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Today's email brought tears to my eyes!

Today marks the half-way point of the fall 40 Days for
Life campaign and, as a special treat, I just posted a
brand-new short video from the Augusta, Maine, 40 Days
for Life mid-point rally where I spoke yesterday and
my family met many heroic prayer warriors:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=363

I'll warn you in advance -- this video was shot with a
little pocket camcorder clipped to a sign and the wind
was gusting during parts of the rally. The picture and
sound are far from perfect, but I hope you still find
it inspiring. :-)

If you have a dial-up Internet connection and cannot
watch videos online, we also uploaded the audio from
the event which can be heard or downloaded on the same
web page:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=363

Now for a few of the great reports pouring in at this
mid-point of 40 Days for Life...

Brian in Norwich, Connecticut put out the call to the
40 Days for Life team. "This Saturday, Planned
Parenthood is holding their annual two-hour
demonstration against us," he wrote. "Please come and
show your support for life."

A small handful of Planned Parenthood demonstrators --
some of them paid Planned Parenthood employees -- did
indeed show up. But they were vastly outnumbered by
people who answered the call to pray for an end to
abortion.

The Norwich Bulletin published one photo of the event
that is quite telling. In the foreground there are a
few people holding pink Planned Parenthood signs.
Behind them, however -- and stretching far into the
distance along the sidewalk -- are people peacefully
praying.

To see the amazing Norwich Bulletin photo, go to:

http://tinyurl.com/ygolyub

The woman holding the "I regret my abortion" sign is
Nicole, who has been a strong voice and leader with
the 40 Days for Life effort in Norwich and a real
blessing to our work nationally.

Another blessing is the number of families who come
out to pray at 40 Days for Life vigils.

One example is the McIntyre family in El Paso, Texas
-- Mike, Laura and their nine children. Six of the
children took part in the vigil just last week.
Bethani, the 8-year-old, was singing "Jesus Loves Me"
as a young woman arrived.

She approached the clinic, but did not go inside. She
just sat down for about 15 minutes -- listening, as
Bethani sang.

Eventually, the woman got up and walked over to the
McIntyres and told them she had decided to keep her
baby. All it took to change her mind was the voice of
a young child singing praise to Lord from her heart.

The child had saved the child. One of the McIntyre
children noted, "So this is why we come here!"

Yvonne in California's San Gabriel Valley watched a
woman walk into the abortion center -- and leave a
short time later. Yvonne noticed the young woman was
holding a map with directions to a location that does
second-trimester abortions.

"She is five months pregnant," Yvonne said. "After
informing her of services available through local
pregnancy centers, churches -- as well as support from
all of us -- she decided to choose life for her baby."

And those are just two of the 219 children -- and
mothers -- spared from abortion during this 40 Days
for Life campaign so far!

Yet another blessing for 40 Days for Life is the
number of people who've had experiences with abortion
who deeply appreciate what you're doing.

Stan in Buffalo, New York was praying at the 40 Days
for Life vigil when a woman walked out of the nearby
dry cleaning shop and came over to talk. "She said
that her favorite sign was the one that offered
post-abortion hope and healing," he said. She confided
that she'd had a past abortion, but had found healing
and forgiveness in Jesus, and had been born again.

"She asked that we display more signs like that," Stan
said, "because so many women suffer so much from past
abortions. Please pray for those who live with regret
for a decision they can never undo. May they find what
this woman found."

Speaking of post-abortion healing, 40 Days for Life
will be joining with Operation Outcry for a special
outreach to those suffering in the wake of abortion.
Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 24. I'll be
bringing you more information in the days ahead.

Day 21 - October 13

Intention:

Pray that we each will daily put on the full armor of God, so that we are strong in the Lord and the power of His might.

Scripture:

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand.

- Ephesians 6:12-13

Reflection:

I am confounded to see how the battle over the issue of life is perceived more often in churches today as political rather than spiritual. Ironically, the enemy has used this twisted perception to silence many in the body of Christ. We must see the battle for what it is and if we are to be prepared to face the spiritual enemy on the issue of abortion, we must daily "put on" the armor God has given us:

Gird your waist with Truth (vs. 14) - Commit your emotions to believe truth and to speak truth, regardless of the repercussions.
Put on the breastplate of Righteousness (vs. 14) -It will protect our hearts - the innermost springs of our beings - from all unrighteousness so evident in this fallen world.
Shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace. (vs. 15) -Preparation is vital if we are to be effective in God's work.
Taking the shield of faith (vs.16) - The Accuser will instill doubt, fear, and guilt. Faith acts as an invisible shield that deflects such false accusations.
Taking the Helmet of salvation (vs.17) - A helmet protects the head, the brain and in turn our mind and thoughts. Satan hopes we will set aside divine revelation for human reasoning.
Taking the sword of the Spirit (vs.17) - The Word of God, the only offensive weapon in this armor, was used by the Lord Jesus against Satan. The living Word is powerful and effective.

Our armor is complete. We are ready to wage war, and the next verse tells us how, "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit." (vs.18)

Prayer:

Dear Lord, as you lead us into the spiritual battle of abortion may we be reminded that the battle is truly Yours. We thank you for equipping us with Your armor. Lead us daily to put it on! Thank you for allowing us to serve under your command, and for hearing our requests for direction and protection. Thank you for the victory that is ours because of Your Son Jesus, amen.

Carmen Pate
Co-host, "Point of View" talk show