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We have gotten a lot of emails asking, “What kind of
impact is the 40 Days for Life book having?”

Most importantly, the feedback has been very moving
from everyone — from those who’ve had abortions ...
to volunteers ... to people who had never before
heard of 40 Days for Life and are now getting involved
in a pro-life activity for the first time.

A recent report from Amazon.com displayed YOUR
enthusiasm for the new book. It’s currently listed
as top-rated in five categories…

* Christian Living: #2
* Christianity: #2
* Religion & Spirituality: #3
* Non-fiction: #4
* ALL Kindle e-books: #5

The success of the book continues to inspire hearts
and send a strong message to the abortion industry.
To build upon this momentum, you can do a few things:

1. Participate in your local campaign
2. Get the book from major book outlets or at:
http://40daysforlife.com/book
3. Call your local bookstores and ask them to
carry the book

The book reveals what can happen through prayer when
there is both hope and mercy in the most unexpected
places –- the sidewalks outside abortion facilities.

Today’s devotional focuses on mercy ... as do these
stories from the sidewalk.

FORT COLLNS, COLORADO

“What do you get out of this?”

The question, from a young man smoking a cigarette
outside the Planned Parenthood building, was directed
at the volunteers who offered him an information card.

“We do not get anything,” replied Scott, one of the
volunteers. “We are here to help you.”

So the man told his story. He has a two-year-old
daughter ... but his wife was inside for an abortion.
“Everyone should have a choice,” the man insisted —
throughout all nine months of pregnancy.

As the two men continued to talk, the young father said,
“I have seen other protesters, but you are different.”

The man finally took the card Scott had offered him —
it includes information about post-abortive help.

“When his wife came over to get him,” said Linda in
Fort Collins, “her eyes revealed the pain in her soul.
It is this pain that we so much pray to prevent from
happening.”

ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA

Paula shared some thoughts after arriving back home
after prayer in front of Planned Parenthood.

“The temperature says 12 degrees, but it feels like
-3,” she said. “Cold fingers, cold nose, cold toes
— but nothing is as cold and numb as what is
happening behind closed doors.”

More babies died. More women were permanently
scarred. “And the world seemingly, unknowingly,
continues on ... rushing by in traffic, shopping,
eating, exercising and working right in close
proximity to the destruction.”

Paula said it breaks her heart to see the women’s
faces when they come out of those doors — changed
forever. “Lord, I pray they find healing someday,”
she said. “When will this destruction of life come
to an end?”

CANTON, OHIO

“Sometimes I get frustrated and wonder why I go to
Planned Parenthood,” said Linda in Canton. “It is
like, what have I accomplished? Then God, in His
great wisdom, gives me a clue.”

Linda was praying with two other volunteers when one
began telling a personal story about an abortion
experience. “We could see the pain in their eyes,”
she said. “Although many years have passed, the pain
was still there, the loss remained.”

Linda had just been praying — and trying to keep her
feet warm. “And then a person shared a part of their
past — and I was there to reach out and hug a fellow
pro-lifer in need of understanding.”

She felt that God put the three of them there together
that day to fulfill His plan. “What is God’s plan for
you this week?”

Georgette Forney, Anglicans for Life

Intention:

May those who hold life as trivial realize

that we live because God wills it so.

Scripture:

Who among all these does not know

that the hand of the Lord has done this,

in His hand is the life of every creature

and the breath of all mankind.

— Job 12:9-10

Reflection:

Job was a man acquainted with grief,

trials and tribulation. He had everything

taken from him, including his

family. He endured sickness, ridicule

and judgment from his friends.

Everyone gave him advice about his

situation, questioning his spirituality

and his God. Job’s circumstances were

bad but he never loses faith. Why? Because

“the hand of the Lord has made

all life.” Created by God, he knows his

life has meaning and purpose, regardless

of the circumstances.

In our present culture, we’ve lost that

basic truth; every life is made and allowed

to live by God’s sovereign authority.

As people who pride ourselves

on our independence, we have a hard

time acknowledging our dependence

on God.

From our creation, when we were knit

together in our mother’s womb to our

last breath, God’s word is clear that “in

His hand is the life of every creature

and the breath of all mankind.”

It’s time for us as individuals, and as a

society, to recognize that we exist by

God’s grace and turn back to Him, honoring

His word and His teachings.

Why? Because our world is full of Jobs,

people who are dealing with trials and

tribulations and hurting desperately.

Job’s response should be ours as well.

Regardless of what we face (even an

unplanned pregnancy) God in His wisdom

and mercy will redeem it.

How do I know? Job’s friends who

doubted God’s sovereignty cry out to

God asking for help, God instructs Job

to pray for his friends and after he

does, God restores all that Job had lost.

In other words, because Job never lost

faith and knew and trusted His Creator,

the Lord blessed Job.

Prayer:

Thank you Father God for being the

Creator of my life and every life. Please

give me, and the society in which I live,

an appreciation for your gift of life.

Please help us set aside our pride and

acknowledge that we need you.

Show me how I can honor you today in

response to all the blessings you bestow

freely. In the name of Jesus, amen.