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

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

[Salvation]

Bogota, Colombia

March 16, 2017

“We are united in prayer,” said one of the team leaders in Bogota’s Santa Barbara section.

“We do experience the cold and the rain … but most of all, it’s the strength of the love of God that moves us.”

It’s that strength that carries the vigil participants as they talk to people on the street. Many ask what they’re doing … and are shocked because they were unaware of the presence of abortion.

“The most amazing and beautiful thing is that volunteers are praying every day from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.,” the local leader said. “They have made a great sacrifice for love. They pray – sometimes alone and for long hours – so that God can allow them to be a light for others in the midst of such darkness.”

[Concentrate]

.

[Concentrate]

I don’t think prayer or fasting is going to do anything. Not that you’re wasting your time, but your wasting your time.

[Salvation]

DAY 17: They despised St. Patrick

March 17, 2017

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Patrick was a missionary to an unbelieving people and was a true ambassador of Christ. Today the world celebrates him (and we should too) … but our celebration is focused on the way he witnessed the Gospel — fearlessly.

He faced persecution and opposition, but that did not hinder his trust in God. He famously said, “If I may be worthy, I live for my God to teach the heathen — even though they may despise me.”

Our task today is much the same, as Western culture becomes more secularized and dehumanizes the most vulnerable among us.

As it was for St. Patrick, ours is an uphill struggle. But we trust God, we are strengthened by prayer … and we realize that Christ has overcome the world.

Keep praying and — whether you’re Irish or not — celebrate this man of faith today. We need more like him.

[Salvation]

Read this next Monday and see how many babies have been saved from abortion and the mothers and fathers saved from the guilt of knowing they killed a human being.

[Salvation]

Mountain View, California

March 17, 2017

“Planned Parenthood is on the run!” said Bob, the campaign leader in Mountain View, California during my recent stop at the 40 Days for Life vigil there.

They’ve had five campaigns in Mountain View. Planned Parenthood is upset … ready to move to a different location … and asking the city to pay for it.

“We are certainly causing a stir, especially in California, by being out there and objecting to the city paying for their move,” said Bob.

I asked Bob and many of the volunteers why they have been so successful and they all gave the same answer — Rita!

Rita Donnelly is 87 years old and has been active in the prolife movement longer than I’ve been alive.

She said she goes out to pray … and trusts God with the results. “It’s all the Holy Spirit,” Rita said. “I’m just so inspired to see so many young people involved after decades of being out here.”

[Salvation]

Hong Kong

March 17, 2017

We know that the prayers at 40 Days for Life vigils save lives.

Did you know that social media photos of 40 Days for Life vigils also save lives? It’s true!

“Just now,” said Joe, the 40 Days for Life leader in Hong Kong, “for the first time, I saw a picture of a baby whose mother chose life because of the work of 40 Days for Life!”

At some point last year, the mom had booked an abortion at Family Planning Association. But prior to that appointment, she was on Facebook – and saw a picture of two people praying there with the 40 Days for Life team.

The mom changed her mind! Her son is now six months old … and very happy.

“We have no way to know how many other stories there are like this one, or what impact our prayers and activities can have,” Joe said. “But even if we never know on this side of eternity, we can be confident that we are building a culture of life, and that many lives will be saved.”

[Salvation]

Sharonville, Ohio

March 17, 2017

“What we do matters,” said Leslie, the 40 Days for Life coordinator in Sharonville.

She told the story of a young woman who arrived at the abortion center during the last 40 Days for Life vigil along with her boyfriend and her boyfriend’s mother. The three stopped outside to speak with one of the sidewalk counselors.

The boyfriend’s mom was doing her best to persuade the young woman to reject abortion. The mother had an abortion years ago … and it has been a life-long struggle for her.

“They decided to go the pregnancy center across the street,” Leslie said, “where they listened to the heartbeat and saw the ultrasound. But they left the pregnancy center still undecided.”

The volunteers kept her in prayer, but were not able to stay in touch. But word just reached Leslie that the young woman chose life and her child is due soon.

“What a blessing!” Leslie said. ”We don’t always know how God uses our prayers – so it is a great blessing to know how His grace changed the heart of this young mother. It is stories like this that give us hope!”

[little jeremiah]

One life saved is not a small thing.

[Salvation]

You are so right.

God bless you and have a wonderful weekend.

God works miracles in the prayer lines at these abortion centers. God be with them.

[little jeremiah]

The horrible news of the world has been making me nerve wracked lately.

This thread that I just found is the antidote. I haven’t been on FR that much lately but I am going to come more often. This is good news, of good souls, sacrificing their time and energy to serve God by loving others. And it is beautiful. If there were any of these near where I live, I would love to take part. Looks as though the closest is Salem...too far for me.

[Salvation]

DAY 18: Nothing ever happens

March 18, 2017

“I’ve gone out to pray at the abortion center … and nothing ever happens.”

I’ve heard this over the years — and have even thought it myself. But I’ve learned it just isn’t true.

Deep down we know it’s false — and sometimes we have stories that prove it.

Stepping out to pray at the 40 Days for Life vigil is an act of faith. You may see results immediately. Or maybe you’re just being asked to trust that the Lord will hear your prayer and bring his mercy and grace to someone who really needs it.

Every now and then, the person on the receiving end of those blessings will come back to say “thank you!” … and show you a beautiful child.

[Salvation]

Sacramento, California

March 18, 2017

The volunteers at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Sacramento just learned about a blessing that they had no idea God had provided.

A woman pulled up to the vigil participants near the abortion center’s driveway and rolled down the window. One of the people praying offered her some information – but she said she’d been there before and seen the material.

Then she told her story.

Some time ago, she learned she was pregnant – and she was also diagnosed with cancer. When she arrived at the abortion business – the inaccurately-named Women’s Health Specialists – there were people praying outside who offered her information about a life-affirming health center that’s nearby.

Since she already had an appointment at Women’s Health Specialists, she went inside … where she was told she needed to have an abortion right away.

Afterward, she went to the medical practice recommended by the vigil participants. At this clinic, they helped look after her baby, and she was given a reference for cancer treatment.

And now, she told the volunteers, she has a little boy … and she is cancer free. She just stopped by to tell the rest of the story. And now the vigil participants know how God saved two lives!

Would she ever go back to Women’s Health Specialists?

“Oh never ever again!” she laughed. “I wanted to thank all of you for being here and sharing the information that saved my baby and made me well!”

[Salvation]

Fayetteville, North Carolina

March 18, 2017

Saturdays are usually one of the busiest days at the Planned Parenthood facility in Fayetteville.

Usually. But not on this Saturday. Planned Parenthood was closed!

“We don’t know the story,” said Amie in Fayetteville, “but we can rejoice in the fact that when there is no business, that reduces the risk to babies lives.”

Business or no business, the volunteers were still there to pray. It wasn’t long before this story was shared.

A young woman pulled into the parking lot and asked the volunteers to come look at her four-month old child. She then told them how she had come to this facility to get an abortion last year, but saw people standing outside and decided not to have the abortion.

“Remember this story,” Amie said. “Remember that you may never know who sees you or how much of an impact you may have by just simply being there. Without knowing it, you may be saving a baby’s life.

[Salvation]

Edinburgh, Scotland

March 18, 2017

“We have over 100 people supporting the vigil in Edinburgh,” said one of the 40 Days for Life team members.

“It’s a true international effort,” she said, “with participants from Scotland, England, Poland, United States, Italy, France, Hungary, Argentina, Nigeria, India and Sri Lanka.”

Archbishop Leo Cushley of the archdiocese of St. Andrews and Edinburgh joined the vigil recently. The archbishop said he was delighted to set aside time to pray on a bright, sunny morning.

“The reaction from the public has been hearteningly positive, the weather has been great and the number of people coming to pray each day is fantastic,” said Patricia, the local 40 Days for Life coordinator.

“It gives us great spiritual encouragement to know that Archbishop Cushley is publically backing our peaceful, prayerful efforts to end abortion, to help build a culture of life and to establish a civilisation of love that supports both mothers and their unborn children,” she said.

[little jeremiah]

With heartfelt prayer, “nothing” never happens!

Seeing results is wonderful. But we don’t always see, or right away. Like planting a seed, sometimes.

More and more young people are becoming pro-life, I’ve read.

I am sure the 40 Days for life people are helping with this change.

[little jeremiah]

Thank you for posting all the photos and wonderful stories.

[Salvation]

You’re so welcome!

[Salvation]

DAY 19: 24-hour vigils

March 19, 2017

Praying at a closed abortion facility in the middle of the night is powerful. But why do it?

It’s a question we’ve gotten since the very first 40 Days for Life campaign in 2004, when volunteers took turns standing vigil 24 hours a day, seven days a week:

“Why are you out there when they are not even open?”

It’s because the round-the-clock prayer presence does several good things.

For starters, such a committment places prayer at the center of the 40-day time period. It is literally a vigil that prays without ceasing – for 960 straight hours!

It also sends a powerful message to the community. Many people don’t know there’s an abortion center in their home towns – or maybe even in their neighborhoods. People who drive by after business hours may not realize what goes on in what may look like a simple, quiet office building.

And it’s a constant reminder to the abortion facility’s staff. We’re there when they show up for work. We’re there when they go out for lunch or to run errands. We’re there at the end of the day when they go home. We’re there when they drive past on nights and weekends.

As one former abortion worker realized, “I’m not as dedicated as they are.”

[Salvation]

St. Louis, Missouri

March 19, 2017

“Even on the one day during that week that Planned Parenthood’s gates remained closed to the public,” said Brian, the 40 Days for Life leader in St. Louis, “still we prayerfully persist.”

But why be there even if they’re not open?

“One day soon, God willing, the abortion industry will fold – will close its doors and cease to take the lives of innocent children day in and day out,” he said. “But when this day comes, our work will be far from over. It will just be beginning.”

And so, Brian said, we must persist – “for the scared, pregnant teen whose boyfriend is pressuring her to abort; for the clinic worker who feels the weight of her job beginning to take its toll; for the general public who drive by, even on Sundays, without giving much thought to the reality of what happens inside that clinic; and for the God who has called us to take up our cross daily and follow Him.”

Every day during the campaign, it’s inspiring to know that someone is out on the sidewalk, praying for God’s intervention, even on Sundays.

“Thank you,” Brian said, “to every one of you who continues to make this much needed presence possible.”