Is 40 Days for Life really over?
Clearly, this particular coordinated campaign has come to an end. But people in city after city have come to see that the ongoing needs are great.
There is much work to be done -- and much willingness to dive in!
Here are just a very few of the Day 41+ efforts that are already beginning...
ABILENE, TEXAS: Vigil participants are making plans to establish the West Texas Coalition for Life. The Abilene News Reporter quoted local 40 Days for Life campaign coordinator Paula Matchen, who said momentum from the spring campaign has been the catalyst for this new project. "The goal is to bring an end to abortion," she said, "and do whatever we can to help bring that about."
RENO, NEVADA:40 Days for Life vigil participants are saying, "We're not stopping!" One volunteer senses that "something has changed in the pro-life effort, and that there is speculation that the prayer component of 40 Days for Life has shifted the balance of the entire debate."
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA: This city is already making plans for the fall 40 Days for Life campaign (the dates are September 23 - November 1). To maintain momentum, they're organizing at least two days of prayer each week at the abortion facility. During this 40 Days for Life campaign, Virginia's governor signed legislation authorizing "choose life" license plates that will help fund pregnancy resource centers.
AUGUSTA, MAINE: Participants in this community's first 40 Days for Life campaign have made a commitment to continue the effort by holding a weekly prayer vigil outside the abortion facility.
CHERRY HILL, NEW JERSEY: The campaign's results have encouraged efforts to solidify an increased regular presence at the abortion center. The number of abortion patients appeared to drop by more than half, and the clinic began closing early. It's clear that prayer works -- and it simply cannot stop!
There are many other communities with big plans that can't be revealed yet; but they are all showing faithfulness to God's call -- and the local abortion businesses are going to be in for some big surprises in the not-too-distant future!
Please prayerfully discern how God can use YOU and your community in these ongoing efforts -- and when He reveals His plans, be willing to say, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!"
As a final thought, we are constantly reminded that through 40 Days for Life, God does much more in addition to saving babies.
He saves souls!
Again during this campaign, even with all these big plans that local groups are contemplating, the biggest, most lasting effects are often profoundly spiritual and profoundly individual.
Of all the letters I've received, perhaps none is quite as touching as one from Anne, who wrote about the excitement of getting ready to go pray in front of a Planned Parenthood abortion center for the first time ever.
"I can hardly wait to experience what you've been talking about," she said, "that special feeling of doing something to stop this legalized killing that goes on behind those closed doors. I can feel God smiling down on me." She said that answering God's call "is a lasting feeling -- saving lives and changing hearts."
Praying outside Planned Parenthood is not the only change in Anne's life.
Anne has also returned to church -- for the first time in 50 years!
Praise and glory to our wondrous God, who makes all things new!
Salvation ~ Thanks for starting this thread, and for all your input. If there is a final count on saved babies, could you post it and ping me and I will hit the Ping list for it? Thanks!!
ALL ~ I pray that this 40 Days has not only impacted and created inroads into Satan's stronghold, but that it has personally effected each of your lives! I believe that it has worked as a factor to begin the healing process of the rifts in the Pro-Life movement that were created by the Spirit of Divisiveness over the last 2 years. May God continue to work to heal and unify the movement once again. PRAISE BE TO GOD for ALL THE WONDERS and MIRACLES during this 40 Day period and what is yet to come!!