40 Days for Life, Spring 2017 REVIEW

We have completed the spring 40 Days for Life campaign. Julie and I were involved in regularly scheduled prayer vigils across from the Bristol Women’s Center in Bristol, TN that offers abortion at their facilities. We are thankful to God for his sustaining power and encouragement throughout the 40 days.
After the 40 days for Life, we gathered together for a time of thanksgiving and celebration, thanking the Lord for answers to prayer and for His help. 
There is a lot to be thankful for:
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• 40 Days for Life reports that since its launch in 2007, there are amazing results.   It is “rapidly becoming a worldwide movement.”

                There have been 750,000 volunteers
                715 Cities represented
                44 Nations represented
                4,876 Local Campaigns
                13,153 Known Lives saved
                144 Abortion workers quit
                84 abortion centers closed.

• In our local campaign this spring, we know of a woman who chose to not abort her baby.  She intended to have the abortion at Bristol Regional Women’s Center, but when the abortion workers would not allow her to view the ultrasound, she walked out and visited a local Pregnancy Help Center and chose life. This is only one of perhaps 3 reports we have heard of since the start of 40 Days for Life in Bristol. We rejoice over the life saved.

 

• Even though, Amendment 1 was passed in Tennessee in 2014 (allowing the legislature to reinstate regulations on abortion in the state), Federal Judge Stephen Sharpe has put a stay on those requirements for clinics in Bristol and Nashville owned by Gary Boyle and Wesley Adams. Recently, Judge Sharpe announced his resignation. This is certainly an answer to prayer and we pray for a pro-life judge to be set in his place.

 

• An anonymous donor has chosen to fund a pro-life billboard just a half mile from the abortion clinic. We pray this will be a message of life and encouragement that will help many to value the gift of life.

 

• God has raised up sidewalk counselors who engage in conversation with those going in and out of the abortion clinic in Bristol.

 

• God has also raised up prayer teams that extend beyond the 40 days for Life campaigns.

“Lord, we thank you Lord for what you are doing in the city of Bristol and the entire region. We are grateful for answers to our prayers and encouragement you give us to keep praying for the ending of abortion. Thank you for the invitation to partner with you in your work. We ask that you would continue to move in power and end abortion. In Jesus name, Amen.”
Although we have not seen this clinic close, we are committed to pray toward that end, and the end of all abortion in the Tri-Cities region.
In our January newsletter we mentioned Matthew contacting churches in the city of Bristol specifically about 40 Days for Life and other prayer initiatives in Bristol. He was able to contact some before this campaign started and will continue making those contacts before the fall campaign.

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