40 Days For Life: DAY 32: Irish joy

Dear Deacon John, The Irish usually enjoy a little persecution. As the Irish poet William Butler Yeats famously said, "The Irish have an abiding sense of tragedy, which sustains them through temporary periods of joy." The Irish also have a gift for not taking themselves too seriously ... and that can help us this St. Patrick's Day as we enter the final week of this 40 Days for Life campaign. Appropriately enough, today's update centers around Manhattan, New York ... home of the world-famous St. Patrick's Cathedral. Some of the 40 Days for Life vigil locations -- including Manhattan -- have been getting some unwanted company in the form of pro-abortion demonstrators. When they show up, it can disrupt the prayerful atmosphere we're trying to bring to the sidewalk. The volunteers may be quietly thinking, "Why don't you people go home?" Oddly enough, others are saying that out loud. And it's not who you'd think!

One of the coordinators at Planned Parenthood's escort program in New York city is asking pro-abortion groups to stay away. "Counter-protesting outside our health centers is actually counterproductive." The simple fact is that peaceful vigils are bad for business. But when abortion supporters show up with banging drums, blaring trumpets and obscene costumes ... it's even worse. "It's no surprise," the escort coordinator wrote, "that our 'no show' rates for appointments go up on days when there are counter-protests."

So when the protesters arrive and start blowing horns and chanting "keep your rosaries off our ovaries," rejoice and be glad! Potential abortion clients then drive up ... see the commotion ... and simply leave. God works in mysterious ways!

Even with all the commotion that goes along with pro-abortion demonstrators, the 40 Days for Life team in New York City often has good news to share. A counselor spotted a woman getting out of a car and walking towards Planned Parenthood. She saw volunteers' "pray to end abortion" signs, then got back into the car and started talking with the driver. The counselor approached them, and learned the woman had an appointment for an abortion. After a short time, however, they parked their car ... and went into Planned Parenthood. "They glanced over to me as they went in the door," the volunteer said. "An hour later they came out again ... and the woman had small smile on her face." The man looked at the vigil participant straight in the eye, smiled and said, "Thank you!" She did not have the abortion!

The dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne. — Revelation 12:4-5 3 O God, from generation to generation, you have called your people to be the very aroma of life amidst a culture of death. Now it is our turn. Prepare me. Send me. Use me. I am eager to do my part. Stir your people everywhere to take up this great work. 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