40 Days For Life: DAY 31: Finish strong!

Dear Deacon John, We're in the home stretch — and your presence is needed! Sheila, the 40 Days for Life leader in Manchester, New Hampshire, had a simple question for people in her community: "Can you be a witness to the sanctity of life on the sidewalk in front of Planned Parenthood?"

Sheila was thankful for the 22 people who processed around the block where Planned Parenthood is located. "Fr. Christian Tutor of All Saints Anglican in Concord led us in solemn prayer and singing," she said. But the need for additional prayer volunteers is ongoing. "Medication abortions are being performed almost every weekday," she explained, "as well as surgical abortions every Wednesday." The need is not just in Manchester ... but at 354 locations worldwide.

As Sheila put it, "Will you be a voice for the voiceless babies and a sign of hope for their mothers?" Please say yes!

Orange, California Two couples said "yes" to life at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Orange! A man and woman who'd parked in front of Planned Parenthood agreed to talk to a volunteer ... who immediately asked a priest who was praying at the vigil to join her. The mother wanted the abortion, but the father did not. The priest said he had just attended a Rachel's Vineyard retreat for women hurt by abortion. He told of the pain they had experienced. He prayed with the couple, offered them a blessing ... and begged them to keep the baby. At the end of their discussion, they chose life! While this was going on, another couple spoke to the volunteers ... and they also changed their minds. They, too, were going to keep their baby!

Hollywood, Florida After some challenging days outside the Woman's Center abortion facility, the Hollywood team had some great news to report. "We had a save!" said Nancy, the local coordinator. Volunteers prayed as a mother and daughter arrived. After a while, the mother came out and started looking at the volunteers' signs, which contained information about the local pregnancy care center. She was invited to come get some information about the center — and she walked over to the vigil participants to talk. She confided that she didn't want anyone to go through what she had gone though so many years ago. "Then go in there and bring your daughter out!" Nancy said. And so she did!

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. —Psalm 139:16 Gracious God, help us to appreciate the wonder and beauty of Your creation. Help us proclaim on behalf of every one of our fellow human beings, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." May the knowledge that we are intimately known by You shape our lives and actions. 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