40 Days for Life -- September 23 -- November 1

40 Days for Life.com ^ | 09-23-15 | 40 Days for Life

[Salvation]

Nashville, Tennessee

October 18, 2015

As three vigil participants prayed outside Planned Parenthood in Nashville, they watched as a woman drove into the lot and parked.

About a minute later, she backed out of her parking space and headed towards the driveway.

One of the volunteers offered her a pamphlet and asked if she was there seeking information about abortion. “No,” she said. “I was going to apply for a job.”

The woman said she was a health care professional. “But I saw the signs and you all praying … I changed my mind. I can’t work here!”

[Salvation]

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

October 19, 2015

“There was another save!” the Milwaukee team joyfully announced. “A couple chose life after seeing the ultrasound picture of their child. Praise God!

“She is ten weeks along. Please keep the three of them in your prayers.”

Volunteers were praying at the vigil when another couple arrived. The abortion center always tries to usher people inside as quickly as possible, but the vigil participants were able to speak to the couple briefly.

There was a language barrier, but one of the team leaders says they’re hopeful that it was a positive discussion – the couple stayed inside for only about five minutes. “That’s a very good sign,” he noted. “Please pray for them and their child. Leaving that awful place so quickly is indeed a very good sign.”

[Salvation]

Fort Collins, Colorado

October 20, 2015

Fort Collins is conducting its tenth 40 Days for Life campaign.

Linda, the local coordinator, tells of a mother of three young children who came from out of town to abort her fourth child.

Volunteers offered to help, so she came over to talk. “One of the sidewalk counselors told her a story from the Bible that brought her to tears,” Linda said, “and she decided to keep her child. But her needs are great. She is a single mother. Her other children are all under the age of four.”

This is where the community rallied around her. Though the woman lives several hundred miles away, volunteers were able to find someone in her home town to mentor her, and others will check on her weekly. She was also offered supplies and gift cards to help her take care of her family … and more gift cards have been set aside to assist her in the future.

“This is what a pro-life community does,” Linda said. “Even when someone comes from far away, the pro-life network can reach out to help her. This we will be happy to do for any mom who chooses life.”

[Salvation]

Manhattan, New York

October 21, 2015

“Not much that comes out of Planned Parenthood deserves a celebration,” said Jill in Manhattan. Volunteers have seen women coming out in pain, barely able to walk down the street. Some are crying, even hysterical.

“But last week, we saw something even worse,” she said. “An ambulance pulled in front of Planned Parenthood. A young woman on a stretcher was loaded into the ambulance and driven away. Let’s keep this young woman in our prayers.”

[Salvation]

Fort Myers, Florida

October 22, 2015

A young woman stopped her car in front of the Planned Parenthood abortion center where Angela was praying. “She wanted to encourage me to keep coming and praying,” she said.

The woman told Angela that two years ago, she had an appointment at Planned Parenthood. “She was going to get an abortion, but after seeing people praying on the street, something came over her and she changed her mind.”

This woman said she’s not really sure why she ever considered abortion. She was married, and money was not an issue. It was just her state of mind, she said. She was not thinking correctly.

“She was very happy as she now has an 18-month-old daughter,” Angela said. “She also had a conversion at that time and turned back to God.”

“Your presence outside Planned Parenthood sways hearts and minds to stop and think about God’s plan for their life and the life of their baby,” said Paula, the 40 Days for Life leader in Fort Myers. “Come and see what God can do through you!”

[Salvation]

Manassas, Virginia

October 23, 2015

Abortions took place for 27 years at Amethyst Health Center for Women in Manassas. But that all ended late last month.

Through heat, rain and snow … faithful volunteers had prayed outside that facility for years – prayer that included fourteen 40 Days for Life campaigns.

This past Sunday, volunteers gathered for prayer at Amethyst one more time … and 40 Days for Life’s national director, David Bereit, shared some words of appreciation for all that had been done to bring about this victory, and thanked all those who had helped coordinate 40 Days for Life campaigns over the years for their leadership.

Mike Baldwin, the current local director, has invited the Manassas volunteers to continue praying. There are other 40 Days for Life vigils taking place in Northern Virginia … and he saidthere remains a need for prayer in Manassas. He’s asking people to keep “praying for protection against another abortion center opening up in our area.”

[Salvation]

Riga, Latvia

October 24, 2015

“There are many faithful Christians in the country,” said Robert Colquhoun, 40 Days for Life’s international outreach coordinator, “but pro-life activism is at a very early stage in Latvia’s post-communist era. Independence only came around 25 years ago.”

He recently visited the 40 Days for Life campaign in Riga, Latvia’s capital.

Janis Lulle, the local coordinator, has pledged more public witness here for the future and recognizes where this campaign can grow. “For many,” Robert said, “the concept of public witness post-communism is a tricky one and certainly very counter cultural, against the national temperament.”

Latvia’s population is around 2 million, and there are around 5,000 abortions reported every year. “We had a prayer procession around the hospital,” Robert said, “and returned to the church where there is a memorial to unborn children outside.”

One volunteer spoke of her own abortion experience and desired to speak more about it publicly in future. “She said she wished she had known about our message,” he said, “as she was almost forced into abortion by doctors and family for medical reasons and wished she was stronger to reject their insistence. We prayed with her, and also recommended post-abortion healing and resources.”

[Salvation]

Manchester, New Hampshire

October 25, 2015

“The God you pray to doesn’t exist!” shouted a woman from her car to Beth and Hannah who were holding their “pray to end abortion” signs.

“Thank you for looking at our signs,” Beth replied. “(Curse) you. Have a nice day,” she shouted back as she sped away.

It’s a bit odd that someone who is so sure there is no God would be so angry in asserting it … it’s also interesting that her assertion that God doesn’t exist settled the whole argument about abortion for her.

An atheist could make a strong case against abortion. Science tells us life begins at conception, and anyone who looks at an ultrasound can see there’s a baby in the womb …

Our vigils do more than send a message of love for the unborn and hope for the mothers.

Through the grace of Christ, we testify that everyone – the children in the womb, the mothers who carry them, the boyfriends who come to the clinic, the Planned Parenthood workers, the drivers who honk and wave, the strung-out addicts, and the woman tossing F-bombs from the car – are all created in God’s image, and their lives have meaning and purpose. There’s no reason we shouldn’t have a nice day.

From Stephen Scaer of the 40 Days for Life leadership team in Manchester.

[Salvation]

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

October 26, 2015

“Praise God that a young woman turned away from Planned Parenthood,” said Nikki, the local 40 Days for Life coordinator in Pittsburgh. “A life may have been saved.”

One of the vigil participants was able to take this young woman from Planned Parenthood’s doorstep to two life-affirming resources centers.

“Please pray for her,” Nikki said. “She is 9 weeks pregnant and homeless.” She had spent the night in the bus station, as she had nowhere to sleep.

“All afternoon, our sidewalk team scrambled to find a shelter for her, but they were unable,” Nikki said.

One of the volunteers offered a room at her home for the weekend, until a more permanent arrangement could be found – just another example of the strong commitment of the pro-life community!

[Salvation]

Chico, California

October 28, 2015

Mary is the dedicated leader in Chico. On my recent visit there, I spoke at a banquet for a pregnancy center that’s seeing a record number of clients.

And that’s one of the reasons that Planned Parenthood in Chico is in trouble. Business is down – big time. So much so that recently the abortion facility laid off three staff members.

The 40 Days for Life team has learned that abortions have gone down from 30 per week to 7 per week!

More moms turning around and choosing life means less money for Planned Parenthood. Thanks to the prayers – and hard work – of Mary and her team, this abortion facility may not be open too much longer.

[Salvation]

Cleveland, Ohio

October 29, 2015

“It is with great joy that I report to you that a baby’s life was spared from abortion by the grace of God … through the efforts and prayers of several pro-lifers,” said John in Cleveland.

Three people were praying outside the abortion center when they had an opportunity to talk to a young woman – and offer her their help. She had already paid for an abortion.

“The security guard along with two employees came out to the street to discourage the mother from talking to the pro-lifers,” John said, “but despite these tactics, they persevered.

They talked for almost two hours that afternoon … and an area pastor spoke to the young woman later in the evening. The next morning, she returned to the abortion center … to collect her refund.

[Salvation]

Sarasota, Florida

October 30, 2015

40 Days for Life volunteers outside Planned Parenthood in Sarasota spoke with a woman who said she had prayed that her daughter would not get an abortion … but still, she accompanied the young woman inside.

When they came out a short time later, however, the daughter was holding an ultrasound image … telling the vigil participants she had changed her mind about having an abortion.

One week later, another woman who was leaving Planned Parenthood stopped and talked to one of the volunteers, who asked her why she was there.

This woman told a very similar story. She was going to have an abortion … but changed her mind when she saw the ultrasound image of her baby.

[Salvation]

Bogota, Colombia

October 31, 2015

The first 40 Days for Life effort in Colombia’s capital of Bogota has been a leap of faith. The planners wanted to do a 24-hour vigil … and people have responded by coming out to pray.

“The campaign in Colombia has had great success,” said Margarita, who is helping with the project. “Frankly, I didn’t think that so many volunteers would participate and I did not anticipate one of the most beautiful things” – priests leading prayer at the vigil location.

She said processions through the neighborhood surrounding the abortion centers have also had a huge impact. “We walk through the neighborhood just praying or singing and we stop in front of some of the abortion centers to pray in front of them. It is giving a beautiful testimony to the community.”

[SunLakesJeff]

My Parish is primarily senior-citizen-based. Still, I stood outside PP for an hour, twice. Not much response holding signs, but I think most folks are sick of "activism". We need hearts, minds, and another Pentecost.

[Salvation]

Rochester, Minnesota

November 1, 2015

The Planned Parenthood abortion facility doesn’t stop doing abortions just because it’s raining and windy outside. The enemy is still out to steal, kill and destroy regardless of the weather conditions.

Sometimes we are called to go out and be a light in the darkness even when it’s uncomfortable for us. Ministry isn’t always comfortable. Most often times it stretches us out of our comfort zone.

The bitter cold rain has my fingers numb, my nose frozen and dripping, my eyes watering, and my shoes and jeans are no longer dry and comfortable. But the life of a child … the life of a mother and the life of a father … is far more important than my comfort.

While I was standing here praying, a man and a woman sat facing me in their parked car in front of Planned Parenthood. She was crying and he was just staring at me and the other woman praying with me.

They sat there for ten minutes. They never got out of the car … and eventually left, pulling out of the parking lot.

Who knows? A life just might have been saved today! I may never know that this side of heaven, but what I do know is that it’s important to be obedient to the call of God to be a light in the darkness sharing the truth.

Abortion hurts. And there is help … and there is a better way!

From Paula, the 40 Days for Life coordinator in Rochester.

[Salvation]

During the past 40 days, many babies were so close to becoming mere statistics in the eyes of the world.

But because of your faith ... and willingness to stand vigil as a witness to God’s love for those babies and their mothers ... many of those children are alive this Monday morning.

We are still compiling reports ... but so far, we know of ...

... 543 babies who have been spared from abortion during this campaign!

That makes a total of 10,874 lives saved during 40 Days for Life campaigns ... from 2007 until now.

[Salvation]

Richmond, Virginia

November 2, 2015

“We had two babies saved at Planned Parenthood in Richmond,” said Ann, the local coordinator.

“A lady gave me a thumbs-up as she pulled into the Planned Parenthood parking lot,” said one of the volunteers.

“She turned around in their lot and came to me with her window down,” he said. “She said our prayers saved her grandchild – her daughter decided to not abort. She was very emotional with happy tears. Glory be to God!”

Ann said the vigil is continuing to attract more people. One morning, four men showed up to pray – men the “regulars” didn’t recognize. “At least two of them were pastors,” they said. “They prayed without stopping for the whole hour – powerful prayer.”

One prayed, “I had no idea it was like this. I’m sorry Lord, forgive me – I didn’t know.”

“It was such a blessing,” Ann said. “I am so grateful to God. I’m happy to see us finishing strong!”

[Salvation]

Building a Culture of Life in Abuja, Nigeria

November 3, 2015

All together, 21 babies have been saved so far through our pro-life efforts in Nigeria.

Save the Unborn Babies Pro-life Initiative Abuja was invited to The Church of Archangels, in Gaduwa, Abuja to enlighten the young members of their church on pro-life through 40 Days for Life.

This account is from Kelechi Anyaghara, the local 40 Days for Life leader in Abuja, Nigeria.

Our team met with the children during their summer school and explained to them what 40 Days for Life is all about – 40 days of praying and fasting for an end to abortion, reaching out to our community to say no to abortion, and peaceful public witness against abortion.

Hundreds of children were present and for better understanding, the class was divided according to their age group with the older children in a more detailed pro-life class while the younger ones were enlightened through children’s biblical stories promoting life.

We developed prayers for an end to abortion, and these prayers are being said in this parish for these 40 days. It is very encouraging to note that these parishioners are becoming more pro-life as a result, which is evidenced in three babies saved from abortion In this parish.

According to their mothers, they were involved in relationships in which the men promised to marry them, but when they got pregnant, these men asked them to have abortions, saying they were not financially ready for marriage. The ladies refused because of their new knowledge on pro-life. These men left them to their fate.

The mothers told Fr. Peace Ike that they have chosen life for their babies because of our pro-life awareness in this church. These young ladies, however, are struggling to support themselves and will need help.

The third mother stated that she was afraid that her family would be disappointed if they found out that she was pregnant when not married. She ran away from her home In Enugu State after hiding the pregnancy for about eight months, and came to Abuja, which was a seven-hour drive.

According to her, she needed to stay far away from her family so that they will not find her and know her situation. She went on to tell us that when she got into Abuja, she did not know what church to go to seek help from. So she asked the taxi to take her to any Catholic Church, and she was brought to Church of Archangels in Gaduwa – our head office for our pro-life work and parish where 40 Days for Life is most effectiv).

The taxi man had no prior knowledge of our pro-life work and neither did she. The security men in the church who participate very well in our pro-life programs welcomed her after listening to her ordeal. Save the Unborn Babies Pro-life Initiative, together with these church members, gladly supported the young mother with accommodation, pre-natal support, baby support and reconciliation with her family.

Yes, they were very disappointed. They cried out in disappointment as she rightly said – but we made them see the better side: “Your nephew is on the way. Would you have been happy if she killed him through abortion?” They answered “no.” Yet, the family still rejected her, asking her to go find the man and force him to marry her.

She was placed in a home where she could learn skills like stitching, cooking, baking which she could implement and use the proceeds to support herself and her baby. Her baby was born safely and mother and son are very well. With prayers and our counseling, her older sister started showing her love and her support.

40 Days for life has been a great tool that inspires us in the Save the Unborn Babies Pro-life Initiative to achieve our goals.

— Kelechi Anyaghara, 40 Days for Life coordinator in Abuja, Nigeria