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

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

[Salvation]

Tempe, Arizona

April 4, 2017

In Tempe, 40 Days for Life prayer volunteers had to share the sidewalk with protesters in pink shirts, pink tutus and brightly colored hats.

Some of them twirled noisemakers and encouraged drivers to honk as a show of support for Planned Parenthood.

But Jim in Tempe says the vigil participants were “too caught up in prayer and good works to notice.”

Jim pointed out three positive takeaways from the protesters’ presence.

“First, what we are doing is having a major impact. It’s working! Second, their response is drawing more attention to Planned Parenthood’s funding, atrocities and actual purpose,” he said. “Three, their negative antics showcase and put a spotlight on the beauty and devotion of our prayer vigils.”

[Salvation]

Walnut Creek, California

April 4, 2017

Seven protesters chanting “Save Planned Parenthood!” greeted 40 Days for Life prayer volunteers in Walnut Creek.

They also carried signs reading “abortion is a civil right” as well as that pro-abortion classic, “keep your rosaries off my ovaries.”

“Our volunteers were not intimidated, but, in fact, greeted the ladies and respectfully explained our stance,” said one of the team members in Walnut Creek. “Please continue to pray that hearts will change and that light will shine in the darkness!”

[Salvation]

DAY 36: VIDEO – Abortions on the border

April 5, 2017

The US/Mexico border can sometimes be a dangerous place.

But there’s one organization that is often overlooked when border issues come up:

Planned Parenthood.

When it comes to abortion, Planned Parenthood does not discriminate. They will abort any baby for any reason in any location they can. They will also ask you to pay for it.

But no matter where they go, prayer can work.

40 Days for Life’s Steve Karlen saw that firsthand in a visit to El Centro, California – a city near the US/Mexico border – with the 40 Days for Life bus.

El Centro, California

“The local leaders tell me the number of abortions and the number of Planned Parenthood clients are way down since they started hosting 40 Days for Life campaigns,” Steve said, “and they hope to see Planned Parenthood shut down soon.”

Volunteers talked about what makes the El Centro campaign successful in a short video. The main message is that people can work together to save lives … and be heroes.

Steve said there were actually two 40 Days for Life buses at the event he attended – the one he rode into town on, and a local version. “They rent a bus to shuttle people to the vigil,” he said. “How cool is that?”

[Salvation]

Grand Rapids, Michigan

April 5, 2017

“What a blessing to be at the vigil!” said one of the 40 Days for Life team members in Grand Rapids.

One of the women considering abortion went to the local pregnancy help center for assistance. “May God continue to bless those sidewalk counselors!” said the vigil participant.

“While we were there, a school bus driver passed by, saw us standing in a circle praying, and decided to come and join us,” the volunteer said. “She said that she normally picks up a couple of kids during that time … but she didn’t have to do that today, so she joined us in prayer.”

“We were also blessed to have Bishop David Walkowiak join us on the sidewalk to pray,” said Laura, the Grand Rapids leader. “He has been very supportive of this grassroots effort to end abortion.”

[Salvation]

Colombia

April 5, 2017

More good news from the many 40 Days for Life campaigns in Colombia – babies have been spared from abortion in a number of cities where vigils are taking place.

“Celebrate the lives of these babies!” said one of the leaders in Colombia. The teams are aware of mothers who’ve chosen life in Bogota, Pereira, Barranquilla, Santa Maria, Manizales, Medellin, Cucuta and Popayan.

The campaign in Medellin was particularly encouraged to take advantage of this “opportunity to defend and pray for the most beautiful gift that God gave us. Defend life from conception to natural death! It is the duty of all us who call ourselves Christians.”

[Salvation]

DAY 37: She ran out!

April 6, 2017

It’s never too late for a mother to change her mind before an abortion.

Some change their minds in the parking lot. Some reject abortion on the sidewalk … others have leaped off the surgical table just moments before the abortion happens!

We discuss this — and your lasting impact — on the newest 40 Days for Life podcast episode.

At Home with Jim and Joy on EWTN

Thank you to Jim and Joy Pinto for hosting me live this week on EWTN. If you missed the show … it’s airing again on Saturday at 10:30 am Eastern or you can view it anytime here

We discussed everything from babies saved and abortion worker conversions to Johnny Cash and “fake news.”

Enjoy this epsiode … and know that its never too late!

Find the closest campaign and pray for an end to abortion.

[Salvation]

Austin, Texas

April 6, 2017

“Wow! More power to you!”

That was the response of one passerby who asked what the 40 Days for Life volunteers were doing on the sidewalk outside the abortion center in Austin.

Not all of the interactions are that positive. A man stopped to literally yell at one of the sidewalk counselors, accusing her of all sorts of misguided actions, including “shaming woman.”

The counselor says he basically reeled off every single pro-abortion talking point she had ever heard – but she addressed every one of them – calmly, and with truth and love.

This went on for a good 25 minutes until he finally said, “I have no arguments left. I have never heard any of this before! Maybe it IS good that you’re out here. Thank you so much!” … and he shook her hand.

Said one of the Austin team members, “All it takes is an open heart and open mind.”

[Salvation]

Timisoara, Romania

April 6, 2017

The 40 Days for Life team in Timisoara says the vigil is attracting “random acts of kindness” from passersby outside the hospital where they’re praying.

A bus driver stopped to offer the volunteers water and bagels. “He said he passes the vigil several times a day on his bus route,” said one of the Timisoara team members. “He wanted to do something, but he can’t stay in the street.”

A grandmother who visits the vigil site often always brings something for prayer participants – donuts, tea or whatever else she can offer as a sign of appreciation.

“May God reward them and bless them!” said the local leaders.

[Salvation]

DAY 38: A few good men

April 7, 2017

Men who drive their girlfriends or wives to an abortion facility often put on a persona of bravado and toughness.

But they shrink from the time they park the car to the time they enter the abortion facility.

Abortion is often proclaimed — by men and women — to be a woman’s issue. This has been said to me often. Women proclaim it to feel empowered … but men proclaim it to be excused from responsibility.

The Supreme Court that legalized abortion was all men, most abortion doctors are men, many “escorts” at Planned Parenthood abortion facilities are men … and many abortion industry executives are men.

And, to point out the obvious, women don’t get pregnant by themselves.

Men have a role … and to say otherwise lets men off the hook for what is our responsibility. Our culture needs a few good men — and we’re getting them!

I recently spoke to 1,200 men at a conference in Worcester, Massachusetts.

A great crowd came out to visit the Worcester vigil site as well – as sleet and snow began to fall. Watch the video of me and 40 Days for Life board chair Matt Britton interviewing a local volunteer about a saved baby.

The Worcester campaign leaders, Pauline and Lee, say many people come out to pray despite the weather — and the opposition. They even have billboards around town promoting the campaign!

As we near the end of the campaign, I’m thankful that it’s not snowing in April where I live! And even if it IS snowing where you are … be inspired by these courageous New Englanders to go out and pray over these last few days. Find your nearest 40 Days for Life vigil location here.

[Salvation]

Iztapalapa, Mexico

April 7, 2017

“We have some really great news!” said Tere, the 40 Days for Life coordinator in Iztapalapa.

“A volunteer from our leadership team, Inés, talked with a girl that was planning to have an abortion,” she said. “Inés has the gift of being able to talk so sweetly, so she was able to approach the couple.”

After talking for a time, Ines asked them for their phone number. And a few days later, she called them to find out what they had decided. “The girl told her that – yes – they were going to have their baby!”

Ines and Sonia, another of the volunteers, also had a chance to talk to the man who worked as the chief security guard at the Marie Stopes abortion center.

That was also a fruitful conversation. He told the two women that he would be requesting a new location … and if his company ordered him to return to Marie Stopes, he could not accept the assignment.

“He had slowly realized that this place is a place of death,” Tere said. “He knew what they were carrying in the black plastic bags when the biological waste truck arrived. God has heard our prayers during this campaign!”

[Salvation]

Houston, Texas

April 7, 2017

It was, one of the Houston leaders said, “an absolutely beautiful day of prayer” outside of Planned Parenthood’s abortion mega-center.

One of the 40 Days for Life volunteers travels an hour and a half each week to pray at the vigil. While she was praying, a woman walked up and began to share her story.

“I was going to have an abortion a couple years ago,” the woman said, “but I spoke with someone on the sidewalk and I decided not to abort.”

In fact, the woman told the volunteer, “I think I spoke to YOU! I want to introduce you to my two-year-old son!”

“We do not always get a chance to see the lives we have prayed for saved from abortion,” said the Houston team member. “We are so thankful to God for such a blessing as this story from the street!”

[Salvation]

DAY 39: Sad Saturdays

April 8, 2017

It’s Saturday — the day when many abortions are done.

Today is the day to go to your nearest 40 Days for Life vigil and pray. It is needed … more than any other day.

It can be difficult … but you are united with others in 340 cities in 30 countries

As we close out the largest spring 40 days for Life campaign ever, make a difference by going out to pray — and be inspired by this 40 Days for Life podcast episode, “You are not alone.”

When you go to pray … remember there are people joining you from all around the world!

[Salvation]

Frankfurt, Germany

April 8, 2017

Robert Colquhoun, 40 Days for Life’s international campaign director, said the team in Frankfurt has faced a number of challenges during this campaign.

“They have been attacked by feminists and Satanists,” he said after a visit to Frankfurt, “but have built a strong community feeling around the campaign and also a sense of solidarity. God has provided them with plenty of results – an amazing number of people who have come to pray.”

Robert said that Tomislav, the local leader, has run a good campaign in Frankfurt with the Croatian community in the city. There are some 80 Croatian communities in Germany.

“They are praying outside Profamilia — a referral centre for abortions,” he said. “Abortion counselling is mandatory in Germany. The prayers are clearly having an impact at the vigil, and their presence has generated a huge response.”

[Salvation]

Sydney, Australia

April 8, 2017

“It’s not always just about the turnarounds,” said Paul, the 40 Days for Life leader in Sydney.

“The Christian witness in the public domain makes a bigger impact on many people than we may realise,” he said. For instance, the number of women entering the abortion facility has been “noticeably lower during this 40 Days for Life.”

There have been vigils in Sydney before, but this is the first at this location.

“We haven’t found out about or seen any turnarounds so far in this campaign,” Paul said, “however, there have been some amazing about-face moments from passersby and neighbours.”

He cited the example of a couple of “regulars who would abuse us and mock us almost every occasion, who have, during 40 Days for Life, stopped and spoken to me …. and are now coming up regularly and speaking in friendly terms, including shaking hands. How many lives and more importantly, souls, have been saved? Only Almighty God knows the answer.”

[Salvation]

Abuja, Nigeria

April 8, 2017

The strongest aspect of the 40 Days for Life campaign in Abuja is the community outreach effort – particularly in the schools.

It’s a key element in helping to encourage an even stronger culture of life in Nigeria.

“It was our second visit to one school,” said Kelechi, the local coordinator, “and when we asked the students again the reasons they should abstain from sex until marriage, many hands went up and they answered correctly and confidently … which gladdened our hearts that our first visit to them is not forgotten.”

Kelechi said the students and teachers “greatly appreciated our visit, as you can see from their pictures.”

She was able to deliver donated books that will support weekly group study sessions on morality education … and students were encouraged to follow the suggestions in a publication on the top ten reasons to wait until marriage.

[Salvation]

DAY 40: VIDEO – Standing with God

April 9, 2017

“I’d rather stand with God than stand with the rest of the world.”

That’s what a 19-year-old New Zealander said when 40 Days for Life board chair Matt Britton asked him why he’s taking part in the vigil.

Matt visited all three 40 Days for Life locations in New Zealand during this campaign … and we’ve just put together a video that looks at the places he went and the people he met.

The population of New Zealand is around 5 million. Abortion is technically illegal, but there are enough loopholes in the law that abortions do take place – some 500,000 since 1977.

The people working with 40 Days for Life in New Zealand know they face an uphill challenge, but they know it’s a fight they cannot ignore.

“As long as you’re standing with God,” said the 19-year-old volunteer, “you can’t go wrong!”

As we wrap up this 40 Days for Life campaign, thank you for all you’ve done! And there’s still one more day to pray for an end to abortion.

[Salvation]

Not safe (yet again)

April 9, 2017

While you’re at church today, more prayers, please, for six more women who went to an abortion center and ended up in a hospital.

In Manhattan, New York, volunteers prayed as two fire department emergency vehicles arrived at the Planned Parenthood abortion center on Margaret Sanger square. Twenty minutes later, paramedics exited with a woman on a gurney and quickly departed in an ambulance.

More ambulances were seen outside abortion centers in Tempe, Arizona … Fayetteville, North Carolina … Boston, Massachusetts … Virginia Beach, Virginia … and for the second time during this 40 Days for Life campaign, outside the Marie Stopes abortion location in Birmingham, England.

“Yet still people say they don’t want to go back to the old days of unsafe abortion,” one Birmingham team member pondered. “But these women weren’t expecting to be carried out on a stretcher … abortion is deadly to the child – and harmful to the mother.”

“Let us pray for all women who have suffered from abortions,” said a 40 Days for Life volunteer in Manhattan, “especially ones that have resulted in additional suffering due to the lack of medical care available at abortion centers.”

[Salvation]

Orange, California

April 9, 2017

As 40 Days for Life volunteers prayed, a couple drove up to the Planned Parenthood abortion center.

The woman went inside, but the man’s attention was attracted by Tony, one of the vigil participants, who was standing with two very large signs near the entrance to the parking lot.

The man walked over – and offered to help Tony hold one of the signs!

He any Tony prayed together … and the man then texted the woman inside Planned Parenthood, trying to talk her out of having an abortion.

A while later, the man told Tony he had to go work. But when he went back to his car, he saw the woman inside. She had left Planned Parenthood – and decided to keep the baby!

The man went back to Tony … thanked him … and gave him a big hug.

“Praise God!” said Alejandra, one of the 40 Days for Life leaders. “Your prayers are making difference!”

[Salvation]

DAY 41: “Rejoice with me!”

April 10, 2017

That’s what one of the 40 Days for Life leaders in Michigan said while announcing good news.

So – here’s some good news at the conclusion of another miracle-packed 40 Days for Life campaign.

During these past 40 days, we have been made aware of 437 babies spared from abortion – that we know of! And reports from local leaders are still coming in, so that number is expected to rise.

Want more good news?

We just heard that an abortion worker has had a change of heart and left the business.

We do like to keep details private, but one of the local coordinators notes that this person “will need lots of prayers as workers need to go through healing, not unlike the women that are post abortive.”

This now makes 144 abortion employees who have experienced conversions and quit their jobs during 40 days for Life campaigns.

Even more good news?

We’ve recently been told that an abortion center in Toms River, New Jersey has in fact shut down.

The facility announced it was “temporarily” suspending operations some time back – that notice is still posted on their website – but all signs point to a permanent closure. It no longer had enough clients to remain open.

There are now 84 abortion centers where 40 Days for Life vigils have been held that have gone out of business.

Praise God! And rejoice!

[Salvation]

Southfield, Michigan

April 10, 2017

“Rejoice with me!” said one of the 40 Days for Life team members in Southfield.

A young mother drove out of the abortion center with tears in her eyes and told two vigil participants that she “couldn’t go through with it.”

“She has a family who is willing to support her choice for life,” one of the volunteers said. “It was a very emotional experience for her to ‘stagger towards death’ and then pull back.”

She thanked the vigil participants for being there and quietly praying … and said she was touched by their signs with messages about love.