Day 23 Thank you to Lincoln Place Church of the Nazarene; St. Joseph Parish, Lucinda & St. Michael Parish, Foxburg and all the faithful prayer warriors who showed up!

On the sidewalk last Friday, Mary Ann and I were talking.  We were talking about Roe vs Wade being overturned.  She told me that it was overturned on the Feast Day of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.  It brought tears to my eyes because I immediately thought of my Mom & Dad.  Many of you know I lost both of my parents last October, nine days apart.  My Dad’s anniversary was yesterday.  The firsts are always the hardest.  The one photo I’m sharing was a photo that was always in my Mom & Dad’s bedroom and the other one is the Sacred Heart on their gravestone.  I would always stop and see my parents or call them after my shift at PP.  They were always interested in hearing about the happenings, both good and bad.  One conversation with my Dad always stands out to me.  We were talking about Roe vs. Wade and I  said that I believed it would be overturned.  My Dad did too but he said, “Not in my lifetime but maybe in yours.” June 24 is a significant day in my family too because it was the day I had my miscarriage in 1988, at almost 20 weeks.  God ordains everything and is sovereign over all so it is not a mere coincidence.  We had a special prayer day on December 1 last year for Dobbs & Roe vs. Wade and that would have been my parent’s 65th anniversary. I felt compelled to share this in my reflection this week.

I have to wonder how many women that have had an abortion remember the exact date and if they think about it every year after…  Our prayer for all who have had an abortion is that they will find healing and forgiveness in God.

In our Bible Study Fellowship group we have been learning about Elijah.  Elijah confronted King Ahab and declared God’s coming judgement in the form of a drought.  He called down fire from heaven in an amazing display of God’s overwhelming power.  He slew 450 prophets of Baal.  He prayed and then God opened the heavens to send rain on Israel. Elijah experienced God’s provision and power in miraculous ways. Elijah had a mountaintop experience on Mount Carmel and experienced monumental victory.

After Elijah’s victory over the prophets of Baal, he fled in fear of Queen Jezebel who wanted to kill him.  He ran away and sat under a broom bush and prayed to die.  An angel of the Lord appeared to him twice and told him to get up and eat and drink.  God restored this faithful servant and God provided for Elijah; bread and water before his 40 day journey. God cared for his weary servant and commissioned him for new work.  Elijah did the next right thing.  He anointed kings and raised up Elisha as a faithful partner and his successor. God faithfully cared for Elijah when he faced real human struggles. 

Elijah’s story makes me think of our 40 Days For Life journey.  We had the mountaintop victory of Roe vs. Wade. We saw God’s unmistakable display of power in that. We face an enemy that wants to continue to kill babies for profit and organ harvesting.  We get weary from these evil leaders that want to kill babies up to birth and even 28 days after. We know that if these leaders do not repent and come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior that they will face God’s judgment.  We pray that they have their Saul-to-Paul moment.  We are living in a sin-sick world in need of a Savior.  Maranatha-Come Lord Jesus 

God strengthens us and provides for us just like he did for Elijah.  Our human strength will fail us, but God never does. Our work for God is not done.  As long as we have breath in our lungs God can use us for His good and His glory. God does not strengthen us so we can be strong again.  He want us to re-engage with the work He is doing in the world.  He is calling us to be strong and courageous.  He is with us and He is on our side.  We need not fear. When we suffer on the sidewalk through rain, cold and rude gestures and comments, God’s sovereign and good purposes are accomplished.  Sometimes we don’t understand the suffering but we know that God can be trusted.  It is through our suffering that we trust God. To God be the glory!

God, who exercises His unlimited power with purity and perfection, will eventually bring judgment on all those who abuse power and people.

~Donna

7-9 Cathy & Peggy

It was a somewhat busy shift with clients going in beginning at 8.  No one accepted any literature or conversation. It is so sad that they see no other way than to have their baby killed, when there are so many resources available to them.  We offer options, all PP offers is death to the child, and little, if any, help afterwards.

We were joined in our prayers by Anthony, always a joy to see.  Bill stopped by and blessed the building.

Be sure to view babyolivia.com and share it.

Cathy

9-11 Judy & Marlene

Today’s shift started with Marlene from St. James, Meredith from Covenant, Denise, Chuck, Carol, Pastor Joe & Judy from Lincoln Place Nazarene. 

It began as a busy day. Peggy said 5 people had gone in during their shift. And it was a steady flow after we arrived. Those entering PP were not appreciative of our offers.  A woman drove by in a car screaming at us that Jesus said we should not harass women, that we should go home.

We had an opportunity to pray with a passerby who stopped by and seemed confused but wanted prayer.

A guy drove by at the end of our shift and rolled down his window and yelled that he wished Jesus had been aborted.

11-1 Lisa & Beth Ann

So thankful to have shared time on the sidewalk today with Beth Ann, Angi, Dave, Patty, Mary Jane, and Bob.  I’m grateful for you all.

One thing I really wish for the women (and men) of Pittsburgh is that they would know that Planned Parenthood DOES NOT CARE about them.  I wish they (and the PP workers) would have the scales fall from their eyes so they could SEE clearly.  Killing children in the womb is so obviously evil.  Lord, please help them to see.

I wanted to share a Scripture passage that was part of the First Reading at Mass on Monday.  It was the Feast of St. Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr.  The line that really struck me from Philippians was this: “For many, as I have often told you, and now tell you even in tears, conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ.”  (Philippians 3:18)  This line has stayed with me all week.  May we continue to pray for those who conduct themselves as enemies of Christ.  May their hearts be converted, and may they come to know and love the Truth, Who is Christ Himself.  Only then will they be able to see.

1-3 Carolyn & Cecilia

It was a little chilly but we stayed warm enough with our winter gear and we were dry.  We offered up any discomfort for the children and women.  There was traffic to and from PP.  Many left with a brown bag.

The prayer group prayed 2 rosaries and a Divine Mercy chaplet.

Ann and Ron were approached by their Pastor to look into Walking with Moms in Need at their church.  I was happy to talk with them about our experiences with the program as we have been “walking with Moms” since the end of May.  Hopefully more Parishes will begin this “journey”.  Everyone in our Parishes should know where to refer a pregnant or parenting Mom (or anyone!) in need.  Please read more about this initiative of the USCCB here and consider joining this effort:  https://www.walkingwithmoms.com/

3-5 Pete & Mary

We had the pleasure of being joined by Desiree and Ann from Clarion, who stayed an extra hour from their earlier shift. Megan also joined us. Dean came for our second hour. A very quiet shift so we had the opportunity for a Divine Mercy chaplet and rosary which we always dedicate to the conversion of abortionists, abortion workers and supporters, and all victims of abortion.

5-7 Larry & David

Dave, Bob & Larry showed up for the 5 to 7 shift. We were joined by a very lovely young lady, her name is Lauren. She dropped by for a while before going to 6:30 Mass. We really enjoyed talking to her, and we were inspired by her faith. Right before she showed up, a man came over by the baby models and took a picture of them. We couldn’t figure out what he said at first but Bob actually heard him pretty clearly. He took the picture and said maybe she’ll keep it! Praise God! We immediately said prayers for the man’s intentions!