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Today we share something that has never happened as we close out the largest spring campaign ever!

An expectant mother visited the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania vigil site, asking to speak with one particular sidewalk counselor she had met a few weeks ago.

“She said that she changed her mind about aborting her child [after] talking to this counselor,” said Paul, the local leader. “We were hugging her and thanking God. We all had tears in our eyes. It was a beautiful moment for the mom and all present.”

But there’s more! It turns out this mother’s teenage daughter is ALSO pregnant and was planning to have an abortion.

After her encounter with the 40 Days for Life team, the woman went home and talked her daughter out of having an abortion too!

One vigil site interaction spared a mother from having an abortion, spared her daughter from having an abortion, and spared both her child and grandchild from being aborted.

This family did not know about pregnancy resource centers, but the Harrisburg team was more than happy to help connect the mother-daughter duo with one.

Volunteers are now planning a baby shower to support them as well.

Plainfield, New Jersey

40 Days for Life Outreach Director Sue Thayer recently spoke at a campaign event in Plainfield, New Jersey. During her visit, the former Planned Parenthood manager spoke at a former Planned Parenthood facility!

The abortion facility is now in pro-life hands and is being rebuilt to serve human life.

“Sue gave her talk in what used to be the waiting room,” said Lisa, the local leader. “We were given a tour of the upstairs, which will [host] hundreds of people coming to pro-life education classes given by the new owner of the building, a priest from a local church.”

Ithaca, New York

As an abortion-friendly college town, Ithaca can be a tough place to be pro-life. But the local 40 Days for Life team is clearly making inroads and winning supporters.

Kerry is participating in his first campaign this spring. He decided to track the feedback he got from passersby. “Thumbs up” outnumbered “thumbs down” by a ratio of nearly 3 to 1.

“It’s so encouraging to get a thumbs up,” he said.

Local leader Mary Anne agreed. “Isn’t it incredible that such a small gesture makes a difference? Let’s keep encouraging each other.”

You have heard it was said, ‘you shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. — Matthew 5: 43-44

Heavenly Father, may we reflect your character of grace and kindness to those who hate us and curse us. Guard our hearts and our tongues as we respond in love to words and actions meant to rile us or cause us harm. Let others see the Hope that is Christ in all we say and do.

See today’s full devotional

Abortion is a decision that devastates entire communities.

In Southeast Florida, a Latino couple entering their abortion appointment refused offers of help from vigil participants. After the abortion, the man exited the facility while seven Latino prayer warriors knelt on the sidewalk in prayer.

“One of the men recognized him and called him over by name,” said Laurie, the campaign leader. “Without rising from his knees, the man held his brother, and they both wept over what had happened.”

The heartbreaking embrace ignited the Latino community. “We now know that these are OUR babies, who should be crying in our churches.”

The following week, women arriving for 5 a.m. abortion appointments were greeted by no fewer than 20 Latino prayer warriors kneeling, singing, and praying–in the rain!

Their presence continued through the vigil–taking a major toll on the abortion facility’s business. Laurie reports four moms and babies saved from abortion–IN ONE DAY!

Abortion facility workers were not pleased about the lost revenue. Vigil participants noticed a pile of screws scattered across their parking spaces only after one of their tires had been punctured.

When even that wasn’t enough to discourage the Florida faithful, an abortion worker approached Latino prayer warriors and threatened to call immigration authorities to have their residency status investigated.

This merely served to build unity as English-speaking vigil participants paired up with Spanish-speaking volunteers to support and defend them.

Mendoza, Argentina

In August, Argentina’s Senate defied all expectations by narrowly rejecting a bill that would have legalized abortion. Still, the abortion lobby isn’t going anywhere, and the threat remains.

That’s why 12 cities across Argentina are hosting 40 Days for Life campaigns this Lent.

Carmen, who leads the 40 Days for Life campaign in Mendoza, said that abortionists take advantage of legal loopholes and exceptions in the country’s abortion law.

Her 24-hour vigil is located in front of the most notorious abortion provider in the city. When she showed up to pray at 6:00 a.m. one Sunday morning, she was inspired to find six young men praying on their knees.

“There are a lot of young and old men praying by night in Mendoza (and women too), and people of all ages praying by day,” Carmen said. “They are our hope. God bless them.”

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Sandie in Ann Arbor reported learning of FOUR babies saved from abortion during previous 40 Days for Life campaigns!

“A dad shared with me that his twins were saved a few saved years back during a 40 Days For Life campaign when his estranged wife changed her mind,” Sandie said.

At the same gathering, a grandma told Sandie she is raising her toddler grandchild, who was saved from abortion. And on Sunday, Ann Arbor volunteers attending a vigil site event met two-year-old girl whose parents read a vigil participant’s sign that said, “I am praying for you! It is not too late to change your mind!”

And they changed their minds!

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. — 1 Peter 1:6-7

Dear Heavenly Father, we sing to You a new song, for You have done marvelous things. Forgive us when we allow circumstances to defeat us. You give power to the faint and You increase strength in those who have no might. We rest in You dear Lord, and ask You to empower us again for Your service as You work out Your plan for us and through us.

See today’s full devotional

DAY 38: This is a first!

DAY 39: Abortion devastates communities