40 Days for Life keeps growing … September 27 through November 5

40 Days for Life.com ^ | 09--27-17 | 40 Days for Life staff

[Salvation]

40 Days for Life keeps growing … Planned Parenthood keeps shrinking

September 27, 2017

As 40 Days for Life begins its eleventh year as a coordinated pro-life outreach, Christians began prayer vigils today in more than 375 locations around the world – the largest campaign yet for this pro-life movement.

“More than 150 of these peaceful vigils will be taking place in front of Planned Parenthood facilities in the United States,” said 40 Days for Life president Shawn Carney. “While Planned Parenthood remains the largest abortion chain in the United States, 2017 has not been a good year for them.”

As 40 Days for Life has grown even larger in 2017, just this summer Planned Parenthood shut down abortion centers in Chandler, Arizona; Vacaville, California; and Sioux City, Iowa. Additionally, Planned Parenthood announced it would ¬¬¬¬close referral centers in Casper, Wyoming and Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

“At all of those locations, faithful Christians prayed on the sidewalks outside during 40 Days for Life vigils,” Carney said. “All total, we are now aware of 90 abortion centers that have gone out of business permanently following 40 Days for Life vigils since our coordinated campaigns began in 2007. We don’t take credit. We just note that people prayed for an end to abortion in their communities, and the places that offered abortions then closed.

“Former Planned Parenthood employees have reported that the ‘no show’ rate for an abortion appointment goes as high as 75% when people are out in front praying,” Carney said. “Going out to these places is the ultimate way to defund the abortion giant.”

Internationally, 40 Days for Life campaigns are being conducted for the first time in three new countries – Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hungary and Taiwan. “All of our prayers – gathered together as one – can make an enormous difference,” said Carney.

40 Days for Life consists of 40 days of prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil and community outreach. Two campaigns are conducted each year – one in the fall, and one during the Christian season of lent. The dates for the current campaign are September 27 through November 5.

The first 40 Days for Life vigil was conducted outside a Planned Parenthood abortion center in Bryan, Texas in 2004. That facility closed in 2013, and the former Planned Parenthood building now serves as 40 Days for Life’s international headquarters.

[Salvation]

DAY 5: You’re a fanatic!

October 1, 2017

The headline on SocialistWorker.org gets straight to the point: “40 ways to oppose 40 Days for Life.”

If you read the article, you’d think the sky was falling.

“Anti-abortion fanatics will descend on women’s clinics around the country … [and] harass women outside of clinics in attempts to disrupt the clinic’s ability to provide health care,” the rhetoric-filled diatribe begins.

Of course, a typical 40 Days for Life vigil looks like the image above … and it is successful precisely because it is prayerful and peaceful.

And it must be working, as the pro-abortion author suggests countering 40 Days for Life by getting involved in activities such as raising money for pro-abortion causes and pursuing health care “reform” that requires mandatory abortion coverage.

The writer also links to a collection of purported pro-abortion “truths” – such as the myth that 5,000 women died annually from illegal abortions prior to Roe v. Wade.

The man who came up with that figure – Dr. Bernard Nathanson, a founder of NARAL – admitted after his pro-life conversion that this infamous statistic was a flat-out fabrication.

It’s a sign of desperation, which is all the pro-abortion side has.

As for “anti-abortion fanatics” harassing women … well, accusations are a dime a dozen. But since pictures are worth a thousand words, here’s a quick look at a number of 40 Days for Life vigils around the world.

See for yourself!

Belfast, Northern Ireland

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Coyoacan, Mexico

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Gherla, Romania

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Iztapalapa, Mexico

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Medellin, Colombia

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Navojoa, Mexico

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Vukovar, Croatia

[Salvation]

DAY 6: Good news Mondays

October 2, 2017

During 40 Days for Life, we actually look forward to Mondays!

That’s the day we share the great news of lives saved from abortion.

So far, our hard-working local campaign coordinators tell us they know of

...26 babies...

whose moms decided at the last minute to reject abortion and choose life!

God has answered your prayers!

[Salvation]

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

“I can’t say that this is the first time that we’ve had a save on opening day,” said Dan in Milwaukee, “but I can’t recall when we ever did.”

And that’s because the abortion center in Milwaukee does not serve clients on Wednesdays – and 40 Days for Life always starts on a Wednesday.

If potential clients show up, the staff will simply schedule an appointment … and send them on their way.

Dan says a woman went to the pregnancy resource center across the street from the abortion facility – and stayed there quite a while. She then walked to the abortion business to compare services.

“Of course,” he said, “there is no comparison. One supports life; the other takes it.”

Before she went into the abortion facility, she kept referring to her baby as “it.” After she came out, she spoke in humanizing terms — “my baby” — and future tense: “this will be my eighth child.”

This especially touched one volunteer, who is the eighth child in her family.

“She had never interacted with anyone before during a campaign,” Dan said, “but she definitely had a LOT to say about the joys of being the eighth child — the baby in the family! It was so touching. I wish I were better at describing the joy that we experienced!”

[Salvation]

York, Pennsylvania

Sometimes 40 Days for Life can make an impact – and save lives – before the vigil even formally begins. Such was the case at the kickoff rally in York.

Tom, the leader in York, said it was an awesome event.

“Bishop Ronald Gainer of the Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg led us in prayer and passed on words of encouragement,” he said. “We heard powerful testimonies from two post-abortive women and a wonderful family provided moving music.”

After a while, some of the volunteers noticed a young woman sitting by the side of the street – crying. She told them she had been thinking about having an abortion … but after hearing a song about an unborn child, she was overcome by emotion.

It was then, Tom said, that “she decided to change her mind and let her baby be born.”

Keep praying ... and join your local vigil today!

[Salvation]

DAY 7: “I wouldn’t care if it was 5 years old, I’m going to kill it”

October 3, 2017

God has used 40 Days for Life to help close 90 abortion facilities.

Other facilities go away temporarily and either relocate or reopen later.

Sometimes, Planned Parenthood will leave town altogether, only to resurface years later — like they did in Waco, Texas.

After seven 40 Days for Life vigils, the Planned Parenthood center closed its doors and left town in 2013. But just recently, Planned Parenthood came back to Waco, opening a large abortion facility there.

This Planned Parenthood business schedules abortions three days in a row, every other week, with an abortionist who flies in from the East Coast.

At the Waco kickoff, one of the Planned Parenthood clients said something startling to vigil participants that made the local paper.

Waco, Texas

Waco’s kickoff event received strong coverage from the local media, featuring great comments about the 40 Days for Life mission from those attending the rally.

But it was a brief conversation recounted by a Waco Tribune-Herald reporter that quickly rippled through the crowd.

“Do you know this is abortion day?” a volunteer asked a woman who was entering the facility.

“Yes, I’m here to get one,” the woman replied defiantly.

“I urge you to reconsider,” the volunteer said. “A baby’s heartbeat can be heard three weeks after conception.”

“I wouldn’t care if it was 5 years old. I’m going to kill it,” she said.

Those who heard that were taken aback. The volunteer told the reporter that such an attitude is rare, that most Planned Parenthood clients have mixed emotions and simply don’t know where to turn.

Planned Parenthood wouldn’t talk to the reporter. As is their custom, they sent their usual written statement about intimidation and harassment of women – something that was utterly absent on the sidewalk in Waco.

[Salvation]

El Paso, Texas and Santa Teresa, New Mexico

October 3, 2017

You usually don’t think of rain when you think of West Texas and New Mexico … but that’s how 40 Days for Life started for two campaigns that have decided to work together.

According to Mark Cavaliere of the Southwest Coalition for Life, the vigils in El Paso and Santa Teresa began their cooperative effort “united in prayer and precipitation.”

The two locations are about 20 minutes apart, and they have more in common than just proximity.

“The two facilities belong to the same abortionist, who uses his second office in Santa Teresa to skirt abortion restrictions in Texas by taking advantage of the lack of restrictions in New Mexico,” Mark explained.

“This will be the first time he’s ever experienced this amount of coordinated peaceful prayer from both sides of the state line!”

Mark says it’s making a difference already.

“A car pulled up to the Hilltop abortion center in El Paso and they opened their door to get out and enter the facility, only to see the peaceful loving witness of half a dozen volunteers just like you praying for them, some praying on their knees,” he said.

After a moment, they simply got back in their car and left!

[Salvation]

Fasting … but constantly thinking about food?

Join Shawn Carney, Steve Karlen and Robert Colquhoun as they explore an important component of 40 Days for Life — fasting — with Lindsey Field, a dietician and adjunct professor of nutrition. Pick up hints on how to fast — and still function healthily in your daily life.

Podcast — https://40daysforlife.com/2017/10/03/podcast-89/

[Salvation]

DAY 8: I want to fast, but …

October 4, 2017

Jesus asked His followers to fast … and He led by example for 40 days in the desert.

Fasting is key to our spiritual life — and growing closer to God by denying ourselves. It is also easier said than done … especially with access to so much wonderful salt, sugar, carbs and meat!

We get asked all the time about how to fast. We cover the basics of fasting in the most-downloaded 40 Days for Life podcast episode.

But today, we have a new podcast to help you decide what is prudent and healthy when fasting.

Check it out at:

https://40daysforlife.com/2017/10/03/podcast-89/

Our special guest is Lindsey Field, a dietician and adjunct professor of nutrition. Pick up hints on how to fast — and still function healthily in your daily life.

So download the “Fasting, but constantly thinking about food?” podcast!

In a culture of plenty, fasting can be a source of tremendous spiritual growth as a way to remind ourselves of our dependence upon God.

[Salvation]

Bellevue, Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska

October 4, 2017

North American campaign director Steve Karlen traveled to Nebraska to greet and encourage volunteers at three 40 Days for Life vigils.

The Bellevue vigil (above) is outside infamous late-term abortionist LeRoy Carhart’s business. Carhart had been flying to Maryland to do late-term abortions at a facility that is now closed. He’s reportedly added another business day each week in Bellevue as a result.

In Lincoln, the state’s capitol, more than 100 people, including a number of religious education students and teachers, showed up to pray “at the biggest kickoff event they’ve had in years.” After an hour of fervent prayer and song, the group gathered at a nearby church for a 40 Days for Life presentation from Steve.

Steve’s final stop was in Omaha, where the vigil takes place outside a Planned Parenthood center. Pro-life efforts have strong support in the area around this 40 Days for Life location, with a pregnancy help center on the next block and a nearby church sporting pro-life signage.

[Salvation]

Jackson, Michigan

October 4, 2017

The team in Jackson described their opening prayer rally as a “blessed event.” These volunteers are into their sixth 40 Days for Life campaign.

The organizers offered their thanks to “the musicians, clergy and several hundred prayer witnesses who came to seek God’s blessing and glorify Him as we embark on 40 Days of prayer to end abortion and ask for healing for those affected by its aftermath.”

The coordinators say they will pray “that with God’s help, this will mark the beginning of the end of abortion in our city — and beyond.”

[Salvation]

DAY 9: Pro-abortion universities

October 5, 2017

The pro-life movement gets younger — and bigger — by the day.

But that doesn’t make being a pro-life college student any easier. They pay their tuition … they defend science, reason and their faith … and they are often mocked by the pro-abortion elitists who run too many of our universities.

Every day, campuses get more disconnected from reality. While some groups are offered a “safe space,” pro-life students are not. But that’s okay. They don’t want or need one. They courageously stand up for the unborn anyway.

Today we are featuring young people … and announcing the new $4040 Scholarship for college students involved in the pro-life movement!

A generous donor provided funding for this scholarship in memory of his daughter, who was a friend of mine who participated in the first-ever 40 Days for Life campaign.

The first scholarship will be awarded in January at the Walk for Life West Coast in San Francisco.

Applications for the scholarship are now open – but only through the 40 Days for Life app.

You can read more at https://40daysforlife.com/scholarship.

[Salvation]

Marietta, Georgia

October 5, 2017

Ever since 40 Days for Life started, it has encouraged young people to get involved – even at leadership levels.

We’re seeing that again during this campaign in Marietta, with Rachel Guy – the 19-year-old local coordinator (third from left in the photo above).

Katharine O’Brien, 40 Days for Life’s youth and Hispanic outreach coordinator (second from left), visited the Marietta campaign and found volunteers that are quite impressed with Rachel’s efforts.

The Marietta team says Rachel’s enthusiasm has inspired many new volunteers to pray at the vigil, as she is convinced in her heart that God can use their prayers to see that the abortion center closes.

One volunteer said if Rachel “is this energized about ending abortion, then we all need to be.”

[Salvation]

Dallas, Texas

October 5, 2017

The Dallas 40 Days for Life campaign has always had a high level of youth participation, often with entire schools coming out to the sidewalk to pray for an end to abortion.

The local leaders in Dallas offered “a big shout out” to the Highlands School for going out for an hour of prayer at the abortion facility that’s the site of the 40 Days for Life vigil.

There’s more good news from Dallas. On the first day of the campaign, volunteers met a woman who thanked them for being there – not only on that day, but on the day five years ago that she arrived for an abortion.

She saw people praying on the sidewalk … but still went inside the abortion center. But it was in the waiting room that God touched her heart and she decided to leave.

Today, she says that choosing life for her son was the best decision she’s ever made.

[Salvation]

DAY 10: “40 Days for Life saved my baby”

October 6, 2017

Stories like today’s are why you pray!

Those words – “40 Days for Life saved my baby” – are at the top of a Facebook post … written by a young woman who had gone to Planned Parenthood in Waco, Texas for an abortion.

“When I got there,” she wrote, “I saw people standing and praying.” When she went inside, “I was told I had to pay for an ultrasound and I didn’t have any money.”

With that, the young woman left Planned Parenthood – in tears.

“That’s when a man on the sidewalk asked me to come talk to him and to pray,” she said. “He was so nice and introduced me to a nurse from Care Net. I didn’t have a ride and the nurse offered to take me to Care Net to get an ultrasound and to talk about my decision.”

That ultrasound was literally a life-saver. “When they did my ultrasound, my baby was dancing!” she said.

“I am so happy that I get to have my baby and build a life for us,” the young woman added. “Thank you to the people on the sidewalk in the 40 Days for Life shirts and signs. You saved my baby!”

[Salvation]

Riyom, Nigeria

October 6, 2017

Jummai and the 40 Days for Life volunteers in Riyom are conducting their campaign in one of the more challenging environments faced by a local team.

Pro-life activities are totally new in Riyom. Abortion is illegal, but nonetheless available. Pregnancy outside of marriage is seen as an abomination, Jummai said, “and the stigma – the shame faced by parents – has left them with no choice than to encourage their daughters to go for abortion.”

The opening rally in Riyom featured testimony from young women who rejected abortion – and were then rejected by their parents. Still, they did not regret choosing life for their babies.

This 40 Days for Life campaign has a particular focus on young people. “The youth are worst hit by the crisis,” Jummai said, but there is hope in the churches. “It is my fervent prayer that at least five churches will set up committees to address pro-life issues.”

[Salvation]

Spring Valley, New York

October 6, 2017

“All throughout the day, people come and go, praying, fasting and witnessing with love so that God’s message is heard,” said Eileen in Spring Valley.

The volunteers often hear that message reflected back to them through the people they meet on the sidewalk.

A woman stopped by the 40 Days for Life vigil to share her story with the people praying. “She was told to abort her baby because the child would be born with Down syndrome,” Eileen said.

But she rejected abortion, telling the volunteers, “This child is the light of my life! Thank you for what you are doing!”

[Salvation]

DAY 11: You inspired this!

October 7, 2017

It wasn’t long ago that Croatia was under Communist rule as part of the former Yugoslavia. But ever since they received their freedom, Croatians have defended life.

In fact, 40 Days for Life is now in 27 cities in Croatia — and for this campaign, they have gone a step further and sponsored their own 40 Days for Life bus tour!

As part of that tour, they’re planning to visit each of the 27 cities participating in 40 Days for Life in Croatia, a country of about four million people.

“This is an excellent way to convey a positive pro-life message,” said Petra Tisljaric, one of the 40 Days for Life leaders. “By bus we will travel throughout Croatia and stop in every town where we’re organized.”

The message on the bus reads: “A prayer initiative for the end of abortion in 27 Croatian cities. We want to build a culture of life.”

[Salvation]

Raleigh, North Carolina

October 7, 2017

“Prayer works!” said Eileen in Raleigh. And keep praying, because Saturdays are usually one of the busiest days of the week at the abortion facility there.

However, she said, this past Saturday was slow. “One car drove up and then drove off. Then another couple went into the clinic and came back out!”

Mothers having second thoughts? The Raleigh volunteers don’t know for sure … but they’re certainly hoping and praying that is the case.

“Remember that 40 Days for life is occurring all over the world,” Eileen said, “so every second of every minute of every hour of every day, there are hundreds, sometimes thousands of prayer warriors out there calling on God’s grace and mercy to change hearts and minds.

“While you or I may not think being there is making a difference,” she added, “God never lets prayer go to waste!”

[Salvation]

Wenatchee, Washington

October 7, 2017

“As my husband and I drove up to the Planned Parenthood abortion referral facility at 6:00 this morning,” said Cheryl in Wenatchee, “we noticed a group of men standing across the street in a huddle.”

She wasn’t expecting prayer volunteers, since no one had signed up for that hour on the Wenatchee 40 Days for Life schedule. For a very brief moment, she wondered if they might be hecklers.

“Uh-oh,” she said to her husband. “They’re here!”

Well – not exactly. It was a men’s prayer group from the Living Room Church.

“Their presence was a complete surprise!” Cheryl said. “They prayed with us and for us, and then spent the hour standing on the sidewalk with us. They were a gift from God. We’re still smiling!”

[Salvation]

DAY 12: They are abortion

October 8, 2017

A huge office building along Gulf Freeway in Houston, Texas is the home of the largest abortion center in the Western Hemisphere.

It is a Planned Parenthood location … and it reflects their priorities well. Its sheer size and daily abortion numbers demonstrate that Planned Parenthood equals abortion.

But believe it or not, people are still caught by surprise when they’re told abortions happen there.

Who doesn’t know that Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion operation in America doing more than 300,000 abortions every year? Who is unaware that they export abortion around the globe?

Well, many people — even some of their clients.

Houston, Texas

Just this past week, a volunteer talked to a couple on their way into Houston’s Planned Parenthood abortion mega-center … telling them exactly what goes on inside.

They both looked shocked. “This is an abortion facility?” the driver asked in amazement.

With that, they turned the car around and went to the Houston Coalition for Life’s mobile resource center, which is parked right across from Planned Parenthood, for a free pregnancy test and ultrasound.

The driver said, “Thank you for what you are doing out here!”

At every abortion location where 40 Days for Life vigils are held, it’s the same story. Your physical presence may be the first indication your neighbors have ever seen that abortions really do happen in your town.

So if you haven’t been to pray at a 40 Days for Life vigil yet … we have four weeks to go!