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Today’s email:

Throughout the 238 locations currently conducting
40 Days for Life campaigns, there are signs of
encouragement everywhere!

A baby saved, new people coming out to pray for the
first time, and even the presence of pro-abortion
opposition are all good signs that the campaign is
working!

So what do New York City, Columbia, Missouri and
Ottawa, Canada have in common?

Signs of hope on the front lines of our culture!

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

The 40 Days for Life campaigns in Queens and The Bronx
are coordinated by Chris Slattery, who heads up a chain
of twelve pregnancy resource centers called Expectant
Mother Care.

Expectant Mother Care’s interns are assisting once
again with 40 Days for Life and writing about their
experiences on their blog.

To see some of their photos, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1324

“Our 40 Days for Life site is in a very busy part of
town,” writes one of the interns. “It is not uncommon
for women who are pregnant and considering an abortion
— or women who have been hurt by abortion — to walk
past our prayer vigil. This allows us to minister to
the most vulnerable.”

Meanwhile, pro-abortion forces are asking the city to
force Expectant Mother Care and other pro-life centers
to post notices in their offices that they neither
perform nor refer for abortions.

The allegation is that pregnancy resource centers
“deceive women” — never mind the fact that Expectant
Mother Care’s ads all read, “Free abortion alternatives.”

Perhaps the pro-abortion groups want to stifle free
speech because this approach is working. More and more
women are choosing the alternatives. Coordinators in
New York City know of at least 18 mothers who have
decided against abortion during the current 40 Days
for Life campaign.

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI

The date August 9 sticks in the minds of 40 Days for
Life volunteers in Columbia. That is the date of the
last abortion performed at the Planned Parenthood
facility that is the site of the Columbia prayer vigil.

It seems that Planned Parenthood simply cannot find a
practitioner to travel to Columbia to perform abortions.

Normally, this facility would have aborted at least
100 babies — probably more — over the course of a
ten-week period. But since August 9, the total has
been ZERO.

The vigil continues at Planned Parenthood in Columbia,
with the hope that the cessation of abortions becomes
permanent. Please join them in this prayer!

OTTAWA, ONTARIO

A media report from Ottawa says a pro-abortion group is
talking about ways to legally challenge pro-lifers who
pray in front of the Morgentaler Clinic, a facility
operated by Canada’s most infamous abortionist, where
the 40 Days for Life vigil is held.

This pro-abortion group says the pro-life presence fails
to “respect the dignity, privacy, and legal rights of
women to unimpeded access to health services.”

In reality, of course, the vigil is simply a peaceful,
prayerful gathering — as seen in photos the Ottawa team
has posted on their blog.

To see photos from a rainy day in Ottawa, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1324

When Suzanne arrived to pray, “our group contained
about six people and it soon swelled to about twelve.”
It soon started raining harder. “I was quite soaked by
the time I finished my shift,” she said.

The 40 Days for Life campaign in Ottawa is certainly
having an impact. “Little by little,” said one of the
coordinators, “hearts are being changed — one small
step at a time.”

PRO-LIFE DAY OF SILENT SOLIDARITY

I wanted to let you know about a wonderful pro-life
event going on today, Tuesday, October 19, that
complements this current 40 Days for Life campaign.

Students from more than 3,500 school campuses are
participating in Pro-life Day of Silent Solidarity to
raise awareness about the injustice of abortion by
taking a vow of silence for one day in solidarity for
the more than 3,000 children who die from abortion
each day.

Red arm bands and duct tape will identify them as
taking part in the Pro-life Day of Silent Solidarity.

Anyone can participate (you don’t even have to be a
student) and you can use the time of silence to pray
and fast for an end to abortion.

Learn more and find out how you can participate at:

http://www.silentday.org

Day 29 - October 20

Intention:

Praise God for His compassion in pardoning our sins and forgiving our transgressions. Give praise that He delights in showing mercy.

Scripture:

Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgressions of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us; and will subdue our iniquities.

-- Micah 7:18-19

Reflection:

Micah had been sent to declare God's judgment and call the people of Judah to repentance. The people had become spiritually and ethically corrupt. Prosperity had hardened the rich, the poor were oppressed and the heirs to David's throne were practicing abominations and idolatry. Is it not easy to see the parallels of God's people in Micah's day and God's people today in America?

Through Micah, God corrected His people by demanding justice, not burnt offerings and sacrifice. He told them to love mercy, and to walk humbly with their God.

In speaking of Old Testament stories of God's people turning from God to sin and idolatry, Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10: 11, "Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come."

Many biblical scholars believe God has removed His hedge of protection around our nation in response to our sins of immorality and abortion. Let us cry out in repentance for His mercy once again. And may we honor His faithfulness by doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, eternal, changeless, and faithful Lord, we recognize that we are in need of forgiveness as a nation, for turning our hearts away from you. Hear our prayer of repentance Lord and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We praise you for your tender mercies and your compassion that never fails.

Lord, it is only by Your grace that we can live lives that are just, and merciful. May Your Holy Spirit enable us to walk humbly in Your presence and may You be pleased to restore America so that a generation not yet born may praise you. In the name of Christ Jesus, who has done great things for us, amen.

Carmen Pate
Co-host, "Point of View" Talk Show