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Wow! Testamonies of people praying in front of a Planned Parenthood Clinic for the FIRST time!

I'll have to admit it -- going out to stand and pray
in front of an abortion facility is not exactly an
appealing proposition.

It isn't easy, especially if it's something you've
never done before.

The first time I went to pray outside an abortion
facility I was very worried about what could happen
and who might see me there.

But please trust me; when you make the commitment,
God will provide every ounce of grace that you'll
need to answer His call.

We've gotten notes from people who had never taken
part in 40 Days for Life until this past week.

Hopefully, these notes will encourage you to step out
in faith if you have not yet signed up for a time to
pray at the abortion center.

"I did my first hour Friday night at 10 as part of my
church's adopted day. I could sense such evil," wrote
one first-timer. "It was powerful to pray there for
the end to abortion and the conversion of the
doctor."

Another first-time participant writes, "This issue
has been close to my heart for a long time, but to be
honest, participating in the vigil Friday has put
this front and center in my heart now."

"I wish there was a way I could bottle the experience
and send a copy to each of you so you could
experience it fully right from the comfort of your
living room, but this is something you'll simply need
to experience for yourself," said Carol Marie of the
40 Days for Life campaign in the Reno/Tahoe area of
Nevada and California.

"I believe that when we go to the sidewalk and pray
to end abortion we each are given a special grace so
that we can better address the issue," she added.

"Because we are each called to play our own
particular role in this effort, that grace varies
from person to person, and thus the experience also
differs. How is God calling you to help? What role
are you meant to play?"

Pamela is another person who had never taken part in
40 Days for Life -- or even participated in any
visible pro-life activities -- until this campaign.
"I have to tell you," she said, "it was an eye
opening and powerful experience."

She prayed that God would give her courage. "I have
to admit that I was scared," she said. "The knowledge
that I could potentially watch a woman walk into a
facility carrying a baby and watch her come out
without one brought me to tears."

Pamela arrived late -- and nervous. "I felt an
overwhelming need to pray; and there in the grass I
wept and prayed for the men and women who entered the
facility to work and receive services."

She prayed for everything she could possibly think of
that God could offer these people to change their
hearts and minds.

"What I observed this morning was a demonstration of
grace and truth," she said. "If anyone feels the same
hesitation and uncertainty I did, please consider
coming to the event with another group or a group of
friends. I am certain you will be blessed and
awakened by the experience."

Brian Westbrook of the St. Louis 40 Days for Life
campaign said if people like Pamela can find the
courage to stand for Life on the sidewalk, "then so
can you. We will not end abortion by sitting at
home," he said, "but we must proclaim the truth from
our roof tops and on the street corners."

Ready to give it a try? Visit the list of all 212
communities participating in this 40 Days for Life:

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

Then, if you possibly can, go out and pray at the
vigil closest to you!

Day 10 email update:

Yesterday I visited the Toledo, Ohio 40 Days for Life
campaign and in a few hours I'll be jumping on an
airplane to Jacksonville, Florida, where I'll be
joining the 40 Days for Life volunteers on the
streets as part of their vigil.

It always amazes me to see so many people "speaking
up for those who cannot speak for themselves."

While running across the country visiting 40 Days for
Life locations, I have to admit that I keep thinking
about the banner at the Planned Parenthood abortion
center in St. Louis that I told you about earlier
this week -- the one that says "defend the truth."

I keep waiting for the day when everyone knows the
truth and there's no one left to defend what goes on
at Planned Parenthood and hundreds of other abortion
centers in North America and throughout the world.

The good news is that more people are learning the
truth -- thanks to you!

In Riverside, California, people who were praying at
the 40 Days for Life vigil watched as a young woman
entered the Planned Parenthood abortion center. A
couple of hours later, she came out. A pastor who was
praying with the group met her and asked if she
needed anything.

She told him she had come for an abortion, but
changed her mind. The Planned Parenthood staff told
her they would give her a shot that would stop her
baby's heart. She said, "WHAT?"

The young woman knew right away she could not go
through with the abortion, so she got up and left. In
her heart, she knew the truth.

In Kalispell, Montana, one of the vigil participants
had a chance to talk with a man whose company
provided contract services for All Families
Healthcare. It was news to this man that All Families
Healthcare was in the abortion business. He said he
would have never signed a contract with the clinic if
he had known the truth.

He thanked the people praying for taking part in 40
Days for Life -- and assured them that he would not
be renewing his contract with the clinic.

The reality of abortion in most communities is that
many people are simply unaware that it's going on in
their city. "Abortion" is somebody else's problem --
or a political issue, perhaps. It doesn't seem real.

People seem to act like it's something that involves
people you don't know and places you've never been.
But of course, that isn't the truth.

That's one of the reasons why community outreach is a
key component of 40 Days for Life.

In Halifax, Nova Scotia, the 40 Days for Life team
went door-to-door to let people in their city know
about the campaign -- and to ask them to pray.

"Most people are a little surprised at such a
request," said Julie. "And most are polite --
probably thinking that if they are nice, we will
leave quickly."

The volunteers offer a fact sheet about 40 Days for
Life that also includes information about abortion
that people generally do not know.

"This went much better than I anticipated," she said.
"No one I met had even heard of the vigil or noticed
it, so this really is a way to raise community
awareness of the prayer vigil and to bring the
neglected issue of abortion before the public."

The truth will ALWAYS triumph over the big lie of
abortion. So let's spread more of the truth!