40 Days for Life -- Pray to End Abortion

Today's email: Wow!

The words a sidewalk counselor spoke to a woman
entering the abortion center in Dallas, Texas summed
things up so accurately. "I know the baby is not the
problem," the counselor said, "but it's the situation
you are in."

The woman took information from the counselor but
continued into the clinic -- while 40 Days for Life
vigil participants prayed for her and her child.

An hour later, the woman came out of the clinic in
tears. She was married, she said, but thinking about
abortion -- though she doesn't know why it got to
that point. But when she saw people praying, she knew
abortion was not the answer, and that indeed, it was
her situation that was the problem, not the baby.

There are two other stories from Dallas with a
similar theme -- and the same outcome.

A woman entered the clinic -- and left 30 minutes
later, telling people on the sidewalk she was scared,
and that the conditions in the clinic were
troublesome. She was invited to go instead to the
very clean clinic across the street -- the pro-life
pregnancy resource center. She found that help was
indeed available, and chose life for her child.

A short time later, a couple walked into the clinic
but left about 40 minutes later. The woman held her
head down and appeared quite troubled. She, too, told
the people at the vigil she was scared. But as she
kept watching the people praying on the sidewalk, she
found the courage to reject abortion as a "solution"
to her problems.

To see a picture of some of the 40 Days for Life
vigil participants in Dallas, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=458

Choosing life -- a blessing that God has provided...

...411 times during this fall's 40 Days for Life
campaign thus far!

Here's the story behind another of those blessings:

A mom in Atlanta, Georgia went to pray at the 40 Days
for Life vigil with her 7- and 10-year-old daughters.
At the time, they were the only ones at the clinic.
But after Paige explained to her girls why they were
there, they all began to pray and sing.

When a woman got out of her car and walked towards
the clinic, on of the girls said, "Let's sing 'Jesus
Loves Me.'"

"They sounded so sweet," Paige said. "I know the lady
could hear them."

A bit later, a man pulled up and got out of his car
to talk. "He was very noticeably angry," said Paige,
and he wound up making a threatening remark before
driving off.

"I told the girls what Jesus said, 'Blessed are you
when they persecute you and falsely say all kinds of
evil against you, because of me.' But it was hard
staying there."

It's a good thing they stayed! The woman that the
girls had sung for earlier in the hour walked out of
the clinic and towards the parking lot -- all the
time, looking at a sign with the number of a pro-life
pregnancy counseling hotline. She picked up her cell
phone and made a call.

As she pulled out of the parking lot, the woman made
a point of looking right at them, giving thumbs-up
and shaking her head in an emphatic "yes." She was
smiling at them, though it looked like she had been
crying.

"The girls were thrilled," said Paige. "We really
have no idea of the good that may come of people
standing outside of clinics."

Day 35 - October 27

Intention:

Pray for post-abortive women who cannot forgive themselves; may they understand that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Scripture:

Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sin is covered. Blessed is the one to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.

-- Romans 4:7-8

Reflection:

In the passage above, the Apostle Paul making a point about justification by faith, refers back to David's words in Psalm 32:1-2. In spite of the enormity of David's sin -- adultery with Bathsheba and his murder of her husband -- and the utter absence of any personal merit, David in his brokenness, understood the imputed righteousness of God. David's response was not continued guilt over his sins, but praise for his freedom from guilt, and God's power to live life differently.

Once your relationship with God has been restored, your guilt has served its purpose and should no longer be given place in your life. This is true regardless of the sin, including the sin of abortion. As a post-abortive woman, I too struggled with this issue until I realized that punishing and hating myself after receiving God's forgiveness was an insult to God.

It was as though I were minimizing Christ's work on the cross as insufficient to cover my sin. I was denying Him the opportunity to bring glory to His name for the healing and restoration He wanted to do in my life. I was giving victory to the enemy who having lost the battle for my soul, was bent on destroying my testimony as I accepted the continual guilt he heaped on my mind.

It is my joy to continually sing of God's grace rather than give the devil a foothold in my life. Don't waste God's mercy! Accept His forgiveness and forgive yourself as testimony of His amazing grace.

Prayer:

Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for your amazing grace that saved a wretch like me. I come against the enemy of my soul who would have me feel cast down and dejected. Lord, keep your children from falling prey to the accusations of the father of lies. Turn our mourning into dancing and may we bring praise to you as we give testimony of Your healing and restoration in our lives. For by His grace we are saved, amen.

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

Today's email -- Very different accounts!

Here's the latest video, a touching three-minute
report from the frontlines in Toledo, OH:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=464

As we enter the final days of this 40 Days for Life
campaign, please keep in mind that God does not
always grant the blessing of seeing immediate results
from our efforts.

Such is the case in one 40 Days for Life community
where the campaign has been conducted several times.
Participants knew that because of their peaceful,
prayerful witness outside the abortion clinic, lives
had been saved from abortion. But what was really
going on inside that building?

One person found out in a most surprising way. This
person was not scheduled to pray at this particular
day and time, but stopped by the vigil following a
meeting. The clinic manager stepped outside to clean
windows, so the vigil participant saw an opportunity.
"I spoke kindly and introduced myself."

About half an hour later, the manager came out and
asked to talk -- "and invited me into the clinic!"

To say the least, what followed was an interesting
conversation.

The manager wanted to explain and justify what goes
on at the clinic, but it seemed like this clinic
staffer was offering excuses for being involved in
the abortion business. Furthermore, the manager
professed to be a Christian who was certain "in my
heart" that this was God's calling, and that what
goes on in the clinic is not wrong.

"I asked if the manager's heart had ever been wrong,"
said the vigil participant, "and did my best to
lovingly communicate my disagreement and the reasons
I am passionate about defending both the unborn and
their mothers. I said that Jesus cared for children,
and that it does not matter what anyone thinks about
when a fetus is a person or whether abortion is
wrong. What matters is what God thinks; what Jesus
thinks."

If not for 40 Days for Life, this vigil participant
would have been somewhere else, would not have spoken
to the clinic manager -- and would certainly not have
been invited inside for this discussion that planted
many seeds.

Is the clinic manager reconsidering the abortion
business? We pray! Or as the vigil participant said,
"Please pray that God would use my small efforts and
words to accomplish big things!"

And sometimes it does take time.

Again with today's reports, I'm not mentioning
locations because these are "works in progress," and
I don't want publicity to unsettle any hearts that
may be in the process of changing -- or give the
abortion industry a reason to threaten or pressure
workers who are considering quitting. Just pray!

At another 40 Days for Life vigil, the prayer team
has been praying specifically for a security guard --
ever since the first coordinated 40 Days for Life
campaign in 2007.

Last week, the security guard and a clinic escort
approached the local coordinator with a request -- to
pray that another pro-lifer, who was not associated
with 40 Days for Life, would leave. This particular
individual was described as "harsh."

"Well, you pray for everything else," said the
security guard, "so I thought maybe..."

The coordinator said praying for the person to leave
was out of the question, "but I could ask him to
reconsider the tone of his message, and we could pray
that he would say what God gave him to say. They were
actually happy with that response, and thanked me."

While the local coordinator took all this with a
grain of salt, they have been praying for this
security guard for more than two years now. "It comes
as a sign to me," the coordinator said, "and I am
overjoyed! A beginning is a beginning. Blessed be
God!"

Day 36 - October 28

Intention:

We are the defenders of true freedom. May our witness unveil the deception of the "pro-choice" slogan.

Scripture:

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

--2 Corinthians 3:17

Reflection:

Norma McCorvey (the former Jane Roe of Roe v. Wade) used to work at an abortion mill named "A Choice for Women." She now realizes what a cruel irony that title was. She saw first hand, just as pregnancy resource center counselors see, that women don't get abortions because of freedom of choice, but rather because they feel they have no freedom and no choice. They feel trapped, abandoned, desperate and afraid, and have been led to believe that abortion is their only option.

As Frederica Mathewes-Green has written, no want wants an abortion like she wants a Porsche or an ice cream; rather, she wants it like an animal caught in a trap wants to gnaw off its own leg.

"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." That doesn't mean that the Spirit allows us to do whatever we want or to decide for ourselves what's right and wrong.

Rather, it means that the Spirit gives us the freedom to do what is right, the power to choose what is good, when we see it before us and yet feel pulled in the opposite direction. Liberty means that we no longer have to feel doomed to do what we know is wrong.

We are the people of the Spirit of the Lord, and when we take action on behalf of life, especially by being present at abortion mills, we are acting on behalf of true freedom, and imparting to those who are in bondage the power to do what is right.

Prayer:

Come, Holy Spirit. You are the Spirit of freedom, the source of all that is good, the power to do what is right. Fill us, and fill those who are in bondage today, feeling doomed to do what is wrong. Set them free, and help us to hasten them on the road to freedom, where your grace overcomes every temptation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life and President, National Pro-life Religious Council

Big Apple testimony in today's email:

A few days ago, I mentioned that Shawn Carney, our
40 Days for Life campaign director, was headed to New
York City. Shawn made a short video account of his
visit to the 40 Days for Life campaign in the city
labeled "the abortion capital of America."

If you only watch one video during this 40 Days for
Life, it HAS to be this amazing clip:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=468

During the brief video -- which was filmed right on
the street in Queens -- you will:

* Hear from a volunteer who puts in 6-10 hours EVERY
   DAY outside of two of the largest abortion centers
   in the United States

* See hundreds of passers-by receiving a pro-life
   education on the street

* Discover the challenges of holding a campaign in a
   crime and drug infested area -- on the spot where
   a murder took place right before 40 Days for Life

* Meet a sidewalk counselor who shares how they are
   saving lives in the midst of the hustle and bustle

* Learn JUST HOW MANY lives have been saved in the
   Big Apple due to 40 Days for Life campaigns over
   the last two years -- prepare to be amazed in the
   last 20 seconds of the video!

The video is loud. Everything's in motion. It's got
attitude. But hey -- it's New York City! :-)

Watch this video now, you'll be glad you did:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=468

If you have problems viewing it on that page, it is
also posted on YouTube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxB-ZKX5WRw

By the way, Shawn is going to be on international TV
tomorrow night (Thursday, October 29)! The third
installment of the Being Human series makes its
broadcast debut at 6:30 PM Eastern time on the EWTN
network (5:30 Central, 4:30 Mountain, 3:30 Pacific).
This episode interviews a physician, former abortion
providers, and philosophy professor Peter Kreeft.
They answer the question of when life begins and what
personhood means.

EWTN is available on many cable and satellite TV
services. The program may also be seen online at
http://www.ewtn.com where you can click on
"television," then on "watch live."

Chris Slattery, who is featured in Shawn's video clip
above, not only coordinates the 40 Days for Life
campaigns in Queens and The Bronx; he also directs
Expectant Mother Care Frontline Pregnancy Centers.

This organization offers internships for young people
to learn first-hand about various aspects of pro-life
ministry.

The interns' blog tells a story of life on the
sidewalk at Dr. Emily's Women's Health Center, the
40 Days for Life vigil location in The Bronx.

It was 11:30 in the morning, and the interns were
going to a pro-life conference. As they were leaving,
they watched two young women leave the clinic. Once
they reached the sidewalk, one of the 40 Days for
Life volunteers handed one of them a brochure.

One intern saw this, walked up beside them, and
started asking questions. "Have you had an abortion?
How far along are you? Have you been allowed to see a
sonogram?"

She learned that the women had only been inside the
clinic for a short time -- it was already too late in
the day to schedule an abortion. The two were
sisters, she learned. The older sister was there for
the abortion, the younger one for support.

The intern saw an opportunity.

"I offered her a free sonogram appointment and began
to tell her about fetal development. She was so
surprised to find out that her baby's heart started
to beat at 17 to 21 days," the intern said. "She
thought that wouldn't happen until the sixth month. I
asked her what she knew about the abortion procedure,
what had they told her in the clinic? She knew
nothing, so I started to explain."

The woman who had tried to schedule the abortion said
she wasn't feeling very well, so the intern offered
to treat her and her sister to lunch

As they walked to the burger shop, the intern and the
younger sister had to steady the older sister.

About that time, some clinic escorts walked towards
them -- and then walked right past. "They saw a girl
in obvious distress who had just come out of the
clinic," said the intern. "They just didn't seem to
care!"

The pro-life people on the sidewalk tell the women
going into the clinic that they are there to help
them. "Of course, the 'clinic escorts' scoff at the
idea," the intern said, "but when it counts, the
proof is in the pudding."

They sat in that restaurant talking for a long time
-- "almost two hours," said the intern. "She started
to feel better. In the end, she decided not to abort
her baby!"

By the time lunch was over, this young woman knew
that even if she faced hardships or had to make
sacrifices, it would all be worth it for the life of
her child.

God bless pro-lifers in the Big Apple -- and all
around the world!

Day 37 - October 29

Intention:

Pray that we will each submit ourselves this day as a living sacrifice to God, giving all that we have in us for those being sacrificed on the altar of convenience.

Scripture:

-- Romans 12:1

Reflection:

Since all things are for His glory, we are to offer ourselves for that purpose. This of course is in sharp contrast to those who are being swayed by the enemy to sacrifice their babies on the altar of convenience, rather than choosing to surrender their all, including their unborn child, to the Lord for His purposes.

A career, education goals, or even a boyfriend can unknowingly become an idol for some young women. In their minds, abortion is a convenient way to "rid themselves" of an obstacle in the way of their "worship."

In light of the sacrifice Christ made on our behalf, and the fruit of God's mercies on our lives, we owe God our highest form of praise and worship. Presenting our bodies as living sacrifices is therefore reasonable service.

We were made to worship God and God alone. The enemy who seeks worship for himself distorts God's truth regarding worship, sacrifice, idols, and children.

As you have given of yourself to rescue those who are perishing -- the young woman and her child -- you are worshiping God in the truest sense of the word.

May your example lead an abortion minded client to turn from her idols to worship the one true God, sparing her child from the altar of convenience, and sparing herself from a lifetime of regret.

Prayer:

God Almighty, You alone are worthy of our praise and worship. Having accepted Your Son's sacrifice on my behalf, I in turn present my body to you as a living sacrifice. Thank you for deeming me holy and acceptable because of Christ's shed blood for me. I pray that you would use me as your vessel to rescue others who are perishing. Through Christ who is Our Glory, Amen.

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

Today's email:

Here's where you can see the latest short video
report from the front lines of the 40 Days for Life
in Charlotte, North Carolina:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=475

During the brief video, you'll hear from Protestants,
Catholics, a maternity home director, and you'll get
to meet Andrea -- a wonderful post-abortive woman
who, two years ago, helped us recognize that 40 Days
for Life was supposed to be a national effort.

You will really be inspired by this one:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=475

(If you have trouble watching the videos or posting
comments on our blog page, you can see all the video
reports and post your thoughts directly on YouTube
at: http://www.youtube.com/user/dbereit )

Now for the BIG NEWS!

In the last few hours, 40 Days for Life reached a
major milestone, and I had to share it with you!

Through the grace and mercy of God -- and the
faithful prayers and fasting of well over 200,000
people standing vigil outside abortion facilities
-- an incredible miracle has taken place.

Starting with the first-ever 40 Days for Life
campaign in Bryan/College Station, Texas in 2004, and
continuing through the international 40 Days for Life
effort that is under way this fall, we now have
received cumulative reports of ...

... OVER 2,000 BABIES whose lives have been saved
from the tragedy of abortion!

Who knows what wonders each of these children will
bring to the world!

Two thousand children would be enough to fill at
least 80 classrooms. Two thousand children would be
enough to make up 180 teams of little soccer players
-- and just as importantly, 180 teams of soccer moms
-- women who will enjoy watching their children run
and jump and shout, blessings they would have never
known if they had fallen for the lies that are so
often disguised by the rhetoric of "choice."

Here's the story of just one of those 2,000 lives.

It was a stormy day at the 40 Days for Life vigil in
Bakersfield, California. Yet people ignored the wind
and rain as they stood and prayed outside the
abortion center.

A young woman from outside the Bakersfield area soon
arrived at the clinic for an abortion appointment.
She was already stressed out; the drive across the
mountains and through the storm left her in no mood
to listen to the Christians on the sidewalk.

She looked at the group, shouted profanities, and
told the vigil participants to leave her alone. One
of the people on the sidewalk told her that if she
thought the sky was dark, it was nothing compared to
the darkness abortion could bring into her life.

She ignored the words and walked in.

But the "simple procedure" she had come for turned
out not to be so simple -- and she might not be able
to have the abortion that day. She had come for the
abortion pill, but the staff said she lived too far
away to return to the clinic if any complications
developed.

When she learned that, she became even angrier at the
people praying out on the sidewalk -- she even went
back out to yell at them several times. Finally,
after she realized there would be no abortion, she
gave up and left the clinic.

But on her way out, the prayer supporters on the
sidewalk offered to pray with her. As they did, the
sun suddenly broke through the clouds and the sky
instantly became bright.

It was like a new day.

The vigil participants explained the situation to
Terri, one of the counselors, who helped arrange an
appointment for an ultrasound at the pro-life
pregnancy help center.

Terri could tell that the ultrasound had a
significant impact on the young woman. "I knew that
it was a good sign when I heard her talking to her
baby," she said.

After the ultrasound, Terri and the woman hurried
back to the vigil site. Bursting with joy, the woman
showed the prayer supporters the ultrasound picture
of the baby she had intended to abort, exclaiming
"your Jesus heard your prayers!"

To see some of the 40 Days for Life prayer volunteers
in Bakersfield -- along with the young woman holding
the ultrasound image of her baby -- go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=475

Day 38 - October 30

Intention:

Pray that we become vessels of hope to all around us, especially to those who minister in the pro-life movement.

Scripture:

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!"

-- Luke 24:1-5

Reflection:

This meditation, based on a sermon I once heard, is adapted for pro-life concerns.

It's Friday. Jesus is on the cross. He has been killed by his enemies; he is off the scene. But that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'!

It's Friday. Abortionists continue their work 3,300 times a day, tearing off the arms and legs of little babies and crushing their heads. But that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'! It's Friday. Pro-abortion groups receive blood money from billionaires who are as deceived as they are. But that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'!

It's Friday. Liars attempt to speak for all women and hide the pain of abortion, and ignore the evidence of how it harms women, and call abortion a blessing. But that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'! It's Friday. People of hardened hearts guard the clinics and usher desperate women in to have their abortions, while keeping them from the pro-life people who want to give them hope. But that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'!

Hope does not mean that we ignore or minimize the evils around us. It means, rather, that we see the whole picture, which is that evil is conquered because of what happened one Sunday morning. The power of sin and death has been broken by the Resurrection of Christ. We are called to proclaim, celebrate, and serve that victory, waiting in joyful hope for Christ's return and the full flowering of the Culture of Life! Indeed, Sunday's comin'!

Prayer:

Lord, fill your people with new hope. Make us vessels of hope to all around us, especially to those who minister in the pro-life movement, that as we engage in the difficult work ahead, we may experience the peace and joy that come only from you and that nobody can take away from us. We ask this through Christ our Lord, amen.

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life and President, National Pro-life Religious Council

Today's email:

Jennifer in Cherry Hill, New Jersey has been thankful
that the 40 Days for Life campaign in her community
has the support of the local Catholic bishop in the
Diocese of Camden. Just recently, Bishop Joseph
Galante participated in the prayer vigil outside the
abortion facility -- and more than 100 other people
were there to join him.

To see a photo of Bishop Galante at the vigil, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=480

But there's someone else in that picture that I'd
like to call to your attention -- the young woman in
the wheelchair next to Bishop Galante. Her name is
Maricruz, and I would ask that you pray for her, her
birth family in Central America, and her adopted
family in New Jersey.

Maricruz is an abortion survivor.

Twenty-one years ago, her mother tried to abort her.
This was an attempted chemical abortion; her mother
took a pill, which was assumed to be RU-486. It is
believed that the drug was being used experimentally
in Central America at the time.

To make a long story short, the abortion pill didn't
work. Maricruz was born three months premature. She
survived, but was left severely handicapped and must
use the wheelchair. Maricruz has three siblings in
Central America -- and four others who were aborted.

The woman next to Maricruz is her adopted
grandmother, an active pro-lifer who's been honored
for her efforts on behalf of the unborn. She is also
the mother of 13 -- including Jennifer.

Yes, the woman who helped bring 40 Days for Life to
Cherry Hill, New Jersey (it's just outside of
Philadelphia, in case you were wondering) is also
Maricruz's adopted mom.

Please share this story with the next person who
complains that pro-lifers care nothing about
"unwanted" children after they're born!

Said Jennifer, "God provides for us in our lives when
we accept His plan for our lives."

Jennifer also tells a story of the horrifying truth
about abortion, the operation that its supporters
call a "safe, legal medical procedure."

Two prayer vigil participants saw a woman leave the
clinic, crying hysterically. She said she was 18
weeks pregnant -- and the abortionist had given her
baby a lethal injection to end the child's life. She
had apparently known very little about the actual
procedure, only that she had a "choice" that would
permit her to become un-pregnant.

She cried that God would never forgive her for what
she had done. Volunteers suggested going to the
emergency room to see if the baby could be saved.
Sadly, it was too late. She would have to return to
the clinic the next day to have the dead child
removed from her womb.

The woman told the volunteers that she wanted to
stand on the sidewalk to warn the clinic's clients
about what abortion really is. But please pray that
she recognizes her own need for healing and spiritual
renewal at this most challenging time in her life.
Please pray that the Lord will help her understand
that He CAN forgive her and is willing to do so --
and most importantly, that she herself can accept
God's forgiveness.

Day 39 - October 31

Intention:

Pray that volunteers will replace exhaustion or discouragement with rejoicing over the miracles we have seen thus far, and enthusiastic service as God takes us on to victory!

Scripture:

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

-- 1 Peter 1:6-7

Reflection:

We have reason to rejoice when we consider the many babies whose lives have been saved during the 40 Days for Life campaign. Add to those lives, the women and men who have been spared from a devastating decision and now have opportunity to make a plan for their baby that is both life affirming and God honoring.

Whether directly, or indirectly, you have contributed to these testimonies of praise with your sacrificial service. Perhaps you have been grieved by various trials during your commitment to 40 days. The attacks of the enemy come in many forms -- difficulties in relationships, finances, health. Or maybe you are physically and mentally exhausted and have been marking off the days on your calendar, eagerly waiting for Day 40.

Consider these trials in light of God's plan for you. The Apostle Paul understood the big picture when he said in Romans 8:18, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." This is our Hope and our victory. Let us rejoice in the opportunity to give that Hope to others in our path.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, We sing to You a new song, for You have done marvelous things. Forgive us when we allow circumstances to defeat us. You give power to the faint and You increase strength in those who have no might. We rest in You dear Lord, and ask You to empower us again for Your service as You work out Your plan for us and through us. May You receive glory through our victory in Christ, in whose name we pray, amen.

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

Reports from Rhode Island and Hawaii in today's email:

Today is Day 39, and we're in the home stretch of
this fall's 40 Days for Life effort. As we rapidly
approach tomorrow's finish line for this campaign, I
just posted another short on-location video that I
think you will love:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=487

This hope-filled 4-minute clip comes from Peoria,
Illinois -- in the middle of the American heartland.

You'll hear from several volunteers and the new
president of the statewide right to life group about
the blessings they have experienced as part of
40 Days for Life -- and how they went from a previous
campaign that really struggled to this fall's effort
that has involved hundreds of new people.

If you've missed any of the other short video reports
(which have been getting THOUSANDS of views!) they're
all posted online at:

http://www.youtube.com/user/dbereit

--------, amazing things continue to happen during
40 Days for Life!

The 40 Days for Life team in Providence, Rhode Island
report the story about a woman who had an abortion
appointment at Planned Parenthood -- and abortion
facility escorts who tried to prevent her from
hearing the truth.

Joanne said the woman "hesitated when she saw and
heard the children praying" as part of the 40 Days
for Life vigil. When she saw there was a member of
the clergy praying with the children, "she stopped
right in the middle of the road, her eyes filling
with tears."

Still, she permitted the escorts to hustle her into
the clinic.

Fifteen minutes later, however, she walked back out.
"She had found herself unable and unwilling to go
through with the abortion," said Joanne.

The escorts at Planned Parenthood didn't like this
one bit. "They shooed her away repeatedly, ending her
stay by insisting that she was not to talk there,"
Joanne said. "She was so unnerved at being pushed
away by the escorts that she finally drove off, still
crying. She remains in our hopeful prayers."

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

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=487

People are also praying faithfully outside another
Planned Parenthood center -- in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Janet said the 40 Days for Life vigil participants
have "shared the amazing gift of life, miracle of the
preborn, and the devastating effects and aftermath
that the abortion 'choice' has over our families and
communities."

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

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=487

Honolulu is also home of the "tow truck ministry."
Rocky is a tow truck driver whose job includes
removing the vehicles of people who have parked in a
nearby lot without paying. That often includes people
who are visiting Planned Parenthood.

Rocky came to check on the vigil recently and said it
was a real blessing to see everyone praying during
40 Days for Life. He also told Isaiah the story of a
teenage boy who came to pick up his car, which had
been towed from the lot.

"The boy was trying to reason that he only went into
the clinic for a few moments," Isaiah said. "Rocky
was bold enough to admonish the boy over being too
concerned over paying for his towed car rather than
the life of the child that was aborted. The boy's
head dropped down in realizing the reality of what
Rocky was speaking to him. We prayed for God's
blessing over Rocky as he continues to be a voice for
life to those teenagers he encounters there at the
clinic through his tow truck ministry. God bless you,
Rocky!"

To see a picture of Rocky and Isaiah, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=487

Day 40 - November 1

Intention:

Let us keep our eyes fixed on the New Jerusalem, where death will be no more.

Scripture:

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"

--Revelation 21:4-5

Reflection:

Every activity we undertake in defense of the sanctity of life is prophetic, inasmuch as it points to the day when "death will be no more." Every victory we have when an act of abortion is prevented is prophetic of that day when death itself will be definitively conquered. Every triumph of grace in this world, whereby someone is brought to see the value of life and given the strength to welcome it, is a breaking into our history of that definitive future in which the old order of things will have passed, and all things will be made new.

As pro-life warriors, we must keep our eyes fixed on heaven, and our hearts secure in the hope that the day is coming when all evil will be conquered. It is the future that shapes the present; it is victory that informs the battle; it is the destination that determines the journey.

Daily, we are called to reflect on heaven. When we weep, we are to think of the day when every tear will be wiped away. When we face the destructive power of death, we are to think of the day when death is swallowed up in victory. When we labor against abortion, we are to think of the day when we will have the rest and peace of the final triumph of life. Heaven is as real as earth, and its joys will be as real as our present sorrows.

Prayer:

Father, you are the God of hope. Your word fills us with the vision of the world to come, when every tear will be wiped away, and death will be no more. Father, how we need that hope, how we are strengthened by that vision! Keep our hearts focused on heaven, and diligent in the labors of earth. As we struggle against the culture of death, root our souls in the assurance of victory. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life and President, National Pro-life Religious Council

Today's email -- Another nurse quits working at PP!

It's Day 40 -- the final day of this fall's 40 Days
for Life effort.

Together we have witnessed God accomplishing amazing
miracles through His faithful people, and I really
believe that we are witnessing the beginning of the
end of abortion in our land.

THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for being a
part of the most profoundly touching 40 Days for Life
campaign yet. As we wrap up the fifth coordinated 40
Days for Life effort, the seeds you have planted are
beginning to bear incredible fruit.

One sign of that is the level of opposition that has
been seen in many communities.

The abortion industry is starting to squirm.

Ann Scheidler of the Pro-Life Action League sent
photos of people praying at the 40 Days for Life
vigil in Chicago -- and a picture of people actually
demonstrating against 40 Days for Life.

On the day the demonstrators were there, she said,
"they managed to create enough of an obstruction
along the street that no one came in for an
abortion."

Now that's what I call utterly amazing -- and it's
clearly the hand of God at work. "Little do they
realize," Ann said, "they are saving babies by their
presence."

To see the pictures from Chicago, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=493

A nurse walked out of the Planned Parenthood location
where the 40 Days for Life vigil is being held in
Houston, Texas. One of the vigil participants wished
her a cheerful "Good morning!" and asked how she was
doing.

The answer was quick and unexpected. "I need a new
job now," she said. This may, in fact, have been her
first day at Planned Parenthood. But it was also the
last.

"I went in one of the rooms," the nurse said, "and
this is not for me."

Planned Parenthood, of course, bills itself as a
health care organization. What this nurse found there
was certainly NOT health care.

Vigil participants suggested a few leads for finding
a REAL health care position, and asked if there was
anything else she needed.

"Not really," the nurse responded. "I'm going home to
hug my children."

This nurse becomes the EIGHTH employee to leave an
abortion industry job during this 40 Days for Life
campaign. Praise God!

In Psalm 119:18, the psalmist prays to God, "Open my
eyes to see clearly the wonders of your teachings."

Thanks to you, many eyes have been opened
during this 40 Days for Life campaign.

A prayer volunteer in Reno, Nevada who has spent many
hours at the 40 Days for Life vigil has noticed a
trend at the abortion center. Business has been down
significantly -- and there's no doubt that the
prayers of faithful volunteers, especially during the
40 Days for Life campaigns, are being heard.

When the first 40 Days for Life vigil was held there
two years ago, the clinic was open five days a week.
Now it is open only three days a week. The
abortionist used to arrive around 9 am. Now he often
doesn't show up until 11.

Two years ago, the prayer volunteers say the clinic
had about 15 patients each day. Now it is only around
five. Staff members are working fewer hours. They
often have days -- even weeks -- between shifts.

Carol Marie noted that one of the prayer volunteers
in Reno had set a goal of praying for at least 40
hours during the 40 Days for Life vigil. She has met
and exceeded that goal.

"She's not finished yet," Carol Marie said, "nor does
she expect to stop when the campaign ends. She
realizes that while she's tired and her spirits are
hard pressed to continue what she's doing, she knows
that we're making a difference. She has seen that
lives are saved."

Day 40 is not the end. It's only the beginning!

Day 41 - November 2

Intention:

Pray that the witness of 40 Days for Life bears abundant fruit, and that we begin again each day to storm the gates of hell until God welcomes us into the gates of heaven.

Scripture:

On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

-- Matthew 16:18

Reflection:

When we read this verse, we usually think that the Lord is promising that the church, which is His Body, will withstand all the attacks launched against it. Of course, that is true. But when we think about it more carefully, we realize that in a battle, the gates do not run out into the battlefield to attack the enemy. Rather, they stand still to defend the city from the enemy attacking it. So when the Lord says that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church, who is doing the attacking? It is the church storming the gates!

The church, all of God's people in Christ, is called to take the offensive, to run into enemy territory, and to gain ground for Jesus Christ. We do not wait for an invitation; we already have a command. We prepare, but we do not wait for circumstances to be perfect; we already have one who has gone before us.

During these 40 days, we have stormed the gates. We have taken the offensive. We have pushed forward the boundaries of the kingdom. And we must keep doing so, in numerous ways. Indeed, the gates of hell will not prevail. The gates of falsehood will flee in the presence of truth. The gates of sin will melt in the presence of grace. The gates of death will fall in the presence of the church, the People of Life!

Prayer:

Father, we praise you. We have heard the voice of your Son, and therefore we can make our voices heard. We have done battle with the power of evil, and therefore we can have compassion on those still within its grip. We have been freed from the kingdom of darkness, and therefore we can bear witness to your Kingdom of Light. May the witness of all your people through these 40 Days for Life bear abundant fruit, and may we begin again each day to storm the gates of hell until You welcome us into the gates of heaven. We pray in the victorious name of Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life and President, National Pro-life Religious Council

Today's email:

It's now the day after the end of the fall 40 Days
for Life campaign.

Go ahead and take a deep breath -- you need it! It's
important to re-charge after 40 intense days of
prayer, fasting, vigil and outreach.

But you know what? Your efforts are working. So after
you catch your breath, please don't stop!

All the reports are still coming in, but as of now we
know of at least ...

... 534 babies -- and their moms -- spared from
abortion during this fall's campaign!

The credit belongs to God -- and YOU!

A report from Houston, Texas shows just how much the
abortion industry hates it when there are people on
the sidewalk praying and offering real alternatives
to women.

There's a pro-life pregnancy resource center around
the corner from the Planned Parenthood facility where
the Houston 40 Days for Life vigil was conducted. A
counselor met two women outside the abortion facility
recently -- and convinced them to go to the pro-life
center rather than entering Planned Parenthood.

The clinic escorts were furious.

The head escort told the women that if they didn't
move their cars out of the Planned Parenthood parking
lot, she would have them towed.

Our Houston team reports, "The chances of these two
women ever returning to Planned Parenthood are
probably pretty slim based on the behavior of the
escort. It is great when people are able to witness
for themselves some of Planned Parenthood's true
colors."

Planned Parenthood wasn't the only one whose true
colors were on display this fall. YOUR true colors
also shined brightly for all to see! And we have
pictures that tell the story.

Here's a photo taken outside of Planned Parenthood in
Phoenix, Arizona. The building's on a corner, so the
40 Days for Life vigil was able to almost surround
the place with prayer. Check it out at:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=496

St. Cloud, Minnesota conducted its first 40 Days for
Life campaign this fall. Here's where you can see a
picture of a faithful group praying outside Planned
Parenthood (photo courtesy of Sue Schulzetenberg of
The Visitor, the Catholic newspaper in St. Cloud):

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=496

Also along for their first 40 Days for Life campaign
this fall was the team in Kitchener, Ontario -- where
it started getting chilly as the days got shorter:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=496

"We continue to be a small group, but we are strong
and do our best to be a witness to those who come to
Planned Parenthood," said Michelle in Lufkin, Texas.
"We are confident that our prayers change lives even
when we do not know the outcome. We will continue to
pray in front of Planned Parenthood throughout the
year."

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