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.

Day 34 - March 26

Intention:

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

Scripture:

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

-- Isaiah 1:16-17

Reflection:

God is just.

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

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

Prayer:

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

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

Here we are -- the final Monday of this 40 Days for
Life campaign. And the stories of God's miracles keep
rolling in!

In the first 33 days of prayer and fasting, there
have been ...

... 496 babies saved from abortion -- that we know of!

Here are just a few stories from the sidewalk.

------------------------------------------------------
INSIDE STORIES
------------------------------------------------------

You may remember a story last week about an abortion
center employee advising a young woman not to have an
abortion after her ultrasound showed pictures of twins.

Well -- a campaign director in another location wrote
me to say the SAME THING happened there!

It's not the first time this employee has suggested
that a client visit the local pro-life pregnancy
center. "We're trying to pray her out of the abortion
business," the director said.

That's at least TWO SETS OF TWINS saved by ultrasound.

BUT WAIT! It gets better!

Keep in mind that abortion facilities usually have a
policy: DO NOT let the client see the ultrasound. Once
they see a baby rather than a "fetus" or "blob of
tissue," they’re much more likely to choose life. And
it's not just a baby they see -- it's THEIR baby.

We then heard another story of an employee who showed
a young woman her ultrasound image. She took one look
and headed for the door.

"Abortion?" she said. "NO WAY!" ...

... because the ultrasound image showed ...

... QUADRUPLETS!

Praise God -- times four!

------------------------------------------------------
MODESTO, CALIFORNIA
------------------------------------------------------

A volunteer at the 40 Days for Life vigil outside the
abortion center in Modesto struck up a conversation
with a man on the sidewalk, showing him a model of
what the child in the womb looks like at 12 weeks.

Never, he said, had anyone in his family ever had
anything to do with an abortion -- until that day. He
told her he had driven his son and his girlfriend to
the abortion center to schedule the abortion of his
grandson. The three left shortly afterward, and
returned the next day.

This time, another volunteer approached the man and
showed him an image from the brochure -- the child in
the womb at 16 weeks. That "really seemed to change
his mind," said the volunteer. "When he saw how
developed his 17-week-old was, his eyes sort of bugged
and he immediately rushed back into the abortion center
to try and stop the abortion."

Later on, the first volunteer saw the three of them
driving out of the parking lot. They rolled down
their window and told her they had changed their mind!

------------------------------------------------------
SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN
------------------------------------------------------

A young man pulled off the road to talk to vigil
participants at 40 Days for Life in Southfield. "He
was beaming as only a proud new father can," said Mike.

This father of a newborn wanted to thank one of the
prayer volunteers for talking him and his wife out of
having an abortion during last fall's 40 Days for Life.

"I'm struck with awe and humility to be part of this
wonderful vigil for life," Mike said.

Day 35 - March 27

Intention:

Pray that all believers participating in 40 Days for Life will make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3).

Scripture:

And the glory which You gave Me, I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

-- John 17:22-23

Reflection:

Christ prayed that all those who would believe in Him would be united in single purpose and spirit, just as He and the Father were united.

I find it convicting to consider that those who would run to Jesus with their sins, seeking forgiveness, and falling in love with the Savior, often run from Christians today. Is it because they see division and dissension instead of unity and peace?

No doubt Christ is pleased to see the body unified and praying together during these 40 days. This is exactly what we see when we read about the beginnings of the church. Both the unity and the prayer are conspicuous, along with the results of unified prayer.

Acts 2:46-47 tells us, "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."

No doubt the enemy is disheartened to see the unity in prayer, fasting and peaceful vigil, and he will continuously try to disrupt the bond of peace among brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us guard our hearts and minds, exhibiting the love of Christ that He so graciously gives us, so that those watching will see the love among us and know that He must love them too!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, give us grace in every situation to work toward unity. With humility, gentleness, and patience, may we endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There are hurting men and women Lord at the crossroads of life and death who are looking for love and peace in their lives. May they see Christ in us and be drawn to the abundant life that only He can give. It is in Christ's precious name that we pray, Amen.

Carmen Pate
40 Days for Life board of directors

As I’ve traveled during this 40 Days for Life campaign,
there is one constant factor: unity.

Just two nights ago, I spoke at an event in New Jersey
and an Evangelical pastor came up afterwards, smiling.
“I’m sure glad the Reformation has not stopped us from
working together to end abortion,” he said.

This event had Catholics, Protestants and Evangelicals
in attendance, and his comment reflected the unity that
the pro-life movement should be proud of.

This unity is a gift — and the abortion industry sees
it as a threat. We’re seeing the evidence at 258 vigil
locations. Here are just a few examples.

FORT COLLINS, COLORADO

Linda in Fort Collins says a class from Holy Family
Church comes to pray at the vigil every Saturday
morning. As they were concluding their prayer hour,
a couple came in from Greeley, a town about 30 miles
away. The couple only spoke Spanish, but a few of the
kids were able to talk to them.

The woman was told to visit Planned Parenthood because
there was some sort of complication with her pregnancy
and that she could die if she had the baby.

One of the student’s parents arrived and picked up the
conversation, telling the couple that Planned
Parenthood does abortions — and it would be much better
for them if they scheduled an ultrasound through the
pro-life pregnancy resource center, where there would
be no pressure to abort the baby.

A prayer volunteer gave them additional information
about all the help that’s available locally.

“The couple left,” Linda said. “Praise God!”

To see a picture of a youth group praying at the Fort
Collins vigil, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3089

JACKSONVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

Speaking of youth groups at 40 Days for Life vigils ...
Elizabeth in Jacksonville sent a photo of the girls’
soccer team from Jacksonville Christian Academy in
prayer outside the abortion center. That’s just
excellent — young people sending a message of hope to
other young people — so we’re really glad to see that.

“They came out to the vigil Thursday afternoon in place
of their practice time,” Elizabeth said. Their coach
“reported very positive responses from those who passed
by.” The team spent over an hour praying in the public
right-of-way.

To see the picture of the school group in Jacksonville,
please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3089

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA

The Planned Parenthood facility in Cedar Rapids does
not currently do surgical or RU-486 abortions. But the
40 Days for Life volunteers praying on the sidewalk
outside know they’re making a difference.

“The response from people driving by has been very
positive lately,” said Jim in Cedar Rapids, “and we’ve
seen some success.”

When volunteers talk to clients about the things
Planned Parenthood does in other places, they start
to think about getting routine health services from
somewhere other than America’s leading abortion chain.

They’re also able to give information about local
pro-life resources to women who go there for
pregnancy tests.

They also heard from a teenager who had an appointment
to remove a contraceptive implant. “She said she would
rather be abstinent and not return as a client,” Jim
said. “How often do you hear that from a teen that’s
used Planned Parenthood’s services for several years?”

Jim said with continued prayer, “we hope webcam (RU-486
distributed via the internet) and surgical abortions

Day 36 - March 28

Intention:

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

Scripture:

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

-- Psalm 104:27-30

Reflection:

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

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

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

Prayer:

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

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

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

Today we focus on people who are not famous — and
probably never will be.

Far away from the spotlights of our celebrity-driven
culture, they’re regular people, humbly doing the little
things — and often, doing them with enormous courage.

They’re the heart of 40 Days for Life ... and they
deserve a big THANK YOU ... ALL of you!

FORT WAYNE, INDIANA

I recently spoke at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Fort
Wayne — one of SEVEN campaigns in the Hoosier state.

At the vigil, a woman walked up ... gave me a hug ...
and shared that she had an abortion years ago. She
knew she needed healing when she got involved with
40 Days for Life in 2010.

“After coming out here and praying,” she said, “I got
connected to local post-abortion healing along with
the Silent No More awareness campaign. I shared my
story for the first time at the 40 Days for Life
vigil site.”

I told her, “Thank you for your courage.” It reminded
me that it was the powerful testimonies of women who’d
had abortions that had really drawn me into the
pro-life movement when I was in college.

To see a photo from my visit to the Fort Wayne vigil,
go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3096

SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA

Ginny in Santa Cruz is thankful for everyone who’s
been praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil — but she
noted a couple of people who go the extra mile.

One is Rae Ellen, whom she described as a real trouper.
Rae Ellen uses a wheel chair. “For the last three
years, she has come down almost every Saturday to pray
outside of Planned Parenthood. For all four of our
40 Days for Life campaigns, she has come down 5 or 6
days a week — even in the rain.”

Ginny also mentioned Bob, another volunteer who uses
a wheelchair. He’s a regular at the vigil outside
Planned Parenthood every Saturday. Bob has been a bit
under the weather of late, so “please pray for him,”
she said. “All the babies need this powerful prayer
warrior back again.”

To see a photo from the 40 Days for Life campaign in
Santa Cruz, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3096

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI

Kathy in Columbia sent a picture of students from
St. Joseph Cathedral School in Jefferson City who
visited the 40 Days for Life vigil. “The children
came to pray,” she said, “and pray they did!”

Kathy also mentioned a woman who had visited Planned
Parenthood more than a year ago. She wanted to have a
baby, and figured a place called “Planned Parenthood”
could help her. She told them she wanted to get
pregnant. They told her to come back when she did.

“Well,” Kathy said, “she still hasn’t gotten pregnant.
And when she went in this time, they told her they
don’t help with things like that. So we are still
trying to figure out what ‘Planned Parenthood’
actually means.”

To see the picture of the school group in Columbia,
please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3096

Day 37 - March 29

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

Just four days left in this campaign! I have HUGE news
today, but I must keep some details confidential.

THREE MORE abortion workers have QUIT THEIR JOBS!

That makes a total of EIGHT during this campaign ...

... and a total of 69 who’ve left the abortion industry
during 40 Days for Life campaigns since 2007!

Please keep these three people in your prayers as they
seek new employment and go through this transition in
their lives.

I also have good news from Virginia and some quick
stories of babies saved (including another set of
twins). Here are the reports from the front lines:

VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA

The Planned Parenthood abortion center in Virginia
Beach — where a 40 Days for Life vigil is in progress
outside — has cut its business hours. They’re now
open four fewer hours each week.

“Does this mean they are struggling financially?”
asked Marcia in Virginia Beach. “I do not have an
answer, but obviously they are not flourishing if
they are cutting back hours.”

Since this new location opened, abortions had been
scheduled on Tuesday mornings. But now they don’t
open til noon on Tuesdays. At first, it was believed
that abortions would just be scheduled later in the
day. But not so! They did no abortions Tuesday of
last week.

“This means one third of their usual abortion business
did not happen last week,” said Marcia. She checked
with someone who monitors all of the abortion centers
in the area, and abortion numbers were down everywhere.

“Is this the fruit of prayer and fasting?” Marcia asked.
“I believe that it is. Let’s go for a strong finish!”

To see some photos from the Virginia Beach vigil,
please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3101

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA

“There have been five more babies saved from abortion
in Charlotte since we last reported,” said Andrea.
“That makes a total of 46 for this campaign!”

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA

“Over the past week in Pensacola, those praying in
front of Pensacola’s last remaining abortion facility
witnessed five mothers choose life,” Ernie reported.
“Praise God for these blessings!”

MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY

“Five babies were saved last week in Montclair,”
Christine wrote, “bringing the 40 Days for Life
campaign total to date up to 16!”

SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN

“I just learned about three more turnarounds at the
Southfield 40 Days for Life site,” said Mike. “One of
them was a set of twins. Praise the Lord!”

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY

“Another mom carrying twins chose life for her baby on
Saturday,” said Jenny, “so two more from Louisville!
God is so good!”

Day 38 - March 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

have two stories to share today, both about the
results of praying in front of an abortion center
during the 40 Days for Life campaign. But first —
a special prayer request.

LONDON, ENGLAND

The London 40 Days for Life team will pray tonight
outside the BPAS abortion facility. BPAS is the
British equivalent of Planned Parenthood ... and they
are NOT happy about 40 Days for Life!

Bishop Alan Hopes and other clergy will lead an hour
of prayer for an increased respect for life in the UK.

It is certainly needed ...

... several facilities are under investigation for
doing illegal sex-selection abortions, and abortion
providers have just been granted permission to
advertise on television.

But vigil participants will not be alone. Pro-abortion
forces plan a “noisy” counter-demonstration.

Since 40 Days for Life began, BPAS has been rallying
the media and others to attack the London campaign at
an unprecedented level. One BPAS spokesman even told
the media there was “no moral justification” for Bishop
Hopes to get involved!

A pro-abortion advocate said, “Their protest (meaning
40 Days for Life) should be banned.”

The good news, of course, is that this shows the
campaign is working!

PLEASE keep the London campaign in your prayers,
especially during this event. The vigil (and the
counter-protest) begins at 7 pm London time. That’s
2 pm Eastern, 11 am Pacific in North America.

40 Days for Life’s national director, David Bereit,
and I visited England just before the start of the
campaign and met a dedicated group of prayerful
volunteers. Have you seen the video of that visit?
You can watch it by going to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3109

GERMANTOWN, MARYLAND

Andrew, the coordinator of the 40 Days for Life
campaign in Germantown, writes of women who have
decided against abortion — including one who found
out it would be a two-day procedure. “She left and
did not come back,” he said.

Infamous abortionist Leroy Carhart travels to
Germantown every week to perform late-term abortions.
But there have been two weeks during this campaign
that Carhart never arrived — meaning no abortions
for those weeks.

“God is continuing to answer our prayers,” Andrew said.
“We are making a difference. Germantown is continuing
to take notice of our constant presence. Please come
out and pray.”

For a picture of a candlelight vigil at the Germantown
site, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3109

STERLING HEIGHTS, MICHIGAN

Mary said she was about halfway through her prayer time
at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Sterling Heights when
a small car pulled up and parked. A young woman got out
and asked Mary if she knew Sue.

The woman explained that three years ago, she had met
Sue, who was praying in about that same spot.

The young woman had come for an abortion. She was
pregnant and she was about to be evicted from her home.
Quite simply, she didn’t know what to do. After talking
to Sue, however, “I had my baby — my son. Come see!
He’s in the car.”

“I met her beautiful, boisterous, all-boy, 3-year-old!”
Mary said. The young mom’s life is back on track. “She
said she’s doing well now, has her own place, and the
boy’s dad is active in his son’s life.”

Mary said this woman just wanted to tell everyone how
important this work and your prayers have been.

“Praise the Lord!” Mary said. “He always knows when I’m
getting a bit discouraged. I always read the stories on
the national 40 Days for Life site and think, ‘WOW!’
Well, today I had my WOW moment.”

To see some photos from the Sterling Heights vigil,
please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3109

Day 39 - March 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
40 Days for Life board of directors

I’ll get to the London update in just a bit!

Over these last 38 days, babies have been saved ...
abortion workers have had changes of heart and quit
their jobs ... and two abortion centers have closed
for good.

Guess what? YOU can still be part of it!

It’s not too late to pray at any of the 258 campaigns.
Saturday is usually the busiest day for abortions, so
know that your presence and you prayers are needed —
TODAY!

Please check for a location near you:

http://40daysforlife.com/location

... and, if possible, join the vigil.

LONDON, ENGLAND

Yesterday, I asked for prayers for the London campaign,
as they were holding a major evening vigil in front of
the abortion center — and they were told to expect a
pro-abortion counter-protest.

So here’s a quick update.

“The event was a massive success,” said Robert, the
40 Days for Life coordinator in London. “We had around
400 to 500 ... at least! A really positive vibe and
loads of media interest, too.”

The vigil participants prayed and sang hymns. Even the
media characterized the vigil as “peaceful.” A
pro-abortion group did show up — blowing whistles,
banging drums and chanting slogans. But they had no
apparent impact on the vigil.

Robert sent a picture of the people praying outside
the abortion center — this is one you REALLY want
to see! Please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3123

Now ... on to the rest of today’s report!

The heart that God impacts the most during a 40 Days
for Life can be your own — just read these stories
from the 40 Days for Life blog. For each of these
prayer volunteers, this is personal.

PRAYER VOLUNTEER #1:

“This Lent was my first experience with 40 Days for
Life. I was very nervous the first day I showed up to
pray with people I had never met. I asked myself who
or what am I afraid of. It was a very good question
to ask myself.

“As a post-abortive woman myself, it was a huge step
to take in honoring my son, who was lost to abortion
in 1976. I am very grateful to God that I was able
to stand there, hold my head up, and pray ... to at
last DO something productive on this issue.”

PRAYER VOLUNTEER #2:

“I am inspired to say, ‘Never to stop fighting for
life.’ I had my first abortion at age 14 and hardly
knew what it meant — then another through the
following years, still not understanding that it
was true lives being terminated.

“When a friend talked me out of a fourth at age 23,
it was the best thing me friend could have done. My
one and only son is now 18 and graduating high school.
It was the best decision I ever made.”

PRAYER VOLUNTEER #3:

“The devotional by Carmen Pate on Day 31 struck a
personal chord with me.

“I was one of those women seeking love and acceptance
wherever I could find it because I was living far away
from God. I, too, was faced with an unplanned pregnancy.

“I, too, wanted to ‘get rid of it’ (the pregnancy)
because it felt like it was the end of my life as I
knew it. It was a devastating feeling at the time.

“My doctor had the good sense to order an ultrasound at
four weeks, where I saw a tiny human heart — a beating
and alive heart. I knew in that moment that I couldn’t
stop that heartbeat. I got the sense that I had a duty
to protect the tiny person growing inside me.

“My daughter is now 13. She has been such a blessing in
my life. So, yes, my unplanned pregnancy was the end of
my life as I knew it. And I thank God daily for that.

“God bless all of you for your dedication and devotion
to preserving life and to loving and praying for the
unborn children and their mothers.”

Day 40 - April 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

We made it!

Day 40 reminds me of Augustine’s famous advice: “Pray
as though everything depends on God; work as though
everything depends on you.”

You have done just that. We’ve seen faithful
volunteers in 258 cities pray, fast, do community
outreach and hold peaceful vigils in front of 258
of the most hopeless places in our world.

Your prayers have brought one thing in particular to
the public right-of-way ... HOPE.

Hope is what the abortion industry is afraid of. Hope
is what makes women scheduled to have abortions turn
around. Hope is what leads abortion workers out of
that industry. Hope is what transforms our world.

It is amazing what can happen when you go to the
sidewalks and let the love of Christ be present in
places that thrive on hopelessness.

This could not be done without your faith, courage
and selflessness.

Let me be the first to say thank you for your efforts
these past 40 days. Your prayers sent a clear message.
Here’s a great example from this campaign.

AUBURN HILLS, MICHIGAN

When Seth Peters heard that Planned Parenthood was
planning a 17,000 square foot abortion center in
Auburn Hills, “minutes away from my parents’ house,
where I had been lovingly raised and where I still
call home, I was heartbroken and angry.”

He signed up to bring a 40 Days for Life vigil to the
proposed location — joining other community voices
speaking out against the abortion chain’s plans. He
received support from many local sources.

Adjacent property owners had previously filed suit,
noting that deed restrictions would not permit an
abortion facility there. Planned Parenthood may be
tied up in court — but not about to give up.

“Planned Parenthood is hungry for this site,” Seth
said, noting that it sits near a low-income
neighborhood, a college campus and a wealthy suburb
— all prime targets for abortion.

He pushed ahead with vigil plans, even though a number
of people didn’t see the need for prayer at a place
where abortions are not currently taking place. “That
is unfortunate,” he said, “because it’s a bit like
waiting until the hurricane hits before you board up
your windows.”

Planned Parenthood got tired of waiting. They bought
an empty medical building in nearby Ferndale and plan
to open an office there tomorrow. That facility will
not offer abortions, but will refer women to other
locations that do.

“You can see how effective prayerful vigilance has
been thus far in keeping Planned Parenthood at bay
in Auburn Hills,” Seth said. “The fact that they have
shifted to Ferndale can be considered a victory.”

At the very least, he said, “this campaign was about
planting seeds and praying that abortion will end at
this Auburn Hills location before it ever has a chance
to begin.”

Clearly, there’s a lot of work to be done ... and a lot
of praying to be done. But I know that with God’s help,
we are witnessing the beginning of the end of abortion.

Day 41 - April 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 is "Day 41." We take time now to look back at the
blessings God has provided during the 40 Days for Life
campaign that just ended, of course. But just as
importantly, we also look to the future.

For this campaign, we have received reports of ...

... 668 babies spared from abortion -- that we know of!

Many of the local campaigns are still compiling reports,
so it's highly likely that this number will increase as
the national team receives more of their updates.

Praise God!

------------------------------------------------------
RENO, NEVADA
------------------------------------------------------

Cyndy had the opportunity to talk with a couple on the
sidewalk outside the abortion center in Reno. The wife
had been told that she needed an abortion because she
and the child could die if she continued the pregnancy.

"Cyndy gave them our resource list," said Carol Marie
in Reno, "and thank God, they used it." They were
referred to the emergency room. "The following day,
rather than returning to the abortion site, they
visited the local pregnancy center for life-affirming
help," Carol Marie said. "Praise God!"

------------------------------------------------------
DUBLIN, IRELAND
------------------------------------------------------

Abortion is not legal in Ireland -- but there are
agencies that encourage women to travel to England
to abort their babies.

Carolyn in Dublin says the vigil "is so far successful,
thank God." They are able to refer women for pro-life
assistance -- and away from abortion.

"We have confirmation of one baby saved," she said,
"and we are in regular contact with the couple."

------------------------------------------------------
POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK
------------------------------------------------------

As Rich was praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil in
Poughkeepsie, he noticed a red SUV enter the Planned
Parenthood parking lot. One of the volunteers walked
over to talk -- and to offer some information, which
the driver accepted.

The car then parked close to the entrance, and the
prayer team could see if was a mother and her two
teenage daughters. After a while, Rich said, "The
mother came over to us and told us that her daughter
was NOT going to have the abortion. She was very
strong on that."

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

Mary in Little Rock says a couple from Memphis came
for an abortion on the advice of four doctors, who
all said the baby would die and possibly the mother.

The volunteers told them there were other options to
consider. The woman was referred to a pro-life ob/gyn
who specializes in high-risk pregnancies. "Against all
odds," Mary said, "their baby continues to live. She
is 7 months along ... we are praying for a miracle."

God has granted many miracles in this campaign. We
can always join in praying for one more!

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