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The local media in cities all over has been covering the
launch of 40 Days for Life ...

... and that is helping to spread the word!

It's only Day 3 ... and we're already seeing lots of
positive coverage for 40 Days for Life in local
newspaper and TV reports. Here are just a few examples.

BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS

   Want to see how the local media portrays 40 Days for
   Life in the community where this mission began?

   KBTX-TV reported on the kickoff rally there, and
   interviewed a good friend and pro-life hero of mine,
   Dr. Haywood Robinson. The newscast shows people
   quietly praying, contrasted with Planned Parenthood's
   written statement complaining about "harassment"

   Needless to say, the video proves there was not a
   single person being harassed.

   To read the KBTX report and see the video, go to:

   http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1029

JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI

   WAPT-TV reported on the 40 Days for Life vigil at
   Mississippi's only remaining abortion center,
   highlighting the comments of a kickoff speaker who
   talked about having an abortion at the age of 16.

   "My baby would be 27 today, she said. "That's a full-
   grown person who probably would've had a spouse and
   maybe children by now. It wasn't just a blob of cells.
   It was a whole line of my family tree."

   To read the WAPT report and see the video, go to:

   http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1029

FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA

   The Fargo Forum carried an account of the 40 Days for
   Life vigil at North Dakota's only abortion facility.
   "The truth is, babies are dying every week in this
   building," said local coordinator Colleen Samson.

   In greeting the women entering the abortion center,
   Marlene, one of the prayer volunteers, said "I don’t
   raise my voice. I offer them hope."

   Laura could not stay a full hour at the vigil, but
   felt she just had to stop. "I have 10 minutes between
   one job and the next. I wanted to support life."

   To access the Fargo Forum story, go to:

   http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1029

PEORIA, ILLINOIS

   The Peoria Journal-Star reported on that city's
   kickoff event, noting that 40 Days for Life in
   Peoria has "grown significantly."

   "We're praying to God to end abortion," said Karen,
   the local coordinator, "and we're looking to
   continue growing to accomplish that."

   She said the key is the peaceful vigil at the
   abortion center. "Some people will hold signs, but
   I don't think that's the most important thing.
   Prayer is the most important thing."

   "It's important for us to remind people what's
   going on," said Robert, one of the volunteers.
   "If we can remind them and pray with them, we
   can stop this."

   To access the Peoria Star-Journal story, go to:

   http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1029

Those are just a few of the many, many news stories
being reported in local newspapers and TV stations.

God is greatly blessing this 40 Days for Life campaign
already. I can't wait to see what He does next!

Day 4 - September 25

Intention:

We ask God that we may understand the concept of justice, as a gift he gives and as a responsibility that shapes our work.

Scripture:

Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!

-- Amos 5:24

Reflection:

Justice, a key theme of the Scriptures, is something God does and that we too must do.

When God intervenes to save his people when they are helpless and in slavery in Egypt, he "does justice." He manifested his justice in the plagues that were sent upon Egypt, whereby Pharaoh was convinced that he must let the people go. Justice is manifested as, in awe and wonder, God's people see the Red Sea open before them, allow them to pass without even getting their feet wet, and then close again to drown their powerful enemies.

God is a God of Justice; he rescues us when we cannot save ourselves. His justice, above all, is seen in Jesus Christ, who, when we could not save ourselves, rescued us from the kingdom of sin, Satan, death, and hell. The mighty work of Christ on the cross and in the resurrection is the perfect manifestation of God as the God of justice.

We, then, are to be the people of justice; we are to "do justice" by intervening to save the helpless in the name and by the power of the God who saves us who are helpless ourselves. That's why we have a pro-life movement; that's why we have a 40 Days for Life Campaign; that's why saving the unborn is our business.

Prayer:

God of Justice, you heard the cry of your people when they were being oppressed in Egypt, and you proved yourself to be the God of justice, who rescues the helpless. You likewise rescued us from the kingdom of darkness, and brought us into the Kingdom of your Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who saves us from the power of Satan, sin, death, and hell. Make us people of justice, ready to intervene to save the helpless. Indeed, as your prophets have announced, let justice roll on like a mighty river, to save all who are in need, especially the unborn. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life