40 Days for Life -- March 3 through April 13 -- Pray to End Abortion

Scripture: Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper” he Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.” — Genesis 4:8-10

Reflection: After Cain committed the first murder in human history, God asked him, “Where is your brother” He replied y saying, “I don’t know.” In 1973, the Supreme Court was asked the same question, and gave the same answer. Unable to admit that the unborn children are our brothers and sisters, the Supreme Court said in its Roe v. Wade ruling, “We need not resolve the difficult question of when life begins.” Boil all that down to three words, and it’s, “I don’t know.”

he question, “Where is your brother” will be asked at the final judgment. Each person will answer it and be judged by it. May we be judged to have recognized and loved all our brothers and sisters, born and unborn. By participating in the 40 Days for Life, we have been answering that question each day, going to where our brothers and sisters are killed, and proclaiming that we have a responsibility to them. By all the pro-life work we will continue to do, we likewise answer that question which reaches from one end of human history to the other.

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

Great pictures today at the blog site.

I was in Charlotte, North Carolina last week and have amazing news from that city. But first, there is even better news

Already in this 40 Days for Life campaign, we’ve had reports of ...

… 321 babies that have been saved from abortion! Praise God for His mercy and love!

There are two reports today. One shows the power of a strong, consistent pro-life witness. The other shows the agony a woman goes through when it’s clear the “choice” to have an abortion is not her own.

Charlotte, North Carolina

John in Charlotte sent a quick note as a follow-up to my recent stop there: “46 saves! Praise God!”

It helps that a local pregnancy center parks its mobile ultrasound RV outside the abortion center – an impossible-to-ignore, positive resource that has encouraged so many women reject abortion.

I had a great visit with the Charlotte team, including Katherine and Andrea, the two women who first brought 40 Days for Life to the area … even before it became a national campaign (their story of courage and success is featured in the 40 Days for Life book).

The abortion center knows the combination of prayer and a determined, life-affirming witness on the sidewalk is hurting business. So their security guard is outside regularly, yelling at volunteers and turning up loud rap music on his car’s sound system in an attempt to silence the prayers.

I saw this for myself! But it isn’t working. Since March 5, it has failed on at least 46 occasions!

Brisbane, Australia

As Carrie, her friend Laura and their children prayed at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Brisbane, a drama played out before their eyes outside the Dr. Marie abortion facility.

“A young woman and her boyfriend were walking in and out of the front door for 10 minutes or so,” Carrie said. “The man kept trying to comfort the woman and hold her hand – and also lead her into the clinic.”

It certainly looked like the woman had no interest in going inside. So they turned away and sat in the garden for a while. Carrie and Laura smiled at them, prayed quietly, and kept watch with the children.

After a time, they walked towards the door again. The man walked up the steps, but the woman stopped, threw her bags down and started crying. She kept looking at the vigil participants’ faces … and the children. “We were just being there,” Carrie said.

They approached the door one more time and the woman still refused to go in again. This time, they left and did not return. The volunteers prayed that this woman would continue to be brave and refuse to abort her child.

“It was profound to be there, keeping watch,” Carrie said. “It is a very sad place to be in the world, but we were there — being light in a dark place.

Devotional for Day 27, March 31, 2014

Rev. Ben Sheldon, President Emeritus, Presbyterians for Life

Intention: We pray for the gift of openness to children.

Scripture: God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” — Genesis 1:27-28

Reflection: God’s intention is that we multiply and fill the earth. One of the most pernicious lies that sociologists have foisted off on the public is that the earth is be- coming overpopulated. What kind of a sadistic god would create the earth and human creatures on it, only to have them literally repro- duce themselves into oblivion? The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our divine Creator, has commanded us to multiply and fill the earth and far from letting the population get out of control, He has, in fact given his human creatures a dominical role over all the lesser creatures.

The “birth control” movement, which had its beginnings with Margaret Sang- er in the early years of the last century, has led, in many parts of the world, to a birthrate that is drastically below the normal replacement rate. God’s Word assures us that children are a blessing, that they are a reward of faithfully trusting and serving God and that they are the crown of their parents’ old age. The spread of the contraception men- tality that has so permeated our culture is, undoubtedly, a factor in the ready acceptance of abortion. God’s commandment to multiply and fill the earth has never been withdrawn. May He help us to accept the gift of children and give him thanks for every baby who is born into the world.

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

Take a look at the photos at the blog site.

40 Days for Life has shown that prayer and persistence can end abortion where you live. But sometimes, especially with less than two weeks to go in the campaign, you may feel like you're running on fumes.

Be encouraged by Steve Karlen, our North American outreach director!

Steve has traveled since Day 1 of this campaign and has shown no sign of wearing down. However, there was one late night when Steve's energy level was up ... but his car was running out of gas in zero degree weather.

Here’s Steve’s account of a couple of recent stops (and one close call) in Michigan and Illinois.

Marquette, Michigan

The weather was quite cold and there were still mountains of snow in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

I attended a great event in Marquette hosted by Water’s Edge Church, with pastors from three different churches speaking and leading prayer.

The leadership team took a leap of faith in bringing 40 Days for Life to Marquette for the first time, but volunteers have seen many blessings – filling vigil hours … and reaching out to people seeking healing from past abortions.

Planned Parenthood started doing chemical abortions here recently. But there's a strong Christian presence nearby. Care Clinic, a pro-life pregnancy center, is next door. Water’s Edge Church is right behind Planned Parenthood, and St. Michael Catholic Church is right across the street from Water’s Edge.

Care Clinic’s director said they were able to provide ultrasounds for women who were abortion-minded, and that the prayers of the 40 Days for Life vigil participants were definitely needed.

As I left Marquette, I made the mistake of not stopping for gasoline. A couple hours and no gas stations later, I had to call my wife. I was running on empty and the temperature was inching towards zero … and eventually dropped below. Fortunately, she got on the phone and found an open station for me before I got stranded!

Wood Dale, Illinois

Planes, trains and automobiles! The Wood Dale vigil site is just in the backyard of Chicago's O'Hare airport. Every few minutes, planes descended right overhead. That combined with a very busy street made it difficult to speak at times.

This 40 Days for Life vigil is in a high-visibility location for people driving by. And people riding the commuter train across street certainly see this prayerful witness every day on their way to and from their jobs.

A typical abortion day at this facility once included seven abortions, but the volunteers told me that in recent days that number has dropped to three. Or two. Or even just one.

“We have encountered people on the street who do not know that abortions are performed at the Advantage Healthcare Clinic,” said Sandy, the local coordinator. “We also had one gentleman congratulate us on the fine job we are doing to educate the public. It was a good day!”

Thanks again to Steve Karlen for today’s update.

Devotional for Day 29, April 2, 2014

Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life

Intention: We pray for the grace to be strong when others ridicule or oppose us. Scripture: Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. —Luke 14:27

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

We experience this, in particular, when we are out on the streets, where people are not expecting the pro-life message and where they did not go to hear it. We must remember to never take the opposition personally. When people ridicule or yell at us, we might get a guilty feeling or be tempted to think we did something wrong. We did not.

The insults are not being hurled at us personally, but rather at the truth of what we are standing for, and at the demands of the moral law.

There are many who are trying to run away from those demands, or who have managed to tuck the abortion problem away into a distant corner of their minds where it can no longer disturb them.

By standing publicly for the cause of life, we have short-circuited that denial and frustrated those efforts to ignore the issue. Therefore, some will be angry, perhaps not fully realizing why.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the grace of being pro-life, and of standing strong when others may ridicule or oppose me.

During this 40 Day campaign, may your peace fill my soul, especially when I may endure the opposition of others, and may I become more like your crucified and risen Son. Amen.

See the great pictures that go with this "man up" article -- go to the 40 Days for Life blog site.

Men have a huge role in the abortion crisis. Many have pressured women to have abortions ... or paid for abortions ... or failed to take any responsibility for their actions.

However, many men do feel the deep pain of abortion ... 5, 10, or even 20 years later. I’ve seen grown men weep in the parking lots outside abortion facilities as abortion workers tell them this is a “woman’s choice” and they have no legal rights.

Today, we hear about two men in particular who heard the truth and did not cower ... but found the courage and strength to “man up.”

Germantown, Maryland

“Praise God! Three lives were spared from abortion,” said Andrew in Germantown. ”God is continuing to answer our prayers.”

While the Germantown team was holding its midpoint rally, a woman walked into what she thought was the late-term abortion facility. But it was actually the pro-life pregnancy center right across the parking lot.

As it turns out, however, she was in the right place after all. The volunteers there talked and prayed with her – and gave her detailed information about what a late-term abortion entails.

She went back to her car, where her husband was waiting, and they talked for about 20 minutes.

This time, it was the husband who went inside the pregnancy care center … to tell the volunteers they just could not go through with the abortion.

What changed their minds? “He responded he felt loved at the pregnancy center,” Andrew said, “and after reading about the late-term abortion procedure, he said he could not do that to his child.”

Manchester, England

John in Manchester says at least six babies have been spared from abortion during this 40 Days for Life campaign.

“One mother returned to the clinic for a surgical abortion,” he said, “having been previously in January for a chemical abortion which failed.”

One of the women at the vigil spoke to the father, who was waiting outside, and then went to get a model of a child in the womb to show him how the baby was developing.

“The father took the ‘baby’ into the clinic to show the mother,” John said. The abortion facility’s staff, it seems, had told the mother that at this stage of pregnancy, the baby was only “a blob.”

“The couple then came out,” he said, “declaring they would not go ahead with the abortion.”

Devotional for Day 29, April 2, 2014

Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life

Intention: We pray for the grace to be strong when others ridicule or oppose us. Scripture: Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. —Luke 14:27

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

The insults are not being hurled at us personally, but rather at the truth of what we are standing for, and at the demands of the moral law.

There are many who are trying to run away from those demands, or who have managed to tuck the abortion problem away into a distant corner of their minds where it can no longer disturb them.

By standing publicly for the cause of life, we have short-circuited that denial and frustrated those efforts to ignore the issue. Therefore, some will be an- gry, perhaps not fully realizing why.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the grace of being pro-life, and of standing strong when others may ridicule or oppose me.

During this 40 Day campaign, may your peace fill my soul, especially when I may endure the opposition of others, and may I become more like your crucified and risen Son. Amen.

see the pictures at the 40 Days for Life blog.

Steve Karlen, our North American outreach director, has topped off his gas tank and headed out to visit 40 Days for Life campaigns across Michigan. There are ten locations there … and Steve hopes to visit all of them.

By the way, Michigan is one of the top US states as far as campaign numbers go. California heads the list with 32, followed by Washington with 13, Florida with 12 and New York with 11.

Here’s the latest from Steve in Michigan:

Eastpointe, Michigan

It was great to meet the team in Eastpointe. They’re having their third campaign right now – but the first since 2011. Ed is a first-time leader who’s bringing a ton of energy to the campaign

On abortion days, there are sidewalk counselors from the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants all year round. But this campaign is now providing “air support” as they stand and pray for the counselors and for those vulnerable to abortion.

A couple of weeks ago, an abortion-minded woman told these counselors she would be open to talking to someone about other options. It turns out that a representative from the local pregnancy center was there at the time … praying with 40 Days for Life volunteers. This referral helped save a life!

Sterling Heights, Michigan

This is the 12th 40 Days for Life campaign in Sterling Heights … and volunteers are praying that the abortion center there will not be in business much longer.

In the complex where the abortion facility is located, there’s a vacant office right next door. There had been a dentist’s office there, but that office has been vacant for some time now.

It seems that nobody wants to lease that space. If you were a healthcare professional, would you want an abortionist for a neighbor?

Southfield, Michigan

The Southfield team has gone 24/7 every campaign since the very first one! And there is no sign of slowing down. The leaders told me they've had more success filling their vigil schedule than ever before.

They referred one woman to a pregnancy help center, and they’re praying that she has changed her mind about abortion.

I also met a volunteer who told me that her reasons for taking part in 40 Days for Life are quite personal. She got involved after she found out that she lost a sibling to abortion. This shows that abortion is not a “private matter.” It can affect entire families.

Thanks again to Steve Karlen for today's update!

Devotional for Day 30, April 3, 2014

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

Intention: Let us pray that pastors may not be dis- tracted from the priority of caring for human lives.

Scripture: In those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. — Acts 6:1

Reflection: More folks learning left some yearning. It is the dawning of a new day. There is much excitement in Jerusalem. Many who dedicated themselves to the faith became disciples (the word disciple means “learner”. The unprecedented church growth was miraculous and undoubtedly brought much satisfaction to the new leader- ship. The apostles, however, were about to experience growing pains in their master plan of evangelism. Projects that engage the community, especially those that are evangelistic in nature, are high on the list of priorities for every duty-bound pastor. Church attendance is a constant con- cern for every pastor and often his or her worth is measured by it.

Unfortunately, just as the original twelve pastors in Acts, they can be so focused on getting people in that they inadvertently end up pushing some people out. Murmuring is a deplorable deterrent to a harmonious fellowship, yet God used it to get the disciples attention. Those that needed daily attention due to their age and social status were being neglected. This neglect of the Hellenist widows during the daily distribution of food was causing undue grief and needed to be corrected by the leadership. By God’s grace the problem was dealt with, but the lesson remains. And during these 40 days, let us pray that today’s church not make the same mistake of forgetting the contributions of our seniors, or the needs of the weakest among us, the unborn.

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

Amazing pictures at the 40 Days for Life blog site.

Jesus said whenever two or three are gathered in His name, He is with them. Lately, it’s been whenever two or three with umbrellas are gathered.

Sometimes it's rain. Sometimes it's snow. And sometimes ... bright sunshine! But just as surely as the umbrellas and their owners are gathered at the 40 Days for Life vigils ... so is Christ present.

Orange, California

Anita said she and several other women were praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil in front of Planned Parenthood in Orange. As a van pulled into the driveway, the driver looked at them – but kept on going.

A man and woman got out of the van and walked towards the building. The prayer volunteers again tried to get their attention ... but they kept walking.

After a while, though, they came out … got into their van … and drove towards the exit.

“I could see the passenger side window was rolled down,” Anita said, “so I walked towards them, said good morning and smiled, and then asked if they were here for an abortion.”

“No,” the woman said. “We changed our mind.” The man driving leaned over and said, “We decided to keep our baby because of you people praying on the sidewalk.” They were both smiling.

He said they would pray for the volunteers … and he kept saying, “Thank you!”

Richmond, Virginia

Ann worried that the rainy weather might keep people away from the 40 Days for Life vigil in Richmond.

But as she approached the abortion center from a few blocks away, she saw umbrellas in the distance and wondered what was going on. As she got closer, she quickly found out. The umbrellas belonged to people who were peacefully praying for an end to abortions.

“It turns out this was designated ‘Life Saturday’ by Mt. Gilead Church,” she said. “These wonderful people come from about 8 am to 1 pm for this special ministry. And what a beautiful sight it was to have 19 people around the clinic praying and witnessing to Christ … in the rain!”

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

“While the weather for much of the last week has been cold with snow or rain,” said Bob in Lancaster, “we still had the opportunity to talk with a surprising number of pedestrians and even people in passing cars.”

A woman who lives in the neighborhood and walks her two dogs several times a day stopped to say “thanks” for the vigil. “She told of how she adopted her son from a woman who had sought an abortion,” Bob said, “but was too far along in her pregnancy to receive one.”

The woman beamed as she told the volunteers about her son, who is now married and just became the father of the woman’s first grandchild.

Devotional for Day 31, April 4, 2014

Carmen Pate, Alliance Ministries

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

Scripture: If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new. — 2 Corinthians 5:17

Reflection: An unexpected pregnancy is perceived by many young women as the end of their life as they know it. News of an unexpected pregnancy pulls the rug from under her well laid plans. Sadly, these women may choose abor- tion as a matter of self-preservation, believing that an abortion will help re- turn life to normal and give them opportunity to start anew. They don’t see abortion as killing a child, but rather as saving their own life. Of course, abortion will not bring the newness of life they are seeking, but instead will bring death to their child, lifelong regret, and unexpected —possibly devastating—consequences to their own life. Abortion will be the choice made if we don’t meet them at the crossroad between life and death with a better way.

Almost without exception, these young women are looking for love, acceptance, and to be valued. In their efforts to have those needs met, they have become promiscuous. Most, if honest, will admit the needs were only met momentarily, if at all, during their brief encounter, and afterward the needs returned unmet. The truth is, only Christ loves them un- conditionally with an everlasting love. Only Christ will accept them as they are, and only Christ sees them for their true value in Him. He has a perfect plan for each woman and her child if only she will allow Christ to transform her life as she surrenders to Him. No, an unexpected pregnancy is not the end of life, but rather can be the beginning of two beautiful lives if God’s plan for them is given opportunity to unfold.

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

View the pictures are 40 Days for Life -- blog section.

Houston, Texas is the home of the largest abortion facility in the Western Hemisphere. As you drive up, the 78,000 square foot facility looks overwhelming.

When it opened a few years ago, many were disheartened … but not all. Texans responded in a big way — including a courageous, younger Texan.

In the midst of such evil, Christ can even use an 11-year-old girl to remind us of the hope He has in store. Be encouraged by these two reports that come from warm locations where the theme of their campaigns has been persistence.

Houston, Texas

Houston has been part of 40 Days for Life since the early days – even before the first-ever national event, there had already been a campaign there. The effort has grown into an ongoing presence outside one of the world’s largest abortion centers.

The Houston Coalition for Life sponsors 40 Days for Life … as well as a big blue mobile pregnancy center, parked right next to Planned Parenthood – even early in the morning when it’s still fairly dark outside.

Houston’s team passed along a note from one of their prayer vigil participants … a volunteer who’s all of 11 years old!

“Why do they have abortions?” she asked. “The mothers never get to experience the wonders of having a child. Instead of life, they get death. They go in scared and confused, come out with no child, and worse than they were when they came in. They never get to see their child celebrate his or her fifth birthday, they never get to experience the child’s warm hug and kiss. Why do they choose abortion?”

“These beautiful words should remind all of us, no matter what our age is, that abortion should be unthinkable,” said one of the Houston leaders. “And for abortion to be unthinkable, we all have to step up and do our part.”

Pensacola, Florida

“It was a beautiful night for life!” said Ernie in Pensacola, where their 12th 40 Days for Life campaign is underway. A crowd of about 120 joined for a candlelight vigil, with prayer led by Bishop Gregory Parkes.

Ernie noted that the abortion center is changing their routines. “This is a good sign,” he said.

Fridays had been busy days at this facility, but they’ve transferred many appointments to Thursdays. “The abortionist left at 9:30 one Friday when he usually leaves around noontime,” Ernie said. “This is a direct result of 40 Days for Life.”

That same Friday, two mothers rejected abortion. ”I was able to speak with one father and mother as they drove by,” he said.

Ernie asked them, “Did you keep your baby?” The father responded, “Yes we did!” The mother then confirmed with a big smile and said, “Yes!”

Ernie’s reaction? “Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!”

Devotional for Day 32, April 5, 2014

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

Intention: May we come to know that divine life, in relationship, creates human life.

Scripture: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. —John 1:1-3

Reflection: “In the beginning" was God. Always, before all times, there was God. This particular God -- the God of the Bible, the God of St. John’s Gospel -- is different from all other gods. This God is alive and full of life. This God is not the picture of deadness and death, aloneness and isolation. This God is the picture of life, relation- ship, and unity. For within this God, within this one God, there are three divine persons who live, who love, and who work -- together. This is the glorious mystery of the Trinity. The Trinity means divine life. The Trinity means three, living Persons -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- who relate to each other. The Trinity means mutual love and service among three Persons.

The Word was always with God the Fa- ther. This Word was, is, and will be the Trinity’s second person. The Word is also the Son of God or, as revealed in time, Jesus Christ. God the Father and God the Son live, love, and work for each other. As one, they create "all things" together: the Father creates all things, including all human life, through the Son. So the Father, through the Son, creates all human lives. The little one swimming in his mother’s womb, the infant smiling in his father’s arms, the child crying in pain in a hospital bed, the en- ergetic teen running another mile, the old man gasping for his last breath -- all were created, at their beginning, by the Father through the Son. No exceptions. Divine life creates human life.

Prayer: O God, may we always be quick to call you Father. And when we call you father, let your Spirit remind us that we, and all people, from their beginning to their last day, are your children. We praise you, Father, that you sent your Son to reveal to the world that all people are His brothers and sisters, that all people are your children. Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Pictures at the source site.

We may be entering the final days of this campaign … but if you haven’t done so yet, it’s not too late to take part in a 40 Days for Life vigil. Take an hour. Take a even a few minutes. But stretch yourself!

Find a location near you … and come pray!

It often seems that one of the blessings of 40 Days for Life is simply having the opportunity to talk to people. Just a short conversation that corrects mistaken impressions can make a world of difference.

Here are stories posted on the 40 Days for Life blog from two California campaigns that show what I mean.

Calaveras County, California

“We are very blessed that there is no abortion center in Calaveras County,” said Judy. “Our focus of prayer and fasting is our community outreach, to be a source of information about the sanctity of life.”

One opportunity came when two young women insisted that abortion should sometimes be permitted. During the discussion that followed, one of them said a baby did not have a heartbeat until the second trimester.

“We were able to give her a brochure explaining the development of a baby in the womb with very precise information,” Judy said.

“She was genuinely trying to discern truth about serious questions in her mind,” she said. “Too many of our teens are confronted by the choice of life or death when they are in a crisis pregnancy and scared. They need truthful information before they are in this situation in order to make the truly charitable choice of life for their children. Pray on!”

Antelope Valley, California

“We are in our fourth campaign in the Antelope Valley of California,” said Lamar. “Since we started, we have seen some people come out who had never before been active in pro-life work. They heard about the prayer vigil and realized that this was something they could do and that God was calling them to join in.”

One couple prays often at the vigil outside Planned Parenthood in Palmdale – sometimes with their grandchildren.

Lamar said the man recently struck up a conversation with a young woman on the sidewalk. She said she wasn’t pregnant, but was willing to listen as he shared what was going on inside Planned Parenthood.

As she left, she told him, “You saved a life today.”

“He wasn’t sure exactly what she had in mind,” Lamar said, “but you know that it must be good news!”

“We do not claim to be Christian stars,” he said. “It is God at work inviting us to join Him. Come out and experience God at the abortion clinic in your area.”

Devotional for Day 33, April 6, 2014

Rev. John Ensor, President, PassionLife

Intention: As we pray for the end of abortion, let us pray for the expansion of the pregnancy help center movement world-wide.

Scripture: The dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne. — Revelation 12:4-5

Reflection: You don’t need to be a theological scholar to get the essential point of Revelation 12. Something BIG is afoot. It has something to do with the birth of Christ and the children of God. It involves a war in heaven, with powers and principalities beyond our expertise. But the battles are fought here on earth. The crux of the matter centers around the babe of Bethlehem and the cross of Calvary. It continues to unfold down through the ages, through us, the children of God, who put their faith in Christ and take up their cross and follow him.

We are waging a war of love against all things that destroy body and soul. The intensity waxes and wanes, but like labor pains, they grow and culminate in new life. The unleashing of legal abortion nearly 40 years ago stirred up prayer (lamentation really). Many were then led to start pregnancy help centers and maternity homes. Today there are over 3,000 such ministries that did not exist 40 years ago. They reflect a movement of God on our watch: Christians driven to give their time and charity to end abortion one woman at a time. Let’s pray this movement expands worldwide. Let’s pray for thousands more Christians to start, serve and support pregnancy help centers.

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

Heading into the final week of this 40 Days for Life campaign, we now know of at least 437 babies whose mothers had a change of heart and rejected abortion.

Praise God – He’s answering your prayers!

Here are a couple of the stories that show Christ’s love in action.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

A couple of sidewalk counselors approached a young woman outside the abortion center in Minneapolis, and she agreed to stop and talk. The counselors were both parents, and both greatly concerned that someone so young was arriving for an abortion.

They told her about the many forms of help that are available, but she just smiled and said she had to keep her appointment. They did learn her name, and the fact that her mother would be joining her soon.

After a while, a woman arrived – and the counselors asked if she was the young girl’s mother. She said she was – and said that she did not want her daughter to have the abortion, but that it was her choice.

The volunteer said, “She is not capable of making a life-changing decision like this at her age. It is up to you, as her mother, to stop this abortion from happening!” The mom listened … then went inside.

Sometime later, mother and daughter exited the building and walked towards the car. The volunteer called to them, and they stopped to talk.

“We have changed our minds about having the abortion,” the mother said. She said that she herself was a teenager when her daughter was born. They then left with the baby’s father and his family.

The volunteer said, “He looked about 15 years old. I gave them information on pregnancy centers and told them we would stay in touch.”

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

John Aman in Fort Lauderdale reports a save story that has a bit of a twist. “Stay with me here,” he said.

The 40 Days for Life team had an opportunity to be on the radio at the start of the campaign, with Juan Garcia interviewing Tewannah Aman on his morning show on La Nueva 88.3 FM.

“Talking with her about 40 Days for Life so moved him that he spent five days telling his radio audience about the sanctity of human life,” John said. “On one of those mornings, he specifically prayed that a child would be saved from abortion by his radio messages.”

A week later, a woman called in to say that she heard Juan on the radio the same day she was scheduled to have an abortion.

“Long story short,” John said, “she is keeping her baby! God is hearing and answering our prayers! Let’s be faithful to do our part … and He will do His!”

Devotional for Day 34, April 7, 2014

Rev. Ben Sheldon, President Emeritus, Presbyterians Pro-life

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 pu- rity, 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 de- fend 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.

College towns report -- see the pictures at the source blog.

According to one researcher, one in four women will have an abortion by age 25. That makes college campuses a prime target for the abortion industry. But that also offers opportunities for college students to enthusiastically defend life … and help their peers who are considering abortion.

It was in a college town that 40 Days for Life began.

Planned Parenthood saw the 60,000 college students at Texas A&M and a local junior college as a huge market. But as you may know, their facility in College Station, Texas closed its doors forever last summer. So have faith!

Steve Karlen, who also got involved in 40 Days for Life in a college town, has been on the road again … this time in Michigan. Among the places Steve stopped were three areas that are home to large universities.

Here’s Steve’s update.

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Given my experience in helping to keep late-term abortion out of a Big Ten university in my hometown of Madison, Wisconsin … I was intrigued by the University of Michigan’s involvement in the abortion industry.

The local leaders in Ann Arbor were horrified by a taxpayer-funded celebration of abortion called “4,000 Years of Choice” – an exhibit that was hosted by the public university.

I also learned that three doctors who are associated with the university perform abortions at the Planned Parenthood facility.

Lansing, Michigan

Participants in Lansing shared the disturbing news that on the Michigan State University campus (technically in East Lansing), there is a club for “future abortion providers.” That’s just ghastly.

The good news is that the abortion facility has been closed for much of the campaign. And when it is open, client numbers are down. Cecilia, the local director, reports a more than 40 percent drop in the number of abortions.

The leaders keep thorough records about this abortion facility, and they’ve asked authorities to investigate reports of possible legal violations. For instance, they’ve heard allegations that the abortion center staff has refused to show clients their ultrasound images. State law says the women are entitled to see them.

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Kalamazoo is also a college town – the home of Western Michigan University. When I visited the 40 Days for Life vigil, we had a nice turnout ... on a very busy street. In fact, it was so busy that I literally had to shout my entire speech at the top of my lungs!

The Planned Parenthood center here had posted an official-looking sign informing their clients that the people on the sidewalk were not their employees. Of course, those are the prayer volunteers.

Clients are also told it’s not safe to stop in the driveway. Of course, the sidewalk next to the driveway just happens to be a very convenient place for the vigil participants to stand, smile and hand out positive pregnancy resource information. I have a feeling their primary concern is something other than safety!

Thanks to Steve Karlen for this update on 40 Days for Life in Michigan!

Devotional for Day 35, April 8, 2014

Carmen Pate, Alliance Ministries

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 sin- gle 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.

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