Welcome to 40 Days for Life: September 26

40 Days for Life opens September 26 in 316 locations

It's official! This 40 Days for Life campaign will be a record-setter! The campaign, from September 26 - November 4, will be the largest and longest internationally coordinated pro-life mobilization in history ... and you can help save lives by getting involved TODAY!

Here's a quick rundown:

316 locations -- the most ever!
49 US states -- plus Washington, DC
7 Canadian provinces
Australia, England, Spain and -- for the first time -- Uganda
Many NEW cities ... 46 first-time campaigns

The full list of locations for the 40 Days for Life campaign has just been posted. Click on the site that is closest to where you live. You will be redirected to the web page for that local 40 Days for Life campaign. On that local web page, sign up with your name and e-mail address to get involved and help save lives!

Take the leap of faith and get involved with 40 Days for Life

Have you been to pray at a 40 Days for Life vigil yet? You may ask, “What do I do?” or “What sign should I bring?” The answer is simple; the only sign you really need to bring is yourself, for you represent God’s love.

Today’s email from Shawn Carney:

Things are getting very busy as we head into the last
stretch of this 40 Days for Life campaign ... and I
have a lot to share today.

We have reports of two prayer events featuring youth
groups in Texas ... great words of encouragement from
a 40 Days for Life location in New England ... and a
bonus link to a fresh interview with 40 Days for Life
national director David Bereit!

FOR LIFE AND LIBERTY

David Bereit was interviewed by Kathryn Jean Lopez, who
serves as editor-at-large of National Review Online.

“When it comes to ending abortion,” David said in the
interview, “we recognize that ‘with man this is
impossible, but with God, all things are possible.’
We ask God, the author of life, to change hearts and
minds, to save lives and to impact eternal souls —
and He has responded in a profound way.”

To read the full interview, please go to:

http://tinyurl.com/8m36jwr

HOUSTON, TEXAS

Lauren Muzyka of the 40 Days for Life national team
had an opportunity to pray with young people from
Salt Church and St. Ignatius Loyola outside Planned
Parenthood’s abortion megaplex in Houston.

“The youth prayed intently in a circle while cars
were going in and out of the abortion center parking
lot,” she said. “It was so inspiring to see these
young people have a heart for their unborn brothers
and sisters as well as the women in crisis.”

It impressed Lauren that they were “so joyful and
thankful to be out there and part of this ministry.
Their youth minister told me they kept asking when
they could come back and pray.”

For a photo of the Houston vigil, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3595

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

“We had a successful youth hour with the pro-life
clubs from Atonement Academy and John Paul II High
School and a few members from the University of Texas
at San Antonio, St. Mary’s University and Northwest
Vista groups,” said Matt in San Antonio. “We filled
the sidewalk on both sides of the street!”

Matt said vigil participants stress the importance of
being charitable “to anyone and everyone you encounter
on the sidewalk, even if the emotions are high and even
if they disagree with your views or faith. The loving,
peaceful, charitable example that you show speaks much
louder than your words.”

For pictures of the youth groups at the San Antonio
vigil, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3595

GREENLAND, NEW HAMPSHIRE

This is the seventh campaign in Greenland ... but
this time around, prayer volunteers are noticing more
positive responses than ever before.

“People are stopping to thank the prayer volunteers
on the sidewalk for what they are doing,” said Jackie,
the local campaign coordinator, “and are sharing their
own stories about how abortion has affected them.”

One day recently, a truck pulled up to the curb and the
driver got out. “Thank you for what you’re doing here,”
he said. He told the volunteers that many years ago,
he and his girlfriend had considered abortion ... but
decided against it. He now has a 38-year-old daughter.

Twenty years later, that daughter thought about having
an abortion ... and she also decided to keep her baby.
That baby is the man’s 18-year-old grandson. As he got
back into his truck, he called out to vigil participants,
“God bless you all!”

“The Holy Spirit is definitely working powerfully!”
Jackie said.

Day 29 - October 24

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
40 Days for Life board of directors

Today’s email:

40 Days for Life often feels like a sprint — but
it’s really a marathon!

Marathons take discipline ... and often it can be
hard to tell if you’re really getting anywhere. As
we enter the last quarter of this effort, many
campaigns are just now seeing the impact they have
had over these past few weeks.

It takes a steady, faith-filled, Christ-like mind
to stay the course and not get distracted. As the
Apostle Paul put it, “Run so as to win. Every athlete
exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win
a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one”
(1 Corinthians 9:24-25).

These campaign stories illustrate that point.

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

Trudy reports that the 40 Days for Life campaign is
going very well — and that’s no surprise. But this
campaign is different. The volunteers in Jacksonville
are praying in front of a vacant building.

“Our pro-life presence in front of an empty facility,
whose owner, Planned Parenthood, plans to abort
babies in this building, delivers our message to
passersby better than an ad in the local newspaper,”
Trudy said.

“If you really want a treat, join us at 1:45 pm any
day, Monday through Friday, to see all of the school
buses lined up on the street in front of the new
Planned Parenthood,” she said. “Children, with their
arms hanging out the windows, joyfully wave to us
when they see our display of banners.”

Traffic often slows in front of this location. One
woman called out from her car, “I didn’t have an
abortion. I kept my baby!” The volunteers responded,
“God bless you!” The man in the car behind her heard
all of this and added, “I don’t believe in abortion
either!”

Pray that Planned Parenthood never opens an abortion
center in this location!

To see pictures of the vigil in front of the future
Planned Parenthood location in Jacksonville, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3611

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA

Faithful prayer volunteers continue to bring the
pro-life message to the street in front of Planned
Parenthood in Pittsburgh — despite a couple of area
businesses that would like to see them leave.

One store owner has even posted a sign for the past
two campaigns, calling them hypocrites. “He needs
prayers,” said one participant.

Another volunteer told of “a heartbreaking scene that
was observed when a woman walked out of the Planned
Parenthood strongly stating to a young woman behind
her (her daughter?) ‘I don’t care what you want.’
Please pray for them.”

Nikki sent some photos from the vigil. In one, you
can see a mobile ultrasound unit parked across the
street from Planned Parenthood. “One girl went into
it for sure instead of going in to Planned Parenthood,”
Nikki said, “but we don’t know the details yet of what
happened after she got on board.”

To see the pictures of 40 Days for Life in Pittsburgh,
go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3611

PHOENIX, ARIZONA

Lisa in Phoenix is thankful for the many volunteers
who “continue to stand witness through many difficult
situations in Phoenix.” They will keep praying at
this site even after the 40 days are complete.

“The community has become more aware of the evil
surrounding their neighborhood,” she said. “People
are sharing stories of healing and reaching out to
those in need. Local churches have taken on full
vigil days to witness and pray.”

Vigil participants watch every day as women come and
go. “From my years praying on the sidewalk of abortion
clinics,” a volunteer said, “this is the first time
where the girls are so sedated they have no tears ...
but this is a battle God will win. Continue to be His
voice for the voiceless.”

To see a photos of the prayer vigil in Phoenix, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3611

Day 30 - October 25

Intention:

That those tempted to abort may understand that their child is already present, and already a real person.

Scripture:

And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

-- Luke 1:41-44

Reflection:

Jesus not only loves unborn children -- He was one himself!

Think about this for a moment.

We often hear people speak of a pregnant mother by saying, "She's expecting a child." Now if one is expecting a package, the package is not yet there. As reflected in our verse for today, however, this is not the case with the mother. Her gift is already there. The pregnant woman, a mother already, does not have a child "on the way," but has a child, already present and in full possession of his or her human rights, starting with the right to life.

Prayer:

Jesus, open my eyes to your presence in the life of every child. Open my heart to joy in the birth of every child, a birth that reflects the joy of your own birth in Bethlehem. As you shared life in the womb of Mary, so now send your protection upon every child still in the womb, and grant to their mothers the strength and joy that comes from welcoming the gift of life. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life

Thanks for your prayers.

Today’s email is about what is happening in England!

I’m in the San Diego area today, and looking forward
to meeting a lot of people at a couple of events here.
But I’m also thinking about what’s going on with
40 Days for Life eight time zones away.

40 Days for Life has spread rapidly through England
over the past two years. Despite persecution and
attacks from the media and a highly secular culture,
the peaceful prayer vigils are having a HUGE effect.
Here are just a few examples.

MILTON KEYNES, ENGLAND

40 Days for Life volunteers held a prayer service in
front of the abortion facility, with group and
individual prayer, testimony and hymns. After a time,
a woman came out of the building to complain.

She said the local organizer had agreed that it would
be a “silent protest” during operating hours, and that
the volunteers “were causing great distress to her
vulnerable clients and disrupting her work.” She said
if it continued, they would take further action.

“There is, of course, no agreement between myself and
the clinic for a silence-only prayer vigil and never
will be,” said Andy, the local coordinator. “The
police visited us during our halfway service outside
the clinic and told me he had no problem with us
singing and praying ... he wished us a good night’s
singing and left.”

Andy said he is amazed that the vigil has had such an
effect on the abortion center. “I didn’t expect us to
be where we are now so soon into the first campaign!”

To see a photo of the Milton Keynes vigil, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3618

LONDON, ENGLAND

Tony, who was praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil
on London’s Brixton Street, watched as a couple left
the Marie Stopes abortion facility and said they were
keeping their baby. “The man was in tears of joy,”
he said, “and the woman had a huge smile.”

The couple described their experience inside as
“horrible” and “in fact they were dying to get away.”

They said the staff discussed problems that could
develop with a high-risk pregnancy, and did so in
rather insensitive terms. The man responded with some
choice words and they both exited the building.

“It seems no one talked to them before they went in,”
Tony said, “so it seems the prayer works even without
the chit-chat first, which is great!”

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND

“I am happy to announce that three more mothers have
changed their minds,” said Aline in Birmingham.

The first mother changed her mind after seeing the
ultrasound of her baby. She saw her child and decided
she could not have the abortion. This had an immediate
effect on another mother, who decided to keep her baby
as well.

“The third expectant mother was approached by a
volunteer who made her aware of the consequences of
abortion,” Aline said. Still, this woman and her
boyfriend went in anyway. “But after a while, they
walked out happy and stopped to thank the volunteer
who had spoken to her.”

OXFORD, ENGLAND

The campaigns in the UK have most assuredly gotten
the attention of those who support legal abortion.
There’s even an online petition inviting vigil
participants to leave the pavement and go home.

A column in the British edition of the Huffington
Post bears the title “40 Days of Lies.” The content
is as you might expect: “Certainly the tactic of
intimidating clinic staff, patients and landlords
until a clinic is forced to shut down won’t wash
in the UK.”

Robert in England sent a photo of some of the prayer
volunteers at Oxford’s first-time 40 Days for Life
campaign, including three children ... two of whom
are in strollers. A picture is indeed worth a
thousand words.

To see the photo, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3618

Day 31 - October 26

Intention:

For the medical community, that the truth they know about the human body may become awe and wonder at the God who made it.

Scripture:

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.

--Psalm 139:16

Reflection:

Human beings -- God's tapestries.

Psalm 139 is a psalm that reveals the enormity and otherness of God. His divine attributes are on display: omniscience (2-4), omnipresence (7-12), loving-kindness (17-18), justice (19-20), righteousness (23-24), and omnipotence. Yet, when it came to express this last attribute, what example did the psalmist use - God's creation of mountains, seas, or far-flung galaxies? No, he used none of these. To express the wonder of God's unparalleled creative power the writer mentions the fashioning of the human in the womb (14-16).

The Hebrew word used to express God's forming of us in the womb, raqam, is the same term for needlework or embroidery. In other words, we are a tapestry that displays God's artistic mastery. And, like the artist who knows his creation down to the last detail, God intimately knows us. This reality provokes the writer to awe and wonder. He proclaims, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

What is true for this psalmist is true for each human being. Each is fashioned by God and known by him and we can proclaim on behalf of each, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

Prayer:

Gracious God, help us to appreciate the wonder and beauty of Your creation. Help us proclaim on behalf of every one of our fellow human beings, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." May the knowledge that we are intimately known by You shape our lives and actions. Amen.

Rev. J. Kirk van der Swaagh
Pastor, Conservative Congregational Christian Conference

Today’s email:

When a 40 Days for Life vigil is just getting
started, abortion workers first consider you a
religious zealot, then a radical. As time goes on,
you’re seen as someone who simply has nothing
better to do with your time.

But toward the end of the campaign, you become a
question for them. The stereotypes wear off and
the abortion center staffers see you as a human
being ... and they ask themselves the question,
“What good do I really do here?”

We are now at that point.

During this campaign, we’ve had reports of three
abortion center employees who have left their jobs
— and a few others are thinking about it. In the
majority of these cases, the stories will remain
confidential.

When former Planned Parenthood director Abby Johnson
experienced a conversion, quit her job and walked
into my office at the Coalition for Life next door,
she lost not just an income but close personal friends.

These workers will experience the same. So please keep
them in your prayers as they transition out of the
abortion business and find hope and healing.

THE VISITOR’S WIFE

At one 40 Days for Life vigil, a man walked up to the
prayer volunteers with a request. “My wife works in
there,” he said, pointing towards the abortion center.

“I am against abortion and I’m trying hard to convince
her to quit,” he said. “Would you pray with me to get
her out of there?” Of course, the vigil participants
did just that.

Another volunteer reports that an abortion center
employee stopped on her way in and struck up a
conversation, asking — very sincerely — why there
were people outside praying. She listened intently,
took some pro-life information from the volunteer,
and promised to study it.

The leaders at one 40 Days for Life location have
been watching as employees come and go, and the
turnover has been noteworthy. Over the past few
years, more than 20 people have quit and been
replaced. The local 40 Days for Life team is not
sure if all of these people have changed their minds
about abortion, but it’s certainly clear that this
facility has a hard time retaining staff.

THE ABORTION CENTER EMPLOYEE

At another 40 Days for Life location, there’s been a
very clear change of heart. There was an employee who
would come out of the office — and criticize prayer
volunteers for harassing women entering the building.

One day, however, there seemed to be something
different. The employee appeared upset, and said they
really didn’t want to be there, but needed the job.

A volunteer briefly told of how Abby Johnson had
left Planned Parenthood — and wrote about her
experiences in a book called “Unplanned.” The worker
grabbed a smart phone. Volunteers think it may have
been to Google “Abby Johnson” right there on the spot.

Several days later, one of the vigil participants saw
this employee while out shopping — and the employee
said the people praying were not really harassing
women. This worker hasn’t been seen at the abortion
center since then.

THE ABORTIONIST’S WIFE

The wife of the abortionist will speak to vigil
participants from time to time outside the abortion
center. One day recently, she stopped at the end of
the driveway to tell two volunteers there would not
be any abortions that day.

As she began to pull into the street, she stopped
again and said, “Thank you for your prayers!”

“We both just stood there for a moment as she drove
away and said to each other, ‘Did she just thank us
for our prayers?’” said one volunteer. “Needless
to say, we will continue to pray even harder.”

Day 32 - October 27

Intention:

As we pray for the end of abortion, let us pray for the expansion of the pregnancy help center movement worldwide.

Scripture:

The dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne.

-- Revelation 12:4-5

Reflection:

You don't need to be a theological scholar to get the essential point of Revelation 12. Something BIG is afoot. It has something to do with the birth of Christ and the children of God.

It involves a war in heaven, with powers and principalities beyond our expertise. But the battles are fought here on earth.

The crux of the matter centers around the babe of Bethlehem and the cross of Calvary.

It continues to unfold down through the ages, through us, the children of God, who put their faith in Christ and take up their cross and follow him.

We are waging a war of love against all things that destroy body and soul.

The intensity waxes and wanes, but like labor pains, they grow and culmi-nate in new life.

The unleashing of legal abortion nearly 40 years ago stirred up prayer (lamentation really). Many were then led to start pregnancy help centers and maternity homes.

Today there are over 3,000 such ministries that did not exist 40 years ago.

They reflect a movement of God on our watch: Christians driven to give their time and charity to end abortion one woman at a time.

Let's pray this movement expands worldwide. Let's pray for thousands more Christians to start, serve and support pregnancy help centers.

Prayer:

O God, from generation to generation, you have called your people to be the very aroma of life amidst a culture of death. Now it is our turn. Prepare me. Send me. Use me. I am eager to do my part. Stir your people everywhere to take up this great work.

Rev. John Ensor
Vice President, Heartbeat International

All abortions end the same way — with the death of
the baby. That’s the stark, cold reality. In the rare
occurrence that the baby does survive an abortion,
the procedure is considered “unsuccessful.”

Abortion workers may use the condescending, inaccurate
ploy of telling a mother that in the early stages of
pregnancy, the baby is “just a blob of tissue.” As the
pregnancy advances, and the child grows and develops,
that lie won’t work — the mother can feel her baby
kicking and moving ... and she starts to “show.”

Nevertheless, abortions are legal in the United States
at any time during pregnancy — for any reason. And
there are abortionists who will perform them ... at
any time, for any reason.

SHARONVILLE, OHIO

40 Days for Life campaigns are going on right now
outside a number of late-term abortion centers ...
including one in the otherwise peaceful and quaint
Cincinnati suburb of Sharonville. I was able to visit
the vigil location there recently.

I prayed with students outside Martin Haskell’s
abortion center — one of two he operates in Ohio
(the other is in Dayton, where 40 Days for Life is
also in progress).

Haskell is notorious for having invented the method
commonly known as partial-birth abortion ... which
can even be done at a stage of pregnancy where the
baby could survive outside the womb.

To see the picture from the Sharonville vigil — and
another photo from my visit to the nearby Cincinnati
campaign — go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3648

MOBILE, ALABAMA

I also visited the 40 Days for Life vigil in Mobile
recently — where 40 Days for Life team members are
excited about the pro-life pregnancy help center
that’s right across the street from the Planned
Parenthood abortion facility.

So far during this campaign, volunteers in Mobile
report at least three babies have been saved from
abortion.

To see the photo of the prayer volunteers in Mobile,
go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3648

In more and more communities, people are locating
pro-life resources as close as possible to the
abortion business. If a counselor can point next
door or across the street and say, “Let’s go over
here where you can get some assistance,” it can be
a major advantage in the battle to save lives.

DALLAS, TEXAS

The 40 Days for Life vigil in Dallas, like the one
in Sharonville, is taking place outside a late-term
abortion facility. Prayer volunteers there were
recently able to offer help to a young woman who was
sitting on the steps of the building — in tears.

But before she could get up to walk to the counselors,
an abortion center worker walked out the side entrance
and met her first. However, this distraught young
woman turned away from the staff member ... and
responded to the offer of help from the sidewalk,
where a counselor walked with her to the nearby
pregnancy help center.

“She came to the abortion facility without hope,” said
one of the volunteers. “With courage she walked away
from this place of despair. She chose life ...
and she is going to have twins!”

To see a picture of the 40 Days for Life vigil in
Dallas, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3648

Day 33 - October 28

Intention:

May we absorb the truth that God is paying attention to us, and to each human life, personally and individually.

Scripture:

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor.

-- Psalm 8:3-9

Reflection:

How often we ignore the phrase, "stop and smell the roses" and instead submit to the all too "urgent" task at hand. Is this tendency what keeps us, at least in part, from acknowledging that God's care for His sacred creation is paramount in His own mind?

The Psalmist speaks of God's handiwork: the heavens, the work of his "fingers," and then points to God's masterpiece - human life. He declares to us that God is mindful of us. God keeps His masterpiece in His thoughts.

God, the creator of the awe-inspiring heavens, is not distracted by the tasks before Him. He is not pulled away, as we might be, by thoughts of something "more important." God is paying attention to and attending to His crowning glory, His masterpiece of creation, which cannot be duplicated or replaced, which surpasses the beauty of all other created things - the human being.

There is no way to adequately describe how God feels about us as human beings. There are no words to fully portray His love, compassion or desire to be in communion with us. Perhaps, the closest we can come, is to contemplate the thoughts of a mother as she gazes for the first time at her newborn child. God cares for Life. We, as His followers, should take time to consider the life He has created and called upon us to love and protect.

Prayer:

Lord, you are the creator of all things. Guide my thoughts to consider your creation in all of its majesty, beauty and holiness. Guide my heart especially to your creation of precious human life. Help me to comprehend how essential life is in your own heart. Teach me to appreciate, love and protect all human life through your son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fr. Terry Gensemer
National Director, Charismatic Episcopal Church for Life

Today’s email:

As we head into the final stretch of the campaign,
we are starting to see abortion workers give up on
their stereotypes ... of YOU.

Weeks into the campaign, all the labels are finally
set aside. The workers begin to question what they
are doing ... and why it is wrong. This has already
led to three workers having a change of heart during
this campaign!

Some employees come to the conclusion that they can no
longer justify working at an abortion center — and
experience the great freedom that comes with leaving.

Others, however, just get mad — and take it out on
the people peacefully praying outside. Through their
actions, they begin to show how troubled and
discontented they really are.

As vigil participants, we know that it is best to not
respond and not get upset ... but to continue to pray
for these people and show the love of Christ. When
they ARE ready to leave, they will remember the love
you showed them.

Here are a few examples of how 40 Days for Life
prayer teams have, in the face of anger, responded
with Christ’s love.

VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA

Planned Parenthood called the police again. It seems
that two women stopped by the 40 Days for Life vigil
to thank people for their prayers and assistance —
and they parked in Planned Parenthood’s lot.

One of the women just wanted to encourage volunteers,
since she was adopted — and had adopted a child
herself. She was grateful that neither she nor her
daughter had become victims of the abortion industry.

The other woman had been a Planned Parenthood client
who changed her mind and chose life for her child,
who is now a few months old. She stopped by to
update the volunteers and let them know that she
was getting assistance from local ministries.

In addition to calling the police, agitated Planned
Parenthood staffers came out, took pictures and
harassed the women.

When the police arrived, they helped settle things
down ... and they understood that the two women had
no idea that simply parking on Planned Parenthood’s
property would create such tumult.

The volunteers asked for prayer for the two women —
as well as prayer for the conversion of the Planned
Parenthood staff.

AUSTIN, TEXAS

A month into the campaign, the abortion center staff
in Austin is still trying to find a legal reason that
might disrupt the 40 Days for Life vigil.

“They claim that we are breaking city ordinances by
having our signs on a display,” said one of the
Austin volunteers, “which we are not. And we’ve
proved that a million times before.”

“I like when the police drive by and smile with a
wave,” said another volunteer. “The smile is a nice
way of saying, keep up the good work.”

To see a picture of one of the displays at the Austin
vigil, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3651

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA

The slogan is familiar: “Keep abortion safe and legal.”

“This is one of many rants we hear while we have been
praying at Bread and Roses [yes, that’s the name of
the abortion center] during these 40 Days for Life,”
said Jazmin in Gainesville. “It is yet another example
of the irony and deceit which surrounds abortion.”

Abortion, obviously, is not “safe” for the baby — and
there are physical, spiritual and emotional risks for
the mother as well. As for “legal,” that certainly
isn’t the same as “moral.” Morality is constant; laws
can be changed.

Jazmin said she is convinced “these angry rants of
passersby are the dead consciences of our community
being stirred out of their stupor. May our continued
presence during the remainder of these 40 Days for
Life stir the hearts of those in our city to seek and
find the truth regarding the sanctity of human life.”

Day 34 - October 29

Intention:

May we come to know that divine life, in relationship, creates human life.

Scripture:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

--John 1:1-3

Reflection:

"In the beginning" was God. Always, before all times, there was God. This particular God -- the God of the Bible, the God of St. John's Gospel -- is different from all other gods. This God is alive and full of life. This God is not the picture of deadness and death, aloneness and isolation. This God is the picture of life, relationship, and unity. For within this God, within this one God, there are three divine persons who live, who love, and who work -- together. This is the glorious mystery of the Trinity. The Trinity means divine life. The Trinity means three, living Persons -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- who relate to each other. The Trinity means mutual love and service among three Persons.

The Word was always with God the Father. This Word was, is, and will be the Trinity's second person. The Word is also the Son of God or, as revealed in time, Jesus Christ. God the Father and God the Son live, love, and work for each other. As one, they create "all things" together: the Father creates all things, including all human life, through the Son.

So the Father, through the Son, creates all human lives. The little one swimming in his mother's womb, the infant smiling in his father's arms, the child crying in pain in a hospital bed, the energetic teen running another mile, the old man gasping for his last breath -- all were created, at their beginning, by the Father through the Son. No exceptions. Divine life creates human life.

Prayer:

O God, may we always be quick to call you Father. And when we call you father, let your Spirit remind us that we, and all people, from their beginning to their last day, are your children. We praise you, Father, that you sent your Son to reveal to the world that all people are His brothers and sisters, that all people are your children. Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Rev. Paul Stallsworth
President, Lifewatch (United Methodist Church)

David Bereit, 40 Days for Life's national director, and
I were supposed to be heading out together early this
morning to visit 40 Days for Life campaigns in Georgia
and Florida ...

... but that was before Hurricane Sandy started bearing
down on the East Coast and completely shut down our
scheduled travel.

So now, we're going to be hunkered down with our families
at home in Virginia to ride out the hurricane.

Please keep everyone in the path of the storm in your
prayers today. If it's heading your way, stay safe, and
please check with your local 40 Days for Life coordinator,
as some vigils may be suspended due to the weather.

Now, as we head into the final week of this campaign, we
are overjoyed by all the blessings God has provided as
you have faithfully responded to the call to pray and
fast for an end to abortion.

So far, we've received reports of ...

... 469 babies whose lives have been spared from abortion
-- that we know of!

-----------------------------------------------------
CHERRY HILL, NEW JERSEY
-----------------------------------------------------

One of the prayer volunteers had an opportunity to
speak to a young man outside the abortion center.
They talked about many things -- including Jesus.

When they finished talking, the young man went inside
the building and found the young woman he had come
with. The volunteer says this woman was filled with
joy when she came out and said she had decided against
the abortion.

-----------------------------------------------------
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS
-----------------------------------------------------

A vigil participant spoke with two girls who had come
to the abortion center. She described the services
available from the local pregnancy help center, and
talked about adoption resources as well. The young
women left, but said they would return.

When they did, another volunteer gave them additional
information ... but she was concerned when the two
went into the building. When they came out, though,
they said they would both be keeping their babies.

-----------------------------------------------------
BELLEVUE, NEBRASKA
-----------------------------------------------------

A lone prayer volunteer watched as a mother and
daughter left the abortion center, got into their
car and drove towards the exit.

When they got to where the vigil participant was
standing, they stopped. The daughter help up a
sonogram and said, "His feet were moving!" Her
mother said the girl was 12 weeks pregnant -- and
the sonogram had convinced her to reject abortion.

-----------------------------------------------------
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA
-----------------------------------------------------

Vigil participants noticed a couple waiting in the
parking lot early one morning before the abortion
center opened. The woman said they had two young
children, and a new baby would be difficult to take
care of at this time.

One of the counselors told her that life is sacred
-- and there are many community resources available
that will help. Although the father didn't seem too
happy about it, the mother changed her mind -- and
immediately left the abortion facility to visit the
pro-life pregnancy help center.

Another young woman told volunteers that she had come
for an abortion, but had decided against it. When they
asked her why, she said she felt the presence of evil
there and simply had to leave.

-----------------------------------------------------
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
-----------------------------------------------------

You know how we say, "469 saved -- that we know of"?
Here's an example of a child whose life was spared --
and the 40 Days for Life campaign team didn't have
any idea about it at the time.

Dan in Milwaukee said one day recently -- while the
abortion center was closed -- God showed them a
surprise. A child that was saved from abortion during
the 40 Days for Life campaign in the spring of 2009
arrived at the vigil.

"He's three years old now," Dan said. "Beautiful boy!"

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