Dear Intercessor,

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you…” Jer. I:5. God declares His ownership over His creation….you and me…because He made us and set us apart for His use and His use alone!  He had a plan and a purpose when He formed our inward parts and knit us together in our mother’s womb.  That womb was created to be the safest place in the world for a baby to be.  Now, it is reported to be the most dangerous place in the world for a baby to be.  May God forgive us!

January 2012 will bring in the 39^th anniversary of the infamous Roe v Wade decision that legalized abortion from the time of conception to a late term abortion. Principals in this court case have changed their minds and want the decision reversed but have found the task to be daunting. Meanwhile, the blood continues to “cry out from the ground” because of the millions of innocents who have lost their lives to the cruelty of abortion.

The up to date news from the recent Senate is that the “Heart-Beat” Abortion bill has been suspended by Republican Senate President, Tom Niehaus, to review changes.  More than 20 proposed amendments by supporters were creating confusion.  The bill had passed the House in June and had been stalled in the Senate until last week when hearings began. If the bill were to be enacted, supporters hope to provoke a legal challenge and overturn the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling that legalized abortion.  The ACLU promised to fight the Heart Beat bill in court. Ohio Right to Life Board Chairman, Marshal Pitchford, commended Republican Senate President  Tom Niehaus for his call to unity among anti-abortion groups and said, “the historic number of pro-life measures enacted in 2011 demonstrates both the Ohio Senate and Ohio House of Representatives stand ready to promote a culture of life in our great state.”  Lord, let us vote for life and fight for it, not because of politics but because Your word says so.

Pro-life ministries abound in NE Ohio and our area is all the richer because of them…rich in faith and rich in deeds.  Faith without works truly is dead.   “Little children, let us not love merely in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice and in sincerity).”  I John 3:18 Amp.  Ministry centers are forming new networks to cover greater geographical areas and to promote prayer and unity.  Innovative means of ministering to more and more women in need are being implemented in our region.  Mobile units to test for pregnancy are going out to the public gathering places rather than the individual always having to come to a testing center and more services are being offered to meet their needs.  Pray that the Lord will continue to strengthen those that work in the pro-life arena and that He will continue to provide ample funds for them to increase their services to the community. 

Innovative ways to network with pro-life groups abound…church and ministry prayer groups praying over the NEOIN January calendar; volunteering at a Center…participating in the 2012 Rally for Life at Noon at Cleveland Public Square, Sat. Jan. 21 with an Indoor program to follow (go to www.clevelandrighttolife.org for details); observing Sanctity of Life Sunday, Jan. 22 at our churches; attending the national March for Life in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 23 and being informed on the issue of life.

May God help us to “turn from our wicked ways...and turn back to God” in America!

Praying and believing with you,