The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

John 10:10 ESV

Sunday, March 15, 2020

Spiritual Warfare & The Battle For Life - 40 Days For Life



(I gave this message on March 14, 2020 at the Mid-Point Rally of Fort Lauderdale's 40 Days For Life Prayer and Fasting Vigil. You may view the PowerPoint slides of this message online at Microsoft OneDrive Here. You may download Microsoft OneDrive Basic free Here.)

At the Kick Off Rally last month I gave a message entitled "Strategic Prayer". We noted seven things to help us to engage in strategic prayer during the 40 day prayer and fasting vigil. 

We began by identifying the enemy, looking at two passages in particular where Jesus clearly identified the devil as the driving force behind the worldwide effort to kill human life at any age. The Biblical evidence makes it clear that Satan is the Architect of Abortion. Killing unborn children is part of his Agenda. Abortion is a Satanic Enterprise. 

In this morning's message, "Spiritual Warfare & the Battle For Life", we will look at Biblical truth that will further equip us for the spiritual warfare we are engaged in during these 40 Days. But first, I want to answer the question "Why does Satan want to kill unborn children?" Why is he so determined to exterminate human life? After all that is why we pray and fast at an abortion clinic asking God to prevent unborn children from being murdered. 

We speak of the sanctity of human life. What does that mean? What value does God place on human life? More specifically, how valuable are the unborn to God? This takes us to the Biblical creation account. 

Man was created by God and in His image and likeness. Genesis 1:27 (ESV), “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created them.” and Genesis 2:7 (ESV), “…then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” 

It should be clear from the Biblical creation account that man is not the product of a random, meaningless evolutionary process over millions of years. Man is not the result of a cosmic accident. Rather God intentionally created man with capacities reflective of Himself, in other words, in His image and likeness. As recorded in Isaiah 43:7 God says, man was “created for my glory.” (NIV)

Man is made in the image of God. What does that mean? In his book, Man: The Image of God, pediatrician, Dr. John Rendle-Short, M.D. points out the Godlike qualities man shares with God.
Language – humans can communicate.  I had a dog named Maggie who could bark, whine, and growl, but over thirteen years I never heard her utter a single word, no less speak a sentence. 
Intelligence – man can think. Not only is man a rational being he can think in the abstract. For example, he can compute complex mathematical, chemical and engineering formulas. 
Creativity – his intelligence allows him to create sophisticated products. He can send a man to the moon and back and speak instantly around the world from a cell phone or by the internet. 
Love- relationships, fellowship, community. Man is a social creature with the ability to love and be loved. With the ability to care for and nurture its young and to live in life long committed relationships.
Holiness -man has a moral conscience, the ability to tell right from wrong. 
Immortality – he is eternal and unlike the rest of the animal world, he will live forever.
Freedom - man can make choices. All of this “because he is human, made in the image of God.” 

The Personhood of the unborn is also clearly established in God's word. We look at two examples. This is what God said to Jeremiah, (1:5) “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”Before there was any physical manifestation of Jeremiah in the womb of his mother, God knew Him. God regarded Jeremiah as a unique and distinct person even before his birth. 

Note this incredible incident. These words were spoken by Elizabeth, who was six months pregnant with John the Baptist, when Mary, just days pregnant with Jesus Christ, visited her as recorded in Luke 1:41-44 (NIV), 

"When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.’" 

Do you realize what took place? The text says that six month old John the Baptist leaped for joy in his mother's womb when he came into the presence of Jesus Christ, God incarnate, who was but days old in the womb of his mother Mary. This is the first record of worship of the Messiah. And it took place in the womb! I call it intra-uterine worship. 

Do you see the personhood of the unborn in these narratives? You see, the Biblical evidence is clear. The unborn are created by God and for God. They are created in His image and God recognizes them as distinct and unique persons in the womb from the moment of conception. 

The scientific evidence leads us to the same conclusion. Douglas Erlandson writes, "When the fertilized egg (or zygote) is first formed, it already possesses its fullcomplement of DNA or genetic information." He continues, "That information never changes. A person’s sex, blood type hair and skin color, and future height are all determined in that first cell. From that moment on, unless its life is terminated, it will develop until it becomes an adult human being.” 

Professor, Dr. Micheline Matthews-Roth, M.D. of Harvard University Medical School writes, “…It is scientifically correct to say that an individual human life begins at conception…”

We don't have time to dwell on this further in this message. For more information see my presentation, "The Scientific, Philosophical & Metaphysical Case for Life" on my website churchforlife.blogspot.com. 

Let's bring Satan back into the picture. We noted last time ["Strategic Prayer" 40 Days Kick Off Rally] that the devil is the driving force behind abortion. The stage was set thousands of years ago as recorded in Genesis 3:15  (NIV). After Adam and Eve fell into sin, God said to Satan,"...I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."And with that, the epoch struggle between good and evil began. And ever since, Satan has been involved in an unrelenting effort to kill the offspring of Eve, created in the image of God. 

Remember Jesus Himself said as much. In John 8:44 (NIV) Jesus said this to those who were threatening to kill him, "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and father of lies." Here Jesus identifies two roles of Satan, a murderer from the beginning and a liar and the father of lies. 

In 2013 a study by Dr. Brian Clowes revealed that there had been 1.72 billion abortions worldwide in the forty years since 1973. That's an average of 117,800 per day for 40 years. Abortion is the most frequently performed elective surgery in America, over 3,000 a day. 21% of all pregnancies (excluding miscarriages) are surgically aborted. About one in three American women will have had an abortion by the time she reaches age 45.” (Compiled by Operation Rescue) 

John Powell has written, “In the United States it is statistically confirmed that the most dangerous place for anyone to be, with regard to the preservation of one’s life, is in the womb of one’s mother.” (Abortion: The Silent Holocaust)

Remember in John 10:10, Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and to destroy...."  (NIV) The Devil has been very successful in carrying out his agenda. This is why we pray and fast to end abortion. We are in a spiritual war with the powers of darkness. 

Satan is also a liar and the father of lies.  As we noted last time, deception proliferates in the abortion industry. In fact, deception characterizes the abortion industry. Notice, deception involves telling lies. These were the words of an abortion counselor:
                                
"Although the test is positive, you shouldn't consider yourself pregnant," she explained. "It's really just cells dividing at this point. We can take care of the problem quickly and easily, and you'll never have to think about it again.” She made four statements. Each of the four statements was a lie. This is the mantra of the abortion industry. Remember this as you pray at the clinic. The women and men entering the abortion clinic next door will be told similar lies. 

Deception involves withholding the truth. This study showed that, “Even though the majority felt rushed and uncertain, 67% received no counseling; 79% were not told about alternatives to abortion.” ( VM Rue et. al.,  Medical Science Monitor

Lies and deception are part of the business model of the clinic where you are interceding in prayer on behalf of the unborn and their parents. You see, deception Leads to Moral Schizophrenia. How else do you explain this conclusion by Pastor Randy Alcorn, "In America it is illegal to harm your pre-born child, but it is perfectly legal to kill him.” 

The Devil is “a murderer”, “a liar and father of lies”.These two “attributes” expose himas the Architect of Abortion.

Look with me at the ancient origin child killing. We trace it back to Molech worship. Molech was a god of the Ammonites the descendants of Lot. Molech was a fertility god whose worship included child sacrifice. Israel became involved in this form of idolatry. Children were placed on the out stretched arms of idol Molech falling into the fire burning in the belly of the idol where they were burned alive. 

Ezekiel 16:20-21 records God's response, “And you took your sons and daughters whom you bore to me and sacrificed them as food to the idols…You slaughtered my children and sacrificed them to the idols.”King Solomon built the first high place for the worship of Molech. Subsequent kings continued the practice including King Ahaz and Manasseh who sacrificed their very own children as they led their nation in the worship of the demon god Molech. 

Notice the parallels with abortion. In Molech worship a child was sacrificed to gain Molech's favor. In other words, the parents sacrificed something of value, their child, to gain something at a given point in time they considered to be of even greater value. For example, seeking Molech’s favor for, a good harvest, victory in battle or financial wellbeing. 

Notice the similarity with abortion. In abortion the mother sacrifices the life of her child for something, which at that time is of more value to her than the child - her education, avoiding personal shame, financial reasons, personal convenience, her career or birth control. 

Sacrifice for what? Pastor John Piper has written, “Abortion in America is not done consciously with any desire to get blessing from a deity. But it is done to gain something 'better' than the baby— The life of a child is being sacrificed for something. What that 'something' is defines the barbarity of our culture.”  

Pastor Rusty Thomas, in his book Field Manual for Abortion Ministry, writes, 

"Though thousands of years have passed,...The pagan ritual...persists. These ancient rites continue through clinics established by organizations such as Planned Parenthood in the abortion industry. The setting has indeed changed, but the lying message and brutal practice remains the same. Can you hear its voice today? 'You are too young.' 'You have to think about your schooling and career.' 'You cannot afford a baby.' 'It will leave stretch marks' ...Moloch and Baal still whisper, 'Give your child to me and all will be well with you.'" 

Do you see the deception?  This is why we pray and fast that God will open the eyes of those who are being lied to and deceived by our culture and the abortion industry. 

The Scriptures identify the demonic nature of this child sacrifice in Psalm 106:37-38. 

"They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demonsThey shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was desecrated by their blood."

There are distinct parallels between Molech worshipand abortion.
1. Abortion is the “sacrifice” of the unborn. “They sacrificed their sons and their daughters”
2. The unborn are family – our sons & daughters. “They sacrificed their sons and their daughters”
3. Abortion sheds innocent blood. “They...shed innocent blood”
4. The innocent blood of the aborted is sacrificed demons. “They sacrificed…to demons”

Pastor Randy Alcorn writes, 
“As the devil loved the sacrifice of children in the ancient heathen cultures, so he loves the sacrifice of children in our modern culture." "Whether children are sacrificed to a heathen god called Molech or to the god of our own convenience, he does not care. Whether these children are born or unborn does not matter to God’s enemies, for each of them is equally created in the image of God, and by killing them Satan comes as close as he can to striking out at God Himself. In killing those created in God’s image, Satan kills God in effigy.” (Prolife Answers to ProChoice Arguments.)

Eric Holmberg and Jay Rogers, in their work, Massacre of Innocence,summarize, “The spiritual heritage of the Moabites and the Ammonites is passed down to our own day. Today the church is fighting against those same spiritual forces for the very survival of our nation."

They continue, "Without all out spiritual warfare, what are our chances of victory when the demons' lust is being gorged on the blood of not just one, but over one million children killed each year?”

Prayer and fasting to end abortion is spiritual warfare. That makes it the business of the Church. Tell that to your pastors and spiritual leaders!

As we noted last time, "...our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”(Ephesians 6:12, NIV) And the Apostle Paul wrote the Corinthians,

"For though we walk in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension [lofty opinion] that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, NIV) Prayer and fasting are an essential part of that spiritual arsenal. 

Lest you think that that abortion and the demonic is just ancient history, let me bring you up to date. Modern feminism, witchcraft & abortion. In December of 1985 an article, entitled, "Feminist Spiritualism and Abortion" appeared in the feminist Ms. Magazinewritten, and I emphasize, by feminists about themselves. "The feminist spirituality movement began to emerge in the mid-1970s and has become one of the largest sub-movements within feminism...to the women in feminist spirituality, witchcraft had even a more fundamental meaning. It is a woman's religion, vilified by patriarchal Christianity, and now, finally, reclaimed.” 

Eric Holmberg and Jay Rogers write this about what was in the article, "Much space was given to goddess worship or adulation of the various demons associated with child sacrifice (including Isis and Aphrodite).”  (Massacreof Innocence)

Here is just a sample of the thinking of modern day feminists with regard to abortion. Patricia Baird-Windle owned three abortion clinics responsible for 65,000 abortions. In an interview after retirement she said, "Abortion is a major blessing                                                     and a sacrament in the hands of women..." (The 'Sacrament' of Abortion: An Interview With a Retired Abortionist.") 

Rev. Katherine Hancock Ragsdale, President of the Episcopal Divinity School in New England said the following in a sermon   given in Birmingham AL in 2007, “When a woman becomes pregnant within a loving, supportive, respectful relationship; has every option open to her; decides she does not wish to bear a child; and has access to safe, affordable abortion – there is not a tragedy in sight – only blessing.” 

Episcopal Priestess, Dr. Carter Hayward, in 1985, told the National Abortion Federation, "Abortion would be a sacrament if women were in charge. Abortion should be a sacrament even today." 

Listen to these astounding words. "It’s rare for a woman to choose abortion because in some way she dislikes the fetus. She sacrifices it for the sake of something she judges at this moment to be more important, whether it be her existing children…                                                   or her own physical, economic, or psychological survival or the fate of the planet." Do you remember what I just shared comparing abortion to child sacrifice? 

Psychologist Dr. Ginnette Paris wrote those words in her book The Sacrament of Abortion.She continues, “When abortion is necessary, not only should there be no shame but there should be a new consensus that to have a child who cannot adequately be cared for is shameful…it is not immoral to choose abortion; it is simply another kind of morality, a pagan one.”

Frank Pavone, commenting on her book writes, “The fact that some defend abortion as a sacred act should alert us to the depth of the spiritual warfare that is going on. Abortion has never been merely or even primarily a political issue. It is a false religion." He writes of a former abortion clinic security guard who "...after being converted, admitted why he was angry at pro-life sidewalk counselors 'You were coming to protest in front of our church. That clinic was where we conducted our worship.’” ("The 'Sacrament' of Abortion")

Do you see why abortion is a gospel issue? Do you see why ending abortion is the business of the Church? And the first work of the Church with regard to anything is prayer and fasting. To think otherwise is to be Biblically uninformed! 

Unmasking a "woman's right to choose." and "reproductive rights". If you dialogue about abortion around the water cooler at work or at home over the back yard fence these are the words that always come into play. These are the two terms the proponents of abortion use to frame the debate. "A woman's right to choose" and "reproductive rights" are code words for a woman's right to take the life of her unborn child. 

The key Scripture that addresses this issue is Genesis 3:1-5 (NIV).

"Now, the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, 'Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden?' The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.' ‘You will not surely die,’ the serpent said to the woman. ‘For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Note the significance of the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil". These were the temptations Eve faced then and we face today.
To live independent of God - Self-idolatry – self love rules.
Man becomes his own god “you will be like God". In other words, the self-deification of man -- and its result.
Man determines right & wrong (moral relativism).
This is the underlying premise of the proponents of a woman's right to choose" and "reproductive rights.” As Dr. Carl Ellis has said, "Eve became, in essence, the first secular humanist." 

Notice the link between abortion and the Garden of Eden. "I do not what a child at this time." Pastor John Piper writes, “…that is one of the most powerful sentences a person can speak…the ‘want’- of a mother has become the will of a god. …Our modern, secular, God-dethroning culture has endowed the will (the ‘want’) of a mother not just with sovereignty over her child, but with something vastly greater...the right and the power to create personhood.” (“Abortion & the Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil.”) 


The legal right “to choose” gives women the legal right to define personhood or play god.  Again Pastor Piper, “…the awesome thing is that we endow her will not just with sovereignty over her unborn baby, but with the authority to define it. If she wants it, it is a baby, a person. If she does not want it, it is not a baby, not a person.” (“Abortion & the Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil.”)

Pastor Randy Alcorn, “The prochoice position always overlooks the victim’s right to choose...The blacks didn’t choose slavery. The Jews didn’t choose the ovens. And the babies don’t choose abortion.” 

How should the Church respond? I hope that you have seen this morning that abortion is first and foremost a spiritual issue,  and therefore a gospel issue. This makes prayer the first work in the effort to end abortion. Last time I made a copy of the tri-fold "Praying to End Abortion" available to assist us in our prayers. Be sure to get one if you were not here. 

I shared these two conclusions with you last time. They bear repeating in light of the Biblical truth we have just noted. The Body of Christ, the church, is the only organism (institution) spiritually equipped to engage the Satanic forces behind abortion.
Therefore the Church must take the lead in the efforts to end abortion. 

When the church sees abortion as a Gospel issue we will win the battle for life! Christ has already won the victory! The Apostle Paul wrote"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over ever power and authority." (Colossians 1:9-10, NIV) 

The enemy has been defeated. "The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work."(1 John 3:8, NIV)  

As you enter the battle against the demonic forces propelling the abortion holocaust, remember Paul's words, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against devil's schemes." (Ephesians 6:10-11, NIV) 

Pastor John Ensor in his book,Innocent Blood writes, "The commands of Scripture exist that we might be compelled to do what does not come naturally." In Luke chapter ten Jesus helped a lawyer understand what it meant to love his neighbor. The lawyer was evidently hung up on exactly what that looked like. So he asked Jesus, "Who his my neighbor?" Jesus then tells him the story of a man on his way to Jericho from Jerusalem who was robbed and beaten and left half dead alongside the road. 

Three different individuals had the opportunity to come to his rescue, in all likelihood to save his life. Two of the three did not respond to the needs of the man bleeding by the side of the road. Those two were the church leaders of that day, a priest and a Levite, responsible for the spiritual care of their nation. And Jesus points out that not only did they fail to respond but, they "passed by on the other side." (NIV) In other words they consciously and deliberately distanced themselves from the needs of the man dying by the side of the road. 

Jesus then pointed out that the one who proved to be the neighbor to the dying man was the one who showed mercy to the badly beaten traveller. He then said, "Go and do likewise." John Ensor, in his book Innocent Blood, defines "Samaritan compassionthis way:"Doing right in the sight of the Lord means acting to stop the shedding of innocent blood. The only person in Jesus’ parable who is pro-life according to the demands of love is the Samaritan. Only he was willing to make the nearly dead man’s problem his own. Only he was willing to see the victim’s suffering as his own. Only he was willing to act according to what he would cry out for if their positions had been reversed."

May I suggest to you that according to Jesus' parable, our salvation has a moral imperative built into it with regards to the needs of those around us, our neighbors. In 2019 - 9,864 unborn children lost their lives to abortion in Broward County. That's an average of 27 children every day. They were our neighbors. 

Children will die unless someone intervenes on their behalf. In other words, we have an opportunity and responsibility to "go and do likewise!" Again, Pastor Ensor, "Loving my neighbor will occasionally arrest me, and maybe even require me to help prevent someone from being murdered." 

The writer of Proverbs said something very similar, "Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; Don’t stand back and let them die. Don’t try to avoid responsibility by saying you didn’t know about it."(24:10-12, NLT)

In his pamphlet, Field Manual for Abortion Ministry, (2014) Pastor Rusty Lee Thomas posed these two penetrating questions.

"What does Christianity look like in a nation that murders its own children? 

Has the church failed to be prolife or have we failed to be Christian when it comes to rescuing our neighbors scheduled to be dismembered?"

You participation in prayer and fasting to end abortion is part of the answer to those two questions. I hope you have seen tonight that ending abortion is a gospel issue if not a gospel imperative. The Church has no alternative but to take it's stand - against the devil's schemes engaging in spiritual warfare as it steps into the battle for life with all of the powerful resources
that the Gospel equips us with. 

On January 20, 2011, Rev. Flip Benham of Operation Save America issued the following statement ina press release. "...the time is now, for the Church to rise up and not wait for political parties, or the president, or Congress, or the Supreme Court to take care of the issue. It is our responsibility. The gates of hell will not prevail against the Church of Jesus Christ. Abortion will come to an end, when the Church of Jesus Christ makes up her mind it will come to an end – not a Second sooner. The responsibility for ending abortion in America rests squarely upon the shoulders of the Church of Jesus Christ.”
  
© James P McGarvey All Rights Reserved



Strategic Prayer - 40 Days For Life


(I gave this message on February 25, 2020 at the Kick Off Rally of theFort Lauderdale 40 Days For Life Prayer and Fasting Vigil. You may view the PowerPoint slides that accompany this message on Microsoft OneDrive Here. You may sign up for MS OneDrive for free Here.)

As the prayer and fasting vigil begins tomorrow I want to share a few thoughts about strategic prayer. According to the Florida Agency For Health Care Administration, 9,864 unborn children were killed by abortion in Broward County in 2019. That is an average of 27 children per day. They were our neighbors. This is the reason we meet here tonight. This is the reason for the 40 Days of prayer and fasting.  

I want to note with you tonight seven things to help us as we engage in strategic prayer. First of all, we must recognize the enemy Jesus identified as the enemy in John chapter eight. He was engaged in a conversation with the some of the religious leaders. Jesus said, "As it is, you are determined to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God." He went on to say as recorded in John 8:44, "You belong to your father, the devil...He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of all lies."

In this passage, Jesus identifies the two key roles of Satan in our world today. His job description, if you will. He is a murderer from the beginning, a liar, and the father of lies. How successful has he been? in the State of Florida, 71,908 unborn babies lost their lives to abortion in 2019. It is estimated that between 40 and 50 million unborn children are killed by abortion worldwide each year.

Satan is a liar. Deception proliferates in the abortion industry. In fact, deception characterizes the abortion industry. Satan is "a murderer" and "a liar and the father of lies". These two attributes expose Satan as the Architect of AbortionSatan has been very successful in carrying out his agenda. Jesus described Satan's agenda it in John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy." Therefore, this evening in order to pray strategically, please beware that abortion is a Satanic Enterprise.

As Pastor Randy Alcorn has written, “According to the Scriptures, there are spiritual beings present here, righteous angels and fallen angels, and we are under attack. There is a battle for our minds, and a battle for our souls: It’s not fiction, it’s not imagination; it’s revealed reality. There is great spiritual warfare associated with the issue of abortion." (ProLife Answers to ProChoice Arguments, pg. 353)

Secondly, as we pray strategically let's begin with repentance. Repent of the Church's complicity with abortion. 1 Peter 4:17  "For it is time for judgmentto begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" (NIV)  We must repent of abortion in the church and the silence and ambivalence of the church to the abortion crisis.

43% of women having abortions identify themselves as Protestants, 27% as Roman Catholics. (AGI, “In Brief” July, 2008)"76% of women indicate local churches had no influence on their decision to terminate their pregnancy". ("Study of Women Who Have Had An Abortion and Their Views On Church", CareNet/Lifeway)  

Thirdly, as we pray strategically, let us note the work of the enemy in the hearts, lives and minds of those we are praying for. I remind you this evening that the advocates of abortion are not the “enemy". Dr. Harvey Roth and Dr. Loss the abortionists next door, and the staff at the Fort Lauderdale Women's Center, clients at the abortion clinic and all those associated with the killing of the unborn and those who defend the right of a woman to kill her unborn are not the enemy.

Paul further describes the spiritual forces at work when he wrote of the unseen reality behind this kind of evil, "...our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12, NIV).

You see tragically those involved in the abortion industry are themselves the casualties of Satan's deception and evil schemes. To the Corinthian church Paul wrote, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4, NIV)

Writing from prison in Rome where he was in chains awaiting execution by the Emperor Nero the Apostle Paul writes Timothy instructing, him how to deal with those who oppose the truth and exposing how the devil has trapped and taken them captive. 

“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” (2 Timothy 2:24-26,  NIV)

That is the work of Satan deceiving those participating in abortion and those defending abortion. Paul wrotethat the Christians at Colossae had been "…rescued…from the dominion of darkness and brought…into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13, NIV)

This is the spiritual condition of all of us apart from the saving grace of God through faith in His son Jesus Christ. Do you see the spiritual condition of those who do not know the truth or have turned away from the truth? God can reach them through our prayers. 

Fourthly then, as we pray strategically, what should guide our response, what should characterize out attitude toward those for whom we pray and those who oppose our efforts? 

"Do not repay evil with evil or insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." (1 Peter 3:9, NIV)

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."(Philippians 2:3, NIV) 

This is an opportunity for us to realize that but for the grace of God anyone of us could be working at the Fort Lauderdale Women's Center. But for the grace of God anyone of us could be visiting the clinic as a client of their services. The Apostle Peter wrote, 1 Peter 5:5b  "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'(NIV)

Fifthly, as we pray strategically, note God's provision to engage the Satanic forces in this prayer vigil.How do we intercede on behalf of the unborn whose lives are at risk at the Fort Lauderdale Women's Center and the mothers, fathers, boyfriends, husbands, grandparents and others who bring them to the clinic? How do we pray for the abortionists and their staff at the clinic?

Note with me that we are equipped with God's promises and God's power for this prayer vigil, the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. Do you remember the temptation of Jesus by the devil recorded in Luke 4:1ff?

"Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where he was tempted by the devil."The devil tempted Jesus three times. and each time Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit responded by quoting the Scriptures. The writer to the Hebrews says, "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."(Hebrews 4:12-13, NIV)

As you stand and pray at the clinic, remember these astounding words from the Apostle Peter.

"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." (2 Peter 1:3-4, NIV)

Through the promises of God we have access to the power of God. The two always go together as His provision for the task before us. Notice the Apostle John's words, "The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work."(1 John 3:8, NIV)

Then listen to this bold statement by the Apostle Paul. "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over ever power and authority." (Colossians 2:9, NIV)

Remember Paul's words in Ephesians chapter six about the powers and authorities that we struggle with? He continues in Colossians 2:15, "...having disarmed the powers and authorities He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."(NIV) Do you see the authority Christ has over every demonic power? His authority is unrivaled. He has conclusively defeated the demonic forces behind abortion.

Sixthly, strategic prayer relies on the work of the Holy Spirit. In John 16:7-11 Jesus promised "Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this  world has been judged." (ESV)  or "stands condemned." (NIV)

Claim this work of the Holy Spirit as you pray at the clinic! He can take the messages on the signs you hold and bring conviction of sin, righteousness and judgment. He can bring to remembrance truth that the clients have heard or read sometime in the past and bring conviction of sin. While we do not have personal access to the clients, nor to the clinic workers, nor can we physically prevent the abortionist from carrying out their deadly procedures, we can rely on the ministry and even intervention of the Holy Spirit as we intercede for them from the sidewalk. His Spirit can access the hearts of those behind closed doors out of our sight. 

Abortion is a gospel issue. This is the inescapable truth that the Church is still wrestling with and to a large degree has failed to understand and respond to. There is a political fight to be fought. There are social implications to be wrestled with. But first and foremost, when seen through a Biblical paradigm, abortion is a spiritual issue.

The battle will be won or lost depending on the Church's response. The enemy has been identified. His strategy has been exposed. Our weapons have been issued, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. He waits for His body the Church to enlist and engage the enemy.

I have been saying this for years now. The Body of Christ, the Church, is the only organism (or institution) spiritually equipped to engage the satanic forces behind abortion. Therefore the Church must take the lead in the efforts to end abortion. 
Paul said as much in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV). 

"For though we walk in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension [lofty opinion] that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 

Lastly, during this prayer vigil strategically there will be praying and fasting. I close with these words to encourage you in the fast. In 2 Chronicles 20 we have the account of the response of King Jehoshaphat of Judah when his nation faced a crisis. A massive army from Edom was headed his way. It was a challenge that was humanly speaking insurmountable. 

Let me share with you Jehoshaphat's first response in the face of the approaching army that threatened his nation and people. He called a fast. It is recorded in verse two of chapter twenty, that some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom... Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to enquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him."(NIV)

Fasting means to deny oneself something that is a legitimate part of your life for the purpose of seeking God. Fasting from food or drink is common. But one can fast in many different ways. When I fast, this is what motivates me, "I need God more than I need food."

Why did Jehoshaphat call a fast? Note two reasons. First of all, fasting communicates urgency of desire. In verse three it says that Jehoshaphat was “alarmed” and "afraid”. 

Arthur Wallis, in his book God’s Chosen Fast writes, “When a man is willing to set aside the legitimate appetites of the body to concentrate on the work of praying, he is demonstrating that he means business, that he is seeking God with all his heart, and will not let God go unless he answers."

The second thing we learn about fasting from King Jehoshaphat is that fasting communicates dependence onGod. I like the New Living Translation of 20:12. "O our God, won't you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help." In other words, it's like saying to God, “We are helpless!”, "Our back is up against the wall.", "You’re the only one we can turn to for help!”

The prophet Azariah spoke the word of the Lord to Jehoshaphat's father King Asa years before after the Lord gave the king a great victory over a similar powerful army. I believe his words are the theological basis for fasting The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you” (2 Chronicles 15:2, NIV)

Pastor K. Neil Foster has written, “Fasting is the quickest way to get yourself into the position where God can give you what He wanted to give you all along." You see, Fasting is an invitation for God's intervention." 

Fasting provides an opportunity for God to demonstrate His supernatural power. In other words for God to do what only God can do. Through fasting God will bring His resources into the battle to end abortion. Through fasting God will intervene in America's abortion crisis. Through fasting God is glorified because He gets all the credit. 

Pope John Paul II, in his Gospel of Life writes,"Jesus Himself has shown us by His own example that prayer and fasting are the first and most effective weapons against the forces of evil (cf. Mt 4:1-11). As He taught His disciples, some demons cannot be driven out except in this way (cf. Mk 9:29). Let us therefore discover anew the humility and the courage to pray and fast so that power from on high will break down the walls of lies and deceit: the walls which conceal from the sight of so many of our brothers and sisters the evil of practices and laws which are hostile to life".

Rev. Flip Benham, then president of Operation Save America, in a Press release on January 20, 2011, said, "Abortion will come to an end, when the Church of Jesus Christ makes up her mind it will come to an end – not a second sooner. The responsibility for ending abortion in America rests squarely upon the shoulders  of the Church of Jesus Christ.”

As you participate in the 40 Days Prayer and Fasting Virgil, you are helping to make that come true. 

© James P McGarvey All Rights Reserved