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

[Salvation]

DAY 23: “That we know of …”

March 8, 2018

On Day 1 of this campaign, we saw the 14,000th baby saved from abortion — that we know of — since 40 Days for Life started in 2007.

Meet a few of those babies in this short and moving video.

We say “that we know of” because those are the ones we can confirm. It’s a conservative number because there are mothers who change their minds and leave the abortion centers silently … and often, only God knows about it.

Today, Michael in New Zealand offers “proof positive that there are some saves that we do not necessarily know about.”

And if you’re wondering if your prayers are really helping … the answer is a firm, confident yes!

Auckland, New Zealand

“God has in His mercy seen fit to let us know about a save from last year’s 40 Days for Life that we didn’t know about,” said Michael, the Auckland leader.

A woman told volunteers at the current Auckland vigil that a year ago, she was pregnant and had booked an abortion.

“Upon coming to the abortion place, however, she noticed our vigil and stood and listened to the prayers,” Michael said. “She spoke with some of the volunteers and decided to keep her baby … but didn’t tell us at the time about her change of heart.”

She now has a 3-month-old son!

“So praise God for the life of this little boy, who we hope to meet in coming days,” he said. “The mother was very, very grateful to 40 Days for Life.

[Salvation]

Flint, Michigan

March 8, 2018

The 40 Days for Life team in Flint learned that even if the abortion center is not open, there’s often a good reason to be there.

A father brought his daughter to Planned Parenthood on a day the business is closed. They had come for a pregnancy test.

Abortion was not in their plans … but they’re struggling financially and thought Planned Parenthood would have the resources to help them.

The volunteers suggested they go to the local pregnancy help center instead … where in addition to the pregnancy test, they could find all of the life-affirming services that Planned Parenthood would not offer.

“Even if Planned Parenthood is closed,” said one of the 40 Days for Life team members, “we are still there to offer help and share truths.”

[Salvation]

DAY 24: A few good nuns

March 9, 2018

There is a good reason why prayer and fasting are the foundations of 40 Days for Life – spiritual warfare.

Abortion is evil. It is a barbaric attack on both body and soul of everyone involved.

We don’t talk about it often … but we know of instances where protesters have brought satanic images – and even prayed to the devil.

Manhattan, New York

After a man and woman had dropped off a friend for an abortion at Planned Parenthood in Manhattan’s Margaret Sanger Square, they decided to harass vigil participants by cursing at them. They also said they were casting a spell.

As they continued swearing … a woman left Planned Parenthood and went straight to one of the volunteers.

“Do you have information for people who want to keep their babies?” she asked. “I’m going to keep my baby. I hate that place. I want my baby!”

Of course, the vigil participants immediately offered to help, and put the young woman in touch with the Sisters for Life, who operate houses for women keeping their babies.

“Amid all the chaos,” the volunteer said, “God works.”

God works indeed … and He knew that on this day, a woman would need the help of a few good nuns.

[Salvation]

Indianapolis, Indiana

March 9, 2018

Encouraging news from the 40 Days for Life vigil in Indianapolis!

While driving out of Planned Parenthood, a young man stopped to speak with the sidewalk counselor. He said his girlfriend was in the car behind him … and they were not going to have the abortion.

“I’m a believer in Jesus,” he said, “and I just can’t do it.”

“Your prayers made a difference,” said Sheryl in Indianapolis. “Seeing you outside praying allowed this young man to remember his values and find the courage to support his girlfriend in choosing life.”

[Salvation]

Denver, Colorado
Denver team members say their 40 Days for Life vigil takes place outside the second largest Planned Parenthood abortion center in the United States.

At the mid-point rally in Denver, “multiple carpools brought people who would not otherwise been able to join us in prayer,” said one of the team leaders. “We welcomed members of many churches.”

One of those churches is now planning to adopt a day to pray outside Planned Parenthood.

[Salvation]

DAY 25: Eggs thrown … babies saved

March 10, 2018

It’s official! We’ve had the first reported egging of the campaign.

There was no bacon or sausage tossed along with it … but I’m sure that was out of respect for the fasting that’s taking place 🙂

Shortly before 40 Days for Life’s Steve Karlen was set to talk to volunteers in Hollywood, Florida … someone in a passing vehicle lobbed a handful of eggs at vigil participants.

Thankfully, they only hit the pavement.

Most of the time, the only things angry drivers aim at volunteers are rude words and gestures … or an obnoxious blast of a car horn. But through it all … undaunted vigil participants respond peacefully by continuing to pray.

Christ said to expect insults and such when we act in His name, so He gives us the grace to offer it up and just keep going.

Eggs aside … here’s more from Steve’s trip through Florida.

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Hollywood, Florida

In all, Steve said it was a great visit with the 40 Days for Life team in Hollywood … never mind the flying eggs, or the one critic who shouted “Hail Satan!” as he drove past.

“The abortion center is two doors down from a pediatric clinic,” Steve said. “One mom bringing her kids to the pediatric clinic stopped and asked how she could donate items to support mothers in need.”

He also met a priest who was the 14th child in his family.

“The doctors insisted his mother have an abortion,” Steve said, “but she said she never would. Now he is an active participant in the campaign.”

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South Florida rally

Three 40 Days for Life campaigns teamed up for a mid-point rally – “a great evening of dinner and fellowship,” as Steve described it.

Shown above with Steve are the three local leaders – Nancy from Hollywood, Maria from Miami and Tom from Fort Lauderdale.

Tom reported that Fort Lauderdale volunteers learned of six babies saved from abortion that day alone.

Vigil participants say two of the mothers chose life for their children because a simple sign that reads “we will help you.”

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Lakeland, Florida

A group that Steve described as “an incredibly enthusiastic crowd” came out for a candlelight vigil in Lakeland.

Andrea from the local pregnancy center shared the story of the first baby spared from abortion during the current 40 Days for Life campaign.

A woman was inside the abortion facility waiting to have an abortion, but when she saw somebody at the vigil holding a sign, she left and went to the pregnancy help center … where she chose life!

[Salvation]

DAY 26: Teamwork saves lives

March 11, 2018

We often talk about 40 Days for Life “teams” — because that’s one of the reasons why these efforts have borne so much fruit.

The campaigns require close cooperation among countless numbers of volunteers, who selflessly offer their time and energy to speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Local leaders not only work with their own volunteers, but with churches and other pro-life outreaches in their communities.

And it pays off! Join your local team by finding your closest vigil location. You could be part of an example like these.

• El Paso, Texas and Santa Teresa, New Mexico
• Lansing, Michigan

[Salvation]

El Paso, Texas and Santa Teresa, New Mexico

March 11, 2018

The same operator owns abortion facilities in El Paso and Santa Teresa … so the 40 Days for Life teams in these communities work closely together to try to save lives.

A pregnant mom was distraught. She had learned her boyfriend was unfaithful, so she had borrowed $530 and walked to El Paso’s Hill Top abortion center to get an abortion.

After paying $400 for an ultrasound, she was told she was 17 weeks pregnant and could not get an abortion in Texas — so she was sent to nearby Santa Teresa, since there are no restrictions in New Mexico.

The abortion would cost another $200 to $300, which was more money than she had.

When she first spoke to 40 Days for Life volunteers, her main concern was finding a ride to Santa Teresa. But when one of the team leaders suggested to her that all of this was a sign that she should not have an abortion, the mom said, “I’m starting to think that, too!”

After she was given information about life-affirming resources available in El Paso, she declared that she was going to keep her child.

Said one of the volunteers, “Glory be to God!”

[Salvation]

Lansing, Michigan

March 11, 2018

Another example of the teamwork that exists between many 40 Days for Life campaigns and pregnancy help centers comes to us from Lansing.

The director of a help center contacted the 40 Days for Life leaders to say they’d just seen a couple who was sent their way by volunteers at the vigil.

The young mother is in the second trimester of her pregnancy … and “they said they’d be choosing life for their baby,” the director said. “Pray that they will receive the support they need and deliver a healthy baby.”

“Our prayerful presence is a sign that there are options to abortion,” said Cecilia, one of the Lansing 40 Days for Life leaders.

[Salvation]

DAY 27: ” My prayer was answered!”

March 12, 2018

Are you ready for some very encouraging news to start the week?

You’ve come to the right place! 40 Days for Life campaign leaders tell us that so far this campaign …

… 274 babies have been spared from abortion

– that we know of!

Here are a couple of the ones we DO know about!

• Houston, Texas
• St. Louis, Missouri

[Salvation]

Houston, Texas

March 12, 2018

One of the 40 Days for Life volunteers outside Planned Parenthood in Houston noticed two women and a child in a car parked outside.

The vigil participant felt drawn to them … and soon learned that one of the women just found out she was pregnant — and thinking about getting an appointment at Planned Parenthood.

When she heard that, the volunteer pleaded with the young woman. “Oh, please leave this place! Look at that little girl in the back of the car! That baby inside of you is just a little girl or a little boy.”

As she sat in the car, the mother began to cry … and very soon she left without going into the abortion facility.

The sidewalk counselor was overjoyed. “My prayer was answered right here and now!”

[Salvation]

St. Louis, Missouri

March 12, 2018

A group of eighth graders joined the 40 Days for Life vigil outside Planned Parenthood in St. Louis.

They prayed from a distance as sidewalk counselors tried to connect with women driving into the facility’s parking lot.

“Suddenly, something changed,” said Brian, the St. Louis leader, “and the teenagers knew to start praying harder.”

They watched as a car turned around and headed off to a pregnancy resource center. “This was one of the 17 turnarounds we have been blessed to see so far this campaign,” Brian said.

The students reported that what they saw was profoundly touching. They rode back to school quietly, thoughtfully … and changed.

[Salvation]

DAY 28: “What do I say when … “

March 13, 2018

We don’t always see it coming … but can it happen at work, at the dinner table, or even at church — when the topic turns to abortion.

Many ask “What do I say?”

We typical situations — and answers — in this new episode of the 40 Days for Life podcast. And one of the things we talk about is the wealth of information available in the apologetics section of the 40 Days for Life app.

The app offers guidance on answering specific questions, so download it today!

The next time someone tries to justify abortion, you’ll be more likely to give a thoughtful pro-life response … and less likely to be caught off guard.

[Salvation]

Nottingham, England

March 13, 2018

The 40 Days for Life vigil in Nottingham takes place outside a hospital where abortions are performed.

“They have really put the issue of abortion on the radar,” said Robert Colquhoun, 40 Days for Life’s international campaign director, “as many people now know that abortions happen in Nottingham hospital.”

This campaign has faced challenges from local authorities and aggressive media reports. Robert said, “they have a great team.”

[Salvation]

Cleveland, Ohio

March 13, 2018

John in Cleveland received some great news from two volunteers who travel from Erie, Pennsylvania to join the 40 Days for Life vigil.

As they prayed recently, a car stopped at the sidewalk while exiting the Preterm abortion facility. The young man driving rolled down his window, and one of the volunteers noticed that he and the woman with him were smiling.

The young man accepted a “help is available” pamphlet and with a look of joy and relief exclaimed, “We have changed our minds! We are keeping the baby!”

John’s reaction? “Praise God, praise God, praise God!”

[Concentrate]

bttt.

[Salvation]

DAY 29: Two abortion workers quit!

March 14, 2018

The people who work at abortion centers see you – every day.

As 40 Days for Life starts, they often casually mock volunteers … or label you a religious fanatic. But over time – as snow and rain and cold temperatures show your commitment – they begin to think.

They begin to consider why you’re out there and why they’re in there.

Over days and weeks, their attention turns to the reality of the work they are participating in … and they find they can’t do it anymore.

We’ve just learned of two more abortion center staffers who’ve had a change of heart and left their jobs.

This now makes 172 abortion workers who’ve quit during 40 Days for Life campaigns. Praise God!

We don’t identify locations, or offer any personal information, in order to protect these individuals. Their friends, family members and especially their former co-workers can sometimes turn against them.

Please pray for them and their families as they transition out of the abortion industry.

[Salvation]

Worker #171

The 40 Days for Life team at one of the vigils received a phone call on the first day of the campaign.

“Pray for my daughter,” asked the woman, who had called the helpline number shown on one of the signs volunteers carry.

Her daughter was desperately looking for a new job since she could no longer stand working at the abortion facility, “where cruel things happen.”

A few days later, the woman called back to say her daughter had an interview for a new job. Later that week, another call brought the good news that she was offered a position and was leaving the abortion center.

The abortion facility quickly posted a “help wanted” notice about her old job, which is now vacant. Let’s hope and pray they have a very hard time filling it!

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Worker #172

From one 40 Days for Life location comes the report that a paid staff member has left the abortion center … and so has a volunteer.

A sidewalk counselor had struck up a relationship with the employee, and eventually they began exchanging messages. After quitting, the worker wrote that there was good to be accomplished in the world, and the abortion facility was simply the wrong place.

About the same time, the volunteer also decided to leave. The relentless presence of the prayerful vigil participants was a sure sign for this person as well that this was not the right place.

[Concentrate]

Thank you.

[Salvation]

Thanks for stopping by.