From 40 Days For Life: DAY 14: "I had my abortion two weeks ago..."

Hope AFTER an abortion is only available at the abortion facility... ...if YOU are there. There is no follow-up to an abortion appointment. You are the first sign of hope and mercy for that woman as she leaves. While the abortion industry likes to accuse us of "shaming" women who get abortions, the women tell a different story. "When I came, no one was here," said a woman who had her abortion in Sacramento, California the week before the campaign began. "I wish someone had been there that day."

Nikki in Pittsburgh asked her vigil participants to leave flowers on the sidewalk. When she went out to pray, she found a bouquet with a note reading, "For my Joseph, waiting for me in Heaven. Love, Your Mother." A post-abortive mother visiting a vigil site to share the regret of lost motherhood is a common occurrence each 40 Days for Life campaign. The mothers and fathers who share their abortion stories with volunteers remind us that we aren't out just to save babies. Our presence also serves as the first sign of hope AFTER the abortion.

San Jose, Costa Rica With tears in his eyes, a passerby shared his abortion story. "20 years ago, I had an affair. She got pregnant, and I paid for an abortion. After so many years, it still hurts." The man added that seeing the 40 Days for Life vigil brings him hope. "I thank you because, with your prayers, God will have mercy on us. PLEASE do not tire of praying!"

Washington, New Jersey "We had a woman stop by who saw us as she was passing by," said Jen in New Jersey. "She told me she had an abortion a long time ago and she wanted to do anything she could to help us. She encouraged us in this work and said how important it is." Jen hugged the woman, amazed at her courage in sharing her story. "She teared up and said she didn’t realize what she was doing when she did it."

Clearwater, Florida "Today we had a woman pull up to us and commend us for being here!" said Jane in Clearwater. "She said she had been here for an abortion many years ago and she wished that we were there then!" As the woman became emotional, Jane prayed with her and gave her a brochure on resources for post-abortion healing.

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you. — Ephesians 4:31-32 Dearest God, You tell us in Proverbs that the foolish and the wicked lack wisdom and understanding. I pray you will trouble the souls of those in the abortion industry so that they hunger for truth and cry out for freedom. 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