Welcome to 40 Days for Life: 40 Days for Life kicks off February 22 in 258 locations!

40 Days for Life kicks off February 22 in 258 locations!

On February 22, the next 40 Days for Life campaign begins in 258 locations in the United States, Canada, England, Australia and Spain. Sign up for campaign updates with the box at the upper right ... pray and fast for an end to abortion ... and see the list of locations to find -- and get involved -- in the campaign nearest you!

FIVE more abortion centers close following 40 Days for Life

On March 1, the Planned Parenthood abortion center in Storm Lake, Iowa will shut its doors. Just last fall, this location was the site of a 40 Days for Life vigil, coordinated by Sue Thayer – who once cerved as manager of that very facility ... until she was fired! Be sure to see Sue's story.

Earlier, we received word from the Michigan attorney general’s office that TWO abortion centers which have been sites of multiple 40 Days for Life campaigns — in Lansing and Saginaw — have been permanently CLOSED after they were found to be operating illegally. A judge ordered them shut down PERMANENTLY.

Then, it was announced that GYN Special Services Clinic, located in Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, would be closing its doors. Brian Gibson of Pro-Life Action Ministries, the 40 Days for Life coordinator in the Twin Cities area, describes the closure -- and the impact of 40 Days for Life -- in this short video. (on the site)

Finally, it was announced that an abortion center in Rockford, Illinois -- the site of three 40 Days for Life vigils as well as many years of constant prayer by faithful volunteers -- had closed its doors forever. In announcing the closure, the facility's owners said it was clear that the community no longer supported the abortion business.

With the closure of the Storm Lake Planned Parenthood center, this will now make 21 abortion centers that have shut down during or following 40 Days for Life campaigns outside their doors. To God be the glory, and congratulations to all the pro-life groups and individuals in these cities whose years of fervent prayers and faithful efforts have been rewarded!

What 40 Days for Life has witnessed (so far!)


	There have now been nine coordinated 40 Days for Life campaigns since 2007, mobilizing people of faith and conscience in 422 cities across the United States and Canada, plus communities in Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Belize, Denmark, England, Georgia, Germany, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Puerto Rico and Spain.

During these unified efforts, participants witnessed countless blessings from God:

1,633 individual campaigns have taken place in 422 cities
More than 500,000 have joined together in an historic display of unity to pray and fast for an end to abortion
More than 14,000 church congregations have participated in the 40 Days for Life campaigns
Reports document 5,045 lives that have been spared from abortion — and those are just the ones we know about
61 abortion workers have quit their jobs and walked away from the abortion industry
21 abortion facilities completely shut down following local 40 Days for Life campaigns
Hundreds of women and men have been spared from the tragic effects of abortion, including a lifetime of regrets
More than 1,800 news stories have been featured in newspapers, magazines, radio shows and TV programs from coast to coast ... and overseas
Many people with past abortion experiences have stepped forward to begin post-abortion healing and recovery

After so many years of legalized abortion, many people of faith are experiencing a renewed sense of HOPE!

Take the leap of faith and get involved with 40 Days for Life

Have you been to pray at a 40 Days for Life vigil yet? You may ask, “What do I do?” or “What sign should I bring?” The answer is simple; the only sign you really need to bring is yourself, for you represent God’s love.

Concern about going to pray at the abortion facility is common — and normal. 40 Days for Life campaign director Shawn Carney shared some thoughts at the national Students for Life conference.

A few days ago, I shared the great news about two
40 Days for Life locations in Iowa where Planned
Parenthood facilities closed.

That makes 22 locations where 40 Days for Life
vigils have been held on the public right-of-way
outside — and the abortion centers shut down.

Praise God!

Sometimes ... the abortionist just stops showing up!

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI

The 40 Days for Life vigil in Columbia takes place
outside a Planned Parenthood office that has had a
hard time keeping an abortionist on the payroll.

For months at a time over the past few years, this
center has been unable to offer surgical abortions
because no one would perform them.

Earlier this week, the local team in Columbia
learned that for at least two weeks, there will
be no abortions at Planned Parenthood.

“We’re not sure what the reason is,” said Kathy in
Columbia, noting that Planned Parenthood is being
very tight lipped. They are just “not scheduling
appointments in Columbia until March 27.”

“Please continue to join us on the sidewalk as we
thank God for His gifts to us,” said Kathy.

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

Volunteers in Richmond marked the midpoint of the
40 Days for Life campaign with a candlelight vigil.
They also shared stories that they pray will have
happy endings.

They watched as a car with an out-of-state license
pulled into the abortion center’s parking lot. But
the two people inside never got out. They sat there
for half an hour, drove away — and did not return.

A short while later, prayer continued as another
couple walked toward the building. One of the
volunteers asked if they wanted to talk, but they
entered without stopping. Within about 20 minutes,
however, they left the abortion center, turned up
the street and walked away.

Ann in Richmond said they prayed that both couples
“have a change of heart ... and chose life for their
child. Praise God for faithful witnesses who stand
and pray and who offer the love of Christ.”

For pictures of the vigil in Richmond, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2959

ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

Here’s an update on an item from earlier in the
campaign. The Orange County team shared the story
of Fernando, a man who rides his bicycle 10 miles
to pray at the 40 Days for Life vigil for several
hours every day. Getting to the vigil site was a
challenge because he had to stop often to fix the
bicycle.

After the story got out, Fernando got some
unexpected assistance — a repair job for the
bicycle, complete with new tires and tubes, thanks
to anonymous donors. It was a kind gesture that he
really appreciated.

The Orange County prayer volunteers were also
joined by an unexpected guest — a woman who was
on her way into Planned Parenthood.

“She shared that she had an abortion in the past,
but that this time she wanted to continue with her
pregnancy,” said Alejandra. “She joined the vigil
to help other women avoid getting an abortion.”

The volunteers offered the woman post-abortion
healing referrals. “Please pray for her as we try
to reach out to her and help her,” Alejandra said.

Day 25 - March 17

Intention:

That God will bless us with His gift of strength as we respond in obedience to His call.

Scripture:

Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, 'surely we did not know this', does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?

-- Proverbs 24:11-12

Reflection:

In this age of technologically advanced communication, ignorance of human rights abuses is no excuse. We know there are persecuted Christians in China, there is genocide in Darfur, and there are babies aborted and women and families devastated right in our own communities.

"But I can't save them all" you say. God isn't asking you to. He has equipped each of us with time, talent, and treasure to do what we can when He provides the opportunity. He has given us His Holy Spirit to empower us as we abide in Him. He is asking us to be on His side in speaking out and protecting those who can't protect themselves.

When we are obedient to His calling to get in on the work He is doing, we will experience intimacy with Him in a whole new way. Our faith will increase as we see God at work! You have responded to His call during this 40 Days for Life campaign.

Let your efforts be for His pleasure and His purposes. Pray without ceasing!

Prayer:

God Almighty, we pray for continued guidance and strength as we intercede on behalf of the young women and their babies who are stumbling to the slaughter. Open the eyes of the mother's heart to see her child as you do - a precious gift to be treasured. Let her feel Your loving arms around her and may she be assured that you have a plan and a future for her and her child. Give her reason not to enter the abortion clinic. Give her wisdom and discernment to find life options through a local pregnancy care center and may she boldly choose life. Thank you, Lord, for hearing our prayer. Because of Your Son's sacrifice we pray, amen.

Carmen Pate
40 Days for Life board of directors

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

On this day, I’d like to offer a special hello to the
40 Days for Life team in Dublin. Today, I’m going to
visit the 40 Days for Life campaign in Silver Spring,
Maryland.

St. Patrick is known for bringing Christ to a pagan
culture. In the midst of the festivities today, we
remember his faith and courage as a missionary of
the gospel.

It is faith and courage that similarly inspire us to
bring the hope and love of God to our culture at
abortion centers during 40 Days for Life.

Yes, we’re all Irish today. But let’s take a look at
the faith in Spain.

Frank in Madrid sent me some stories and pictures that
show the problem is the same all over the world. But
so is the solution.

40 DAYS FOR LIFE IN SPAIN

For Pilar, a psychologist in Madrid, praying for 40
days outside an abortion center reinforces her faith.
“The surroundings impress me, the contrasting realities
present in a very limited space: the Eucharistic temple
of St. Martin of Tours and the clinic in front of it ...
the coming and going of passers-by and the prayer group
like an island before that center where life is cut off.”

Frank, a New Yorker living in Madrid, says that each
campaign “shakes me out of my lethargy with the hope
of doing something important for God and the salvation
of souls.”

Sometimes people that see them praying on the street,
in front of the abortion facilities, say a word of
congratulations. Other times, they insult them or spit
on them or laugh at them. In the newspapers, they are
accused of “intimidating” the abortionists.

“The owner of the Callao abortion center in Madrid
called the police because eight of us were on the
other side of the street praying in low tone for the
end of abortion,” explains Candela, who works as a
television producer.

María Angeles, a professor at the University of
Seville, believes that “whoever has not seen the
empty eyes of a woman who has just aborted, whoever
has not understood the nervousness created at an
abortion center by the presence of some women ...
cannot understand the reality of abortion and how the
only hope springs from prayer.”

Francisco, who is retired, put it simply: “The remedy
is God. We must ask for it. Publicly.”

Nacho, a 33-year-old historian, prays in front of the
Triana abortion facility in Seville. “To pray humbly
and simply on the street is no merit of mine but of
the Lord, and if by this testimony on the street some
people are moved to stop for a second and think and to
give a second chance to the lives of the weakest, why
not do it?”

“Above all,” Fernando said, “we are convinced that by
praying, we are going to end abortion in Spain and in
the whole world.”

To see photos from 40 Days for Life in Spain, please
go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2967

Day 26 - March 18

Intention:

Pray that we fully recognize in the unborn child our brother, our sister, and we recommit ourselves to care for them.

Scripture:

Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?" The Lord said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground."

-- Genesis 4:8-10

Reflection:

After Cain committed the first murder in human history, God asked him, "Where is your brother?" He replied by saying, "I don't know."

In 1973, the Supreme Court was asked the same question, and gave the same answer. Unable to admit that the unborn children are our brothers and sisters, the Supreme Court said in its Roe v. Wade ruling, "We need not resolve the difficult question of when life begins." Boil all that down to three words, and it's, "I don't know."

The question, "Where is your brother?" will be asked at the final judgment. Each person will answer it and be judged by it. May we be judged to have recognized and loved all our brothers and sisters, born and unborn.

By participating in the 40 Days for Life, we have been answering that question each day, going to where our brothers and sisters are killed, and proclaiming that we have a responsibility to them. By all the pro-life work we will continue to do, we likewise answer that question which reaches from one end of human history to the other.

Prayer:

Father, today we hear your voice, and we respond to the question you ask each of us: "Where is your brother?" We recognize in the unborn child our brother, our sister, and we recommit ourselves today to care for them. Yes, Father, you have entrusted us to the care of one another. We rejoice that you have given us the grace to respond. As we work to renew our culture, we look forward to the great day of the coming of your Son, when every eye will see him, even of those who pierced him, and every knee shall bend, and every tongue confess, to the glory of God the Father, that Jesus Christ is Lord! Amen.

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

Today I am sharing only one story. I cannot give you
the location, but it starts with a rare blessing —
someone calling the wrong number.

When you pray and fast for an end to abortion and
work together with local pro-life organizations, it
can save lives.

The caller on the other end of the phone line asked,
“Is this Planned Parenthood?” Well, it wasn’t. In
fact, she had reached Planned Parenthood’s neighbor
— a local pro-life organization.

The organization’s staff member who answered quickly
realized there was an abortion-minded woman on the
line. So she offered the woman a free ultrasound.
The woman wasn’t interested — and said she really
just wanted Planned Parenthood, so there wasn’t much
else to say.

The pro-life staffer again told her the ultrasound
would be free — but that if she went to Planned
Parenthood, they would charge her.

At that point, things started to change. The woman on
the phone agreed to an appointment for an ultrasound.

So the staff member called a pro-life pregnancy center
to set up the ultrasound. The people at the pregnancy
center said they had just spoken to this same woman,
who had called them about 30 minutes previously.

“We have been praying that you guys would be able to
reach her before she reached Planned Parenthood,” said
the scheduler at the pregnancy center.

“I was amazed at the specific way they prayed and how
God answered that prayer,” said the staff member who
had originally received the “wrong number” phone call.

How could this woman have confused both a pro-life
group and a pregnancy center with Planned Parenthood?
“The only explanation is God’s intervention and
answers to prayer!”

The young woman, however, did not show up for her
ultrasound appointment. But the next day, she turned
up unannounced at the pro-life office.

“She told me that she had had an abortion in the past
and was considering having another,” the staffer
explained. “This new baby was not her husband’s baby.
She had gotten pregnant by another man while separated
from her husband. The more details I heard about her
life, the stickier the situation seemed to be. I could
see that she was struggling a lot and seemed to think
that abortion would be the answer to her situation.”

She wanted to know how far along the pregnancy was so
she could “take care of it soon enough.” That enabled
the staff member to talk about fetal development —
that there was already a living human being there from
the moment of conception.

“After hearing about the baby’s life inside the womb,
she expressed sorrow and said she had murdered her last
child. She wondered how God could ever accept her into
heaven since she had broken this commandment to not
murder, and we talked about the gracious gift of
salvation that God offers through Jesus.”

This time, the woman accepted the free ultrasound offer
and was able to see the image of her child. She thanked
the pro-life staff for their help and said she would be
talking to her boyfriend about the decision.

“We are praying for her,” said the staff member, “that
she will not ignore what she now knows about abortion
— and about her baby — and that she will choose life.”

Please keep this woman and her child in your prayers.

Day 27 - March 19

Intention:

We pray for the gift of openness to children.

Scripture:

God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth."

-- Genesis 1:27-28

Reflection:

God's intention is that we multiply and fill the earth.

One of the most pernicious lies that sociologists have foisted off on the public is that the earth is becoming overpopulated. What kind of a sadistic god would create the earth and human creatures on it, only to have them literally reproduce themselves into oblivion? The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our divine Creator, has commanded us to multiply and fill the earth and far from letting the population get out of control, He has, in fact given his human creatures a dominical role over all the lesser creatures. The "birth control" movement, which had its beginnings with Margaret Sanger in the early years of the last century, has led, in many parts of the world, to a birthrate that is drastically below the normal replacement rate.

God's Word assures us that children are a blessing, that they are a reward of faithfully trusting and serving God and that they are the crown of their parents' old age. The spread of the contraception mentality that has so permeated our culture is, undoubtedly, a factor in the ready acceptance of abortion. God's commandment to multiply and fill the earth has never been withdrawn. May He help us to accept the gift of children and give him thanks for every baby who is born into the world.

Prayer:

Father of mercy and grace, we thank you for the gift of our children. Grant that every fiber of our being may rejoice when a new baby, our own or any else's, is born into the world. Help us to welcome them as we would welcome you, for whenever a new baby is conceived, another life to bear your image and another voice to praise and worship you, is beginning. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

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

In Psalm 126, we read: "The Lord has done great things
for us, and we are filled with joy." When we go to
pray in front of abortion facilities, we go with joy.

Today we look at the fruit of offering joy in a place
of despair -- and praise God that thus far during this
40 Days for Life campaign, we are aware of at least ...

... 352 babies who have been saved from abortion!

Here are just a few of the great reports of the Lord's
victories.

------------------------------------------------------
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
------------------------------------------------------

40 Days for Life vigil participants watched as a car
pulled up to the abortion center. A woman got out --
while a man and three small children waited in the
parking lot.

A volunteer went to see if the man would speak to her.
He did -- telling her it would just be too difficult
to have a fourth child.

A counselor told him of the help available and how
abortion is not a solution for his wife. She told
him that he had three beautiful gifts from God in
the back seat ... and God was giving them another
beautiful gift -- the baby his wife was carrying.

After a while, the woman came out in tears. There
would be no abortion. She then returned to the
abortion center and got her money back.

"What courage they had," the volunteer said. "What a
wonderful God we serve!"

For a picture of the vigil in Nashville, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2983

------------------------------------------------------
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS
------------------------------------------------------

A young couple had been parked down the street for
more than half an hour. But all of a sudden, they got
out of the car and made a dash for the abortion center.

One of the prayer volunteers tried to speak to them.
"The girl looked confused -- and the boyfriend was set
on her going in. I called out to her and she turned
and smiled at me." She said to the young woman, "You
do not need to go through this. You should make the
decision. After all you're the one who is pregnant."

They went inside -- and later stormed back out. "She
evidently had second thoughts and came to discuss them
with the boyfriend," the volunteer said. "He took her
back into the clinic. They came out again and the girl
looked happy. The boyfriend drove out recklessly and
screeched all the car tires."

Please pray for this young couple -- and their child.

------------------------------------------------------
FORT WAYNE, INDIANA
------------------------------------------------------

One of the women praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil
in Fort Wayne was able to speak to a woman outside the
abortion center.

"I asked her if she wanted a free ultrasound and she
seemed a little confused," the volunteer said.

She explained that if they went to the pregnancy care
center next door to the abortion center, she could
have the ultrasound right away -- and it would be free.
If she went to the abortion facility, they would only
set up an appointment for another day -- but expect
her to pay $100 right now.

She agreed to go to the pro-life center. After the
woman saw the ultrasound image, she decided to keep
her baby.

"She has three children already and was panicked at
the reality of the fourth child," said the volunteer.
"I can’t help but think about how close those three
children came to never knowing the sibling that was
spared! It's hard to fathom how many people may be
completely unaware of a sibling who was never given
the right to live."

To see a photo of the Fort Wayne vigil, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2983

Day 28 - March 20

Intention:

Pray that those standing in peaceful vigil will extend mercy and grace to others as they remember that Christ did not treat us as our sins deserve.

Scripture:

You have heard it was said, 'you shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.

-- Matthew 5: 43-44

Reflection:

Perhaps it is obvious by now that not everyone thinks this campaign is a great idea! In fact, those on the front lines standing in peaceful vigil are perhaps being cursed and hated for what God has called you to do. Because we are all fallen creatures, our natural response may not be as Christ-like as we would hope it would be.

So, how do we keep our natural response in check, while allowing the Holy Spirit to empower us to love, bless, do good, and pray for those who hate us or would do us harm?

Consider first the Holiness of God. It seems that sin has clouded our ability to think clearly about God's nature. We simply don't have a clue of how outraged God is by our sin, what an insult sin is to His person, or how sin fires the flames of His wrath. Praise God that He didn't leave us in our depravity destined for His divine wrath!

Ephesians 2:4-5 says, "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in sin, made us alive together with Christ; by grace you have been saved."

Because of God's mercy and grace towards us, we who receive Him receive eternal Hope. Those who curse you, hate you, spitefully mistreat you and persecute you need that same Hope. That is the only way we can ever expect them to behave differently. Ask the Holy Spirit to love them -- through you -- so they are drawn to the Hope that is in you, that is Christ Jesus.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, may we reflect your character of grace and kindness to those who hate us and curse us. Guard our hearts and our tongues as we respond in love to words and actions meant to rile us or cause us harm. Let others see the Hope that is Christ in all we say and do. In His precious name we pray, amen.

Carmen Pate
40 Days for Life board of directors

Christ said those who follow Him could face persecution.
And He was certainly right about that.

Whether it’s “pledge a picketer” efforts, media
misrepresentations — or something altogether novel —
we’re pretty much seeing it all during this campaign.
The abortion business does not like 40 Days for Life.

What to do about it? Just keep praying! This is, after
all, a spiritual battle. Here are a couple of stories
about campaigns under attack. Please keep ALL of the
258 campaigns in your prayers.

LONDON, ENGLAND

The London 40 Days for Life coordinator, Robert
Colquhoun, said, “We have been totally harangued by
the media with lies and intimidation.”

Indeed, the campaign has been in the middle of a media
firestorm. Newspapers have published stories about
40 Days for Life participants “harassing” women
outside the abortion center where the London vigil
is taking place. Of course, there was no such behavior
in evidence.

Vigil participants were also accused of taking pictures
of women entering the facility. Also not true — they
had cameras to record the people who were directing
their anger at the people praying.

One newspaper had a headline with the word “intimidation”
in it — right above a photo of three people quietly
praying, with their eyes cast down at the pavement. The
photo spoke louder than the abortion center staff’s
trumped-up accusations.

Robert appeared on BBC radio’s morning news along with
Ann Furedi, the CEO of BPAS, which is England’s largest
abortion chain.

Robert fielded a barrage of loaded questions from the
interviewer with an air of calm confidence and outlined
the 40 Days for Life mission — and the necessity of a
peaceful prayer presence outside the abortion facility.

An estimated 4 million listeners heard the interview.

For a link to the BBC radio story, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2994

NEW ABORTION CENTER TACTIC

We’ve received reports from several locations that
suggest the abortion centers are trying something
new in their efforts to get 40 Days for Life prayer
vigil participants to go home: fertilizer. And lots
of it.

The idea, apparently, is to spread the stuff along
the public right-of-way and generate a foul odor in
the area where people are praying. In at least one
of the locations, the sidewalk itself has been
covered in awful-smelling fertilizer. A staff member
said they’re just maintaining their landscaping.

Of course, fertilizer does help things grow. What’s
growing on the concrete outside the abortion centers?
The vigil!

“We have dedicated vigil people who will not let this
keep them away from the vigil,” said one of the local
leaders confronted with this tactic. “If they think
this will make us go away, they are very wrong.”

“It did not deter us at all,” reports the coordinator
of another campaign, “and now God has sent the rain
for hours, which washed away the smell.”

TORONTO, ONTARIO

Need a bit of positive encouragement? Then take two
minutes to go watch a short video of the midpoint
event for 40 Days for Life in Toronto and recall the
words of Isaiah: “Here am I; send me.”

To see the video from Toronto, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2994

Day 29 - March 21

Intention:

We pray for the grace to be strong when others ridicule or oppose us.

Scripture:

Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

--Luke 14:27

Reflection:

To stand up for what is right means we stand against what is wrong, and that means that those who love what is wrong will oppose us, just as they opposed Christ. Taking up the cross means we continue speaking and standing for the right even when that opposition comes.

We experience this, in particular, when we are out on the streets, where people are not expecting the pro-life message and where they did not go to hear it.

We must remember to never take the opposition personally. When people ridicule or yell at us, we might get a guilty feeling or be tempted to think we did something wrong. We did not. The insults are not being hurled at us personally, but rather at the truth of what we are standing for, and at the demands of the moral law.

There are many who are trying to run away from those demands, or who have managed to tuck the abortion problem away into a distant corner of their minds where it can no longer disturb them. By standing publicly for the cause of life, we have short-circuited that denial and frustrated those efforts to ignore the issue. Therefore, some will be angry, perhaps not fully realizing why.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the grace of being pro-life, and of standing strong when others may ridicule or oppose me. During this 40 Day campaign, may your peace fill my soul, especially when I may endure the opposition of others, and may I become more like your crucified and risen Son. Amen.

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

A few days ago I mentioned that this is the time
during the 40 Days for Life campaign where we see
abortion workers’ hearts begin to change ...

... and now we know of employees who are leaving the
abortion industry.

In fact, there have been FIVE of them!

I can’t disclose the campaigns — I’m told there are
others who are also considering leaving, and any
publicity could only add to the pressure these people
are currently facing.

One abortion worker met prayer volunteers at the
40 Days for Life vigil outside and said with a smile:
“This is my last day in this hell hole!”

It is not a cliche to say that ending abortion is
about hearts and minds — it’s a reality. Praise God
for these victories ... and keep praying for all
abortion center workers.

BABIES SAVED!

Here’s another story where for privacy reasons, I
can’t give you the location. But we know of a woman
who visited an abortion center to set up an appointment.
40 Days for Life volunteers in the public right-of-way
outside prayed for her as she walked into the building.

Inside the abortion facility, she was given an
ultrasound exam. When a staff member saw the image,
she suggested that the woman NOT have an abortion.

Yes, that’s right. The person who performed the exam
recommended AGAINST an abortion ... because the
ultrasound clearly showed TWINS.

The mother’s next stop was a pro-life pregnancy center.
She still needs prayer — the twins’ father remains
set on abortion. And of course, please pray for that
employee as well.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND

The 40 Days for Life team in Birmingham marked the
middle of the campaign with a Walk for Life through
the streets of the city.

“It was the first time such an event had ever been
organised in this city and we were overjoyed by the
response we received,” said Aline in Birmingham.
“There was a crowd of about a hundred people, some of
whom came from a distance to witness to life in a town
which hosts two abortion centres, one of which is one
of the biggest in Europe.”

The day started with rain, a temperature around
freezing — and heavier rain in the forecast. “As we
always do when things are beyond our control, we left
it all in God’s hands and once again, the sun broke out
just a couple of minutes before we set off,” she said.

Shoppers were amazed at the sight of people walking,
praying, singing hymns. Many people took pictures. And,
Aline said, “there was no sign of hostility.”

The event ended with two minutes of silence in memory
of the 7 million children aborted since Britain
legalized abortion in 1967.

“Finally, as if to show us that the sunshine was all of
God’s making, the rain poured down on us afterwards and
there were even hailstones.” All in all, Aline said,
“what we saw was very encouraging.”

For photos of the Birmingham campaign in England, please
go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3010

Day 30 - March 22

Intention:

Let us pray that pastors may not be distracted from the priority of caring for human lives.

Scripture:

Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

-- Acts 6:1

Reflection:

More folks learning left some yearning.

It is the dawning of a new day. There is much excitement in Jerusalem. Many who dedicated themselves to the faith became disciples (the word disciple means "learner"). The unprecedented church growth was miraculous and undoubtedly brought much satisfaction to the new leadership. The apostles, however, were about to experience growing pains in their master plan of evangelism.

Projects that engage the community, especially those that are evangelistic in nature, are high on the list of priorities for every duty-bound pastor. Church attendance is a constant concern for every pastor and often his or her worth is measured by it. Unfortunately, just as the original twelve pastors in Acts, they can be so focused on getting people in that they inadvertently end up pushing some people out.

Murmuring is a deplorable deterrent to a harmonious fellowship, yet God used it to get the disciples attention. Those that needed daily attention due to their age and social status were being neglected. This neglect of the Hellenist widows during the daily distribution of food was causing undue grief and needed to be corrected by the leadership. By God's grace the problem was dealt with, but the lesson remains.

And during these 40 days, let us pray that today's church not make the same mistake of forgetting the contributions of our seniors, or the needs of the weakest among us, the unborn.

Prayer:

Father, in the Church's desire to engage our communities with the gospel let her not disengage from those who need their care and company the most. Let us gain wisdom from those who have gone before us and cherish their experiences and perspectives. Help us to appreciate every soul in the body of Christ and minister properly to everybody. Amen.

Rev. Clenard Childress
LEARN (Life Education and Resource Network)

Great news!

Here’s Shawn Carney for today.

The largest spring 40 Days for Life campaign yet is
having a HUGE impact. Yesterday, I mentioned the five
abortion workers who’ve left their jobs. But while
some employees are experiencing conversions, others
are getting frustrated.

The abortion industry doesn’t want YOU on the sidewalk
— you represent the only REAL choice.

Reports from local leaders make it clear that for
those who run the abortion business, there is only
one acceptable choice once a woman enters their
building. Here’s one sad example.

ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

A young man, who was waiting outside Planned Parenthood
for his girlfriend, approached the 40 Days for Life
prayer vigil. He said his girlfriend was four months
pregnant but didn’t want the baby because the pregnancy
was the result of rape.

“After talking with us he was very impressed and
touched and wanted to get back to his girlfriend to
convince her to keep the baby,” said Alejandra in Orange
County. “Frustrated, he came out as Planned Parenthood
didn’t allow him to have access to her.”

He said that he couldn’t even call her. When they
arrived, the Planned Parenthood staff took her phone
and gave it to him. “Clearly,” Alejandra said,
“Planned Parenthood doesn’t want the women to have
any contact with the outside while they are inside
having an abortion.”

She said it was a very sad morning, as they later saw
the “waste removal” truck entering the Planned
Parenthood facility to take away the aborted babies.

To see photos of the Orange County vigil, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3020

RENO, NEVADA

As part of its community outreach, the 40 Days for
Life team in Reno hosts a Life Chain to draw attention
to both the seriousness of the abortion problem in the
area and the local vigil outside the abortion center.

“We had approximately 60 people present, standing on
both sides of South Virginia Street,” said Carol Marie
in Reno. “We had passing cars and buses give thumbs-up
and honks of support — as well as the occasional
dissenting passerby. There were participants from at
least seven different churches.”

For photos of the Reno event, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3020

CINCINNATI, OHIO

Theresa in Cincinnati wanted to thank a group of eighth
grade students from St. Nicholas in Sunman, Indiana —
about 45 miles away — who were able to join the 40 Days
for Life vigil.

“Bless them for coming the distance and all who’ve show
support from the Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky area during
this 40 Days for Life campaign,” she said. “Let us
continue to gather in prayer, fasting and community
outreach to bring the love of Christ to those in need!”

To see a picture of this group at the Cincinnati vigil,
please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3020

Day 31 - March 23

Intention:

Pray for opportunities to share with an abortion-minded woman that the newness of life she is seeking is found only in Christ.

Scripture:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.

-- 2 Corinthians 5:17

Reflection:

An unexpected pregnancy is perceived by many young women as the end of their life as they know it. News of an unexpected pregnancy pulls the rug from under her well laid plans. Sadly, these women may choose abortion as a matter of self-preservation, believing that an abortion will help return life to normal and give them opportunity to start anew.

They don't see abortion as killing a child, but rather as saving their own life. Of course, abortion will not bring the newness of life they are seeking, but instead will bring death to their child, lifelong regret, and unexpected -- possibly devastating -- consequences to their own life. But abortion will be the choice made if we don't meet them at the crossroad between life and death with a better way.

Almost without exception, these young women are looking for love, acceptance, and to be valued. In their efforts to have those needs met, they have become promiscuous. Most, if honest, will admit the needs were only met momentarily, if at all, during their brief encounter, and afterward the needs returned unmet.

The truth is, only Christ loves them unconditionally with an everlasting love. Only Christ will accept them as they are, and only Christ sees them for their true value in Him. He has a perfect plan for each woman and her child if only she will allow Christ to transform her life as she surrenders to Him. No, an unexpected pregnancy is not the end of life, but rather can be the beginning of two beautiful lives if God's plan for them is given opportunity to unfold.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, you give us a new song, a new purpose, a new direction, a new perspective. You remind us that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Christ came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. Give us boldness to share this Good News with those who are at the crossroads and may they choose life for their children and enjoy newness of life in You. Because of Christ we pray, amen.

Carmen Pate
40 Days for Life board of directors

How close is your nearest 40 days for Life campaign?

Even with a springtime record 258 cities taking part,
many people are traveling far — really far — to pray
at the peaceful vigil. But for so many dedicated
faithful the need is great, the urgency is high ... and
the journey is but a small obstacle.

This first story comes from Canada, where some people
are really going the extra mile — well, kilometer. For
these volunteers, the trip from home to the vigil site
takes upwards of FOUR hours!

As we enter the home stretch of this campaign, be
encouraged by these efforts and challenge yourself
before this campaign ends — it may help save a life!

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA

“The prayer vigil in Vancouver, BC is really taking
off,” said Peter, the local coordinator. “We’ve had
groups coming out all the way from Powell River —
that’s over 170 km away (about 105 miles) and you need
two ferries to get here. And they’re coming out again!”

Students from Christ the King Seminary in Mission,
British Columbia came to pray on a rainy day and
stayed for four hours. A Benedictine priest also
brought students from another seminary that same day.

Peter also said a visit from Canadian Martyrs Catholic
Church was reported by a prominent Chinese language
newspaper, the Sing Tao Daily.

He provided a translation of the article, part of
which noted that the volunteers “braved the cold
weather to participate in the 40 Days for Life prayer
campaign outside the BC Women’s Hospital, catching
the attention of passing drivers and earning honks
in support.”

To see photos of the Vancouver vigil — and an image
from the Chinese language newspaper’s online report —
please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3036

SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN

Patricia writes that it was a very quiet morning at
the 40 Days for Life vigil in Southfield. Only staff
cars were in the abortion center’s parking lot when a
taxi quickly pulled up into the driveway.

She found it curious that the car stopped near the
street and didn’t go all the way into the lot. But
it soon became clear what was happening — the taxi
driver had just stopped to pray.

“He got out of his door looked at the building for
about a minute, blessed himself and turned to look at
us. We waved. He waved back,” Patricia said.

The driver then walked over to the vigil participants
and said, “What they do in this place is very bad.
I can’t stay because I am working.”

“We had a little discussion with him sharing some
personal things,” she said. His final comment was
about the gift and blessing of fertility. “You should
not kill someone because you are healthy.”

CLEVELAND, OHIO

Marge in Cleveland shared the story of a young woman
who approached the abortion facility in Cleveland where
a 40 Days for Life vigil is in progress. She stopped to
talk to the people praying, telling them she was
pregnant and was there to have an abortion.

“I told her there were many places she could receive
help,” said Marge. “She was struggling because she
already had a 4-month-old child.” She quickly accepted
a list of places where she and her children could find
assistance.

“She went back and sat in her car for some time,”
Marge said. “All the while, I prayed for her that God
would change her mind.”

After a time, she started the car, headed towards the
exit — and gave Marge a great big smile as she said
she had decided not to have the abortion. “A saved
baby!” Marge said. “All the glory to God!”

Day 32 - March 24

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)

Some inspiring stories and great pictures today ...
from 40 Days for Life campaigns from Miami to Manassas
to Montreal!

MIAMI / PEMBROKE PINES, FLORIDA

Our 40 Days for Life national director, David Bereit,
just visited two South Florida campaigns — one in
Miami and the other in Broward County, where the
Pembroke Pines site is a first-time 40 Days for Life
location.

At the two vigil sites, he shared words of encouragement
with participants and prayed with volunteers.

Both sites have had consistent vigil coverage at all
hours — despite the heat and humidity — thanks to the
dedicated local leadership and the faithfulness of many
volunteers.

To see photos of David’s visits to the South Florida
vigils, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3045

MANASSAS, VIRGINIA

Bishop Paul Loverde of the Arlington, Virginia Catholic
diocese has a regular pro-life outreach. Once a month,
he offers a respect life Mass ... then goes to pray
outside one of the abortion centers in his diocese.

Last week, he visited All Saints Church in Manassas,
then traveled to the 40 Days for Life vigil site for
prayer. Said Mike in Manassas, “300 people came to
pray with us!”

To see what 300 people at a 40 Days for Life vigil
site looks like, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3045

MONTREAL, QUEBEC

The 40 Days for Life vigil in Montreal seems to have
struck a nerve. Brian in Montreal said about two dozen
university students showed up, “banner and noise-makers
in hand ... parking themselves directly in front of our
banner. They stayed nearly three hours, spending this
time chanting and enjoying the support from pro-choice
motorists.”

As they left, he said, “they swarmed our banner,
plastering it with stickers. Fortunately, there wasn’t
any damage.”

A couple of hours later a mother, with her 18-month-old,
arrived with a homemade pro-choice sign. On another
occasion, a young woman asked whether they knew their
presence was intimidating to women. Said Brian, “I
wondered if our visitor had seen the sign at our prayer
site offering free help to pregnant women.”

Brian says there have been cold, windy days — but the
spirits of the prayer volunteers are never dampened.
Many travel from afar to spend hours in prayer.

“Also, the site is drawing diverse prayer groups,” he
said. “The vigil is a magnet for individuals who
otherwise do not see one another. For example, over the
weekend, persons from different faith communities
converged to pray and share fellowship.”

To see some photos from the vigil in Montreal, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3045

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

Prayer vigil participants pretty much had the abortion
center’s staff and clientele outnumbered on a Saturday
morning. Around 30 people were there praying ...
representing more than a dozen local churches.

Trudy in Jacksonville says that pro-life turnout is
fairly typical for a Saturday. She sent photos of some
of the people standing on the sidewalk — with a
mostly-empty parking lot behind them.

To see the pictures from the Jacksonville vigil, please
go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3045

Day 33 - March 25

Intention:

As we pray for the end of abortion, let us pray for the expansion of the pregnancy help center movement worldwide.

Scripture:

The dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne.

-- Revelation 12:4-5

Reflection:

You don't need to be a theological scholar to get the essential point of Revelation 12. Something BIG is afoot. It has something to do with the birth of Christ and the children of God.

It involves a war in heaven, with powers and principalities beyond our expertise. But the battles are fought here on earth.

The crux of the matter centers around the babe of Bethlehem and the cross of Calvary.

It continues to unfold down through the ages, through us, the children of God, who put their faith in Christ and take up their cross and follow him.

We are waging a war of love against all things that destroy body and soul.

The intensity waxes and wanes, but like labor pains, they grow and culmi-nate in new life.

The unleashing of legal abortion nearly 40 years ago stirred up prayer (lamentation really). Many were then led to start pregnancy help centers and maternity homes.

Today there are over 3,000 such ministries that did not exist 40 years ago.

They reflect a movement of God on our watch: Christians driven to give their time and charity to end abortion one woman at a time.

Let's pray this movement expands worldwide. Let's pray for thousands more Christians to start, serve and support pregnancy help centers.

Prayer:

O God, from generation to generation, you have called your people to be the very aroma of life amidst a culture of death. Now it is our turn. Prepare me. Send me. Use me. I am eager to do my part. Stir your people everywhere to take up this great work.

Rev. John Ensor
Vice President, Heartbeat International

Much attention in a 40 Days for Life campaign is on
the mother and her unborn child — and saving the life
of the baby scheduled to be aborted.

But each of those children also has a father — someone
who is legally in no man’s land. He has no rights —
and often no influence.

Steve, the 40 Days for Life coordinator in Glendale,
California, tells the story of one such man — a guy
he refers to as “Bill.”

GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA

“Our ‘Women DO Regret Abortion’ and ‘Men Regret Lost
Fatherhood’ signs were out as we prayed for all those
affected by abortion,” Steve said, as Bill — a man
in his early 40s — walked by, pushing a young girl
in a stroller.

“What you do here — does it work?” he asked. “Yes,”
Steve responded. “We pray for the women, the babies
and the abortion workers and sometimes they change
their minds.”

“My wife, she had an abortion here last Friday,”
Bill said.

Steve was a bit stunned. “I am so sorry for your
loss,” he said. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m okay,” Bill said. “I just don’t understand.
Why did she do it?”

His wife was having problems with morning sickness, but
Bill kept telling her in a couple more weeks it would
be okay. “Now, my wife is sad and says that she regrets
that she did it.”

Steve and another man encouraged Bill to seek post-
abortive counseling for him, his wife and perhaps
marriage counseling together.

“We provided him contact information to several local
organizations that would help him start the healing
process and to deal with all the emotions he now had
and that he would have as the shock wore off and the
realization set in that he and his entire family would
have to deal with something that has forever changed
his family.”

“Could God forgive us of this?” Bill asked tentatively.

“Yes, he can!” Steve answered. “There is no sin God
cannot forgive.”

In reflecting on this conversation, Steve said, “I am
routinely amazed by how God uses the 40 Days for Life
ministry as a means for healing to all those affected
by the horror of abortion.”

Still, he said, “I can only imagine that path that
Bill will travel now; asking for an answer to ‘Why did
she do it?’ when there is no answer. How does he deal
with his wife’s actions, coupled with her regret, while
processing his own grief and loss?

“How does he deal with the fact that his wife’s family
was counseling her to get the abortion against her
husband’s wishes? How does he someday tell his beautiful
daughter that she was going to have a little brother or
sister, but her mommy decided to get an abortion and by
law, he couldn’t stop her?”

Steve knows there are no human answers. “I do know
where Bill can find the answers,” he said, “and they
are in Christ Jesus, the great redeemer and healer of
our souls. He is the only one that can help Bill
forgive himself, his wife, his family and cause
healing to occur.”

Steve said he is “left with the resolve that there
is so much more work to be done to end the horror of
abortion. To you, my brothers and sisters in Christ,
I call on you to join me as an active participant on
the front lines ... we need you!”

There is still time for action. Find a 40 Days for
Life location near you at:

http://40daysforlife.com/location

... and get involved!

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