From 40 Days For Life: DAY 11: Not a happy ending

Dear Deacon John, We often share beautiful stories in these updates. But I'm not going to sugar coat this. Not every story has a happy ending. That's especially true on Saturdays – the busiest day of the week at many abortion businesses.

Good news often comes from 40 Days for Life vigils. But far too often, the volunteers see sadness and despair. One volunteer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin recounted what happened last Saturday at the vigil. "A man came out looking sad and said, 'She already did it.'" Then a woman left the abortion center "with eyes glazed over, not seeming to be fully aware, but listening about going for follow-up help." Other women left the building and just kept walking, not saying a word. "The sadness on many of their faces is hard to forget," the volunteer said. They are hurting and in pain." Yes, it's hard. But it needs to be done. "The men and women coming to the clinic need to see your witness," said one campaign leader, "to show them that there are people there to help them on their journey. The decision of having an abortion isn't just one day but will be with them their whole life." Keep praying ... and join them on the sidewalks!

Dayton, Ohio There's good news from Dayton, where people have faithfully prayed at 40 Days for Life vigils twice a year for ten years now. The abortion center was closed unexpectedly ... on a day of the week they're usually open. "Workers came in but neither abortionist nor patients were present," said one of the vigil participants. "May this be a foretaste of things to come." This volunteer thanked God that no lives were lost this day, and was thankful that "the women who are considering abortion have extra time to think about their babies and make the decision for life."

San Fernando Valley, California "Cold" is a relative term. But when the temperature in the San Fernando Valley suddenly dropped 30 degrees, people noticed. "By California standards," said Patti, the local coordinator, "it was really cold and windy." But that didn't stop volunteers from the Knights of Columbus and one of the local churches from coming to pray outside the abortion center. When a car pulled up right next to them, it seemed a bit curious. But the driver jumped out and smiled. "God bless you all for standing out here in the cold!" she said. "I brought you all some hot coffee!" Just what they needed on a cooler-than-normal evening!

I beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness, and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love. — Ephesians 4:1b-2 Dear Heavenly Father, we are humbled that you have called us and appointed us to be ambassadors of Christ in a world that is not our home. We pray that your Holy Spirit will empower us to walk worthy of the calling. We pray that Your unconditional love will flow through us to those who desperately need Your saving grace. See today's full devotional

For life,

Shawn Carney President/CEO, 40 Days for Life

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