Prayer for "Small Victory" is Answered in a Big Way

Prayer for "Small Victory" Answered in a Big Way
"It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear." Isaiah 65:24

November 23, 2002

The powerful witness for Christ that Daniel & Angela Michaels gave in their testimony in their trial on November 15th and 18th did not go unnoticed. God heard their cries unto Him on behalf of the innocent unborn baby boys and girls and He heard our prayers also. Before we were able to post a specific prayer request article (see Pray for a "Small Victory" for the Michaels) on our web site, the news came in on the judge's ruling late Friday.

"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes." Proverbs 21:1 In this lawsuit filed against the Michaels, 4 of their children and 2 other pro-lifers, abortionist Yogendra Shah sought to silence the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ outside an abortionist's office. Our prayer was that God would turn the heart of the judge to truth and justice when the enemies of the gospel sought unjust action in the form of censoring the gospel of Christ. Mr. Shah did not get his wish as Judge Clarence W. Harrison ruled in favor of First Amendment rights on public sidewalks in Granite City, IL even for Christians boldly proclaiming gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Below is the St. Louis Post-Dispath's article late Friday night, November 22nd about the judge's ruling. Notice how the Post-Dispatch has watered down their earlier report of Mr. Shah's request that Christians be kept "at least 160 feet from the office" to just "40 feet" in today's article. Is this an attempt to make the truly outrageous somehow appear like a more reasonable request that was flatly rejected in court as unconstitutional? Even censoring the gospel of Christ 1 foot is outrageous! No one was doing what little the judge did allow. Yet the abortionist says he is satisfied with Judge Harrison's order?

Notice how abortionists and the child killing industry always keep asking for the whole ball of wax instead of the faulty illogic of incrementalism used by many pro-lifers in political or judicial circles. The abortion industry knows that car dealers always put a higher price on the sticker than what they are willing to settle for. They may just get a customer to pay the higher price with no questions. Why can't more Christians understand this and demand our nation give all persons, born and unborn their God-given rights back?

Praise the Lord for faithful servants like the Michaels and others standing with the "Small Victories" ministry in Granite City, IL! They refuse to compromise on the pricless lives of innocent baby boys and girls or shrink from proclaiming King Jesus at the gates. Keep given 'em heaven Daniel and Angela!

Judge rules that protesters may demonstrate outside of doctor's office in Granite City
BY TRISHA L. HOWARD
Of the Post-Dispatch
11/22/2002 10:30 PM

Anti-abortion protesters can demonstrate outside a Granite City doctor's office, but they can't do anything to imply that the doctor sells fetal tissue or baby's body parts, a Madison County judge ruled Friday.

Associate Judge Clarence W. Harrison's injunction stopped short of granting the doctor's request that protesters be kept at least 40 feet from his property and that they be prohibited from carrying graphic signs of aborted fetuses.

The doctor, Yogendra Shah, performs abortions at the Hope Clinic for Women. The injunction applies to the office at 3165 Myrtle Avenue in Granite City, where Shah practices obstetrics and where a neighboring doctor practices pediatrics.

But Harrison prohibited protesters from harassing Shah, his staff or his patients; making so much noise that they can be heard inside Shah's office; or distributing information that implies that Shah trafficks in baby parts.

Protester Daniel Michael said that he, his wife, Angela, and their fellow demonstrators had not engaged in any of that behavior during a protest Oct. 28.

Jason Craddock, the attorney for Daniel and Angela Michael, had argued that the protesters had a First Amendment right to demonstrate in front of Shah's office.

After receiving word of the ruling on Friday, Daniel Michael said: "I think it's a great day for the Lord. I don't think we were doing anything that is not legal. We just want to show people that what (Shah) does is wrong."

Shah's lawyer, Mark Levy, said he was satisfied with Harrison's order, although Harrison had not granted his full request.

"Given all the issues the judge had to address, he did a good job with this order," Levy said. "I hope they follow it, and we won't end up back in court."

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