The power of prayer

     Never underestimate the power of prayer.  There are times that we pray for something and it never seems that God hears our prayers.  I want to submit the following story that was sent to us by my sister in law in Texas.  It was an encouragement to us to keep on praying and do not lose hope.

Planned Parenthood has been a part of Abby Johnson's life for the past eight years; that is until last month, when Abby resigned. Johnson said she realized she wanted to leave, after watching an ultrasound of an abortion procedure.  "I just thought I can't do this anymore, and it was just like a flash that hit me and I thought that's it," said Jonhson.   She handed in her resignation October 6. Johnson worked as the Bryan Planned Parenthood Director for two years.


According to Johnson, the non-profit was struggling under the weight of a tough economy, and changing it's business model from one that pushed prevention, to one that focused on abortion.   "It seemed like maybe that's not what a lot of people were believing any more because that's not where the money was. The money wasn't in family planning, the money wasn't in prevention, the money was in abortion and so I had a problem with that," said Johnson.


Johnson said she was told to bring in more women who wanted abortions, something the Episcopalian church goer recently became convicted about.  "I feel so pure in heart (since leaving). I don't have this guilt, I don't have this burden on me anymore that's how I know this conversion was a spiritual conversion."


Johnson now supports the Coalition For Life, the pro-life group with a building down the street from Planned Parenthood. Coalition volunteers can regularly be seen praying on the sidewalk in front of Planned Parenthood. Johnson has been meeting with the coalition's executive director, Shawn Carney, and has prayed with volunteers outside Planned Parenthood.


On Friday both Johnson and the Coalition For Life were issued temporary restraining orders filed by Planned Parenthood.  Rochelle Tafolla, a Planned Parenthood spokesperson issued the following statement: "We regret being forced to turn to the courts to protect the safety and confidentiality of our clients and staff, however, in this instance it is absolutely necessary."


The temporary restraining order contends that Planned Parenthood would be irreparably harmed by the disclosure of certain information, but does not bar Johnson or Coalition For Life volunteers from the premises.  As of Sunday evening, neither Johnson nor Carney had seen the complaint filed against them that prompted the restraining order.   A hearing about the order has been set for November 10.

Here is the video link to this story http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/68441827.html

We should never stop praying, even when it seems that our prayers are not being answered.  We never know what God is doing behind the scenes.  We need to pray now that the information this young lady has on the inner workings of Planned Parenthood can become public.  I hope you were as encouraged by this story as I was.  Keep praying!  Don't give up!  And never lose hope!  Prayer is indeed powerful!