40 Days for Life -- March 1 -- April 9, 2017

40 Days for Life.com ^ | 02-28-17 | 40 Days for Life staff

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40 Days for Life is the largest internationally coordinated pro-life mobilization in history, helping people in local communities end the injustice of abortion through:

Prayer & Fasting

Knowing that “with God, all things are possible,” people of faith and conscience unite in 40 days of prayer and fasting

Community Outreach

The pro-life message is taken proactively to every corner of your community during a local 40 Days for Life campaign

Peaceful Vigil

A focused, 40-day, round-the-clock prayer vigil is held outside an abortion facility or public place in your city

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DAY 25: Persecution and courage

March 25, 2017

Persecution of 40 Days for Life volunteers is on the rise.

Our Lord doesn’t suggest that the world will persecute us; He promises that it will … and gave us His own life as the example to follow.

At most of the 340+ campaign locations, there is a quiet simple prayer vigil. Our peaceful approach begets a peaceful response — which is why so many moms choose life at the last moment.

At other locations, we are seeing an angry and sometimes vile response. Such hostility is being met with a Christ-like behavior that is always the expectation at 40 Days for Life vigils.

There have been a few pro-abortion demonstrators who’ve tried to drown out the prayers and others who have accused us of being “gender supremacists.” There have even been attempts to silence 40 Days for Life by having the vigil removed from the public right-of-way.

What hasn’t been silenced is the courage of participants … and the women they’ve helped.

Aberdeen, Scotland

With the first 40 Days for Life vigil in Aberdeen in progress, some student groups at Aberdeen University have tried to raise a ruckus about the Catholic chaplaincy on their campus.

It seems there are 40 Days for Life posters on the building. And some of the students are complaining, circulating petitions – and trying to drum up media support for having the posters removed.

As the Aberdeen Feminist Society put it, “it is deeply inappropriate to display posters encouraging people to take action outside maternity clinics. Our campus is a place for discussion, but displaying material that appears to condemn those who have had abortions is actively harmful.”

The “harmful” posters? Merely the standard 40 Days for Life message of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion.

A spokesman for the local Catholic bishop refused to budge. “The decision by the Catholic chaplaincy to display a poster advertising a peaceful pro-life vigil cannot in any way be deemed harmful or distressing,” he said. “The 40 Days for Life vigils are peaceful, yet poignant reminders of the tragic reality of abortion.”

Despite the complaints, the university administration said it could do nothing. The chapel building belongs to the Catholic diocese, “and as such, is not a university-owned or managed facility.”

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Iztapalapa, Mexico

March 25, 2017

“I’m excited to let you know that God has listened to our prayers,” said Lupita, the 40 Days for Life leader in Iztapalapa, which is part of the metro Mexico City area.

“This week more volunteers have arrived,” she said, including a group of children who prayed “with great fervor for the babies who have been aborted. It was a very emotional moment and it filled us all with strength by the example that we received from these little ones.”

Lupita was also grateful for a priest from one of the area churches who has offered tremendous support and has brought members of his parish to pray at the vigil.

“God is always surprising us and strengthening us with his goodness,” she said.

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Pozega, Croatia

March 25, 2017

“Pozega is city in Slavonija, in the eastern part of Croatia,” said Petra, who is part of the 40 Days for Life leadership team in Croatia, “and it is the biggest surprise this campaign.”

A few faithful volunteers tried to get a 40 Days for Life vigil started in Pozega last autumn, but it was a tremendous challenge. The prayers were fervent but the number of vigil participants was small. Still, the leader was determined and persistent.

At times, Petra said, “the leader, Ljubica, was the only person who was praying in front of hospital.”

For this campaign – there has been a much larger turnout. “We are saying there is spring awakening in that city,” Petra said. They are striving to fill vigil hours, “and there are more and more people coming to pray in front of the hospital.”

(By the way, the English translation of the sign below is quite familar: “Pray to end abortion. 40 Days for Life.”)

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DAY 26: A little nudge from God

March 26, 2017

While praying outside an abortion center can be a source of blessings … sometimes it’s just hard to get out of bed and go do it.

One of our 40 Days for Life campaign leaders shared a note from a volunteer that was overcome by a feeling of ambivalence about going to pray at Planned Parenthood.

This volunteer makes a note on her calendar on the days she’s scheduled for the vigil – PPP. It stands for “Pray at Planned Parenthood.” Remember that!

“So this particular day I was going to pray,” she said. “Driving, I found myself distracted, grumbling, questioning if it really makes a difference.”

Right about that time, a car cut right in front of her. She couldn’t help but notice the car’s license, which included the letters PPP – yes, the very same as her shorthand for “Pray at Planned Parenthood.”

“I was dumbfounded and overcome by a quiet conviction that God was speaking directly to me,” she said – at the very moment she needed “His gentle encouragement. God is good!”

This volunteer also recalled her own struggles. “I wish someone would have been there for me when I went for my abortion. It could have made all the difference. Even so, it makes a difference now.”

You can be the difference for someone. So go pray!

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Virginia Beach, Virginia

March 26, 2017

“It was a cold and windy day — but a wonderful visit,” said Tibor Baksy, a 40 Days for Life board member, who prayed with 40 Days for Life volunteers in Virginia Beach.

“My daughter Isabel joined me and we met Cheri, the coordinator,” Tibor said. “She just received news that the fourth baby has been saved since the spring campaign started. She continues to pray, hand out literature to mothers offering free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds … motivated by God’s call and her love of children.

Tibor also met Pete, who has prayed outside abortion centers since 1973. “He shared a story of a mother coming up to him and telling him that her daughter decided to have her baby as the result of their presence and prayer. The mother is now a proud grandparent of a saved baby.”

As for the latest mother to choose life, Cheri said the young woman was shocked when her pregnancy test showed positive … so she rushed to Planned Parenthood for another pregnancy test and to “make her decision about the pregnancy.”

Her biggest fear was how the father would take the news and feel about the baby. One of the volunteers said “he is shocked as well … but they will parent the baby.”

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Des Moines, Iowa

March 26, 2017

North American campaign director Steve Karlen joined volunteers in Des Moines for their 40 Days for Life midpoint rally.

“Geneveve, the local leader, brought together a great group for the vigil—including three pastors,” Steve said. “We met at a local church, and the intention was to conduct a candlelight procession to Planned Parenthood. The strong winds blew out the candles, but the procession continued nevertheless.”

While in Des Moines, he learned that Iowa has closed more abortion businesses than any other state except Texas over the last few years. “The number of abortions has decreased by about 40% — from more than 6,000 to fewer than 4,000 — in the last decade.”

The Des Moines vigil takes place at Planned Parenthood of the Heartland’s flagship location in Des Moines. “The locals reported that—in spite of the many abortion centers that have closed in Iowa—the parking lot doesn’t usually seem very busy,” Steve said – proof that “we can save lives and advance toward the end of abortion.”

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DAY 27: No emotional attachments, please

March 27, 2017

We have excellent news for you this Monday morning!

So far during this 40 Days for Life campaign, we’ve learned of 251 babies (that we know of) whose mothers turned around at the last minute and chose life!

We have a story today about a Planned Parenthood location that would not tell a mother who was 17 weeks along whether she was having a boy or a girl.

They’ll do anything they can to dehumanize the child in the womb. Any suggestion that there’s a real person there is to be avoided at all costs.

Here’s an example.

Manhattan, New York

The 40 Days for Life volunteers in Manhattan learned that a couple had scheduled an abortion at Planned Parenthood.

The Planned Parenthood staff told this young woman she was 17 weeks pregnant – but they wouldn’t tell her the baby’s gender. “They said it may make her emotionally attached to the baby,” said Ingrid, the 40 Days for Life coordinator. “Unbelievable.”

One of the sidewalk counselors was able to speak to the couple, and they agreed to go see the Sisters of Life. “They weren’t sure what to expect,” Ingrid said, “but she was happy to see them and told them that she was choosing life.”

Bishop Peter Byrne and members of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal took time to pray at the vigil. They were especially encouraged by a man who passed by and called out, “Stay strong!”

Another man stopped on his bike to tell vigil participants that his dad was a drug dealer and his mother wanted to have an abortion, but she chose life. “Thank you!” he said. “You are fighting for me!”

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Altamonte Springs, Florida

March 27, 2017

“Thanks be to God!” said one of the 40 Days for Life team members in Altamonte Springs, one of three vigil sites in the Orlando area.

When they arrived at the abortion center, a young couple seemed determined to have an abortion. Nevertheless, they accepted an offer of a free ultrasound at Life Choices, the life-affirming pregnancy help center right next door.

“They were still sure abortion was the right step,” the 40 Days for Life volunteer said. “But when they saw their sweet baby’s image, though, they couldn’t go through with it. God is good – and your prayers are powerful!”

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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

March 27, 2017

There are two 40 Days for Life vigils in Philadelphia … and each site got some encouraging news about abortion center clients who were redirected to life-affirming resources.

A prayer volunteer spoke with a young woman at one of the abortion facilities. She had gone there to set up a pregnancy test. But when she went inside to talk to the abortion center’s staff, she was told they only help people who would want an abortion if the test is positive.

“When I called the pregnancy help center,” the team member said, “they were thrilled to contact her and set her up with an appointment!”

At the other Philadelphia vigil, one of the volunteers was able to speak to a young woman and direct her away from the abortion facility. She, too, ended up at the pregnancy help center. Both the help center’s staff and the young woman have confirmed that she has chosen life for her baby.

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DAY 28: She had ten abortions

March 28, 2017

God uses little actions to save lives.

He did it recently in Houston, Texas where a baby was just saved from an abortion … and all it took to change a young woman’s mind was seeing one prayer volunteer holding a sign. The sign read:

“Pray to end abortion.”

“However,” said one of the Houston leaders, “we don’t always see results right away.”

Houston, Texas

It is often family members who relentlessly pressure their younger relatives to have abortions. One young woman came to Houston’s giant Planned Parenthood abortion facility with her aunt because her mother was totally against the abortion.

A sidewalk counselor warned the young woman that abortion can cause lasting damage to a woman’s body. The aunt responded that abortion had not hurt her.

At this point, the volunteer turned to the aunt … and talked about post-abortion healing programs in which mothers are encouraged to name their aborted babies.

The aunt responded: “All ten of them?”

The two women eventually walked away. But a week later, the younger woman spoke to the counselors at the mobile pregnancy help center parked outside Planned Parenthood.

She did NOT want an abortion … but she DID want their help.

“Please keep all of the pregnant mothers and their unborn babies in your prayers,” said the Houston team member, “especially those who are considering abortion.”

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Santa Teresa, New Mexico

March 28, 2017

One of the 40 Days for Life vigil participants in Santa Teresa said that while she was praying, a couple pulled up outside the abortion facility.

But they didn’t get out of their car. They just sat there talking. While they remained in the car, the volunteer prayed fervently for them. Imagine her joy when after about ten minutes, the driver started the engine – and they backed up and drove away without ever getting out of the vehicle.

“While we can’t be 100% certain this was indeed a save,” said one of the Santa Teresa team members, “it very likely is, as this is a common response when there is a peaceful, prayerful witness of 40 Days for Life volunteer praying in front of an abortion facility.”

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Milwaukee, Wisconsin

March 28, 2017

At the 40 Days for Life vigil outside the abortion center in Milwaukee, it was sunny but bitter cold.

“I’ve always thought it the coldest spot in Milwaukee,” said one of the team members, “but your prayers warmed the hearts of four women who did not keep their appointments to abort and chose life instead!”

While the abortion center’s escorts were busy telling a couple they didn’t need to talk to the vigil participants, one of the volunteers asked the couple if they’d been able to see their ultrasound.

They said “yes.”

“Then I asked if they were going to keep their baby … and they said ‘yes!’ I told them free help was available at the pregnancy care center if they needed it. Praise God! Baby saved!”

One of the abortion facility workers made fun of two of elderly vigil participants who use canes to help them walk. “He must have known deep down how effective their prayers are,” said the team member. “Keep your prayers coming, everyone!”

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Podcast — Former abortion workers.

https://40daysforlife.com/2017/03/28/podcast-65/

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DAY 29: New expanded book!

March 29, 2017

During a 40 Days for Life campaign, many people read the 40 Days for Life book.

It’s 40 chapters including stories of babies saved, abortion workers who had a conversion … and a scripture and prayer for every chapter.

But as we headed into the largest spring 40 Days for Life campaign ever in more than 340 cities … we sold out of the book!

After a rushed third printing of the book, we are excited to release the EXPANDED EDITION with new BONUS chapters and …

… a new ending!

Get the new expanded edition of the Amazon top-rated Christian book at:

https://40daysforlife.com/book

In this new expanded edition you will learn:

• The moving, behind the scenes inspiration for 40 Days for Life
• Never-before-told story of how the closed abortion facility where the campaign began became the headquarters of 40 Days for Life
• Inspiring story of two former abortion doctors now offering life in a closed Planned Parenthood building
• The revelation after entering the closed Planned Parenthood abortion facility that impacts YOU

Order your book today!

As we enter the second half of this campaign, I encourage you to not just read about 40 Days for Life — be part of it. God may use you as His instrument to save a life from abortion.

Right now there are more than 340 cities where you can do just that!

 

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San Luis Obispo, California

March 29, 2017

“We had another save!” said Kirt in San Luis Obispo.

“We were able to walk a young couple down to local pregnancy center,” he said, “and even though closed, the opportunity to consider another option and slow down the process was just what this couple needed.”

They drove away, smiling, thumbs up and saying, “I’m not going to have an abortion!”

“Praise God!” Kirt said.

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Edinburgh, Scotland

March 29, 2017

This is a worldwide campaign.

The 40 Days for Life team in Edinburgh got a firsthand example of that when the pastor of the Edinburgh Indian Christian Community of St. Anthony prayed at the vigil with several members of his church.

The group prayed in five languages — English, Polish, Italian, Tamil and Malayalam. With some of the opposition the Scottish vigils have seen during this campaign, it was a sure sign of unity among Christ’s people!

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DAY 30: Miracle in California

March 30, 2017

If I could ask you to read only one email this campaign — it would be this one!

This is the best sight I’ve seen since being part of 40 Days for Life. This little girl is Milagros – her name means “Miracle.”

I wrote about her in the 40 Days for Life book. Her mom Rosa had experienced a number of difficult circumstances in life … and she was now pregnant. Then on top of that, doctors told her to get an abortion because her baby was “severely handicapped.”

Reluctantly, Rosa went into one of the largest abortion facilities in Southern California … where she met volunteers from the 40 Days for Life campaign in Orange. And they went to work.

They found new doctors – some of the best (and most pro-life) specialists in the Los Angeles area. They told Rosa that yes, there was a problem with the baby’s legs. But she was a healthy child and there was no reason in the world to abort her.

With ongoing support from the local community, she had her baby … and named her Milagros. Milagros was born with no legs.

Fast forward almost six years … and Milagros and her mom came out to the 40 Days for Life rally in Orange … and signed the 40 Days for Life bus!

Milagros may not be the first child saved during a 40 Days for Life vigil to add a signature to the bus … but just like her name suggests, she may be the most miraculous.

When you are frustrated at the state of our culture — keep going. You may not see results instantly … but in time God will reveal His miracles.

This is the result of your prayers, so … keep praying!

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Falls Church, Virginia

March 30, 2017

“It was great to see so many faithful volunteers out for the midpoint rally on a very cold, blustery day,” said 40 Days for Life board chair Matt Britton

Matt spoke about the role of men in society and specifically the pro-life culture and in ending abortion, emphasizing the need for men to live a life of fidelity and charity to counteract the modern culture.

“This faithful team is determined to see the closure of this last abortion facility in Falls Church,” he said, “as they did a few years back when they witnessed the closure of the Falls Church Planned Parenthood.”

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Southfield, Michigan

March 30, 2017

Volunteers participating in the 19th 40 Days for Life vigil in Southfield held a memorial service for children who are victims of abortion.

The group included parishioners from a local church – including members of two families.

“The joy-filled children playing outside the abortion center after the service were a stark contrast to the staff inside, who were finishing up their deadly work at 5:30 pm on a Saturday afternoon,” said one of the Southfield team leaders.