Welcome to 40 Days for Life: September 26

40 Days for Life opens September 26 in 316 locations

It's official! This 40 Days for Life campaign will be a record-setter! The campaign, from September 26 - November 4, will be the largest and longest internationally coordinated pro-life mobilization in history ... and you can help save lives by getting involved TODAY!

Here's a quick rundown:

316 locations -- the most ever!
49 US states -- plus Washington, DC
7 Canadian provinces
Australia, England, Spain and -- for the first time -- Uganda
Many NEW cities ... 46 first-time campaigns

The full list of locations for the 40 Days for Life campaign has just been posted. Click on the site that is closest to where you live. You will be redirected to the web page for that local 40 Days for Life campaign. On that local web page, sign up with your name and e-mail address to get involved and help save lives!

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.

Here’s today’s update from Shawn Carney:

I’m fresh from a visit with a wonderful group of
volunteers at the 40 Days for Life vigil in St. Paul,
Minnesota — and I’ve got great news today.

One of our main prayers during these 40 days is that
children scheduled for abortion will be spared through
prayer, fasting and God’s love being shown in the
public right-of-way outside the abortion centers.

On the very first day of the campaign, God has already
answered those prayers — and shown again that your
peaceful efforts are worth it.

I hope you’re encouraged by these early blessings
from a diverse group of locations — England, Texas
and Oregon.

LONDON, ENGLAND

There are THREE 40 Days for Life locations in the
greater London area, and God has ALREADY provided a
huge blessing at the vigil site on Whitfield Street,
where volunteers are praying outside a Marie Stopes
abortion center.

Stuart got a call from the Good Counsel Network with
the news. One of the counselors at the vigil site had
spoken to a young woman, who became convinced that
abortion was the wrong answer.

The woman, he said, “is a foreign national, so as well
as offering her help, we will put her in contact with
other mothers from her country we have helped before.”

Stuart is asking volunteers to pray each of these
40 days that an abortion center in England will close
its doors forever.

He also sent a photo of the 40 Days for Life vigil,
taken around 12:15 am on Day 1. To see the picture,
go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3273

DALLAS, TEXAS

Close to 250 faithful gathered at a city park across
the street from the Dallas late-term abortion facility
where the 40 Days for Life vigil is taking place.
Kickoff rally participants signed up for vigil hours
while visiting with local pro-life ministries at
tables set up throughout the park.

The rally began with praise and worship, followed by
remarks from area pastors. Dave Sterrett, who serves
on the 40 Days for Life board of directors, gave the
keynote talk.

“A couple of special messages resounded throughout the
evening,” said Lauren Muzyka of the 40 Days for Life
national team. “Speakers highlighted the special role
that men play in defending the gift of life, as well
as the hope we have in God — that He is big enough to
conquer and end the evil of abortion in our land.”

To see a picture of the Dallas event, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3273

KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON

Diane said it was a beautiful day for the kickoff of
Klamath Falls’ first 40 Days for Life campaign — but
a tad windy, perhaps, as campaign literature “wanted
to take flight.”

The group gathered on the steps of the Government
Center, with a number of churches, a pro-life
pregnancy center and Oregon Right to Life represented.

“We started with music and speakers at the Government
Center, then walked around the building and across
the street to the vigil site for a brief talk,” she
said. “We closed with a group prayer for the vigil
and sang Amazing Grace.”

For a photo of the Klamath Falls event, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3273

Day 3 - September 28

Intention:

We pray for God's gift of strength as we strive to protect human life during these 40 Days for Life.

Scripture:

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

-- Matthew 6:25-26

Reflection:

Billions of dollars are spent each year on diet plans. But Jesus tells us to stop worrying so much about our bodies, and instead to trust in God's care for our physical needs.

What would happen if the people who had started on a low-carb diet this year had instead gone on a diet of heavenly food? For non-believers that diet would include trusting in Christ for their salvation, and for believers it would include a renewed prayer life, a new Bible study, or even a spiritual fast. This diet doesn't include giving up on certain kinds of foods. What this diet includes is giving up on anxiety by resting in the loving arms of Christ, trusting that He will provide.

Such a spiritual diet also frees us from our worries, and allows us to freely praise Him and serve others. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

This promised provision teaches us the inestimable worth of our lives. He will not allow us to go without. This intimate knowledge and care for human life on the part of our gracious God is what motivates us to seek for the preservation of human life in all its stages.

Prayer:

Loving heavenly Father, help us to see the worth of all human beings by the way in which you provide for us. We would ask that you provide also the faith, grace and courage to enable us to protect that which is so precious to you. Through Christ our Lord, amen.

Dennis DiMauro
Lutherans for Life

Today’s email:

I’m just back from speaking to a HUGE crowd at the
40 Days for Life kickoff in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Their vigil moved to a new site for 2012 — a
Planned Parenthood location. That’s because last
year, the site where the volunteers had been praying
previously STOPPED DOING ABORTIONS!

In this short video report, local leader Brian Gibson
outlines 40 Days for Life’s focus on prayer for SEVEN
campaigns ... and Regions Hospital’s decision to get
out of the abortion business.

To watch this encouraging video, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3285

DOVER, DELAWARE

The kickoff events I attend may draw hundreds, but
the vigils themselves usually see just a few people
at a time. Passersby may shrug and say, “There’s not
much to it, is there?”

But as you know ... there’s more going on than
meets the eye!

“Small but mighty” is the subject line on a picture
the Dover team e-mailed me. It shows a few people at
the peaceful vigil on public grounds outside Planned
Parenthood during Dover’s ninth 40 Days for Life
campaign.

As Jesus told us in Matthew 18:20, “Where two or
three are gathered together in my name, there am I
in their midst.”

To see the picture from the Dover campaign, please
go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3285

FINLAND

Even if by chance you are outside the abortion center
by yourself, you are certainly not alone. There are
others also standing vigil, at every hour of each of
these 40 days, at some place around the world

“Here in Finland, we don’t have 40 Days for Life yet,”
wrote someone only identified as Foreigner, “but at
least one person is praying over the daily devotionals
with you and following your blog.”

Foreigner describes a country where any sort of
physical punishment for children is forbidden. “But
abortion (most before 12 weeks by drugs) is seen as
something so normal that there aren’t even done in
separate abortion facilities, but in every hospital,
even in maternity wards, in every health center, by
almost every doctor and nurse.”

Foreigner held her own one-person candlelight prayer
vigil outside a hospital on Day 1 as two women came
out. One was wearing a nightgown and robe. An abortion
patient, Foreigner wondered? If so, “I hope and pray
God will help them see what they have done, so they
can be saved and healed, and save others from making
the horrible ‘choice.’”

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA

The abortion center in Fort Lauderdale was closed on
Wednesday — it may have been because of Yom Kippur,
the Jewish holy day known as the Day of Atonement. “But
we made an impact as we stood and prayed,” said John.

One driver saw their signs, stopped and called out
through her open window. She wanted to know if
abortion was okay in cases of incest. John’s wife
had a 20-minute conversation with her and made some
headway in explaining why abortion is always wrong.

“Standing and praying at the abortion center brings
the buried issue of abortion to the surface,” John
said, “and that can lead to changed minds — and
changed hearts.”

If you haven’t joined the vigil yet, he added, please
do so! Here’s the link to the list of locations:

http://40daysforlife.com/location

To see a photo from the 40 Days for Life vigil in
Fort Lauderdale, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3285

‘See, I have already begun!’: God doing great things through 40 Days for Life

by Natalie N. Farber

Fri Sep 28, 2012 11:14 EST
Comments (1)
Tags: 40 days for life, abortion, planned parenthood

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. Isaiah 43:19

Natalie Farber

September 28, 2012 (Bound4Life.com) - I stood there holding a candle and singing 1,000 Reasons with the voices of men and women whose faces I see every spring and every fall. It is always such an honor to stand alongside these faithful ones and many new voices that are joining in for the very first time. 40 Days for Life has begun in our city again and my heart is filled with a hope that God is about to do something new through our prayers. He always does.

Yesterday, as we stood together worshipping and praying, Isaiah 43:19 kept swimming through my mind. God is about to do something new in our midst. Jesus is about to reach out to hundreds of thousands across the world in His passionate love for the gift of Life. People will be healed, rescued, and loved through the prayers that will sweep through our country and beyond.

40 Days for Life began in 2007 and there have been ten synchronized campaigns since then. It has mobilized people of Faith in 440 cities across the United States and Canada, also cities in Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Belize, Denmark, England, Georgia, Germany, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Poland, Puerto Rico and Spain. But this fall, 40 Days for Life is much different than the other campaigns. This will be the largest 40 Days for Life campaign we have ever had in 316 locations with more than 40 brand-new cities, including Kampala, Uganda.

Five years ago, when 40 Days for Life was first born as a national effort, God placed this campaign in 89 cities. In these first five years, this prayer effort for Life has now reached an overall total of 440 cities. I am going to say it, again: God is in our midst and He is doing something new. Do you see it, yet? He is making a pathway through the hurt and the death-ridden. He is creating refreshment in the places of destruction.

God has marked this campaign with millions of miracles sung and unsung. Here is just one that will move your heart for praying for the abortion workers. The very first place where 40 Days for Life began was a Planned Parenthood in College Station, Texas where former director of this same abortion center, Abby Johnson, received new hope from 40 Days for Life participants. She received help when she decided what she was working for was wrong and wanted out. You can read her full article in the National Catholic Register here.

The most moving principle of 40 Days for Life for me is that it is established and sustained by the prayer of the people. The most vulnerable place to be for me is in the place of prayer. It is a display of submission and an effort of letting go of control and asking the God of Heaven to intercede and fight for us. It is one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen…driving up day after day to the same sidewalk in front of our city abortion clinic and seeing God’s people gather to pray in love and in persistence for the mothers, the fathers, the babies, and the workers inside to all live abundantly. We are all praying for something so much bigger than ourselves—to set the captives free so that they may live.

You can be a voice of prayer, too. I encourage anyone who has never prayed outside of their home or church for the ending of abortion to join the others praying on the sidewalks. A witness makes a difference as I was taught last night as a post-abortive mother told her testimony reiterating that there was no one standing as a witness that day she went to have her abortion. She says she often wonders if she would have changed her mind had there been someone there standing on the sidewalk and praying for her. I want the Church to be standing as a witness outside of these places where our people need us the most. You can see this full list of locations for the 40 Days for Life campaign so you can be a voice of prayer and a witness in your city. Once you find your nearby city, you can get involved immediately.

Lastly, here are some statistics from 40 Days for Life website where you to see just what God has been doing through the prayers of 40 Days for Life. A black and white picture of what He has done can be seen and mildly measured but what is to come in this new season will be a new thing….much greater and much more powerful than the latter. I invite you to come alongside us.

During these 5 years, these are the countless blessings from God:

1,894 individual campaigns have taken place in 440 cities
More than 525,000 have joined together in an historic display of unity to pray and fast for an end to abortion
More than 15,000 church congregations have participated in the 40 Days for Life campaigns
Reports document 5,928 lives that have been spared from abortion — and those are just the ones we know about
69 abortion workers have quit their jobs and walked away from the abortion industry
24 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 2,100 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

Reprinted with permission from Bound4Life.com

Day 4 - September 29

Intention:

We ask God that we may understand the concept of justice, as a gift he gives and as a responsibility that shapes our work.

Scripture:

Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!

-- Amos 5:24

Reflection:

Justice, a key theme of the Scriptures, is something God does and that we too must do.

When God intervenes to save his people when they are helpless and in slavery in Egypt, he "does justice." He manifested his justice in the plagues that were sent upon Egypt, whereby Pharaoh was convinced that he must let the people go. Justice is manifested as, in awe and wonder, God's people see the Red Sea open before them, allow them to pass without even getting their feet wet, and then close again to drown their powerful enemies.

God is a God of Justice; he rescues us when we cannot save ourselves. His justice, above all, is seen in Jesus Christ, who, when we could not save ourselves, rescued us from the kingdom of sin, Satan, death, and hell. The mighty work of Christ on the cross and in the resurrection is the perfect manifestation of God as the God of justice.

We, then, are to be the people of justice; we are to "do justice" by intervening to save the helpless in the name and by the power of the God who saves us who are helpless ourselves. That's why we have a pro-life movement; that's why we have a 40 Days for Life Campaign; that's why saving the unborn is our business.

Prayer:

God of Justice, you heard the cry of your people when they were being oppressed in Egypt, and you proved yourself to be the God of justice, who rescues the helpless. You likewise rescued us from the kingdom of darkness, and brought us into the Kingdom of your Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who saves us from the power of Satan, sin, death, and hell. Make us people of justice, ready to intervene to save the helpless. Indeed, as your prophets have announced, let justice roll on like a mighty river, to save all who are in need, especially the unborn. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life

Today’s email from Shawn Carney:

The media.

Yes, I know a lot of people shudder when they hear
those words. At the national level, there is often
disdain for Christianity and everything Christians
do. At the local level, however, it’s often a much
different story.

40 Days for Life campaigns are finding local news
organizations are willing to listen ... and our
local leaders have done a great job during this
first week of the campaign to take full advantage.

Even when the the media doesn’t agree with us,
they’re still providing a huge platform and enabling
local leaders to spread the word about 40 Days for
Life throughout the communities they serve.

See for yourself!

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN

Green Bay was part of the first 40 Days for Life
campaign five years ago, and is now participating
for the ninth time. Among the local media covering
the opening day event was the Fox affiliate.

One of the local team members told the reporter, “We
decided the best thing to do is just surround the
buildings with prayer, with our prayer for those who
are involved with abortion, those who are considering
abortion, and hopefully to change their hearts and
minds through a peaceful prayer vigil.”

The reporter asked for comment from the abortion
facility’s staff, but no one wanted to talk.

For a link to the WLUK-TV coverage of the Green Bay
vigil, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3299

MILTON KEYNES, ENGLAND

Milton Keynes is about 45 miles northwest of London.
The city is taking part in its first 40 Days for Life
campaign, praying near a BPAS abortion facility. BPAS
is one of the main abortion providers in Great Britain.

Local director Andy Burton recently had an opportunity
to spread the word about the campaign on BBC Three
Counties Radio. While he was able to talk about the
vigil, the need for prayer and the nature of the BPAS
abortion business, the host was intent on interrupting
him and questioning him repeatedly about “hard case”
scenarios such as rape and incest.

It was not an especially friendly interview. But more
people in the area now know about 40 Days for Life.

To hear a 5-minute segment please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3299

SAGINAW, MICHIGAN

This is the fourth 40 Days for Life effort in Saginaw.
The opening day of this campaign saw a number of people
come out to pray — including Bishop Joseph Cistone of
the local Catholic diocese.

A news team from the local CBS affiliate was there to
report on the vigil — and to interview Bishop Cistone.

“We believe in the power of God so we are interceding
that God will do His work among our people,” he said,
“that there would be an end to abortion and we would
have a deeper respect for life at all its stages from
conception to natural death.”

As for the “other side” of the story, here again, no
one from the abortion center would go on camera.

For a link to the report from WNEM-TV, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3299

Day 5 - September 30

Intention:

May the truth of the final judgment shape our thoughts, priorities, and choices here on earth.

Scripture:

The King will answer and say to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me."

-- Matthew 25:31-46

Reflection:

Caring for others is not optional.

Jesus' picture of the final judgment concludes with this sobering word: the wicked, who failed to care for others in their various needs (e.g., the hungry, the thirsty, the aliens, the naked, the sick, the imprisoned) will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous who did seek to meet those needs will end up with him, enjoying eternal life.

We know that this was no parable! Jesus has given us fair warning! Everything in God's Word points to the truth that compassionate concern and practical care for all people, especially for the poor, the destitute, the weak and needy is required of us, if indeed we hope to escape the punishment of the fire of hell.

And who are the poor and needy, if not helpless, unborn babies, as well as the aged and infirm at the other end of life? Surely the "least of these" embraces not only those at both ends of the continuum of life, but all others in between. Just how we, as Christ's true followers, respond to his admonition "inasmuch as you did it to the least of these, you did it to me" will determine whether we enjoy eternal bliss in his presence or the bleak and dreadful reality of eternal punishment in hell. Nothing in God's Word could be clearer!

Prayer:

Gracious and merciful Father, we gladly embrace your Word that counsels us to care for the least of your children, and we renew our dedication to defending the unborn and all whose right to life is compromised by our godless society's selfish lack of concern. Free us from our own failures and sins so that we will be truly pro-life in every area of our lives. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Rev. Ben Sheldon
President Emeritus, Presbyterians Pro-Life

Today’s email from Shawn Carney:

Abortions on a Sunday?

Even on the Lord’s Day, there are abortionists open
for business. As hard as that may seem to believe,
it’s true.

Your prayers are needed so women don’t make a mistake
that will cost their babies their lives — and will
perhaps affect them in ways they can’t even imagine
for years to come.

But even for those who have made that mistake, there
is eternal hope. Here are a couple of stories of hurt
... and healing.

UNEXPECTED CALL

I’m going to keep the location confidential for this
first story.

“I received a call from a woman telling me she had
gotten information about our campaign from a local
church,” a local leader said, “and she wanted to know
if she could help. Her voice was a little broken, as
she explained to me that people just don’t realize
how they might feel later.”

The caller went on to say that women who think
abortion is the answer just don’t realize that years
later, they’ll be wondering about the baby — what
they would have looked like, what they might have
gone on to do. They also don’t realize that God will
hold them accountable for what they’ve done.

“As she was saying these things, and trying to speak
clearly, she was sobbing between her words,” the
leader said. “I could hear the pain in her voice.”

Finally, the 40 Days for Life volunteer asked her,
“Ma’am, did you have an abortion?”

In tears, the caller answered, “No, but my daughter
did. She was 15 at the time and I was going through
a divorce. She was so young. We thought it was the
best thing.” She considered herself responsible.

The woman was quickly told that the Lord is always
ready to forgive and Rachel’s Vineyard, for instance,
offers retreats for healing after abortion. She was
also told about the pro-life pregnancy help center
and the services it offers.

The woman expressed relief and gratitude.

“40 Days for Life is about so much more than what we
may originally think,” the leader said. “I did not
expect that call. It was totally heart-wrenching. I
have been so blessed to be part of this — to see the
power of God working and to be part of helping
someone to heal in some small way. Please know ...
you are making a difference!”

AUSTIN, TEXAS

The grandmother in the first story wanted to do
whatever she could to convince others to avoid the
path she took.

So did a woman Texas, who brought her message to the
sidewalk in front of an abortion center in south
Austin. She stood and prayed, holding a sign that
reads, “I regret my abortion.”

As she prayed, two women drove up to the building.
One of them appeared to be quite upset. The two looked
at the woman praying ... glanced at the sign ... and
walked inside.

But they weren’t inside long. After a very short stay,
they left the building, got into their car and drove
towards the exit, stopping at the sidewalk where one
of them took information about community resources.

She looked at the volunteer and said, “I can’t do it.
I just can’t do it. Thank you very much!”

One woman’s simple, prayerful presence was all it took.

Day 6 - October 1

Intention:

That knowing the shortness of life, all may value it more deeply.

Scripture:

Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the well. Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.

-- Ecclesiastes 12:6-7

Reflection:

God is giver of all life. Short lived or long lived, human lives are lived out in this world. The metaphors for death are many. But their meaning is clear and singular: all will die. Even so, death is not the absolute end. It is not the end of the story. For as certainly as God gave life, at death the life or spirit that God gave returns to God.

By God, we are created. For God, we live our given days. To God, we return at the end of our earthly days. And with God, we live through eternity. Clearly, all along the way, this gracious, loving God is with us. No human life is random or alone. No human life was created without purpose. Not one human life is without destiny.

All human lives, acknowledged or not, are related to God -- from beginning, to end, throughout eternity. Therefore, in this world, all human lives are to be respected and protected, for their lives are signs of God's sovereignty.

Prayer:

O God, we too often try to live in ways that ignore our coming death. We forget that our days are numbered by You, that at the end of our days your judgment awaits, that You are the Lord of our destiny.

Help us to repent daily, and then to live each day in joyful obedience. Lead us to live in the light and promise of eternity. Prepare us to live fully and sacrificially. Prepare us to die faithfully and hopefully, so that we might live forever with You. Through Jesus Christ, who has gone before us, we trust and hope and love and pray. Amen.

Rev. Paul Stallsworth
President, Lifewatch (United Methodist Church)

Monday email from Shawn Carney always has the babies saved number in it.

We always like to start Monday mornings with good news
... and on the first Monday of this campaign, there's
actually GREAT news!

So far since last Wednesday when the campaign started,
we have reports of ...

... 51 babies saved ...

... that we know of!

Here are just a few of the stories of God's blessings.

-----------------------------------------------------
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
-----------------------------------------------------

A woman driving out of the abortion facility's parking
lot stopped at the sidewalk and rolled down her window
and called out to the prayer volunteers. They were too
far away to understand what she was saying, so one of
the volunteers moved closer to see what message she
wanted to share.

She said she'd been forced to come schedule an abortion
-- although she never explained exactly what she meant,
or who was pressuring her. But when she arrived to make
the arrangements, she saw 40 Days for Life volunteers
in prayer -- and that made her realize she could not go
through with the abortion.

"She very proudly proclaimed that she was now going to
have the baby," the volunteer said, "and once again
thanked me for being out there praying for her. What
a beautiful start to our 40 Days for Life!"

-----------------------------------------------------
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
-----------------------------------------------------

Two volunteers were praying while Yassin handed out
information outside the abortion center. One young
woman took the information, but simply walked inside.

On her way out, however, Yassin had a second chance
to talk to her. "This time I gave her a fetal model
and I asked her what was going on."

She said she has a job but no health insurance, and
that having a baby would be expensive.

Yassin told her there were ways around financial
hardship -- there were pro-life clinics that could
provide free medical care, and other social services
that would help her and her baby.

"She said that she changed her mind," Yassin said.
"She went back inside and got her money back! Thank
you, Jesus!"

-----------------------------------------------------
PEORIA, ILLINOIS
-----------------------------------------------------

Karen watched as a car stopped at the driveway as it
was leaving the abortion facility. She noticed there
were three women inside.

She went to see what was happening ... knowing that
they had not been inside long enough for an abortion
to have taken place.

A woman in the front seat glanced at a companion in
the back seat and said, "She did not have the abortion.
She was afraid to go through with the procedure."

Karen's reaction? "Thank you, Lord!"

-----------------------------------------------------
BEAUMONT, TEXAS
-----------------------------------------------------

A couple from out of town parked down the street from
the abortion center and got out of their car. Their path
to the facility’s door took them right past the prayer
volunteers at the 40 Days for Life vigil.

The couple never made it inside.

After discussing their situation with the volunteers,
the young man and woman decided that they would keep
their baby ... and that they would get married soon.
They also set up an appointment the following day at
a pro-life clinic.

Said Eileen in Beaumont, "Praise Jesus for this miracle!"

Day 7 - October 2

Intention:

May we have a heart and a zeal to save the poor and release the oppressed.

Scripture:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.

-- Luke 4:18-19

Reflection:

This passage is a very familiar one. It has been preached on many occasions, even made popular in books and songs. Though the quote is about Jesus, all Christians take this commission seriously as a directive on how to reach the world with the gospel. We, like our Savior, are to bring the good news to the poor, the broken hearted, those in captivity, those who cannot see, and the oppressed.

The commission given to us in this passage is clearly a charge to care for those for whom God cares the most. I wonder though, whom do we look for to be touched by the Holy Spirit as we go out into the world?

Who are the poor, if not those unborn children who have been abandoned by their parents before they ever leave the womb? Who are the broken hearted, if not those unborn children whose only example of love is having their mother take them to an abortion clinic to be destroyed, or the mother of a child who has been deceived by everyone around her into believing that what she is doing is best for her and her child? Who are the captives, if not those unborn children who are bound over to death by the "choice" of abortion? Who is more blind than an unborn child in the darkness of a womb that has become a waiting room for their death? And who is more oppressed than those unborn children whose oppression has been legitimized by their government, their church and even their family and loved ones.

Prayer:

Lord, You empower us with Your Spirit to do your will in the earth. Send us to the poorest, the most broken, the most captive, the most blind and the most oppressed in the world, the innocent pre-born children in their mother's wombs that are scheduled for destruction. Help us to bring them healing, liberty, sight and justice through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Fr. Terry Gensemer
National Director, Charismatic Episcopal Church for Life

Shawn Carney’s email for today.

As the first full week of this 40 Days for Life
campaign comes to an end, we’ve already seen many
blessings ... and we expect God to send more. The
one question local campaign leaders are asking is:

Can YOU do more?

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

The 40 Days for Life team in St. Louis is expanding
their efforts this campaign, including for the first
time some overnight coverage for their peaceful vigil.

“The power of prayer lives outside of time and space,”
said Brian Westbrook, the local coordinator. “When we
are standing on the sidewalk praying at night, the
woman who is about to go to the abortion facility the
next day is staying up all night worried because she
feels she has no other choice but to abort.”

He added that prayers often help to comfort and
empower these women to carry their children to term.

“Abortion is a serious matter,” Brian said, “and we
are showing our community that we are willing to step
out of our comfort zone to stand up for the truth and
change our local culture to END abortion, not just
reduce it.”

To see a picture of some of the nighttime prayer
volunteers in St. Louis, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3337

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

Wynette in Sacramento tells me that Thursdays, Fridays
and Saturdays have always been very busy abortion days
at the location where 40 Days for Life vigils are held.
But she just found out last week that they are now
completely closed on Saturdays!

“Dozens of children have lost their lives each
Saturday at this location for years in our community,”
she said, “but due to reduced demand for abortion, an
attempt by the abortion business to cut costs, and the
loss of several key veteran abortion staff members,
the business is now closed on Saturdays, which is an
encouraging answer to prayer!”

Wynette also says she personally witnessed the answer
to other prayers. “I was present when a car pulled
over at the corner and the young woman said, ‘I
changed my mind and didn’t have my abortion!’
Praise God!”

To see photos of the 40 Days for Life vigil in
Sacramento, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3337

IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH

Finally, I’d like to share a story without giving
names or locations.

One of our local teams tells the story of a couple
who pledged their lives together “in sickness and
in health.” Now one of them has cancer.

For the next seven weeks, virtually coinciding with
40 Days for Life prayer campaign, they will be
traveling past the vigil site en route to the hospital
for chemo. They’ve decided that every day after the
cancer treatment, they will stop by the vigil site
to pray.

“They are not people who want adulations for what
they are doing,” said one local team member. “They
prefer anonymity. We are inspired by this couple —
and challenged to do more. Much more!”

Day 8 - October 3

Intention:

May the spirit and example of the Good Samaritan fill the hearts and minds of all our citizens.

Scripture:

Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So, too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

-- Luke 10:30-37

Reflection:

Here Jesus commands us to show mercy to the victims of the culture of violence and death.

But why did the priest and Levite fail to show mercy? Perhaps they feared that the robbers were hiding just around the next corner to attack them. They asked themselves, "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?"

The Samaritan, however, reversed the question, and asked, "If I don't stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"

In working to save the unborn, let's not worry about what will happen to us if we act; let's worry about what will happen to the unborn if we don't.

Prayer:

Father, we are moved by the lesson of the Good Samaritan, who allowed compassion to influence him more than fear. Give us the same heart. Grant that we may never count the cost of standing up and speaking out for the unborn. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life

Email for today:

Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion chain in the
United States, does a staggering 330,000 abortions
EVERY year. The abortion giant does this with more
than $480 million in YOUR tax money.

The first 40 Days for Life campaign was held in front
of a Planned Parenthood in College Station, Texas — a
campaign that led to 28% drop in local abortion numbers.
It’s no wonder that the president of Planned Parenthood
labeled College Station as “the most anti-choice place
in America.”

During the current 40 Days for Life campaign, 150 of
the 316 locations are outside Planned Parenthood
facilities. Whether Planned Parenthood operates in
your community or not, keep praying! Those prayers
are making a difference.

SPRING VALLEY, NEW YORK

Eileen in Spring Valley is encouraging prayer and
fasting for a Planned Parenthood-free community.

She’s already seeing signs that prayer is having a
direct impact. The local Planned Parenthood affiliate
has begun its “pledge-a-protester” program, asking
pro-abortion supporters to pledge money for each of
the “protesters” (that means the people like you
peacefully praying on the sidewalk).

The appeal is loaded with lies about vigil participants
and is nothing more than an attempt to keep the number
of prayer volunteers down. “Pledge-a-protester” is a
sure sign of desperation.

Eileen sent some photos of what’s really going on in
Spring Valley. There’s one picture of Pastor Floyd
Nicholson of Grace Point Fellowship Church leading
prayer, as well as a photo of praying during the vigil.

For pictures from the Spring Valley campaign, please
go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3340

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI

Kathy in Columbia put it in very simple terms for
40 Days for Life prayer volunteers: “All of you are
invited! Babies and moms are saved when people pray
on the sidewalk!”

The Planned Parenthood facility in Columbia has had a
couple of “escorts” on duty most of the time, but they
spend more time just chatting than anything else.

During the last campaign, there was even a lone
pro-abortion protester showed up almost every day.
But this time, she’s only put in one appearance.

Kathy was encouraged by a new volunteer, a man who
lives about a block and a half from the vigil site.
He prayed for three hours a day and has promised to
be there as much as he can.

“God continues to bless us on the sidewalk and we
thank all of those who have been able to pray,”
she said.

For a photo of the vigil in Columbia, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3340

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA

The 40 Days for Life vigil in Fort Myers is also
taking place in the public right-of-way outside a
Planned Parenthood abortion center.

The campaign began with a procession from a nearby
church to the vigil location. About 250 people took
part, including Bishop Frank Dewayne of the local
Catholic diocese. The event got media coverage from
two TV stations — but as has been the case in other
cities, Planned Parenthood declined to be interviewed.

The procession passed the Community Pregnancy Clinic,
a pro-life outreach that moved to this location within
the past year to address the many abortions taking
place at Planned Parenthood.

“This is our second campaign,” said Paula in Fort
Myers, “and we are so blessed by more and more hands,
feet and hearts to help us along the way.”

For a picture from the Fort Myers campaign, please
go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3340

Day 9 - October 4

Intention:

May we grow in joy, knowing we serve a living God.

Scripture:

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

-- John 1:14

Reflection:

The Word of God came to us in human form in Jesus Christ. Every time I contemplate this fact I get chills! And I think it is something that we, as Christians, tend to gloss over. I can only imagine how the first disciples felt when they were looking into the eyes of the one and only Almighty God who created them.

The first disciples developed a close relationship with Him as they daily walked and talked with Him. They ate with Him, prayed with Him and rested when He rested. As they listened to the Word of God, who was and is Jesus….they believed and "beheld His glory."

Today, this is something we can still do because we serve a living God. Remember, Jesus died on the cross but rose from the dead in victory! Jesus is every bit as real and alive for all of us as He was to the first disciples. He wants us to develop a close relationship with Him in the very same way. Jesus wants us to know Him personally. He wants us to walk with Him and talk with Him on a daily basis.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for your love and saving grace in Christ Jesus. Help us to realize every day the great blessing we have in our Savior. I pray that we will rise every morning with excitement and zeal, looking forward to walking another day in your footsteps fully knowing that you continue to dwell among us. Amen.

Day Gardner
President, National Black Pro-life Union

TExTING!

Read this great idea in Shawn’s email for today and make similar signs for your area!

Nothing is more powerful in saving lives than prayer
and fasting. But in addition to that, 40 Days for Life
campaigns are adding something else — texting!

Of the thousands of moms that have chosen life during
these campaigns, some have actually sent text messages
to the volunteers outside the abortion center, telling
them of their last-minute decisions to keep their
babies — and thanking them for being there.

I just got a note about how at least one 40 Days for
Life location is using text messaging BEFORE women
even enter the abortion facility to help save lives
... and frustrate Planned Parenthood.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

Many Planned Parenthood abortion centers force clients
to turn off their phones because the phones supposedly
interfere with their equipment. Eileen in Indianapolis
says it’s more likely that the phones interfere with
their business.

“Perhaps it’s because they might communicate with
someone,” Eileen said, “who might persuade them to
leave and not have an abortion.”

Prayer volunteers are now holding a sign next to
Planned Parenthood’s driveway that says, “Pregnant?
Confused? Txt choice” — and it shows a text number.
A woman who texts to that number will be put in touch
with a counselor.

There’s also a code on the sign that a smart phone
can read. The code leads to a web page that gives
information on contacting a counselor.

“Thank God for wonderful volunteers and creative ways
to continue our ministry,” Eileen said. “We are trying
to be as wise as a serpent and as gentle as a dove.”

EASTON, MARYLAND

Bobbie is helping to coordinate Easton’s first 40 Days
for Life campaign. Her efforts must be working. A
Planned Parenthood staffer came out to the sidewalk
to tell her to go home.

“I calmly explained what we were doing and that we
had permission to assemble through November 4,”
Bobbie said. The staff member insisted that they
don’t do abortions at that location.

“But, you do refer [for abortion] and we are praying
for you and the staff, the clients and babies,”
Bobbie responded. The woman said she needed no prayer
and marched off. “So I quietly prayed for her!”

The campaign hasn’t been easy. “We are struggling,”
she said, “but the benefits and results of the vigil
are amazing.”

HOUSTON, TEXAS

It was a rainy day in Houston, but the sidewalk
outside Planned Parenthood was filled with people
praying. The inconvenient weather did not deter them.
But it did seem to have a big impact on Planned
Parenthood’s escorts.

Around 8:30 that rainy morning, the escorts got in
their cars and left — and did not return. In fact,
the escorts just haven’t been around much — “the
first time in the twelve campaigns we have organized
in Houston that they have not opposed us with escorts,”
said a 40 Days for Life team member.

The Houston team also tells of a woman who talked to
volunteers after her Planned Parenthood appointment.
Her pregnancy test was positive. But after she told
the Planned Parenthood staff she wasn’t interested
in an abortion, she was told they couldn’t help her.

“That surprised her,” said a 40 Days for Life leader,
“but not us.”

One of the volunteers in Houston has posted a video
showing some of the people standing vigil outside the
Planned Parenthood building, which is one of the
largest abortion centers in North America.

To see the video, please go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3353

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