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Can you imagine abortions dropping 23% in YOUR community? How many lives would that be? That's what has happened in Jacksonville, Florida. But to make that possible, there was one thing that had to be overcome -- fear.

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

Prayer is the foundation of a 40 Days for Life campaign and that prayer helps us overcome our natural hesitation to participate in the vigils -- especially for the first time.

That’s what I talked about with volunteers in Jacksonville along with the unbelievable details about a mom who chose life for her handicapped baby.

I had the flu during this trip, but the folks in Florida took care of me and had a huge event ... with 10 local pastors in attendance!

Click the image below to watch my talk from the Jacksonville vigil:

You may also see the video by clicking here: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=4213

Then ... find one of the 261 campaign locations near you ... and remember that our Lord told us to "be not afraid."

SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA

The Planned Parenthood staff in San Mateo keeps trying to find something to complain about. They have no legitimate issues, but that isn’t stopping them from trying to find fault with the peaceful 40 Days for Life vigil on the public right-of-way outside.

“The police have come out at least four times, mostly called by Planned Parenthood and their escorts,” said Jessica in San Mateo.

“The most recent time a vigil volunteer had our lawyer on the phone and asked the police officer if he wished to speak with her,” she said. “He declined. He also finally acknowledged that we were doing nothing wrong and then he left.”

BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT

One thing we hear from many people is the simple fact that abortion facilities are just not pleasant places. Sure, they try to dress themselves up as “health care centers.” But that doesn’t hide what they do.

Christine in Bridgeport got some good news – and some insight – from the 40 Days for Life vigil.

The vigil participants talked to a woman who’d had an abortion appointment – but changed her mind after she had gone inside the building.

Christine said, “She walked out of the Summit Women’s Center and told volunteers that she would never go there again because it was disgusting!”

Rev. Ben Sheldon, President Emeritus, Presbyterians Pro-life

Intention:

That we may realize the generational impact of abortion.

Scripture:

Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife because she was barren; and the Lord granted his prayer and Rebekah his wife conceived. The children struggled together within her, and she said,” If it is thus, why do I live?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.

And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples, born of you, shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the elder shall serve the younger.”

— Genesis 25:21-23

Reflection:

What an answer to prayer! Who dares to say that the unborn are not human, with distinct personality and character right from the moment of conception? This account emphasizes the vitality and uniqueness of the twins who, because of Isaac’s prayer for his wife, were conceived in Rebekah’s womb. When Rebekah was told by the Lord that the older would serve the younger twin, God already knew that Jacob and Esau would lead turbulent and conflicted lives.

God knows us and knows all about us, including our personality and disposition long before we are actually born, indeed, from the moment we are conceived in our mother’s womb. What a tragedy of gargantuan proportions that babies, planned and endowed by the Creator, with distinct and unique personalities and with, perhaps, a future and destiny intended for greatness, have their lives snuffed outby cruel abortionists before they ever see the light of day! May our prayers that the dreadful scourge of abortion in our land may vanish be as fervent as Isaac’s were for Rebekah.

Prayer:

O, God, you formed us in our mother’s womb and planned a unique and special life and purpose for each of us, and we do thank you. Grant that we may pray and work for an end to abortion, especially in these 40 days, so that no unborn baby you have made may fail to achieve your divine intention for him or her because of intentional abortion. We pray this for the sake of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.