From 40 Days For Life: DAY 18: Abortion is not vague

The abortion industry won’t talk about one thing — abortion. They avoid the gruesome reality of abortion through vague phrases and rhetoric like choice, privacy and reproductive health. If you spend any time at a vigil outside an abortion center, you know that the woman seeking abortion isn't living in a vague world. She is scared and feels she has no other choice -- and in some cases, that "choice" is actually forced upon her.

One campaign tells of a grateful woman who stopped by to thank vigil participants for standing in prayer. When she was 13 and pregnant, her mother tried to force her to have an abortion. The pressure was so strong that she ran away from home … and fortunately found help at a home for pregnant, homeless women. Her story had a happy ending – through the grace of God. Not all women are so fortunate. And that is why we stand and pray.

Sacramento, California The 40 Days for Life team chatted with a cheerful woman outside the abortion business. She was telling her children they were going to have a baby brother or sister as she'd just found out she was ten weeks pregnant. The volunteers gave her information about all the local services that could help her and her family … and she started walking down the street. The happiness, apparently, was not shared by the child's father. He came storming out of the abortion center … drove off after the woman and children … and was soon back in the parking lot with the mom and kids in the back seat. He parked behind the building. A short time later, the woman ran out in tears, screaming, "Help me! I have to get away from him!" Volunteers helped her find refuge and called the sheriff. Four deputies, including a domestic violence counselor, quickly arrived. They asked the man to leave, then waited with the woman until other family members arrived. "How would this story have ended, if no one was there to help?" asked one of the volunteers, who noted the importance of keeping resources for victims of domestic violence victims at the vigil site. Please keep this family in your prayers.

Bloomington, Indiana  "When they say ultrasound saves lives," said Monica in Bloomington, "they aren’t joking!" The 40 Days for Life team reports countless blessings at the newly-opened Women's Care Center – a pro-life outreach that is right next door to Planned Parenthood. Monica met a woman and her mother, who were just beaming. "The young mother stopped and told me that she just found out that she was pregnant and even had an ultrasound," she said. The ultrasound image showed a 10-week old baby, sucking a thumb. "The clarity of the image was incredible," Monica said, "and I know it had greatly affected these women. It was such a grace to share in their joy for this new life!" In addition, two mothers have turned away from abortions at Planned Parenthood. "Praise God! The prayers are already having an effect!"

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate. —Psalm 127:3-5 Heavenly Father, please keep me from taking for granted the gift of children. Help us to remember this heritage that you have given us. Make us faithful stewards of these precious lives, that each generation might be raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. See today's full devotional

For life,

Shawn D. Carney President, 40 Days for Life

40 Days for Life 4112 E 29th St. Bryan, Texas 77802 United States (888) LIFE-316