From 40 Days For Life: DAY 7: Just be there!

Dear Deacon John, So many people say they're reluctant to pray at a 40 Days for Life vigil because "I wouldn't know what to say." The truth is that oftentimes ... you don't need to say a thing. Just be there – and pray!

Volunteers at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Columbia, South Carolina say a car leaving the abortion center pulled up beside them. These people had come for an abortion – something they felt they had to do because the girl who had the appointment was only 15 years old. But they changed their minds. "We just thought about it some more," said one of the people in the car. Would they have "thought about it some more" if people had not been outside praying? What could have happened if no one had been there?  "Thank you to those who came out to pray," said one of the Columbia leaders. "God used you!" He can use you, too! But we have to go. We have to be there!

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania "Love saved a life at Planned Parenthood today!" That was the joyful message we received from Nikki, the 40 Days for Life coordinator in Pittsburgh. A young woman took some pro-life literature outside the abortion center ... but walked in anyway. When she left a while later, she walked past the vigil and crossed the street. But it was there that a volunteer got her attention, and invited her to visit the mobile pregnancy help center ... where she saw the ultrasound image of her 8-week-old child. "I feel very confident that she will choose life," the volunteer said."We exchanged phone numbers and I will keep in touch with her. Please pray for this beautiful woman and her child!"

Roman, Romania Roman is taking part in 40 Days for Life for the first time ... and yes, it's cold there! The first day of the campaign, one of the team members said, dozens of faithful Christians turned out to launch the vigil – despite the weather. "Brrrr! Today we passed the test of the cold!" The chill has not discouraged them from praying together for the lives of the unborn. "The missionaries of life are on duty," the team member said, "no matter the weather outside! They do not abandon their mission." It always helps, of course, when more volunteers arrive with hot tea.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed. —Luke 4:18-19 Lord, send us to the poorest, the most broken, the most captive, the most blind and the most oppressed in the world, the innocent pre-born children in their mother’s wombs that are scheduled for destruction. Help us to bring them healing, liberty, sight and justice through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. 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