Right to Life of Michigan has the following news to report:
The number of abortions performed in Michigan decreased in 2009, according to recently released statistics from the Michigan Department of Community Health. The report from the Michigan Department of Community Health states that 22,357 abortions were performed in Michigan during 2009 compared to 25,970 Michigan abortions reported in 2008, a drop of 13.9 percent or 3,613 abortions. Since 1987, there has been a 54.4 percent decrease in the number of abortions performed in Michigan annually. Abortions in Michigan have decreased in four of the last six years and the number of abortions performed in 2009 represents the lowest annual total of reported abortions in Michigan since abortion providers were required to start reporting information in 1979.
Pray in thanksgiving for this decrease and continue to ask God that more women choose life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for their children.
July 25, 2010
April 02, 2010
New Life
Spring has arrived in all its glory and fullness with such enjoyably long days of sunshine warming the plants, instigating the buzz of bees and the nightly symphony of peepers, and rousing within us the desire to go outside and praise God for the marvels he has wrought.
Let us praise God for the LIFE he creates!
Let us stand at 320 offering a chorus of praises in union with the angels-- let's praise God for the gift of every child, especially the souls who will not be received as gifts, as cherished beauty--
let's stand not in mourning but exaltation that so great a God, so magnanimous and generous, would still bend low and hear our prayer in spite of our sinful disgracefulness. Let us offer to the Lord hearts full of joy that we are so beloved of God who formed us, who calls us forward, who hands us a future bright with hope if only we accept these gifts with as much generosity as they are bestowed.
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation!
O, my soul, praise Him, for he is our health and salvation!
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do...
Join us in glad adoration at 320 as often as you are able, as often as you feel called, and especially join us this autumn as we stand once more with citizens everywhere in praying for an end to abortion.
Let us praise God for the LIFE he creates!
Let us stand at 320 offering a chorus of praises in union with the angels-- let's praise God for the gift of every child, especially the souls who will not be received as gifts, as cherished beauty--
let's stand not in mourning but exaltation that so great a God, so magnanimous and generous, would still bend low and hear our prayer in spite of our sinful disgracefulness. Let us offer to the Lord hearts full of joy that we are so beloved of God who formed us, who calls us forward, who hands us a future bright with hope if only we accept these gifts with as much generosity as they are bestowed.
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation!
O, my soul, praise Him, for he is our health and salvation!
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do...
Join us in glad adoration at 320 as often as you are able, as often as you feel called, and especially join us this autumn as we stand once more with citizens everywhere in praying for an end to abortion.
March 26, 2010
What's the point?
Some of you might wonder in the back of your heads at intervals, "What's the point of standing here? Is this really accomplishing anything?"
David Bereit addressed this concern on the 40 DFL national blog today where relates the story of a taxi driver who pulled over to tell the prayer vigilantes in Providence, RI that they truly make a difference:
The driver went on to explain that he'd been seeing
people praying outside the facility for a few years.
"Sometimes there's just one," he said. "I don't like
that, when one of you is left alone."
It made this man think. "I asked myself why anyone
would come out in the rain, the snow, the heat, the
night, the morning -- even when you're alone, and even
when people were mean to you. I figured what you were
doing meant something big. Why else would you do it?"
The regular prayer presence, and the sign he often saw
with a scripture passage -- "Before I formed you in the
womb, I knew you" -- made a deep impression.
"What you do, standing and praying and holding that
sign, standing no matter what -- that is enough," he said.
"It speaks for itself. That's the message. It's true."
So take heart, dear friends. Sometimes standing and praying speaks louder than words, letters, protests, or logic ever could. When we stand, we stand with the One who has known and loved us before we were in the womb. We stand with people in Providence, RI and hundreds of other cities.
This Saturday, as you pray at 320, recall what Christ did for each of these children, for each of the staff, for each of the mothers, and for each of us. Recall who stands with you and give thanks~
David Bereit addressed this concern on the 40 DFL national blog today where relates the story of a taxi driver who pulled over to tell the prayer vigilantes in Providence, RI that they truly make a difference:
The driver went on to explain that he'd been seeing
people praying outside the facility for a few years.
"Sometimes there's just one," he said. "I don't like
that, when one of you is left alone."
It made this man think. "I asked myself why anyone
would come out in the rain, the snow, the heat, the
night, the morning -- even when you're alone, and even
when people were mean to you. I figured what you were
doing meant something big. Why else would you do it?"
The regular prayer presence, and the sign he often saw
with a scripture passage -- "Before I formed you in the
womb, I knew you" -- made a deep impression.
"What you do, standing and praying and holding that
sign, standing no matter what -- that is enough," he said.
"It speaks for itself. That's the message. It's true."
So take heart, dear friends. Sometimes standing and praying speaks louder than words, letters, protests, or logic ever could. When we stand, we stand with the One who has known and loved us before we were in the womb. We stand with people in Providence, RI and hundreds of other cities.
This Saturday, as you pray at 320, recall what Christ did for each of these children, for each of the staff, for each of the mothers, and for each of us. Recall who stands with you and give thanks~
March 21, 2010
Pray for Congress
As the Senate bills come up for vote, with so much hanging in the balance, it seems only a miracle could change the outcome when such a concerted effort is being made on the part of those who promote abortions no matter what the will of the people indicates.
We merely have recourse to a just God, a loving God who sees all and hears the prayers of a just people.We can submit ourselves more faithfully to the will of God in this time in our nation's history, and in doing so, we fulfill the purpose for which we have been created by that same loving God.
We can pray that our elected representatives in Congress will seek to fulfill the purpose for which they have been created, that they will seek justice for all, will seek to defend the dignity and rights of all, will seek the health, wellbeing, and care of all. Our president recently affirmed this truth, however misplaced and myopic it sounds coming from him: "It's a debate about the character of our country -- about whether we can still meet the challenges of our time, whether we still have the guts and the courage to give every citizen, not just some, the chance to reach their dreams."
I couldn't have framed the question better myself...do we as a nation have the courage to give every citizen the chance to reach their dreams? We must pray that regardless of the outcome of this vote, citizens will continue to seek the protection of the rights and dignity and very lives of their fellow citizens: those in the womb, those who do not value human dignity, and those who stand, like each one of us do, in sinfulness, in need of mercy, in need of loving, cherishing respect and forgiveness.
Pray for the members in Congress who believe every citizen has the right to live, and pray especially for those who deny this right. May God have mercy on us all!
We merely have recourse to a just God, a loving God who sees all and hears the prayers of a just people.We can submit ourselves more faithfully to the will of God in this time in our nation's history, and in doing so, we fulfill the purpose for which we have been created by that same loving God.
We can pray that our elected representatives in Congress will seek to fulfill the purpose for which they have been created, that they will seek justice for all, will seek to defend the dignity and rights of all, will seek the health, wellbeing, and care of all. Our president recently affirmed this truth, however misplaced and myopic it sounds coming from him: "It's a debate about the character of our country -- about whether we can still meet the challenges of our time, whether we still have the guts and the courage to give every citizen, not just some, the chance to reach their dreams."
I couldn't have framed the question better myself...do we as a nation have the courage to give every citizen the chance to reach their dreams? We must pray that regardless of the outcome of this vote, citizens will continue to seek the protection of the rights and dignity and very lives of their fellow citizens: those in the womb, those who do not value human dignity, and those who stand, like each one of us do, in sinfulness, in need of mercy, in need of loving, cherishing respect and forgiveness.
Pray for the members in Congress who believe every citizen has the right to live, and pray especially for those who deny this right. May God have mercy on us all!
March 01, 2010
Pray for those who persecute you
If you follow this link, you will find a list of all the abortionists in this country.
I can't think of a better way to spend your Saturday vigils than to offer up prayers for these fellows and all those who staff the places where they work, places like 320 E. Fulton. Pray that the scales may fall from their eyes, just as they fell from the eyes of Abby Johnson.
So far in the spring 40 Days, there have been 108 children saved by your prayers, your humbling yourselves before the Lord, and seeking His face.
I can't think of a better way to spend your Saturday vigils than to offer up prayers for these fellows and all those who staff the places where they work, places like 320 E. Fulton. Pray that the scales may fall from their eyes, just as they fell from the eyes of Abby Johnson.
So far in the spring 40 Days, there have been 108 children saved by your prayers, your humbling yourselves before the Lord, and seeking His face.
February 21, 2010
Lent is fast upon us
Yesterday I went to 320 for my first Saturday of prayer on behalf of the children in the womb, their mothers and families, and all those who will influence the outcome of what happens to their precious young lives.
I contemplated anew the moment when Jesus meets his mother on the via dolorosa.
Jesus, more than any other human being, identifies with the children aborted every week in Grand Rapids. He knows each one of them intimately, for he fashioned each one of them in the womb; he knows what it's like to suffer at the hands of those who find your life an encumbrance to their plans; he knows what it's like to die despised, to bleed without solace, to be discarded by those you have come into the world to love.
What will it be like when those children, crucified in the womb, meet their mothers? We pray that such a meeting in heaven will be possible. We pray that the Lord wash over these women His love and mercy. We pray that they may heal from the wound their choices made. We pray that they may embrace their child with love, with tender hearts, with love of Jesus written in their hearts eternally.
We, more than many other human beings, can stand in union with Mary, the mother of Jesus. Like her, we watch this endless series of crucifixions, limited but not powerless to change the outcome. We stand in prayer, sorrowful, hopeful, maternal prayer, knowing that with God all things are possible.
Please stand with us each Saturday in Lent, as we join cities across this nation, praying and fasting for an end to abortion at 320 E. Fulton, and in every place that God has prepared for Life to thrive and dwell with Him forever.
I contemplated anew the moment when Jesus meets his mother on the via dolorosa.
Jesus, more than any other human being, identifies with the children aborted every week in Grand Rapids. He knows each one of them intimately, for he fashioned each one of them in the womb; he knows what it's like to suffer at the hands of those who find your life an encumbrance to their plans; he knows what it's like to die despised, to bleed without solace, to be discarded by those you have come into the world to love.
What will it be like when those children, crucified in the womb, meet their mothers? We pray that such a meeting in heaven will be possible. We pray that the Lord wash over these women His love and mercy. We pray that they may heal from the wound their choices made. We pray that they may embrace their child with love, with tender hearts, with love of Jesus written in their hearts eternally.
We, more than many other human beings, can stand in union with Mary, the mother of Jesus. Like her, we watch this endless series of crucifixions, limited but not powerless to change the outcome. We stand in prayer, sorrowful, hopeful, maternal prayer, knowing that with God all things are possible.
Please stand with us each Saturday in Lent, as we join cities across this nation, praying and fasting for an end to abortion at 320 E. Fulton, and in every place that God has prepared for Life to thrive and dwell with Him forever.
November 02, 2009
Your perpetual light
The vigil ended quietly into the wee hour before All Souls Day.
Jane and I stood with our candles, praying that the Lord will establish peace at 320.
Peace and healing for the mothers who will taste the bitterness of a horrid choice.
Peace and new life for the children they have killed.
We also prayed in thanksgiving for the blessings of our vigil:
We had more night coverage than ever before, more non-Catholic churchgoers than ever before, more reports of lives saved than in years past.
We outlasted our friends holding their protest signs as we lovingly, silently prayed.
I hope everyone who came will continue to enter more deeply into the love of Christ.
Glory be to God, now and forever, and unto ages of ages!
Jane and I stood with our candles, praying that the Lord will establish peace at 320.
Peace and healing for the mothers who will taste the bitterness of a horrid choice.
Peace and new life for the children they have killed.
We also prayed in thanksgiving for the blessings of our vigil:
We had more night coverage than ever before, more non-Catholic churchgoers than ever before, more reports of lives saved than in years past.
We outlasted our friends holding their protest signs as we lovingly, silently prayed.
I hope everyone who came will continue to enter more deeply into the love of Christ.
Glory be to God, now and forever, and unto ages of ages!
November 01, 2009
3:20
| Revelation 3 | |||
| 20 | Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. | ||
| 21 | I will give the victor the right to sit with me on my throne, as I myself first won the victory and sit with my Father on his throne. | ||
| 22 | He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. | ||
Let us pray on this day of victory that those who work at 320 Fulton will hear His voice and open the door.
Let us pray that the churches of this city will hear His voice and open the door to Jesus present in the children perishing weekly while we busy ourselves in other tasks.
Let us pray that we will join those children at the throne of Jesus, one fine day, when the banquet is served.
Blessings of the Lord be upon all those who stood through rain, protests, and zoning complaints on behalf of His victory. Dear reader, never forget that the Lord loves nothing more than to share in your company. Praise Him! Go to Him! Open the door of your heart to Him! Make His victory known!!!
October 29, 2009
Choosing Life
One of the sidewalk counselors shares this prayer request:
Dear Friends,
I had a very dear girl show up at the Fulton Clinic today late. I asked her if she had an appointment and she replied that she did.....but went on to say that she was only here for an ultrasound.....was going to keep the baby.....and that Planned Parenthood had warned her about protesters.
Immediately I was able to connect with this friendly girl that faced a difficult road ahead.
She explained the dilemma that lay before here and still confirmed that no matter what, she was committed to life but she needed the ultrasound today. Since she was only a few weeks along, I could not get a free ultrasound for her today at our care centers. After talking about her situation in depth and begging her not to go into the abortion clinic for an ultrasound and wait the few weeks, she gave me a hug and said that she had to go in.
After about a half hour, she came out with the picture of her baby. She confirmed that they were short and cold in the abortion clinic and was so grateful that the two of us were out there to talk.
She plans to talk to her parents soon and it is uncertain how they will react to her pregnancy. After speaking with this girl for only a short time, I trust that she will continue to protect her unborn child. Without giving you all the details, I just ask that you pray for "E", a strong, happy girl who is doing the right thing in spite of the conflicts that lie ahead. Ask our dear Father to keep her strong and send support to her through the next months ahead.
We all treasure your commitment to prayer!!! Praise God for another LIFE choice!
Dear Friends,
I had a very dear girl show up at the Fulton Clinic today late. I asked her if she had an appointment and she replied that she did.....but went on to say that she was only here for an ultrasound.....was going to keep the baby.....and that Planned Parenthood had warned her about protesters.
Immediately I was able to connect with this friendly girl that faced a difficult road ahead.
She explained the dilemma that lay before here and still confirmed that no matter what, she was committed to life but she needed the ultrasound today. Since she was only a few weeks along, I could not get a free ultrasound for her today at our care centers. After talking about her situation in depth and begging her not to go into the abortion clinic for an ultrasound and wait the few weeks, she gave me a hug and said that she had to go in.
After about a half hour, she came out with the picture of her baby. She confirmed that they were short and cold in the abortion clinic and was so grateful that the two of us were out there to talk.
She plans to talk to her parents soon and it is uncertain how they will react to her pregnancy. After speaking with this girl for only a short time, I trust that she will continue to protect her unborn child. Without giving you all the details, I just ask that you pray for "E", a strong, happy girl who is doing the right thing in spite of the conflicts that lie ahead. Ask our dear Father to keep her strong and send support to her through the next months ahead.
We all treasure your commitment to prayer!!! Praise God for another LIFE choice!
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