40 Days for Life -- Pray to End Abortion

Great news in today's emails about fewer or NO abortions performed!

Yesterday, I was able to share the amazing news that
the Planned Parenthood abortion center in Kalispell,
Montana would soon be closing its doors forever.

There's even more good news today!

Okay, so it may not be quite as dramatic. But more
clinic doors are remaining closed on days when babies
are usually scheduled to die -- and that's good news!

Here are just a few of the reports I've received.

Planned Parenthood's major abortion center just
blocks from the White House in Washington, DC was
reported closed last Saturday -- highly unusual for
its typically busiest day, to say the least. But not
everyone knew the clinic was shut.

Dick spoke to a young woman who'd come for an
abortion. "I counseled her as to why she should not
have an abortion and about the help available," he
said, and he gave her his card. "She called me and
said she had changed her mind about having an
abortion. Thanks be to God!"

The large Planned Parenthood abortion center that is
the site of a 40 Days for Life vigil in Indianapolis,
Indiana did no abortions for two weeks!

This facility is only open for counseling on
Thursdays and abortions on Fridays. "But if at least
six women do not sign up for abortions on Thursday,"
Eileen said, "they will be rescheduled for the next
week because it is not cost-effective to fly a doctor
in from another state to do fewer than six
abortions."

Why do they have to bring a doctor in from out of
state? Because, Eileen explained, "no doctor in
Indianapolis -- or even anywhere in Indiana -- has
taken the job."

For two weeks in a row, there apparently were fewer
than six women seeking abortions. So the abortionist
stayed home, and the death toll for those two weeks
was ZERO. Said Eileen, "Praise God!"

To see a photo from the Indianapolis 40 Days for Life
campaign, go here:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=393

In other breaking news from Indiana, Planned
Parenthood just announced that it is shutting down
six facilities across the state and the abortion
chain is laying off 25 employees. Pray that these
displaced workers are able to find jobs that help and
heal, rather than hurt and destroy lives.

And news from California -- Saturday is usually the
busiest day of the week at a major abortion center in
the San Fernando Valley. But this past Saturday?

CLOSED!!

This clinic, in Mission Hills, averages 40 abortions
every Saturday. But last week, that number was ZERO!

"Could it possibly be because of the prayerful
presence there?" asked Patti, the local 40 Days for
Life coordinator, who then answered her own question:
"Very likely!"

To see the faithful prayer volunteers at the San
Fernando Valley 40 Days for Life, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=393

At Planned Parenthood in Columbia, Missouri, business
is certainly off. "They usually perform 15-20
abortions every Thursday at this location," said
Terra. "But for the last two Thursdays they have
averaged 6-10 abortions. Praise God! Our prayers are
working!"

To see a picture of the 40 Days for Life vigil in
Columbia, Missouri, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=393

In another location, the Planned Parenthood center is
in an office complex. The building owners have
complained about the 40 Days for Life vigil there.
"Don't you know that you are costing us money? You
are costing our tenants customers," said an owner's
representative. "People won't go into the building
while you're here!"

A peaceful, prayerful presence outside an abortion
facility or Planned Parenthood office sends a very
strong message -- and SAVES LIVES.

Thank you for faithfully answering the call to pray
and fast for an end to abortion!

Day 25 - October 17

Intention:

We pray for the conversion of all those who refuse to acknowledge that human life belongs only to God.

Scripture:

Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations."

-- Jeremiah 1:4-5

Reflection:

To be or not to be? There is no question!

The question of "being" is something philosophers have long pondered. What is the meaning of being and what is the source? In the passage before us, we have our answer. We have being because we are known by God.

For God to declare that he knows and sets apart the prophet Jeremiah even before he is conceived indicates that our being rests in God's own being. Because He is and because He wills we, therefore, are and do. The Apostle Paul says as much when he declares before the philosophers of his day, "In Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28).

One of the tragedies of the abortion culture is that life in the womb has been so heartbreakingly devalued. To embrace the arguments of the "pro-choice" crowd one must conclude that the child in the womb doesn't exist, isn't there, has no being. But nothing could be further from the truth. That child is known by God and, as such, has being.

Prayer:

Lord God, we confess that in You we live and move and have our being. Because You are, we are. May we find grace from You to affirm the being of every human and may we labor to make this truth known to the world around us. Amen.

Rev. J. Kirk van der Swaagh
Pastor, Conservative Congregational Christian Conference

Today's email"

Planned Parenthood slipped up.

I'm often told that abortion facilities use
ultrasound to let the abortionist know how far along
the pregnancy is -- it apparently makes a difference
in how the abortion will be performed.

But the images are for staff only -- not the mother
of the child whose life is at risk. So please keep
that in mind.

As a 40 Days for Life prayer vigil was under way, a
young woman walked towards the Planned Parenthood
facility in Sarasota, Florida with two friends. She
accepted some information about abortion from a
sidewalk counselor -- but she may have just taken it
so the counselor would leave her alone.

As she entered the abortion center, she handed the
packet to a Planned Parenthood staffer -- who quickly
tossed it in the trash.

About 45 minutes later, however, the woman and her
friends came back out. "They made the mistake of
letting her see the ultrasound picture," said one of
the friends, "and she couldn't go through with it."

The group then asked if they could have another
information package. "She wasn't planning on keeping
the child," the friend explained, "so now she needs
someone to help her." That's exactly what happened
next. The counselor told them of several nearby
pregnancy resource centers that could offer
assistance for this mother and her baby.

"As they left," said Jeanne in Sarasota, "they seemed
pleased. No direct action by any one of our sidewalk
counselors helped save this baby. But the potential
effect of the prayers of several people on the
sidewalk can't be dismissed."

The truth -- and in this case it was an ultrasound
picture that was worth much more than a thousand
words -- cannot be denied.

40 Days for Life vigil participants in Winston-Salem,
North Carolina didn't have to say much to the woman
who arrived for an abortion appointment. She was
still in the early stages of pregnancy, but a
counselor told her that even at 21 days, her baby
already had a heartbeat.

"I had no idea," she said. "I never thought of it
that way." She immediately changed her mind.

Two girls drove up to the abortion center in the
Tri-Cities, Washington area where 40 Days for Life
participants were praying -- two were standing, a
third was on his knees.

"They both stared at us," said Debbie, who quickly
figured out that the girl driving was bringing her
friend in for an abortion. "They sat for a while in
their car after they parked and then got out I turned
and showed them my sign. They both looked at it and
walked into the clinic."

Debbie's sign shared the truth: "Abortion hurts
women."

"It wasn't two minutes later they came out and got
into their car and drove off," she said. "They smiled
and waved to us as they drove off. You could tell
they were a lot happier."

Terri in Bakersfield, California received an
incredible blessing during this 40 Days for Life
campaign -- she got to witness the birth of a baby
whose mother rejected abortion during the spring 40
Days for Life effort.

A healthy baby girl was born, and the mother -- in
tears -- thanked Terri for being there in her hour of
need ... with the truth.

To see a picture of this beautiful newborn child, who
was saved by God working through a faithful volunteer
during a 40 Days for Life campaign, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=400

God bless you, for standing strong in
prayer and fasting, anticipating more miracles just
like this one!

Day 26 - October 18

Intention:

That those who have forgotten their purpose may discover it in God and therefore have the courage to choose life.

Scripture:

These all wait for you, that you may give them their food in due season, what you give them they gather in; you open your hand they are filled with good. You hide your face, they are troubled; you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. You send forth your Spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the earth.

-- Psalm 104:27-30

Reflection:

"I am a feather on the breath of God."

As the quote above portrays, we are upheld by the power and purpose of God. Our very existence on earth, from our body's first breath to its last, when we leave it to return home, is our Father's choice and happens only by His willing to do so.

He who created the universe also created that which is "me." I do not "have" a soul - I AM a soul, as well as a body. My entire purpose in this life is to find my way back to my Creator.

Prayer:

Beloved Father, remind us today that there is no truth but you. Do not let us fall prey to the evil one's lie that we may choose death. Remind us right now that you, who created all life, are in control of all life, and let us know right now that you who created all life, are in control of all life, and let us choose life always.

Father, please let us hear your voice more today than yesterday. Keep lighting the pathway home, for us and for all who participate in this 40 Days for Life campaign. Father, we're on our way. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.

Vera Faith Lord
Director, Alpha/Omega Life Ministry
Representative of the Orthodox Church to the National Pro-life Religious Council

Today's email talks about the point of view/attitude of those praying in front of a Planned Parenthood clinic.

It's a great joy for me to bring you stories about
things that have happened at 40 Days for Life vigils
and how prayers have been answered.

Today, I'd like to offer a slightly different look at
how 40 Days for Life affects people.

People often tell about the profound personal impact
they experience while praying at an abortion center
as a part of 40 Days for Life. Here are just a few of
those stories.

"I found my first time in front of Planned Parenthood
a bit daunting," wrote Melanie in Indianapolis. As
she stood and prayed on a cloudy day, she simply
couldn't help staring at the building.

"I couldn't fathom that such horrific events as
abortion could occur within those walls. I looked up
into the sky, hoping for something from God to remind
me that He was truly present, despite the place that
stood before me," she said. "I saw rays of sunshine
beaming through the clouds onto the center and
recalled that wherever there is darkness, there shall
be light."

Melanie said she thanks God "for the chance to be a
witness of His love for life and pray that the
mothers see how much He loves them and their unborn
child."

There have been plenty of clouds at the 40 Days for
Life vigil in Painesville, Ohio as well. Local
coordinator Dawn Slike described one recent day's
weather as "horrific."

She said the cold, relentless, pelting rain and wind
made her question God's purposes "and led me to doubt
and reexamine the pureness of my own heart's motives.
Of course, then it became apparent to me in my
solitary brokenness that that was exactly God's
intent," Dawn said. "Focusing on God's purposes
within me made me forget how cold I was."

To take a quick look at the 40 Days for Life campaign
in Painesville, check out the short video produced by
the News-Herald, a local newspaper, by going to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=403

In Kitchener, Ontario, faithful volunteers have kept
the 40 Days for Life vigil going 24 hours a day.

One volunteer often takes the hours right before
dawn. On this particular day, there was a
determination to spend an hour kneeling in prayer. It
was cold. It had been raining all night. An umbrella
was a big help, but it did not protect the vigil
participant's legs, which got thoroughly soaked as
the cold rain picked up and fell even harder.

"I found myself wishing for the hour to hurry up."
But thoughts suddenly turned to Christ's suffering,
and everything that Jesus endured for our salvation.

"At this time, my experience of discomfort began
changing. It struck me that I had set out that
morning with the attitude that I would be providing a
service to God. No; not at all. God did a service to
me. He blessed me with an enriched prayer experience
and understanding of Christ's sacrificial love."

Soon, daylight began to appear. "I literally watched
darkness give way to the light of day all around me,
and I could not help but see the metaphor for our
society's culture of death. Was God showing me that
he would use our 40 Days for Life to scatter the
darkness of abortion in our nation with a new dawning
light, and a culture of life? I hope so. I believe
so. And I am grateful that he allowed me to take part
in His mighty work."

Have YOU yet had the personal experience of praying
at a 40 Days for Life vigil?

Find a nearby location and get involved:

http://40daysforlife.com/location.cfm

Day 27 - October 19

Intention:

We pray for humility in our work for God's Kingdom.

Scripture:

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

-- Philippians 2:5-8

Reflection:

There is no limit to what we can accomplish when we don't care who gets the credit.

Jesus Christ's life on earth exemplifies a total submission to the will of the Father. His humility, compassion, gentleness and thoughtfulness are reflected over and over again in the New Testament. He was God incarnate, yet He chose to be born to a humble, working class home.

How absurd it must have seemed to the rich and powerful that the Son of God, the Messiah, the one foretold by the prophets, the 'King of the Jews' was born and raised as a simple peasant.

During His thirty-three years on earth, He sought no riches, claimed no secular power and gathered no possessions. Yet, His short time on earth changed more lives, softened more hearts, and gave hope to more people, than all the rich and powerful human 'kings' combined. And, at the end of His life on earth, by dying on the cross, He opened the door to eternal life for those who heed his words and follow in his footsteps.

Prayer:

O Lord, help us follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Let us humbly and diligently work to restore legal protection for the unborn, the disabled, the medically dependent and all innocent children of God whose lives are threatened. Let us remember the old adage that "He can never lead who has not first learned to obey." And, Lord, grant us a peaceful heart as we labor in your name. Amen.

Ernest Ohlhoff
Outreach Director, National Right to Life

Today's email -- Lives saved and people leaving their jobs ar Planned Parenthood Clinics.

The day before this fall's 40 Days for Life campaign
began, the local team in Orange County, California
received some great news.

Nathan had just been born -- at a very healthy nine
pounds!

At once point, however, Nathan's life had definitely
been at risk. Thankfully, he was one of the babies
whose mom chose life during the spring 40 Days for
Life campaign.

"Please tell all those people thank you," said
Nathan's mother. "Thank you for being there praying
for people that you do not know. You made a huge
difference in my life and in my baby's life. I cannot
thank you enough for what you did."

The Orange County team also got to meet a different
baby named Jack. He had been scheduled to be aborted
... TWICE!

But his mother chose life.

Jack's adoptive mom brought him with her when she
went to pray at the 40 Days for Life vigil.

We rejoice for all the lives saved ...

... 299!

Yes, 299 children have been spared from abortion
during the fall 40 Days for Life campaign thus far,
thanks to your prayers, fasting, standing vigil, and
the grace of Almighty God!

That's also 299 mothers who have been spared a life
of regrets following an abortion decision.

Praise God!

The 40 Days for Life team in Manassas, Virginia sees
the value of having a pro-life resource center very
close to the abortion facility. Ken said a 19-year-
old girl arrived at with her mother, fully intent on
making an appointment for an abortion.

"They did an ultrasound and found she was 26 weeks
pregnant," he said. "This abortion facility only does
first-trimester abortions, so they sent her away."

The girl and her mother were directed to the pro-life
pregnancy center, where the counselors told her about
all the resources that were available.

"The wonderful counselors helped her decide to have
her baby," said Ken. "Another life saved! The prayers
of our 40 Days for Life participants were powerful."

In Houston, Texas, people participating in the
40 Days for Life vigil in front of a Planned
Parenthood abortion facility have been able to
redirect many abortion-minded women to the pro-life
pregnancy resource center around the corner -- where
they can find real help and compassion instead of
Planned Parenthood's sales pitch for abortion.

One young woman walked into Planned Parenthood, then
turned around and came out almost immediately. "I had
a bad feeling after walking in the door," she said,
"and wanted to get out of there right away." When she
arrived at the nearby pro-life center, she said,
"This is much better. I feel more comfortable here."

This is most telling. She had a bad feeling about
Planned Parenthood -- and all she did was walk
inside! Doesn't that demonstrate that we're in the
midst of a spiritual battle? And that just shows that
we must pray harder and fast more faithfully.

These bad feelings are also being experienced by
those who work in the clinics. Just the other day, I
shared the story of the clinic receptionist who said,
"I'm going to quit my disgusting job." She's not the
only one who feels that way.

At another 40 Days for Life location, the prayer
vigil participants have had regular discussions with
a clinic employee.

She has now decided to leave her job!

"I want out of that place" is the way she put it. And
one of her co-workers is almost ready to leave her
job as well (that's why I'm not identifying the
location; can you imagine the pressure she would face
if her employers found out?)

Please pray for these women -- and for all people who
seek the courage and strength to leave the deadly
abortion industry.

Day 28 - October 20

Intention:

We pray for the conversion of abortionists and all abortion advocates.

Scripture:

"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow."

-- Isaiah 1:16-17

Reflection:

God is just.

Inscribed around the inside of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC, are the immortal words of Thomas Jefferson: "I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just." If the deist, Jefferson, knew in the depths of his being that God is just, how much more ought we Christians to reflect on this profound truth? The justice of God, like his holiness and his purity, encourages us to seek justice for all people. It is the evil deeds and wrong, selfish attitudes of our modern society that have led to the cavalier acceptance of abortion and euthanasia. But, as Jefferson also said, "his justice will not sleep forever."

God is calling us today to seek justice, to encourage the oppressed, and to defend the orphans and widows of our society. It is a noble calling! It is one which every true believer, every God-fearing man and woman, should heed with no hesitation and no reluctance. To follow the God of justice and truth is to stand unequivocally for the right to life of everyone, especially the unborn, the physically disabled, and the terminally ill. God's word through the prophet Isaiah is as relevant in today's 21st century world as it was in Isaiah's 8th century BC world. May God's grace help us to defend the unborn's right to life as well as that of the already born.

Prayer:

O God, our heavenly Father, give us courage and wisdom as we seek to eradicate the evil in our society. Help us to realize that your divine Spirit alone can change hearts and minds so that all your human creatures may enjoy the fullness of life you intended for them. I pray this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.

Rev. Ben Sheldon
President Emeritus, Presbyterians Pro-life and National Pro-life Religious Council

Today's email:

We're hearing a lot about service these days --
giving back to the community. What better way to give
back something truly valuable than by taking part in
this fall's 40 Days for Life campaign!

I have a particular reason for mentioning this.

This past Friday, President Obama spoke at a forum on
volunteerism at Texas A&M University in College
Station -- the same community where 40 Days for Life
began. His speech was delivered just over one mile
away from the site of the first-ever 40 Days for Life
campaign back in 2004.

During his remarks, President Obama promoted a
government web site that identifies various volunteer
opportunities for people.

While that web site does include information about
some pro-life organizations, I was more than a bit
miffed to learn that one of the posted "volunteer
opportunities" comes from the Houston-based Planned
Parenthood operation that runs the abortion facility
in College Station.

The recruitment post asks young people to do "public
service" work for their organization and pleads, "We
need your help with a very simple but honorable job."

The so-called honorable job? Abortion escorts --
specifically to counter the effectiveness of 40 Days
for Life.

Planned Parenthood describes 40 Days for Life vigil
participants as people who "want to deceive our
clients with misinformation and lies then prevent
them from entering our health center for care." That
in itself, of course, is an extreme example of
misinformation.

But this shows why 40 Days for Life needs more
faithful volunteers for the simple -- and TRULY
honorable -- task of praying for an end to abortion
outside the very places where this evil is practiced.

Young people in Houston were recently offered the
challenge to stand up for life. And boy, did they
ever respond!

The 40 Days for Life team in Houston asked, "Can you
imagine over 300 teens getting up early and coming
out to a pro-life rally and march on a Saturday
morning?"

The answer, of course, was an amazing YES!

To see a picture from this event, the March of the
Surviving Children, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=412

After they arrived at the Planned Parenthood location
that is the site of a 40 Days for Life vigil, they
marched around the entire block seven times praying
and singing. "And, to top this wonderful morning
off," the Houston team reported, "we believe that
there was a baby saved!"

Students from a Fort Wayne, Indiana school -- along
with their parents -- decided to embark on a
prayerful service project as well. They gathered
almost 400 people to take part in the 40 Days for
Life vigil at the local abortion center.

"Even in the rain," said Evelyn in Fort Wayne, "these
students marched from their school, about a mile from
the site, and stood as witnesses for 40 Days for
Life."

There were so many people it takes two pictures to
show them all! Check them out at:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=412

I'll close today's message with a story of REAL
service ... and REAL hope.

Go here to meet Isaiah:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=412

Isaiah was born this past Thursday in Riverside,
California.

Karen in Riverside reported a baby saved within the
first couple of hours on the first day of last
spring's 40 Days for Life campaign. That baby, of
course, was Isaiah. The Riverside team found
assistance for his mom through her pregnancy and
recently held a baby shower for her.

THAT is the spirit of genuine, compassionate service
that goes back generations and MUST remain alive.
THAT is the story that must be told!

Praise God for the TRUE service that is provided by
all of you praying and fasting for an end to abortion
during this 40 Days for Life campaign!

Day 29 - October 21

Intention:

Praise God for His compassion in pardoning our sins and forgiving our transgressions. Give praise that He delights in showing mercy.

Scripture:

Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgressions of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us; and will subdue our iniquities.

-- Micah 7:18-19

Reflection:

Micah had been sent to declare God's judgment and call the people of Judah to repentance. The people had become spiritually and ethically corrupt. Prosperity had hardened the rich, the poor were oppressed and the heirs to David's throne were practicing abominations and idolatry. Is it not easy to see the parallels of God's people in Micah's day and God's people today in America?

Through Micah, God corrected His people by demanding justice, not burnt offerings and sacrifice. He told them to love mercy, and to walk humbly with their God.

In speaking of Old Testament stories of God's people turning from God to sin and idolatry, Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10: 11, "Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come."

Many biblical scholars believe God has removed His hedge of protection around our nation in response to our sins of immorality and abortion. Let us cry out in repentance for His mercy once again. And may we honor His faithfulness by doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, eternal, changeless, and faithful Lord, we recognize that we are in need of forgiveness as a nation, for turning our hearts away from you. Hear our prayer of repentance Lord and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We praise you for your tender mercies and your compassion that never fails.

Lord, it is only by Your grace that we can live lives that are just, and merciful. May Your Holy Spirit enable us to walk humbly in Your presence and may You be pleased to restore America so that a generation not yet born may praise you. In the name of Christ Jesus, who has done great things for us, amen.

Carmen Pate
Co-host, "Point of View" Talk Show

Today's email:

YOU -- and others like you in 212 communities -- are
praying and fasting for an end to abortion.

Is the tide finally turning? I pray that it is!

More and more abortion centers seem to be
experiencing a decrease in customers. And I have to
think the reason is all that intense prayer!

Ann in Toledo, Ohio was surprised when the Center for
Choice, the location of Toledo's 40 Days for Life
vigil, was closed on Friday, one of the two days each
week when abortions are usually scheduled.

"It is extremely rare that the center is closed on a
Friday unless it's a holiday," she said. "Praise
God!"

Kathy in Columbia, Missouri also reports the abortion
center where the 40 Days for Life vigil is being held
was closed on Saturday. "It is usually open from 8:30
am to 12:30 pm every Saturday," she said, "but no one
showed up."

The abortionist arrived around 2 o'clock, went inside
for five minutes and then left again -- and did not
seem very pleased when she saw the five people
standing in prayerful vigil.

On Thursday, the abortion day in Columbia, eight
women arrived for appointments instead of the usual
15 to 20. "We feel this indicates that many are
cancelling or just not showing up," said Kathy, who
notes that the clinic staff is starting to get antsy.

As she was leaving the clinic parking lot, the
abortionist drove up to Kathy and a priest, who were
praying on the sidewalk, and called out, "Didn't the
police tell you to stay away from OUR sidewalk?"

Kathy politely answered that the sidewalk was public
property. The abortionist said people were
complaining of harassment when they came in. Kathy
responded, "I only give them information when they
leave." The abortionist called the police; Kathy
called an attorney.

A police officer arrived and went inside the clinic
to check out the "several complaints" she had
received. "Within five minutes the police woman came
out said everything was okay and just be careful not
to block the sidewalk," Kathy said. "The attorney
told me that we had just called their bluff and we
won. But the battle continues."

Fewer customers are also being reported at the
abortion center where a 40 Days for Life vigil is in
progress in Atlanta, Georgia. This past weekend,
Kateri said the facility's parking lot, which is
usually jam-packed on Saturdays, had the fewest cars
the prayer volunteers could ever remember seeing on a
Saturday. Hallelujah!

The Atlanta group had its mid-point rally on the
sidewalk across from the clinic on this particular
Saturday -- and they've posted a two-minute video
clip showing part of the event. Check it out at:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=415

"It was a tremendous outpouring of prayer in a
display of unity that was probably the most pro-
lifers at a single time that the facility has seen in
its five year history," Kateri said. A Catholic
priest led the prayer, while a praise band from a
Baptist church in Gainesville provided music.

One of the unexpected blessings was the group of
teenagers who came to pray. "That was a youth group
that had driven up from McDonough, at least an hour
away, to pray just for a few minutes," she said. They
had known nothing about 40 Days for Life and had no
inkling that a big prayer service would be taking
place.

"They ended up staying for the whole thing," Kateri
said. "It was truly God's timing."

God will act when we are faithful and respond to His
call. We have His word!

Day 30 - October 22

Intention:

That those tempted to abort may understand that their child is already present, and already a real person.

Scripture:

And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

-- Luke 1:41-44

Reflection:

Jesus not only loves unborn children -- He was one himself!

Think about this for a moment.

We often hear people speak of a pregnant mother by saying, "She's expecting a child." Now if one is expecting a package, the package is not yet there. As reflected in our verse for today, however, this is not the case with the mother. Her gift is already there. The pregnant woman, a mother already, does not have a child "on the way," but has a child, already present and in full possession of his or her human rights, starting with the right to life.

Prayer:

Jesus, open my eyes to your presence in the life of every child. Open my heart to joy in the birth of every child, a birth that reflects the joy of your own birth in Bethlehem. As you shared life in the womb of Mary, so now send your protection upon every child still in the womb, and grant to their mothers the strength and joy that comes from welcoming the gift of life. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life

Today's email:

I just posted a special 3-minute video online that I
think will bless your day:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=422

This video will introduce you to just a few of the
amazing volunteers who are making 40 Days for Life
such a huge success -- and will give you a chance to
see what campaigns in various cities look like.

Over the final 10 days of this fall's 40 Days for
Life campaign, I'll be sharing short "on site" videos
from various locations across the country.

Today's video comes from Louisville, Kentucky, where
you will hear from young and old, Evangelical and
Catholic, male and female -- all with one mission to
end abortion.

Watch it now at:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=422

On the video, you will hear from a young school girl
who talks about why she is involved in 40 Days for
Life. She is one of the many children who have
blessed this fall's campaign.

The headmaster of a school in Pennsylvania just had
to tell parents what happened at a 40 Days for Life
vigil, so this item was included in the school
newsletter: "Our seventh and eighth grade students
braved pouring rain and frigid temperatures to give
prayerful witness to the sanctity of human life in
front of Planned Parenthood in West Chester."

As it continued to rain, the children marched, prayed
and sang. But a man waiting in the parking lot took
exception to their presence. He turned up his radio
in an attempt to drown out the students' prayer.

It didn't work. The children kept praying. So he
turned up the volume even louder.

It still didn't stop the prayer.

"As we were preparing to leave he finally broke down,
exited his vehicle and engaged a sidewalk counselor
in conversation in a very contrite and humble
fashion," the headmaster wrote. "I am confident that
our students' faith-filled witness made possible an
opportunity for conversion to the truth that
otherwise would not have occurred. Our Lord hears the
prayers of his children."

When we speak of God hearing His children's prayers,
we don't just mean seventh and eighth graders in
Pennsylvania -- we mean ALL of us!

"God always does something every time we go down
there," says Vicki in Fargo, North Dakota, who prays
often at the 40 Days for Life vigil at the state's
only abortion facility. "I was so blessed to be there
and I believe God wants to show us He is there. He
will reveal His presence in some way and usually in
unexpected ways!"

To see a photo of the Fargo vigil, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=422

The prayers are being heard.

One woman came out of the abortion facility in Fargo
and told vigil participants that she "couldn't do
it." The people who had accompanied her to the clinic
seemed angry with her decision -- but she looked
delighted.

Another woman in Fargo was intent on having an
abortion. But when she drove up to the abortion
facility and saw "that icky place," she just couldn't
bring herself to park her car and walk in. She said
the place "looked awful." When she called one of the
volunteers later, her voice was filled with joy as
she is now "so excited about having the baby."

Rosa in Pasadena, California was just ending her
prayer shift at the 40 Days for Life vigil at Planned
Parenthood when a woman walked out of the clinic and
said she'd changed her mind about having an abortion.

"When I saw you praying out if front it made me think
about what I was planning on doing," the woman said.
"I was inside the center and realized that God has
been good to me and that this baby is a blessing.
Please keep up what you are doing. You are making a
difference."

She then pointed to a sign reading "choose life" and
said, "I am choosing life for my baby." She then
thanked Rosa and left. Rosa is convinced that the
vigil participants' prayers saved two lives that day
– both the baby and the mother.

God hears His children's prayers!

Day 31 - October 23

Intention:

For the medical community, that the truth they know about the human body may become awe and wonder at the God who made it.

Scripture:

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.

--Psalm 139:16

Reflection:

Human beings -- God's tapestries.

Psalm 139 is a psalm that reveals the enormity and otherness of God. His divine attributes are on display: omniscience (2-4), omnipresence (7-12), loving-kindness (17-18), justice (19-20), righteousness (23-24), and omnipotence. Yet, when it came to express this last attribute, what example did the psalmist use - God's creation of mountains, seas, or far-flung galaxies? No, he used none of these. To express the wonder of God's unparalleled creative power the writer mentions the fashioning of the human in the womb (14-16).

The Hebrew word used to express God's forming of us in the womb, raqam, is the same term for needlework or embroidery. In other words, we are a tapestry that displays God's artistic mastery. And, like the artist who knows his creation down to the last detail, God intimately knows us. This reality provokes the writer to awe and wonder. He proclaims, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

What is true for this psalmist is true for each human being. Each is fashioned by God and known by him and we can proclaim on behalf of each, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

Prayer:

Gracious God, help us to appreciate the wonder and beauty of Your creation. Help us proclaim on behalf of every one of our fellow human beings, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." May the knowledge that we are intimately known by You shape our lives and actions. Amen.

Rev. J. Kirk van der Swaagh
Pastor, Conservative Congregational Christian Conference

Today's email:

Here's where you can watch today's AMAZING 3-minute
video report, this time from Jacksonville, Florida:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=431

In this short clip, you'll see pastor Ed Martin,
local 40 Days for Life campaign coordinator, leading
a Jericho March -- marching seven times back and
forth between two abortion facilities as part of
their vigil -- during which a woman changed her mind
and chose life!

Hope you enjoy it! :-)

Well, it's Friday, and 40 Days for Life campaign
director Shawn Carney is on the road headed to New
York City -- a location described as "the abortion
capital of America."

That phrase is the title of a New York Magazine
article. It was published a few years ago, but the
story still paints an accurate picture of the uphill
battle pro-lifers face in the nation's largest city.

More than 100,000 abortions are performed in New York
City every year. There are almost three dozen
abortion facilities there.

To quote from the magazine article:

"In absolute terms, there are more abortions
performed on minors, more repeat abortions, and
more late abortions (over 21 weeks) in New York
City than anywhere else in the country. In parts of
the city, the ratio of abortions to births is one
to one."

Fortunately, people are willing to do something about
it. One of those people is Chris Slattery, who runs a
group of pregnancy resource centers and a variety of
other pro-life outreaches.

Chris is also helping lead 40 Days for Life campaigns
in two of New York's boroughs, Queens (where there
are two abortion clinics side by side) and The Bronx.

The New York City team just posted a marvelous slide
show of 40 Days for Life in action on the sidewalks
of America's abortion capital.

To see the slide show, visit:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=431

In each of the past 40 Days for Life campaigns in New
York City, through God's blessings, dozens of lives
have been saved from abortion through these sidewalk
efforts.

One New Yorker, who is known for his strong pro-life
stand, headed west this week -- and he stopped at the
40 Days for Life vigil in Kalispell, Montana.

Fr. Benedict Groeschel had traveled to Montana for
speaking engagements.

Karen in Kalispell said Fr. Groeschel's detour to the
vigil there was "unexpected and much appreciated."
Fr. Groeschel is a Franciscan friar who is familiar
in Catholic circles through his regular appearances
on the EWTN network.

To see a photo of Fr. Groeschel with 40 Days for Life
vigil participants in Kalispell, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=431

While the abortion toll in New York City almost
defies belief, Fr. Groeschel's trip to the clinic in
Kalispell underscores the fact that abortion would
still be a tragedy even if it only claimed one life.

Abortion also remains a deadly reality in Ithaca, New
York (roughly a four-hour drive from New York City).
The very thought that abortions were being performed
in their community brought a small group of Cornell
University students out to pray at the 40 Days for
Life vigil recently.

A staff physician saw them -- and didn't like it. So
she went out to complain to the students that they
were "harassing" her customers. "Of course," said
Mary Anne in Ithaca, "they were very peaceful and
were doing no such thing."

The woman came out a second time to complain -- and
then a third. The last time, she told the students
she would call the police if they didn't leave.

"The students did better and went to the police
themselves," Mary Anne said. "The police said as long
as they were not cursing, threatening or following
people, that what they were doing was fine. We will
keep this physician in our prayers."

In cities both large and small, 40 Days for Life is
having an impact. The power of prayer is very real!

Day 32 - October 24

Intention:

Pray that we display an attitude of humility as we stand in peaceful vigil, as we fast, as we knock on doors in our communities. Though we proudly proclaim Christ's truth, may our boasting be only in His grace.

Scripture:

These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.

-- Proverbs 6:16-19

Reflection:

The Lord who made us knows us well. I can't help but think that perhaps as He inspired these words, He knew that our tendency might be to make the judgment call on which sins should be labeled as detestable. He wants us to be absolutely clear, however, that the sinfulness of man encompasses much more than the external sins that we easily identify.

Lest we assign a particular sin as that of an abortionist, or a worker in an abortion facility, or an abortion activist, the Holy Spirit insured that our sin of pride would be listed first. In this passage that speaks of eyes, tongue, hands, heart, and feet we realize than every part of our being is subject to the curse of sin.

We all need Jesus Christ who saved us from the penalty of sin, saves us from the practice of sin as we abide in Him, and will one day remove us from the presence of sin. Praise His Holy name!

Proper self-esteem in a follower of Christ is a matter of recognizing and confronting yourself in your humanity, including the tendency to sin. It is also a matter of embracing Jesus' work on the cross --- His grace that covers a multitude of sins. The Apostle Paul sums it up best in 2 Corinthians 10:17-18: "But he who glories let him glory in the Lord. For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends."

Prayer:

Dear Father, Guard my heart. Prick my conscience and may I be receptive to your rebuke at any moment I drift towards pride. May I remember in fear and trembling that You cause the proud to fall, but the humble You raise up. Lord, may I never forget my true identity is in Christ and that apart from Him I am nothing. By His grace, I pray, amen.

Carmen Pate
Co-host, "Point of View" Talk Show

Today's heartbreaking stories of women who have experienced abortions.

Today's short video report comes from the front lines
in Lexington, Kentucky:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=447

During this powerful 6-minute video, you will hear
from several faithful 40 Days for Life volunteers
about why they are involved, including:

* An Evangelical pastor whose brother was almost
   aborted...

* A mother of a Down's syndrome son...

* ...And a post-abortive woman who was on the verge
   of suicide before getting involved in 40 Days for
   Life and finding healing in Jesus Christ

Throughout this 40 Days for Life campaign, God has
blessed us with more than 400 stories of babies
spared from abortion -- and mothers spared from
abortion's aftermath.

We also know, of course, that too many women
unfortunately continue to make a very poor "choice"
when it comes to the lives of their unborn children.

We stand and pray for them as well.

One of those women had an abortion at a Planned
Parenthood center. The very next day, a friend was at
the clinic, and spoke to the people praying at the
40 Days for Life vigil.

The woman who had the abortion, the friend said, "was
now depressed and not like her usual self at all."

Another woman arrived at the 40 Days for Life vigil
in Manchester, New Hampshire last week. Vigil
participants watched as she walked up with flowers
and laid them against the clinic fence. She had been
there just weeks before -- for an abortion.

"People praying on the sidewalk spoke to her and
offered her words of hope," said Julie in Manchester.
"It appears that this woman feels very badly about
the abortion she had. Please pray for her, and know
that your prayers may have led to her change of
heart."

From coast to coast, people with abortion experiences
are joining the 40 Days for Life campaign in an
effort to let women know that abortion leaves a
lasting imprint -- and to let those who have had
abortions know that Christ forgives and Christ heals.

To see a photo from the 40 Days for Life campaign in
Miami that illustrates this outreach, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=447

Abortion is often portrayed as a "women's issue." But
of course, every abortion impacts both a mother AND a
father.

Six men were praying outside the abortion center in
San Antonio, Texas one night at 10:30. At that hour,
of course, the clinic was closed. But a car pulled
into the parking lot, and a young couple got out and
wanted to talk.

The man told the 40 Days for Life vigil participants
that before he became a Christian, he had taken a
former girlfriend there for an abortion. He is now
painfully aware that abortion is a sin.

"The man asked us to pray for him," said one of the
vigil participants. So they did, "asking that God
would grant him peace and forgiveness." The couple
then drove into the night.

Thankfully, he is on the road to healing. Others
still need to find the way.

That is one of the reasons that Operation Outcry --
http://www.operationoutcry.org -- a post-abortion
healing outreach, is calling on its friends to join
40 Days for Life vigils all across America today as
part of "Operation Outcry day" of this campaign.

Theirs is a story that must be told -- and must be
heard by those who are contemplating the life-
changing decision to abort.

We know what happens when no one is there to share
the truth.

A car pulled up next to the 40 Days for Life vigil in
Houston, Texas recently, and the woman inside
motioned for vigil participants to come over. One
person walked over, and quickly saw that the woman in
the car was crying.

When she was 27 years old, she had an abortion at
this same Planned Parenthood facility -- a decision
she regrets tremendously.

If someone -- anyone -- had been there praying, she
said, she would not have gone through with the
abortion. But no one was there.

Your presence in prayer at a 40 Days for Life vigil
really does make a difference!

Day 33 - October 25

Intention:

May we absorb the truth that God is paying attention to us, and to each human life, personally and individually.

Scripture:

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor.

-- Psalm 8:3-9

Reflection:

How often we ignore the phrase, "stop and smell the roses" and instead submit to the all too "urgent" task at hand. Is this tendency what keeps us, at least in part, from acknowledging that God's care for His sacred creation is paramount in His own mind?

The Psalmist speaks of God's handiwork: the heavens, the work of his "fingers," and then points to God's masterpiece - human life. He declares to us that God is mindful of us. God keeps His masterpiece in His thoughts.

God, the creator of the awe-inspiring heavens, is not distracted by the tasks before Him. He is not pulled away, as we might be, by thoughts of something "more important." God is paying attention to and attending to His crowning glory, His masterpiece of creation, which cannot be duplicated or replaced, which surpasses the beauty of all other created things - the human being.

There is no way to adequately describe how God feels about us as human beings. There are no words to fully portray His love, compassion or desire to be in communion with us. Perhaps, the closest we can come, is to contemplate the thoughts of a mother as she gazes for the first time at her newborn child. God cares for Life. We, as His followers, should take time to consider the life He has created and called upon us to love and protect.

Prayer:

Lord, you are the creator of all things. Guide my thoughts to consider your creation in all of its majesty, beauty and holiness. Guide my heart especially to your creation of precious human life. Help me to comprehend how essential life is in your own heart. Teach me to appreciate, love and protect all human life through your son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fr. Terry Gensemer
National Director, Charismatic Episcopal Church for Life

Today's email:

I'm in Galesburg, Illinois this morning. Over the
last 48 hours, I've been to 40 Days for Life vigils
in Charlotte, North Carolina, as well as Glen Ellyn,
Downers Grove, and Chicago, Illinois. Later today
I'll be driving over to the Peoria campaign.

Everywhere I go, I continue to be encouraged by the
stories of change brought about through 40 Days for
Life -- not just changes for women and their babies,
or clinic workers and abortion supporters, but deep,
lasting, spiritual changes in the hearts of those who
answer the call to pray, fast, and stand vigil for an
end to abortion.

Such is the case with a man my family and I had the
privilege of meeting during our New England 40 Days
for Life visits just over a week ago. His name is Tom
Dwyer of Hartford, Connecticut -- one of more than
250,000 people who've prayed with 40 Days for Life.

Tom first heard about 40 Days for Life in the fall of
2007, when the first coordinated national campaign
was just about to begin. "I felt that I could
participate in the prayer and fasting," he said, "but
I did not feel the need to go to the abortion
clinic."

Tom went through most of the 40 days and faithfully
prayed and fasted, but had the feeling that he wasn't
really doing all he should. "I asked my wife, Joyce,
if she was willing to go to the abortion clinic," he
said. "She agreed to go."

He e-mailed the coordinator in Norwich -- it's an
hour from his home in Hartford, but it was the
closest location -- saying that he and his wife
wanted to pray on a specific day from 10 to noon. "I
received an e-mail back stating that 'God must have
sent you to us.' They had no coverage for the hours
that we selected."

So Tom and Joyce drove to Norwich. "Since this was my
first time at an abortion clinic I was a little
apprehensive," Tom admitted, "but after I saw a car
go by and give a thumbs-up, I felt better."

Joyce had to leave the vigil for a few minutes,
leaving Tom as the only person praying.

"I experienced a feeling unlike any I had ever
experienced before," he said. "I had never been to an
abortion clinic and now I was the only person there
witnessing for the unborn babies. I felt a great deal
of responsibility and at the same time a great surge
of strength that made me want to publicly state my
opposition to abortion. At that one point in time and
at that location, I was the sole representative
publicly proclaiming that abortion is wrong. I knew
from that point on, that witnessing at abortion
clinics was something I needed to do."

In 2008, Tom took part in a new 40 Days for Life
campaign in Hartford. And he didn't stop there.
"Joyce and I now spend two days a week, year round,
at the abortion clinic in Hartford," he said.

"When I retired in 2007, I thought this would be a
great opportunity for me to spend time working on my
golf game," Tom said. "I had planned to spend a few
days a week practicing and lowering my golf handicap
significantly. But 40 Days for Life made me go in a
different direction." Tom now spends most of his free
time on pro-life activities.

"40 Days for Life has changed my life," he said, "and
I am so grateful."

To see pictures of Tom and other members of the 40
Days for Life team in Hartford:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=453

There are many more stories just like Tom's -- people
who have come to profoundly understand the importance
of humbly, peacefully, prayerfully standing witness.

Have you gone out to pray at a vigil yet?

There's still one week left in this fall's 40 Days
for Life campaign. Like Tom, you can join a vigil
even in the final days.

There are 212 cities participating. To find the
location nearest to you, visit:

http://40daysforlife.com/location.cfm

Day 34 - October 26

Intention:

May we come to know that divine life, in relationship, creates human life.

Scripture:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

--John 1:1-3

Reflection:

"In the beginning" was God. Always, before all times, there was God. This particular God -- the God of the Bible, the God of St. John's Gospel -- is different from all other gods. This God is alive and full of life. This God is not the picture of deadness and death, aloneness and isolation. This God is the picture of life, relationship, and unity. For within this God, within this one God, there are three divine persons who live, who love, and who work -- together. This is the glorious mystery of the Trinity. The Trinity means divine life. The Trinity means three, living Persons -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- who relate to each other. The Trinity means mutual love and service among three Persons.

The Word was always with God the Father. This Word was, is, and will be the Trinity's second person. The Word is also the Son of God or, as revealed in time, Jesus Christ. God the Father and God the Son live, love, and work for each other. As one, they create "all things" together: the Father creates all things, including all human life, through the Son.

So the Father, through the Son, creates all human lives. The little one swimming in his mother's womb, the infant smiling in his father's arms, the child crying in pain in a hospital bed, the energetic teen running another mile, the old man gasping for his last breath -- all were created, at their beginning, by the Father through the Son. No exceptions. Divine life creates human life.

Prayer:

O God, may we always be quick to call you Father. And when we call you father, let your Spirit remind us that we, and all people, from their beginning to their last day, are your children. We praise you, Father, that you sent your Son to reveal to the world that all people are His brothers and sisters, that all people are your children. Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Rev. Paul Stallsworth
President, Lifewatch (United Methodist Church)

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