National Day of Repentance

​February 2001 

"If My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
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Lord Heal Our Land
Opposing abortion is emotionally draining and time consuming. With the frequent criticisms we are subjected to, it can at times be discouraging. It would be so much more pleasant if we could just pretend that babies are not being killed by abortion.

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Every pro-choice argument requires that we pretend that life doesn’t begin at conception, and that we forget, ignore or deny the personhood of pre-born babies. The pro-abortion movement thrives on having silent victims. It depends on the ability of ordinary citizens to forget or ignore innocent victims – as long as they are out of our sight. Ignorance and apathy have allowed over 142 812 babies to be killed in South Africa – by abortion – legally. (That is the official figure confirmed in writing by the Department of Health to ACA)Legalised abortion is a national disgrace. The first of February will mark the fourth anniversary of the legalisation of abortion on demand in South Africa. For this reason, Christians who respect the sanctity of life will be observing Thursday 1st February as a Day of Repentance and Prayer. And pro-life pastors will be preaching on what the Bible says on the sanctity of life and our Christian responsibility concerning abortion on Sanctity Life Sunday (4 February).

Parliamentary Prayer Vigil
​Africa Christian Action will be holding a prayer vigil outside the gates of Parliament (at the corner of Roeland and Plein streets) from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday 1st February. If it is at all possible, please do join us there. A short memorial service and wreath laying ceremony will be held in memory of the 142 812 babies legally killed by abortion since 1 February 1997. Special obituary notices will also be placed in newspapers around the country.

"Could you men not keep watch with Me for one hour?" Matthew 26:40

Write for Life
We are also encouraging churches to encourage their members, especially youth and children, to write letters to the government pleading with them to respect the sanctity of life and to stop legalised abortion. Simple messages from children such as "Life is precious – stop abortion"; "Life is a gift from God – let us value all life"; "Please don’t turn the womb into a tomb."; "Babies are people too"; "As a former foetus I oppose abortion"; "I’m glad my mother didn’t abort me"; "We are all going to be judged by God"; "We want God to bless South Africa – stop abortion"; "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves." Along with some simple pictures or stickers, these letters will make a great impact as we deliver them to the Ministry of Health at Parliament. Please send them to ACA by 31 January so that we can display and present them on 1 February. (If you see this letter after that date, please still write/draw your message and send it to us. We will also be delivering messages on the right to life before Human Rights Day 21 March.)

Interceding for the Nation
At the same time, United Christian Action is organising a special Parliamentary Prayer Meeting inside Parliament for pastors, doctors and parliamentarians to observe a solemn hour of repentance and intercession on behalf of the nation. Any pastor or doctor is welcome to join us at the Rainforest Auditorium inside Parliament, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, 1st February.

"I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before Me in the gap on behalf of the land so that I would not have to destroy it . . ." Ezekiel 22:30

Pro-Life Trailer
In order to alert Capetonians to the reality of the abortion holocaust taking place in our land, UCA is organising special 6 metre by 3 metre display boards with pictures of life and abortion and with the Scriptures:

"This day . . . I have set before you life and death . . . Now choose life, so that you and your children may live." Deuteronomy 30:19

and "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves." Proverbs 31:8

These striking billboards will be mounted on a large trailer and towed around Cape Town on 1 February, and – if we get enough funding – for that whole week. As a picture is worth a thousand words, and as the Scripture is the power of God, we are confident that this project will result in thousands of precious lives being impacted.

"Rescue those being led away to death, hold back those staggering towards slaughter." Proverbs 24:11

Ten Years of Fighting for the Right to Life
This year, 2001, Africa Christian Action will be celebrating 10 years of standing for the right to life of Pre-born babies and upholding Biblical values in all areas of life.

The National Day of Repentance and Prayer (1 February) and Sanctity Life Sunday (4 February) will be the first of a series of special actions organised by ACA in this new millennium year. Please do help us make these events known. If possible join us at Parliament from 12:30 on 1st February. And if you can help us fund the posters, leaflets, stickers, radio programmes, mailings, advertisements and the pro-life trailer it will help us reach more mothers, fathers, doctors, nurses, government officials and voters with the message that Life begins at conception and Abortion is Murder. We need to love our neighbour – even our pre-born unseen neighbour.

"Who will rise up for Me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for Me against evildoers?" Psalm 94:16

Yours for Life and Liberty

Dr. Peter Hammond


† Repent of apathy and prayerlessness.
† Join us in prayer on Thursday 1 February. If possible also join us in person at Parliament.
† Encourage your children to write letters against abortion.
† Inform your congregation. Tell your family and friends.
† Get involved. Together we can make a difference!

Police confiscate Scripture bannerToday, 9 February, at about 11am on the opening of Parliament, Africa Christian Action (ACA) a member organization of UCA demonstrated in Cape Town holding placards stating that ABORTION KILLS BABIES and a large banner with the Bible verse:

“…this day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. CHOOSE LIFE so that you and your children may live.” Deut. 30:19 
 
Scriptural banner has been used outside Parliament before

To their amazement three police officers of the Reaction Unit forcefully confiscated the banners from the pro-lifers that were demonstrating. The police threatened the ACA members with arrest. The members of ACA were confident that the Bill of Rights guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Therefore the Director of ACA who was present at the time of the confiscation by the Police will be making an official complaint against this harassment and infringement of religious freedom.

Earlier today the driver towing UCA’s Pro-life trailer, which also had Scriptural verses, was forbidden by the police to enter Cape Town because of the opening of Parliament.

It’s a shocking commentary of the spiritual state of our nation when Christians cannot publicly display a Scripture verse on the opening day of our Parliament.