Alger, June 28th, 2017; https://www.getamericapraying.com/blog/
I was recently given a word by my good friend, Bill Yount. His word greatly encouraged me as an intercessor. Working for Intercessors for America, I soon realized it was not just a word for me, but for all who have been praying for our nation, wondering if their prayers are truly making any difference. Bill told me, “I kept seeing you as a small rudder on a huge ship. Hidden, but giving guidance. Although it seemed slow it was turning the whole ship. Patience was needed to see the impact of your…ministry. I sense the Lord saying, ‘Don’t jump ship! I’ve made you the rudder!’ ” I was immediately touched in my spirit by this encouragement, knowing that our seemingly small place in prayer was having a great impact.
James 3:4 talks about the power of a small rudder to steer a large ship. In this scripture about the power of our tongue, consider the power of prophetic intercession! In the Forerunner Commentary on this verse we read, “…rudders manipulate the course of immense ocean vessels with a slight movement of a pilot’s hand. Since it is underwater and aft, the rudder of a ship does its work UNSEEN. A passenger is ignorant of its movements most of the time. Yet, when it is in proper working order, the rudder holds more power over the ship than the wind. The wind will blow, toss, even destroy the ship’s rigging, but the rudder guides the ship exactly where it directs.”
This is God’s promise to the intercessors in this hour of national turbulence. Don’t stop praying! Your prayers have great power to turn the ship! Continue praying, interceding, and discerning the workings and movements of the Holy Spirit, being faithful to God’s commands. As we come together to declare God’s faithfulness, this nation will, once again, head in the direction that God intends. Don’t give up and don’t give in. Regardless of the winds of adversity and the fires of the enemy, God’s people have a power that cannot be matched. Let us join in faith and continue to pray and speak of God’s faithfulness in order to bring God’s people and this nation into the fullness of God’s plans. Note this additional encouragement from God’s word:
Colossians 2:15 – “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (ESV).
Psalm 33:8-11 – “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.”
Wanda Alger, IFA Field Correspondent
PRAY FOR AMERICA: THANK GOD for His many blessings on America throughout it's history. May we then ask that AMERICA once again be a blessing TO GOD, by once again submitting to HIS will in our affairs - both personal and national - that He may truly "heal our land." (2 Chron. 7:14) Short of that, we should not be saying "God Bless America"but instead "God be merciful towards America!"
PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS: 1) Pray for President Trump and his advisers, that they would select Godly leaders at the federal level who will be accountable to do an excellent job (or be fired!) ; that he would seek God's wisdom and be enabled to lead our country effectively in the years ahead; and 2) Pray our leaders at every level of government will Spirit-filled, leading us with Godly wisdom and integrity; that they will only pass legislation and enact policies that will benefit Americans today as well as future generations and NOT do any lasting harm.
SUPREME COURT: PRAY that the justices will only hand down decisions that are Constitutionally sound and in the best interests of our country now and for future generations.
World-Wide Prayer Requests:
PRAISE GOD for the continuing recent successes against ISIS! Pray that coalition forces will be able to fully destroy the leadership and infrastructure of ISIS.
*For believers in Syria and in this region as they navigate so much uncertainty. May they remain faithful to God through these most difficult times as He sustains them with peace and His Spirit's strength.
------------------------------------------------------------
Praying Through the Open Doors World Watch List for persecuted believers:https://www.opendoorsusa.org/take-action/pray/monthly-prayer-calendar/
As we look ahead to 2019, Open Doors is excited to partner with you to come alongside persecuted believers in a number of countries. We ask you to pray with us about this year’s vision focused on strengthening the Church in the Middle East, Nigeria, India, Colombia and Egypt, among others.
January 18 | YEMEN - Pray for young Muslim people in the country to have visions and dreams when they are searching for answers and seeking truth.
*Names changed to protect identities
STANDING STRONG THROUGH THE STORM - OpenDoorsUSA.org
At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.- 2 Tim. 4;16
SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO SUFFER
The Apostle Paul knew exactly what it was like to be alone, to be deserted by all who called themselves “brothers” and “sisters.” A former colleague who has done considerable travel among the persecuted says, “It is hard to believe that Christians are the largest persecuted group in the world today. But it is even more difficult to believe that this is so seldom mentioned in our gatherings and church services. More Christians know the names of their favorite actors than their fellow believers who are in prison.”
He continues, “With every trip something in my heart breaks as I hear the echoes of suffering:
I remember the echoes of an Egyptian mother as she shared how her young boy was stuck in a haystack because she refused to deny Jesus.
I remember the sounds of weeping as fellow students in Indonesia shared how Sariman, their co-student, was hacked to death.
I remember the cries of anguish as we walked from church to church that was burned to the ground on the island of Lombok.
I remember the tears of Rebecca in Iran as she showed the picture of her father who was stabbed to death for sharing the gospel.
I remember the voice of Pastor Daniel in Vietnam as he shared how he was chained to the ground for six months.
I remember the fear of Grace from Sudan as she shared how her church was attacked and her friend was shot through the head.
Oh, I remember the cries of Caleb in Eritrea as he shared with tears how two dear friends were executed in front of him because of their faith.
And I remember the tears of Joy in the southern Philippines as she shared how her fiancé was shot to death in their church in Mindanao.
But, most all, I remember the deafening sounds of silence every time I return home.
RESPONSE
How can I be silent today? How can I not speak on behalf of those who suffer? How can I desert those that belong to the same body that I belong to and who desperately need the encouragement of my intervention?
URGENT: THIS SUNDAY (1/20) is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. Next Tues. - 1/22 - will mark 46 years since the Roe v. Wade decison that has led to over 6 MILLION unborn babies being aborted. ENCOURAGE YOUR PASTOR to make note of the tragedy of abortion, if but to pray THIS SUNDAY that more women will choose LIFE [and not abortion] for their unborn child.
BE Prepared TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST ABORTION
(...because ALL Babies Matter! - http://www.lifenews.com/2017/03/01/why-do-unborn-babies-matter-just-because-they-are/ : Go to: LIFE Training Institute - http://prolifetraining.com/resources/five-minute-11/
Be Prepared TO ENGAGE WITH THE PC CULTURE:Go to:"Tactics" -
http://townhall.com/columnists/mikeadams/2016/04/29/tactics-n2154983
"Don't Argue the Exceptions - Beating Bad Arguments For Abortion and Transgenderism" - by John Stonestreet, Breakpoint.org, May 25, 2017; http://breakpoint.org/2017/05/breakpoint-dont-argue-exceptions/
-------------------------------------------
"A TALE OF TWO MARCHES - THE TWO SIDES OF THE ABORTION DEBATE" - by John Stonestreet and G. Shane Morris, Breakpoint.org, January 18, 2019; http://www.breakpoint.org/2019/01/breakpoint-a-tale-of-two-marches/ [AS I SEE IT: TODAY, Fri. Jan. 18, is the 45th annual March For Life. May God use the event to bring even greater unity and perseverance to those who labor on behalf of the unborn. May the mainstream media somehow give it the attention it deserves (though I will not hold my breath.) - Stan]
Today, tens of thousands are descending on Washington, D.C., for the forty-fifth year in a row to demand an end to legal abortion. Every year since Roe v. Wade, the March for Life has served as a public witness to the whole nation of the millions killed in the womb in the name of sexual freedom.
But this year, the March for Life will be immediately followed by another and very different demonstration. Tomorrow the Women’s March—which gained notoriety in 2017—will take to the National Mall in support of causes that have expanded far beyond just women—and they’re all progressive causes. But the central cause of the Woman’s March is unquestionably abortion.
The Women’s March started as a protest against President Trump and his checkered history with women. But since then, it has morphed into an openly pro-abortion demonstration. There is no room at the event for any other view, as Kristen Day, executive director of Democrats for Life of America, found out last year when she was chased off for holding a pro-life sign.
Devotion to abortion has hijacked not only this women’s movement, but an entire political party. Democratic delegates cheer Roe v. Wade at their national conventions and have officially adopted abortion at any time for any reason into the DNC platform. Funding international abortions was among the first priorities of the new majority in the U.S. House this year, and supporters of the so-called “right to choose” have gone from defending abortion as a tragic necessity to openly celebrating and even joking about it.
Shout Your Abortion is an organization that produces videos and testimonies from women in an effort to remove the “stigma” of abortion. In a recent sickening video, the founder of Shout Your Abortion sat down with middle school children and explained to them why killing an unborn baby is just like having a bad “dentist appointment.”
She described to two young girls how an abortionist “suck[ed] the pregnancy out” of her womb, and shot down another student’s suggestion that adoption might have been a better option. If you’re not already queasy, the founder of Shout Your Abortion plans to keep on shouting in a soon-to-be-published children’s story book.
Even Planned Parenthood has gotten bolder about what they do. They’ve now dropped their long-used strategy of insisting that dismembering babies is just “3 percent” of their business. But it wasn’t because they were repeatedly called out for their dishonesty (even the Washington Post, by the way, gave them three Pinocchios for that claim). No, earlier this month, Planned Parenthood’s new president, Leanna Wen, announced on Twitter that providing and expanding abortion is her organization’s “core mission.”
The pro-choice movement is now officially and unashamedly the pro-abortion movement, and they will not tolerate anyone unwilling to join their celebration of death. Pro-life activist Lila Rose thinks this has a lot to do with how hard our movement has pushed their movement. She told me this week on the BreakPoint Podcast that abortion proponents are on the defensive right now. With two new pro-life justices on the Supreme Court and another looking increasingly likely, it’s no wonder.
But something deeper is fueling the anger on display at the Women’s March and by abortion defenders. On Tuesday, Lila and several other leaders at a panel discussion in Washington, D.C., suggested that 45 years and sixty million abortions have left behind a wake of wounded souls. In other words, all this shouting about abortions is only an attempt to drown out the voice of conscience welling up inside millions of men and women who have made a terrible choice.
And if that’s true, neither the pro-choice demonstrators at the Women’s March nor the execs at Planned Parenthood are really our enemies. No, they’re broken people in need of repentance and forgiveness. So as we march for life in Washington for the 45th time, let’s pray that God uses our efforts to break the hold of death on our culture and our laws, but also to usher the many victims of abortion into eternal life.
RESOURCES
The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage the Culture - Scott Klusendorf | Crossway | 2009> https://colsoncenter.christianbook.com/case-life-equipping-christians-engage-culture/scott-klusendorf/9781433503207/pd/503207
"The State of the Pro-Life Movement: Lila Rose" - BreakPoint Podcast January 16, 2019 - http://www.breakpoint.org/2019/01/the-state-of-the-pro-life-movement-lila-rose/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I’ve Been Going to the March for Life Since I Was 12. Here’s 3 Things I’ve Learned" - Rachel del Guidice / @LRacheldG / January 17, 2019 / https://www.dailysignal.com/2019/01/17/ive-been-going-to-the-march-for-life-since-i-was-12-heres-3-things-ive-learned/
-------------------------------------------
PRAYER MATTERS:
"To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world." - Karl Barth; "Prayer is inviting God into a seemingly impossible situation and trusting/resting in His love and grace to accomplish His perfect will in His perfect time and for His greatest glory. Intercession is the one of the great privileges AND responsibilities for EVERY believer." - Stan
“INTERCESSORS ARE THE RUDDER” – A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT - Wanda Alger, June 28th, 2017; https://www.getamericapraying.com/blog/
I was recently given a word by my good friend, Bill Yount. His word greatly encouraged me as an intercessor. Working for Intercessors for America, I soon realized it was not just a word for me, but for all who have been praying for our nation, wondering if their prayers are truly making any difference. Bill told me, “I kept seeing you as a small rudder on a huge ship. Hidden, but giving guidance. Although it seemed slow it was turning the whole ship. Patience was needed to see the impact of your…ministry. I sense the Lord saying, ‘Don’t jump ship! I’ve made you the rudder!’ ” I was immediately touched in my spirit by this encouragement, knowing that our seemingly small place in prayer was having a great impact.
James 3:4 talks about the power of a small rudder to steer a large ship. In this scripture about the power of our tongue, consider the power of prophetic intercession! In the Forerunner Commentary on this verse we read, “…rudders manipulate the course of immense ocean vessels with a slight movement of a pilot’s hand. Since it is underwater and aft, the rudder of a ship does its work UNSEEN. A passenger is ignorant of its movements most of the time. Yet, when it is in proper working order, the rudder holds more power over the ship than the wind. The wind will blow, toss, even destroy the ship’s rigging, but the rudder guides the ship exactly where it directs.”
This is God’s promise to the intercessors in this hour of national turbulence. Don’t stop praying! Your prayers have great power to turn the ship! Continue praying, interceding, and discerning the workings and movements of the Holy Spirit, being faithful to God’s commands. As we come together to declare God’s faithfulness, this nation will, once again, head in the direction that God intends. Don’t give up and don’t give in. Regardless of the winds of adversity and the fires of the enemy, God’s people have a power that cannot be matched. Let us join in faith and continue to pray and speak of God’s faithfulness in order to bring God’s people and this nation into the fullness of God’s plans. Note this additional encouragement from God’s word:
Colossians 2:15 – “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (ESV).
Psalm 33:8-11 – “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.”
Wanda Alger, IFA Field Correspondent
PRAY FOR AMERICA: THANK GOD for His many blessings on America throughout it's history. May we then ask that AMERICA once again be a blessing TO GOD, by once again submitting to HIS will in our affairs - both personal and national - that He may truly "heal our land." (2 Chron. 7:14) Short of that, we should not be saying "God Bless America"but instead "God be merciful towards America!"
PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS: 1) Pray for President Trump and his advisers, that they would select Godly leaders at the federal level who will be accountable to do an excellent job (or be fired!) ; that he would seek God's wisdom and be enabled to lead our country effectively in the years ahead; and 2) Pray our leaders at every level of government will Spirit-filled, leading us with Godly wisdom and integrity; that they will only pass legislation and enact policies that will benefit Americans today as well as future generations and NOT do any lasting harm.
SUPREME COURT: PRAY that the justices will only hand down decisions that are Constitutionally sound and in the best interests of our country now and for future generations.
World-Wide Prayer Requests:
PRAISE GOD for the continuing recent successes against ISIS! Pray that coalition forces will be able to fully destroy the leadership and infrastructure of ISIS.
*For believers in Syria and in this region as they navigate so much uncertainty. May they remain faithful to God through these most difficult times as He sustains them with peace and His Spirit's strength.
PRAISE GOD for the continuing recent successes against ISIS! Pray that coalition forces will be able to fully destroy the leadership and infrastructure of ISIS.
*For believers in Syria and in this region as they navigate so much uncertainty. May they remain faithful to God through these most difficult times as He sustains them with peace and His Spirit's strength.
------------------------------------------------------------
Praying Through the Open Doors World Watch List for persecuted believers:https://www.opendoorsusa.org/take-action/pray/monthly-prayer-calendar/
STANDING STRONG THROUGH THE STORM - OpenDoorsUSA.org
Praying Through the Open Doors World Watch List for persecuted believers:https://www.opendoorsusa.org/take-action/pray/monthly-prayer-calendar/
As we look ahead to 2019, Open Doors is excited to partner with you to come alongside persecuted believers in a number of countries. We ask you to pray with us about this year’s vision focused on strengthening the Church in the Middle East, Nigeria, India, Colombia and Egypt, among others.
January 18 | YEMEN - Pray for young Muslim people in the country to have visions and dreams when they are searching for answers and seeking truth.
*Names changed to protect identities
January 18 | YEMEN - Pray for young Muslim people in the country to have visions and dreams when they are searching for answers and seeking truth.
*Names changed to protect identities
STANDING STRONG THROUGH THE STORM - OpenDoorsUSA.org
At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.- 2 Tim. 4;16
SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO SUFFER
The Apostle Paul knew exactly what it was like to be alone, to be deserted by all who called themselves “brothers” and “sisters.” A former colleague who has done considerable travel among the persecuted says, “It is hard to believe that Christians are the largest persecuted group in the world today. But it is even more difficult to believe that this is so seldom mentioned in our gatherings and church services. More Christians know the names of their favorite actors than their fellow believers who are in prison.”
He continues, “With every trip something in my heart breaks as I hear the echoes of suffering:
I remember the echoes of an Egyptian mother as she shared how her young boy was stuck in a haystack because she refused to deny Jesus.
I remember the sounds of weeping as fellow students in Indonesia shared how Sariman, their co-student, was hacked to death.
I remember the cries of anguish as we walked from church to church that was burned to the ground on the island of Lombok.
I remember the tears of Rebecca in Iran as she showed the picture of her father who was stabbed to death for sharing the gospel.
I remember the voice of Pastor Daniel in Vietnam as he shared how he was chained to the ground for six months.
I remember the fear of Grace from Sudan as she shared how her church was attacked and her friend was shot through the head.
Oh, I remember the cries of Caleb in Eritrea as he shared with tears how two dear friends were executed in front of him because of their faith.
And I remember the tears of Joy in the southern Philippines as she shared how her fiancé was shot to death in their church in Mindanao.
But, most all, I remember the deafening sounds of silence every time I return home.
RESPONSE
How can I be silent today? How can I not speak on behalf of those who suffer? How can I desert those that belong to the same body that I belong to and who desperately need the encouragement of my intervention?
It looks like the nation is becoming more polarized over this issue. Towards the end of the article, the plight of those who have made an abortion and regret it is mentioned. The pro-life people must not say, "Well, you made your choice." The pro-choice people must not say, "You should not regret your choice, you should celebrate it." No, the pain is real and it must be talked about it in a loving way. Two marches, one issue - let us be careful to not destroy one another.
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