The Beginning of the End of Abortion -- 40 Days for Life --

40 Days for Life.com ^ | 09-28-16 | 40 Days for Life staff

[Salvation]

Metkovic, Croatia

October 6, 2016

Ever since 40 Days for Life began, it’s become fairly common for people to look for vigils to visit while they’re traveling – whether it’s a business trip, a holiday excursion or a religious pilgrimage.

We often hear of vacationers from many different parts of the United States praying at vigils in the Orlando, Florida area, for instance.  We had a story of some Midwesterners stopping at a vigil site in England. Already in this campaign, we heard from Floridians who prayed at Boston’s vigil just last week.

Now we have a photo to share from Californians in Croatia!

Patti, the San Fernando Valley campaign leader, sent the picture, saying, “A few of us were on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje … so we joined the 40 Days for Life kickoff in Metkovic, Croatia! We love these people — they’re awesome!”

So if you’re traveling between now and November 6 … check for a 40 Days for Life location at your destination. Even if it’s in another country, everyone will be speaking the language of prayer.

[Salvation]

UNITED TOUR: West Virginia and Ohio

October 7, 2016

The bus is back on the road! Repairs have been completed … and we’re rolling once again through West Virginia and Ohio.

At the state rally in Vienna, West Virginia, local leader Patty Cooper shared why abortion is personal to her. After she was born, her birth parents left her in a basket on someone’s doorstep. She knows that if abortion had been legal in 1955, she likely wouldn’t be here today. And Christy from Silent No More credited “the prayers of people I’ve never met” for bringing her to Christ’s forgiveness after her abortion led her to despair.

Sharonville, Ohio is home to an abortion facility run by the notorious late-term abortionist Martin Haskell. It’s a tragic place, but local volunteers report that business is WAY DOWN. In fact, there’s actually a “for sale” sign in front of the building!

The 40 Days for Life leader here previously led a campaign in North Carolina. When she relocated to Ohio, she got involved in her new hometown.

We have been blessed along our trip to meet folks who have been praying publicly for an end to abortion for many years–even decades! Their work to build a culture of life is bearing fruit.

In Cincinnati, Ohio, Brenna Lewis of Students for Life shared that a majority of millennials now favor prohibiting abortion in most or all circumstances! In fact, she said millennials are the most pro-life generation. Help is on the way!

And now … we’re on our way to see more of Ohio!

[Salvation]

DAY 10: Blame abortion

October 7, 2016

A 40 Days for Life campaign is built on prayer … and leadership.

The heroes of this effort are the hundreds of local leaders who courageously step forward to lead 40 Days for Life in their home towns.

And right now, our world needs leaders. A recent article highlights this … then digs into what’s wrong with our culture.

The author, Dr. Carrie Gress, says you can blame abortion for the continuing downward spiral. “Abortion doesn’t just kill an innocent, unborn child,” she said. “Its tentacles destroy every aspect of society, beginning at the head.”

That, she said, explains the ongoing crisis of leadership – which is also one of the reasons that political efforts to end abortion have failed.

“The end of abortion will come through prayer, fasting and a restoration of our relationship with God,” she wrote, “or it simply will not happen through our efforts.”

And so … we continue to pray and fast during these 40 Days for Life.

[Salvation]

Seattle, Washington

October 7, 2016

Volunteers in Seattle say one simple question was able to settle down a very angry woman, who had walked past the 40 Days for Life vigil several times, “hurling loud rage at us,” as one participant put it.

The question?

“What’s your story?”

The woman seemed surprised that the volunteers were really interested in her. She told of how she’d had an abortion when she was a drug addict, and how it was all for the better since the child would have ended up in foster care and had a horrible life.

“By the end of the conversation, she told us we were okay,” the vigil participant said. “But she also said our being there was painful for her. I had heard that those who reacted the strongest had the most hurt.”

After reflecting on this encounter, the volunteer was moved to prayer:

“May our presence on this sidewalk be a bridge to know the comfort of the Father. May this time have a distinct flavor of compassion. May this be a time we humble ourselves and ask for God’s wisdom and help to show His heart. May we have an attitude that makes us approachable.

“Please pray for this woman and her companion and that God willing, more conversation can happen and that Christ can wash and mend these lives.”

[Salvation]

Medellin, Colombia

October 7, 2016

The 40 Days for Life team in Medellin tells of a couple arriving at the Profamilia abortion center (yes, that means “pro-family”).

But before they walked in, they stopped at the vigil site to look at the posters and read information about the reality of abortion … and what goes on at Profamilia. They looked a bit anxious, but still they went inside.

About an hour and a half later, they came out with tears in their eyes … and thanked the vigil participants for being there.

The woman explained that she had called a service that was supposed to be a women’s help line because she was pregnant and didn’t know what to do.

This service referred her to Profamilia … even though she wasn’t necessarily looking for an abortion.

When the couple got inside, they met with a counselor who began to pressure them … saying that abortion is a woman’s right and there was no reason to feel bad about terminating the pregnancy.

But she had just seen the 40 Days for Life posters and literature, and she knew in her heart that this simply wasn’t true.

She chose life … and thanked the 40 Days for Life participants for their powerful witness.

[Salvation]

DAY 11: Meet Matt Britton

October 8, 2016

Participating in a 40 Days for Life campaign can be hard. But we get to do this in a free nation.

When we engage the culture, we do so out of love of God, love of neighbor … and love of country.

Someone who understands this is Matt Britton. Matt is a former elected prosecutor and corporate attorney for publicly traded tech companies who now serves as the 40 Days for Life board chair.

Many of our local campaign leaders have worked with Matt or have met him at a vigil. He was instrumental in launching the UNITED campaign to all 50 states and has spoken around the world at 40 Days for Life events. Matt is also the youngest of ten children. He and his wife, Libby, have eight children ranging in age from kindergarten to college.

When we know — and use — our rights, we can change our country. Matt joined me on a 40 Days for Life podcast episode to discuss this important topic … and what you can and cannot do at a 40 Days for Life vigil. So if you love your country, listen to this podcast … and then find the location nearest you.

[Salvation]

UNITED TOUR: Ohio

October 8, 2016

The rain that followed us everywhere last week has left! It’s been beautiful in Ohio.

We were blown away to find nearly 100 people of all ages and backgrounds out at 9:30 in the morning in Dayton. This abortion facility, like the one we stopped at in Sharonville, is run by Martin Haskell, who invented the gruesome partial-birth abortion procedure.

Columbus, Ohio is the home of Heartbeat International, a network of more than 2,000 affiliated pregnancy centers around the world — and a UNITED tour partner. Heartbeat International president Jor-El Godsey has joined a number of stops on the tour and talked about the critical role pregnancy centers play in ending abortion locally.

Even though the abortion center wasn’t open, the owner came out to listen. She was joined by other abortion supporters, including one who took countless photos of the event.

We saw incredible support in Canton, Ohio — not just from 40 Days for Life participants but from the community. The busy road in front of Planned Parenthood featured a seemingly non-stop series of car horns honking in support of the prayer volunteers.

Cleveland rocks! Even though the local baseball team was in the middle of an exciting playoff game, faithful people flooded the streets for our 40 Days for Life rally.

Renee, our leader in Painesville, shared Renee, our leader in Painesville, shared that following a loved one’s abortion, she promised to never again be unsure of what to say to an abortion-minded woman.

John, who leads the Cleveland campaign, talked about how losing a child to abortion led him to get involved. He even retired early to spend more time working for the Lord.

One of Cleveland’s abortion centers has closed, and there is just one to go before Cleveland is abortion free!

 

[Salvation]

Fayetteville, North Carolina

October 8, 2016

More than 175 people came to pray outside Planned Parenthood in Fayetteville – twice the crowd the local team was expecting.

“We opted to put the day in God’s hands,” said Amie, one of the local leaders, “and we stood back and witnessed God’s work. Our sidewalk was overflowing.

Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Raleigh Catholic diocese was on hand to lead prayer. He reminded volunteers of a gospel passage, that even with faith the size of a mustard seed, God can hear your prayers and accomplish great things.

The bishop also recalled an abortion center that had closed in another city after many years of prayer. The former abortion property is now a garden in memory of the unborn who died there. The volunteers, he said, should be encouraged as they stand for the children in a spirit of loving mercy.

“I did notice that during the event, the road response seemed a little more vile than usual,” Amie said. “But after all, three priests and a minister were in our group and perhaps Satan was feeling a bit uncomfortable.”

[Salvation]

PHOTO TOUR: Croatia

October 8, 2016

Croatia is one of the fastest-growing areas for 40 Days for Life.

There are currently vigils under way in 22 cities, and more communities are considering taking part in 2017.

Already during this campaign, there are reports of lives spared from abortion. In one particular case, one of the Croatian leaders said, “It was really big battle for that baby and for that mother, but our local leader and his team, with God’s, help won it!”

Here’s a tour in pictures of some of the current 40 Days for Life vigils in Croatia.

Dubrovnik

Knin

Krizevci

Metkovic

Nova Gradiska

Osijek

Rijeka

Sibenik

Slavonski Brod

Vinkovci

Vukovar

Zagreb

[Salvation]

DAY 12: Simplicity works

October 9, 2016

We hear it all the time — 40 Days for Life isn’t always easy. But it is simple.

That’s because the foundation is prayer … and just the sight of people standing in silent prayer makes an impact.

You may not be saying a word aloud — but the voice of God can be heard.

Thousands of mothers have chosen life for their babies … just because they saw people praying.

Abortion workers have quit their jobs … because of a regular, peaceful witness.

And the conversations that occur on the street show us that when we we show up and pray … good things happen.

And it doesn’t matter where you are … as seen in today’s reports!

 

[Salvation]

UNITED TOUR: Ohio, Michigan, Indiana

October 9, 2016

Every event on the UNITED tour has provided opportunities for fellowship and mutual encouragement.

That’s important because most of the time a vigil is covered by one or two volunteers, and it’s easy to feel isolated. Sometimes we can even be tempted to wonder whether our presence makes an impact. But there’s one group that never doubts your impact: the abortion industry.

That’s why in Toledo, Ohio, abortion supporters came out to protest our vigil — even blaring satanic “music” to try to drown out our prayers. It didn’t work. These desperation tactics only draw additional negative attention to the abortion center, strengthen the resolve of 40 Days for Life volunteers … and increase the prayers for more converted hearts.

Abortion supporters often justify the barbaric practice by saying women who obtain abortions do so thoughtfully and only after serious consideration. The abortion industry’s response to the UNITED tour in Southfield, Michigan didn’t match the rhetoric. Abortion center escorts blared rock music and danced in the parking lot to try to drown out our visit.

The truly compassionate approach comes from the volunteers on the sidewalk, who offer women in need REAL choice. At the Southfield visit, ours wasn’t the only bus in town. A mobile ultrasound unit was also on site and helped save NINE babies just in the last month.

The state rally in Ann Arbor marked city number 40 on our tour. The campaign here reports one saved baby so far this campaign. At our Michigan stops, we got to see six different campaign leaders, volunteers from all over the state … and even a participant from Canada!

We were welcomed by a huge crowd in Indianapolis. The Hoosier State has seen numerous abortion centers and Planned Parenthood locations close in just the last year. Indiana is witnessing abortion coming to an end!

Without a doubt, one of the most moving moments of the UNITED tour came at the rally in Indianapolis when we met Larelle — one of the nearly 12,000 children saved from abortion through 40 Days for Life. Larelle is the first baby saved at a 40 Days for Life campaign that I had personally met. Larelle’s hand print now adorns the bus as we head on to our 16th state!

[Salvation]

Cape Town, South Africa

October 9, 2016

Colette, the 40 Days for Life leader in Cape Town, says she found it “very strange” when some of the staff members from the Marie Stopes abortion center approached her outside.

They asked if she knew some people they had seen outside the facility previously – people who seemed very aggressive and quick to condemn.

Colette responded, “Why are you asking me this question?” They said they were asking her because she was different from these others – she did not condemn. She merely prayed.

“So I asked them, why do you think I pray?” Colette recalled.

“We listen, actually, when you pray,” one of them said. “You always pray with conviction for us, the ladies and the babies inside the clinic.”

The discussion continued for about half an hour. At the end, one of the Marie Stopes employees said, “Thank you for praying for me.”

“I’ll always pray for you,” Colette said, “and whoever enters these doors.”

[Salvation]

Llanelli, Wales

October 9, 2016

Volunteers in Llanelli met a man at the 40 Days for Life vigil who told a sad tale.

Many years ago, his wife had died during childbirth – and he never forgave the doctor. As he saw things, the doctor had saved the baby but had let his wife die. He talked about this for some time when Jean asked if the vigil participants could pray for him – that he would release his anger and resentment.

He agreed. “I took my time formulating and repeating the prayer in various ways,” the 40 Days for Life team member said, “and asked that he be shown how to release his anger and resentment.”

Days later, the man came back – smiling. The volunteers didn’t recognize him at first. He was dressed a bit nicer – and, of course, he hadn’t had that smile the last time they’d seen him.

As he got closer, he called out, “It worked! It worked!”

The people at the vigil were puzzled. “Your prayer worked!”

Then he explained that his thinking had changed and he no longer felt so burdened by the thoughts he had previously held. He felt much better. He repeated a few times, “Prayer works!”

You never know how God is going to use your simple presence while you’re out standing and praying!

[Salvation]

DAY 13: Prayer saves lives – lots of lives!

October 10, 2016

We begin another week by sharing the best news.

Thus far during this 40 Days for Life campaign, our local teams report

154 babies

(and mothers) have been saved from abortion – that we know of!

Praise God!

Your prayers are being answered every day!

If you haven’t been out to a peaceful 40 Days for Life vigil yet, today’s a great day!

There are 367 locations in all 50 US states and in 23 other countries around the world

https://40daysforlife.com/browse-campaigns/

Find one that’s close to you … and join the vigil!

[Salvation]

UNITED TOUR: Kentucky and Tennessee

October 10, 2016

Some of the most unexpectedly enjoyable moments on the UNITED tour have occurred at gas stations as we filled up the 75-gallon tank.

A number of folks have gotten out of their cars to share their stories, sign the bus … and sometimes even make a donation to help us with fuel.

We had gorgeous weather and a fabulous turnout at the Kentucky statewide rally in the heart of Louisville.

40 Days for Life board chair Matt Britton kicked off an event that also featured Jor-El Godsey of Heartbeat International, Brenna from Students for Life and Peggy from Silent No More Awareness.

Please pray for the abortion center worker with whom we had a brief, respectful dialogue on the sidewalk.

US Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn — chair of the House panel leading the investigation into Planned Parenthood’s barbaric practice of harvesting and trafficking in aborted baby body parts — fired up the crowd at a big UNITED rally in Nashville and joined other attendees in signing the bus.

We’re most appreciative to Jor-El Godsey from Heartbeat International for spending the whole day on the bus with us.

This was our 46th event in our 17th state … and we just surpassed 4,000 miles on this 18,500-mile journey!

[Salvation]

St. Louis, Missouri

October 10, 2016

In the first week of this 40 Days for Life campaign, Brian in St. Louis reports four women turned away from Planned Parenthood and were referred to a life-affirming pregnancy resource center.

It wasn’t easy. Planned Parenthood wasn’t about to give up any customers.

A counselor was trying to talk to one of the moms, but a Planned Parenthood employee came rushing up to yell, “Don’t listen to anything she says!”

That frightened the young woman … but the counselor stayed calm and explained the free resources that were available at the pregnancy center right across the street.

In the end, she didn’t let the Planned Parenthood worker rattle her. She took up the offer of a free pregnancy test and ultrasound … and changed her mind about having an abortion.

[Salvation]

Wilmington, Delaware

October 10, 2016

Some of the 40 Days for Life participants in Wilmington had a chance to speak to a woman outside Planned Parenthood.

They soon found out that her sister had an appointment for a chemical abortion … so they quickly offered a brochure about free healthcare and other pregnancy services.

Still, the woman said her sister had a toddler and didn’t think she could deal with another baby.

One of the volunteers asked her to bring the brochure to her inside Planned Parenthood. That was a bit risky, since escorts usually confiscate any life-affirming resources. But it worked.

About 30 minutes later, the woman and her sister both came out. The one who’d talked to the vigil participants called out, “Hey! She didn’t do it! She’s having twins … and she wanted me to tell you that you are the reason she changed her mind!”

[Salvation]

Cleveland, Ohio

October 10, 2016

John, the 40 Days for Life coordinator in Cleveland, says vigil participants have learned of two mothers who canceled their abortions.

One of them came on Day 1 of this campaign. A volunteer who had been praying at the vigil started a conversation with a young woman who was headed into the Preterm abortion facility.

They talked for a while … and the woman realized that abortion was the wrong choice. She left with some of the baby gifts that are often provided for mothers who choose life.

A few days later, it was a similar scene, as a volunteer talked with an abortion-minded young couple who eventually chose life for their child. They were offered assistance at one of the area pregnancy centers … along with encouragement for making the choice for life.

[Salvation]

DAY 14: “God is dead!”

October 11, 2016

That’s just one of the (repeatable) things we’ve heard people yell at 40 Days for Life vigil participants.

Some of the others include:

• “Loser! Go get a job!”
• “God is dead – nobody is listening!”
• “Children are too much work! More abortion!”

Comments like this are why you need a strong faith in God, maturity … and a sense of humor to participate in 40 Days for Life.

The world takes itself very seriously — and the people on the receiving end of these taunts did the right thing. They prayed for those who yelled at them … and recalled the words of Christ:

“Blessed are you when they insult and hate you all because of me. Rejoice and be glad; the kingdom of heaven is yours.”

[Salvation]

UNITED TOUR: Tennessee and Arkansas

October 11, 2016

Our day kicked off with a high-energy rally in Memphis. A large crowd lined both sides of the busy street, and horns were constantly honking in support, much to Planned Parenthood’s dismay.

Fantastic speakers included Kathy, the local 40 Days for Life leader, who shared her moving testimony. Local clergy led prayers … and we also heard from pregnancy center leaders, a speaker who offered a post-abortion testimony and state senator Dolores Gresham.

Our day wrapped up with the statewide Arkansas rally in Fayetteville. It was a beautiful evening, and participants lined the public right-of-way outside Planned Parenthood holding candles.

We heard beautiful messages from Sheila, the local campaign leader, as well as a campus minister and the director of a local pregnancy center where 482 lives have been saved from abortion in the last three years!

Now it’s on to state number 19 — Oklahoma!