JESUS-OUR ONLY HOPE
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. Titus 2: 11-15
God bless you all for your continued perseverance to show up and shine your light in one of the darkest places in our city. God is giving us all His strength to persevere. His story is already written. He is the first and last, the beginning and the end. He knows all things, sees all things and has everything in His sovereign control. Nothing is hidden from His sight. God’s perfect plan will come to pass and His plans and purposes will not be thwarted. The enemy cannot change times or seasons. Praise God for His Word and truth, the Sword of the Spirit to combat the lies, deception and propaganda we see all around us.
Father, we are in awe of You and Your perfect plan of redemption through your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. We await the return of Jesus. Thank you for Your Holy Spirit to convict us and His power that lives in us. We rebuke all the lies surrounding abortion in the mighty name of Jesus. Lord remove the blinders and scales from people’s eyes and we declare sight to the blind. We know abortion is NOT healthcare, it is murder. To murder the innocent and most vulnerable among us is evil and not a choice because it is an attack on You and Your creation, Your masterpieces. We bind the spirit of death that has a stronghold on our nation and declare LIFE to be valued and protected from conception to natural death. We demand equal justice for our unborn brothers and sisters. We rebuke and bind the lies, deception and propaganda and declare truth over this nation. We bind the evil and perversion surrounding identity and declare a return to truth knowing You created us male and female in Your image. We declare You are our Law Giver, Judge and King. We declare that we embrace our God given roots and destiny. We pray that You will finish the work You started in us and in this land. Purify us and help us to live holy lives, set apart, for Your honor and Your glory Lord. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We ask all this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen
~Donna
Keep reading to find out what happened today on the sidewalk…
7:30-9:00: Cheryl & Judy
From Cheryl (posted as a comment on yesterday’s blog, I just wanted to share it here for those who may not have seen it):
I just want to say I have been one of those advocates feeling discouraged , questioning am I really helping these moms 😢🙏 but I know I am not there 24 hours . I am new since summer but when I see Nikki, Mark , Barb & Richard I am so blessed to work with them. They have so much love in their hearts and soul. They make me stronger every week!
All of you that do this are like Gods little Angels 🙏🙏💗 I always pray that the Blessed Mother wraps her Mantle around you. Every day. This is what God wants us to be 💗 I pray someday I will be as strong as you! These forty days have been great , learning so much. Thank you and God Bless all of you.
Cheryl reported: Only about 5 moms went in and another mom with kids. It was quiet. Missed you guys. 😇 it was cold! I had shorts on! 🤣
9:00-11:00: Judy & Chuck
It was so nice to see Cheryl, Rick and Judy’s smiling faces as Chuck and I arrived for our shift. It was great seeing Hutch again this morning as well. Traffic in and out of PP was slow but somewhat steady. No one was receptive for any of our resource handouts or anything we had to say. It was good to have Dan join us for prayer mid-shift. A lady approached me and wanted money for food. I offered her a granola bar but she didn’t want it. She accepted the card with the Red Door info and allowed me to pray with her. We had a lot of positive responses to our “good morning” greetings to passersby. Judy
11:00-1:00: Linda & Beth Ann
Beth Ann and Angi
Thank you to Beth Ann, Angi, Dan, Sam, Ed, Bob and Linda who prayed during our shift.
There was a slow but steady movement of women into PP during our shift. No one was interested in receiving our information.
One interesting encounter was with a Spanish speaking woman. She approached Sam (who happened to be standing RIGHT NEXT to the PP sign!) pointing to Planned Parenthood on her Google map and asking him where Planned Parenthood was. She told us she was pregnant and she wanted an abortion. We gave her a Spanish brochure, and conversed with her through Google translate, offering her help, housing, and whatever she needed. I was able to reach Spanish speaker and sidewalk counselor Ethan on my phone, and he did his best to dissuade her. She was alone in the country, knew no one, and had to work to make money to send to her family at home. Nothing we could say would change her mind. We prayed with her. Finally she walked down Liberty Avenue, still looking for Planned Parenthood. She approached a passer-by at the end of the block who then escorted her into PP.
If you speak Spanish, you are needed more than ever to pray and counsel women on the sidewalk!
1:00-3:00: Carolyn & Cil:
Angie, a new SA, came all the way from Latrobe area. She attends St Mary Byzantine.
Diane traveled with Fr Jim and I from St Francis.
Carolyn and Mary from St Thomas More found some sun. The weather was pleasant. Most people were too and some took material.
As soon as we arrived A was dropped off by her husband. She spent much time talking with us. Beth Ann and friend from early shift stayed to help encourage the woman to choose life. She had gone to Women’s Choice and heard about all her options she said. She said it’s just not a good time for a baby. She was 6 wks. And we just happened to have the large 6 wk poster in front of us. She was still determined despite everything we said. We asked if we could pray for her and so the 3 of us prayed over her. She was not scheduled and could still change her mind though she was inside for most of our shift. So maybe they took a walk-in and it’s too late. So sad!
3:00-5:00: Pete, Bill & Mary