From 40 Days For Life: DAY 36: Two tools of the devil

Discouragement and isolation. The devil uses them to tempt, frustrate and intimidate us so we lose our resolve to defend life. During this campaign, we have seen record turnouts at vigil sites, and can't wait to report the final results after the campaign. The tens of thousands of people participating show powerful unity, strength and support in the midst of many temptations. This was heard loud and clear when I visited Cincinnati to help mark their tenth anniversary of hosting 40 Days for Life.

Cincinnati, Ohio Our leader, Mary Clark, has been saving lives outside the largest abortion facility in Cincinnati for a decade. During the rally, Mary pointed out that the Planned Parenthood abortion center was usually lit by floodlights at night. But on this evening, those lights were off – "almost as if they didn't want to draw attention to us." I truly believe that it's only a matter of time until this facility joins the 90 abortion facilities that have closed following 40 Days for Life campaigns. Cincinnati is one of the cities that joined the first national 40 Days for Life campaign in 2007, and is one of the few that have continued annually with the same director. Mary's prayerful leadership and resolve should inspire you as we enter the home stretch of this campaign.

Annapolis, Maryland When 40 Days for Life board member Tibor Baksy visted the vigil in Annapolis, he met with people who have been praying outside the abortion center there for more than ten years. The first 40 Days for Life campaign at the Planned Parenthood facility in Annapolis took place in 2009. When it came to campaign leadership, Carolyn, the local coordinator, "said the Lord spoke to her and she answered the call," Tibor said. "As always, her husband Carl was at her side, helping and encouraging everyone." Tibor shared stories from other 40 Days for Life vigils and "encouraged everyone to stay committed to what I believe is God's call. It was a great visit in Annapolis!"

Latin America 40 Days for Life's Katharine O'Brien is quoted in the British newspaper The Guardian. And that's good. But the article she's quoted in has a definite spin to it: "US anti-choice groups are coordinating and financing a campaign to restrict access to abortion across Latin America and the Caribbean." It suggests that the paper's investigative efforts have made a huge discovery – that 40 Days for Life is operating in Latin America. Well, of course we are! And it's no secret – you’ve been reading about it in these emails for several years now. Abortion is banned in much of Latin America. Big Abortion wants to change that, so it labels 40 Days for Life and other organizations as the bad guys – "anti-rights groups." The writer almost seems to be rolling her eyes at what Katharine is doing in Colombia; for instance: "O'Brien trains locals on how to lead 'prayerful' clinic protests. Activists are trained in 'sidewalk counseling' outside abortion clinics to give women 'other options' and 'help them through what must be the most difficult time in their life.'" Why the "scare quotes"? Probably because these pro-life efforts in Latin America are working!

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 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. See today's full devotional

For life,

Shawn Carney President, 40 Days for Life

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