The biggest Lenten 40 Days for Life campaign yet is finally here! February 14-March 25

40 Days for Life ^ | 02-14-18 | Shawn Carney and team

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DAY 30: Winter is still here

March 15, 2018

Winter storms are, in some cases, saving lives!

We said this would be the coldest 40 Days for Life campaign yet … and unfortunately, that has been true for many locations. And it’s almost St. Patrick’s Day!

There is no other way to say it – winter just won’t end in some places. But God is using the cold to save baby boys and girls from abortion … including one at a location that’s proven they can handle the weather.

Attleboro, Massachusetts is in the midst of their 20th campaign … and they’re also featured in the 40 Days for Life book.

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Attleboro, Massachusetts

Power outages from a huge winter storm kept many New England businesses closed – including the abortion center in Attleboro.

“Obviously, many babies were saved that day,” said Ron, the Attleboro 40 Days for Life leader, “but many of these same women returned” when the facility resumed abortions.

“About an hour and a half after the clinic opened,” Ron said, “an older woman with a younger woman in the passenger seat drove out.”

The driver called out – with a slight hint of anger – “She changed her mind!”

“It has been a few campaigns since we’ve had a save,” Ron said. “Our faithful group, together for ten years – 20 campaigns – will continue to bring the message of God’s love to our area.”

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Brisbane, Australia

March 15, 2018

Honks at 40 Days for Life vigils are good — whether they are intended that way or not.

Brendan, the local leader in Brisbane, says every honk is a blessing.
“Our prayer vigil is at a very busy intersection,” he said. And lots of traffic means lots of honking.

Some are “good honks” from those who support and appreciate the vigil. And, of course, some are “bad honks” – the angry, prolonged, high-pitched opinions of those who wish you would go home.

But even those are blessings. “These are the persecutions that Jesus said we would face when doing the work of God,” Brendan explained.

“It is good to continue to outreach to the community,” he said, “and to remind them of the tragedy of abortion that continues on in our city.”

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Allentown, Pennsylvania

March 15, 2018

“Praise the Lord!” said one of the 40 Days for Life team members in Allentown. “We had a save at Planned Parenthood!”

An abortion-minded young woman had an appointment at Planned Parenthood. As she was leaving, a prayer volunteer able to speak to her … and introduce her to a mother who had chosen life.

They arranged for her to visit a life-affirming pregnancy help center for an ultrasound. “She chose life!” the volunteer excitedly reported.

They left the new mom with hugs … and a gift of a handmade blanket for her baby.

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DAY 32: Irish joy

March 17, 2018

The Irish usually enjoy a little persecution.

As the Irish poet William Butler Yeats famously said, “The Irish have an abiding sense of tragedy, which sustains them through temporary periods of joy.”

The Irish also have a gift for not taking themselves too seriously … and that can help us this St. Patrick’s Day as we enter the final week of this 40 Days for Life campaign.

Appropriately enough, today’s update centers around Manhattan, New York, home of the world-famous St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Some of the 40 Days for Life vigil locations — including Manhattan — have been getting some unwanted company in the form of pro-abortion demonstrators.

When they show up, it can disrupt the prayerful atmosphere we’re trying to bring to the sidewalk.

The volunteers may be quietly thinking, “Why don’t you people go home?” Oddly enough, others are saying that out loud. And it’s not who you’d think!

One of the coordinators at Planned Parenthood’s escort program in New York city is asking pro-abortion groups to stay away. “Counter-protesting outside our health centers is actually counterproductive.”

The simple fact is that peaceful vigils are bad for business. But when abortion supporters show up with banging drums, blaring trumpets and obscene costumes … it’s even worse.

“It’s no surprise,” the escort coordinator wrote, “that our ‘no show’ rates for appointments go up on days when there are counter-protests.”

So when the protesters arrive and start blowing horns and chanting “keep your rosaries off our ovaries,” rejoice and be glad!

Potential abortion clients then drive up … see the commotion … and simply leave.

God works in mysterious ways!

Even with all the commotion that goes along with pro-abortion demonstrators, the 40 Days for Life team in New York City often has good news to share.

A counselor spotted a woman getting out of a car and walking towards Planned Parenthood. She saw volunteers’ “pray to end abortion” signs, then got back into the car and started talking with the driver.

The counselor approached them, and learned the woman had an appointment for an abortion. After a short time, however, they parked their car … and went into Planned Parenthood.

“They glanced over to me as they went in the door,” the volunteer said. “An hour later they came out again … and the woman had small smile on her face.”

The man looked at the vigil participant straight in the eye, smiled and said, “Thank you!” She did not have the abortion!

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DAY 31: Finish strong!

March 16, 2018

We’re in the home stretch — and your presence is needed!

Sheila, the 40 Days for Life leader in Manchester, New Hampshire, had a simple question for people in her community:

“Can you be a witness to the sanctity of life on the sidewalk in front of Planned Parenthood?”

Sheila was thankful for the 22 people who processed around the block where Planned Parenthood is located. “Fr. Christian Tutor of All Saints Anglican in Concord led us in solemn prayer and singing,” she said.

But the need for additional prayer volunteers is ongoing. “Medication abortions are being performed almost every weekday,” she explained, “as well as surgical abortions every Wednesday.”

The need is not just in Manchester … but at 354 locations worldwide.

As Sheila put it, “Will you be a voice for the voiceless babies and a sign of hope for their mothers?”

Please say yes!

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Orange, California

March 16, 2018

Two couples said “yes” to life at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Orange!

A man and woman who’d parked in front of Planned Parenthood agreed to talk to a volunteer … who immediately asked a priest who was praying at the vigil to join her.

The mother wanted the abortion, but the father did not. The priest said he had just attended a Rachel’s Vineyard retreat for women hurt by abortion. He told of the pain they had experienced.

He prayed with the couple, offered them a blessing … and begged them to keep the baby. At the end of their discussion, they chose life!

While this was going on, another couple spoke to the volunteers … and they also changed their minds. They, too, were going to keep their baby!

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Hollywood, Florida

March 16, 2018

After some challenging days outside the Woman’s Center abortion facility, the Hollywood team had some great news to report.

“We had a save!” said Nancy, the local coordinator.

Volunteers prayed as a mother and daughter arrived. After a while, the mother came out and started looking at the volunteers’ signs, which contained information about the local pregnancy care center.

She was invited to come get some information about the center — and she walked over to the vigil participants to talk.

She confided that she didn’t want anyone to go through what she had gone though so many years ago.

“Then go in there and bring your daughter out!” Nancy said.

And so she did!

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DAY 33: Say “si” to life

March 18, 2018

There are 354 locations for the current 40 Days for Life campaign — and 55 of them are in Latin America!

We have 26 vigils in Colombia, 25 in Mexico and one each in Argentina, Bolivia, Guatemala and Paraguay … all operating under the banner of 40 Dias por la Vida.

And that’s one of the reasons Lourdes Varela has joined the 40 Days for Life team as Latin American affairs coordinator.

Lourdes is based in Mexico City … and has been very busy visiting local campaign leaders! Here’s a quick look at some of her stops.

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Guadalajara, Mexico

In Mexico as in many other countries … lives are being saved during 40 Days for Life vigils — including two in Guadalajara.

One story involves a conflict between families. A young woman’s boyfriend and his father insisted on abortion and set up an appointment. On the other hand, the young woman and her mother were both fighting for the baby.

After much debate, the two women insisted there would be no abortion … and they canceled the appointment. But please keep all of these people in your prayers.

The second story also contains many challenges. A woman who was unfaithful to her husband became pregnant. As the child was not his, he was pressuring her to have an abortion.

Thankfully, he accompanied his wife to the pregnancy center. With the help of the counselors at the pregnancy center, they forgave each other and the baby is now safe.

“The pregnancy center said all of this would be impossible if not for all the prayers,” Lourdes said.

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Merida, Mexico

Abortion is not legal in Merida, but there’s a center that claims to offer “humanitarian attention for women’s reproductive health.”

The local campaign leader got quite a shock when she went to pray outside this building and saw a crude painting on the sidewalk.

How crude? Let’s just say that a group of teens walked by and one of the boys put his hand in front of his girlfriend’s eyes so she wouldn’t see it.

The leader alerted the police about the painting … and they were shocked by what they saw. The facility’s owner, however, then complained on Facebook that she was being harassed … and even called the media.

A reporter showed up and asked why they were scared of a work of art! An odd situation for sure, but Lourdes said, “the Merida team managed it well.”

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La Villa, Mexico

Volunteers told Lourdes about an abortion-minded young woman who visited the Mexfam center during the last 40 Days for Life campaign.

She was desperate and thought abortion was her only option … but as she was on her way to Mexfam, she asked God for a sign.

Of course, when she arrived, the 40 Days for Life vigil was in progress. The 13-year-old son of one of the volunteers noticed the young woman first … and saw that she was crying.

The teen’s mom spoke to the young woman, and shared information with her. That was the last they saw of her … until just recently.

She returned to the vigil site with the good news that because of their prayers, she’d decided to keep her baby … who’s due to be born in just a few months.

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DAY 34: “We’re having a baby!”

March 19, 2018

We are in the home stretch of this 40 Days for Life campaign!

And so far,

we know of 403 babies spared from abortion since Day 1!

Here are some stories about last-minute decisions … for life!

• El Paso, Texas
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Falls Church, Virginia

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El Paso, Texas

March 19, 2018

Family members praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil watched as a car with a young woman and her mother drove slowly past them.

A few minutes later, they returned … and entered the abortion center.

The volunteers reacted by praying even more fervently.

Not long afterward, the younger women walked outside, smiled at the volunteers and joyfully called out, “I’m having a baby!”

Her mother followed close behind, raising her arms in the air as she exclaimed, “We’re having a baby!”

The vigil participants actually cheered and applauded.

Mark, one of the 40 Days for Life leaders, said, “This was another case where their hearts had been moved simply by the visible witness of volunteers praying on the sidewalk.”

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Falls Church, Virginia

March 19, 2018

Ruby in Falls Church says 40 Days for Life volunteers spoke to a young man walking towards the abortion center, asking if he knew someone who was there for an abortion.

He said he did, and he was waiting for her. In fact, he’d been waiting a very long time and she never showed up. He didn’t know why.

The vigil participants had to believe their prayer presence convinced the woman to be a “no show” for her appointment. They’re praying she does not return.

Volunteers were also able to speak to a mother and daughter coming in for a pregnancy test. They warned them that abortion is not safe, and told the story of a recent ambulance call at the abortion center.

The two women went inside, remained only briefly, and then left.

This is why a faithful prayer presence is so important!

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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

March 19, 2018

In Philadelphia, Monique tells of a young woman that 40 Days for Life volunteers directed to a local pregnancy care center.

She confided in the counselors that she’s overwhelmed by the idea of raising another baby … but once she heard about the support available through the center, she chose life. She said the counselors helped her realize that having the child was what she was meant to do.

Vigil participants also met a mother of two … who was setting up an abortion appointment because her husband didn’t want another child. “I know it’s not good,” she told them, “but he won’t let me” have this baby.

“Please pray for her and her husband,” Monique said, “that she is willing and enabled to stand up for her child, that we can help them.”

She reminded the 40 Days for Life volunteers that “none of this is possible if you aren’t out there.”

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DAY 35: Fake news and fake clinics

March 20, 2018

Please pray today as the NIFLA v. Becerra case is heard at the U.S. Supreme Court.

This is the challenge to the unconscionable California law that requires pro-life pregnancy help centers to give mothers information about abortion — something we talk about in this episode of the 40 Days for Life podcast.

The abortion industry continues to push the lie that life-affirming care centers are “fake clinics.” On the sidewalks, at least, it’s a tactic that is not working.

Here’s a prime example from Arizona.

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Tempe, Arizona

“Our prayers and the efforts of our sidewalk counselors are making a difference,” said Jim in Tempe, “and Planned Parenthood is feeling the impact!”

Planned Parenthood’s escorts are telling potential clients that 40 Days for Life volunteers “are from a fake clinic … and they will yell at you!”

But who is really running a fake clinic?

Volunteers met a woman outside Planned Parenthood who said she had been the victim of an assault … and was there to get help.

She was only inside for 10 minutes before she came back out to explain her situation to the sidewalk counselors. The woman was immediately directed to the Aid to Women Center for the assistance she needed.

Before she left, she witnessed some of the Planned Parenthood escorts yelling random unpleasantries at the sidewalk counselor who had reached out to help her.

“You better stop right now!” she called out. “You should be trying to help those poor pregnant women, rather than yelling at these ladies. Your Planned Parenthood would not help me at all!”

With that, the outspoken escort mumbled something and walked away.

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Fort Myers, Florida

March 20, 2018

It was a busy trip to Florida, as I spoke at a banquet for the Careline Pregnancy Center in Port Charlotte.

The center directors have the full support of Bishop Frank Dewane of the Catholic Diocese of Venice, who has visited 40 Days for Life vigils.

The next day I spoke at the Fort Myers mid-point rally in front of a Planned Parenthood facility in a shopping center.

This well-attended event even drew some protesters. One held a sign with an arrow towards us that read, “They’re crazy.”

I’d never seen one like that … but if we are crazy about something, it is prayer — and real medical alternatives. In Fort Myers, that is found right across the street from the vigil.

I toured the Community Pregnancy Clinic, where they have a nurse, a full-time staff … and a new ultrasound courtesy of the Knights of Columbus.

40 Days for Life volunteers have to stand quite far from the Planned Parenthood center, but babies have been saved through effective sidewalk counseling.

“Despite the distance,” said Mike, the local leader, “they see us and know why we are here. We are here for them.”

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Podcast

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DAY 36: Lawyer jokes aside

March 21, 2018

I’ve traveled to more than 450 abortion facilities – and received many legal threats from the abortion industry over the last 15 years – and have learned that the pro-life movement needs good lawyers … lawyers who have experience in law enforcement and in corporate law.

40 Days for Life is blessed that our board chair and general counsel has both.

Matt Britton has helped get 40 Days for Life campaigns to places in the United States and globally using his vast legal experience as an elected prosecutor and corporate attorney.

Many of you have heard Matt on the 40 Days for Life podcast … and recently he appeared on EWTN’s Pro-Life Weekly.

In addition, Matt has visited numerous 40 Days for Life vigil sites to help encourage local volunteers. Here are just a couple of examples.

Richmond, Virginia

Matt brought a group of religious education students to the 40 Days for Life vigil in Richmond, where they prayed outside one of the two abortion centers in Virginia’s capital city.

“Thank you for your faithfulness in coming out to pray,” said Ann, the 40 Days for Life coordinator. To this group, and to the many other faithful volunteers who take time to visit, she said, “You make a great difference!”

Praying for an end to abortion, she said, will “stop the violence that ends the lives of our youngest and most vulnerable children in our city.”

Houston, Texas

As an attorney and former state prosecutor, board chair Matt Britton also serves as 40 Days for Life’s general counsel.

He spoke at a recent rally at the 40 Days for Life vigil site in Houston — the Planned Parenthood building that is the largest abortion center in the Western Hemisphere.

Matt spoke of the importance of exercising First Amendment Rights … and being a voice of freedom on the sidewalk so that these critical rights not taken away.

You can hear more about this important topic on a special edition of the 40 Days for Life podcast.

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DAY 37: USA, China, North Korea

March 22, 2018

Every abortion ends a human life in barbaric fashion.

The practice of late-term abortion — and the fact that abortion is allowed through all nine months of pregnancy — puts the United States in a category with just a handful of other countries … including China and North Korea.

On the newest edition of the 40 Days for Life podcast, we take you inside the late-term abortion industry with our interview with Joanna Hyatt of Life Action … who went undercover into a notorious late-term abortion facility.

Regarding late-term abortions … Mississippi just enacted the toughest abortion law in the United States … a ban on most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

When he signed the bill into law, Governor Phil Bryant said, “we’ll probably be sued in about half an hour.”

Mississippi’s only abortion center — which is the site of a 40 Days for Life vigil — did indeed haul the state into court within an hour of the signing ceremony.

“That’ll be fine with me,” Bryant said. “It’ll be worth fighting over.”

Less than a day later, a federal judge blocked enforcement of the law … so the long legal battle the governor expected is well under way.

You can learn more about abortions that take place during advanced stages of pregnancy on the 40 Days for Life podcast.

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Timisoara, Romania

March 22, 2018

The 40 Days for Life volunteers in Timisoara bring their own stories to the vigil — impressive stories, said one of the team leaders.

“Some are survivors of abortion, others want children … and others celebrate their parents’ decision to give birth, despite the cost they had to pay.”

One young mother shared her story. When her mother was pregnant with her, the doctors said it was a high-risk situation and they recommended abortion because both mother and child were in danger.

The volunteer’s mom rejected abortion and decided to give her child a chance to life. The baby was born healthy … but sadly, nine months later, her mother died.

Today, this young woman honors her heroic mother, who sacrificed everything her for her. “With joy, the team leader said, this volunteer “now promotes the value of life.”

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Spring Valley, New York

March 22, 2018

Eileen, the 40 Days for Life leader in Spring Valley, says she is most thankful again this campaign for “the 25 angels praying and singing among us.”

That would be the Sisters of Life, who pray often outside the Planned Parenthood facility.

But they’re not the only ones making their presence felt. One afternoon, a young man in a hoodie walked past and stopped to read the signs at the vigil site.

He turned to Eileen and said, “I stand with you!”

“That is exactly what my new friend did,” she said. “He stood with me for a little while and then walked away with a thumbs up. A multitude of motorists pass by thanking us, peeping horns of support, thumbs up, and the beautiful words — God bless you!”