(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 Abortion. Satan 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
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