40 Days For Life: DAY 30: Winter is still here

Dear Deacon John, Winter storms are, in some cases, saving lives! We said this would be the coldest 40 Days for Life campaign yet ... and unfortunately, that has been true for many locations. And it's almost St. Patrick's Day! There is no other way to say it – winter just won't end in some places. But God is using the cold to save baby boys and girls from abortion ... including one at a location that's proven they can handle the weather. Attleboro, Massachusetts is in the midst of their 20th campaign ... and they're also featured in the 40 Days for Life book.

Attleboro, Massachusetts Power outages from a huge winter storm kept many New England businesses closed – including the abortion center in Attleboro. "Obviously, many babies were saved that day," said Ron, the Attleboro 40 Days for Life leader, "but many of these same women returned" when the facility resumed abortions. "About an hour and a half after the clinic opened," Ron said, "an older woman with a younger woman in the passenger seat drove out." The driver called out – with a slight hint of anger – "She changed her mind!" "It has been a few campaigns since we've had a save," Ron said. "Our faithful group, together for ten years – 20 campaigns – will continue to bring the message of God's love to our area."

Brisbane, Australia Honks at 40 Days for Life vigils are good – whether they are intended that way or not. Brendan, the local leader in Brisbane, says every honk is a blessing. "Our prayer vigil is at a very busy intersection," he said. And lots of traffic means lots of honking. Some are "good honks" from those who support and appreciate the vigil. And, of course, some are "bad honks" – the angry, prolonged, high-pitched opinions of those who wish you would go home. But even those are blessings. "These are the persecutions that Jesus said we would face when doing the work of God," Brendan explained. "It is good to continue to outreach to the community," he said, "and to remind them of the tragedy of abortion that continues on in our city."

Allentown, Pennsylvania "Praise the Lord!" said one of the 40 Days for Life team members in Allentown. "We had a save at Planned Parenthood!" An abortion-minded young woman had an appointment at Planned Parenthood. As she was leaving, a prayer volunteer able to speak to her ... and introduce her to a mother who had chosen life. They arranged for her to visit a life-affirming pregnancy help center for an ultrasound. "She chose life!" the volunteer excitedly reported. They left the new mom with hugs ... and a gift of a handmade blanket for her baby.

And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy." —Luke 1:41-44 Jesus, open my eyes to your presence in the life of every child. Open my heart to joy in the birth of every child, a birth that reflects the joy of your own birth in Bethlehem. As you shared life in the womb of Mary, so now send your protection upon every child still in the womb, and grant to their mothers the strength and joy that comes from welcoming the gift of life. See today's full devotional

Shawn Carney President/CEO, 40 Days for Life

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