40 Days For Life: DAY 30: Behind bars

Next week I’ll do something I’ve never done during a 40 Days for Life campaign--share the pro-life message in the Texas state prison system. It all started years ago when the 40 Days for Life team in Saginaw, Michigan invited inmates at a local prison to join their campaign by praying from behind bars. The outreach brought hope and healing to the inmates--many of whom have had personal experiences with abortion. "This year we have expanded to two prisons!" Kristine, the local leader, reported. "Limiting the men to 12 hours isn’t cutting it. We had so many men who wanted to pray, they are now covering THE ENTIRE DAY, for ALL 40 days! What a blessing these men are." Those incarcerated prayer warriors must have been delighted to find out their prayers helped saved a baby. After two-and-a-half hours in the abortion facility waiting room, an expectant mother asked for a refund and told vigil participants she had chosen life!

Since I wrote about Kristine's prison outreach in my book The Beginning of Abortion, many more 40 Days for Life campaigns have followed in her footsteps. 40 Days for Life Director of Medical Affairs & Education and former abortion provider Dr. Haywood Robinson recently went into a Texas prison to share a message of life with hundreds of inmates, who also had the opportunity to watch Unplanned. "We are so very moved by the response from these men," wrote Lynne. "In addition to hearts and lives around the world that have been touched, there are those behind the prison walls and chain link fences whose hearts and lives have been unshackled."

Gherla, Romania After three campaigns in Gherla, the local 40 Days for Life team had a major breakthrough. Abortions are performed in the local hospital, and the 40 Days for Life team now has a room in the hospital where pro-life counselors can talk with a woman before she goes through with the abortion. These counselors work with a local pregnancy center to provide moms with support through birth--and beyond!

Savannah, Georgia "Savannah is on fire for life!" said 40 Days for Life Campaign Director Steve Karlen, who recently visited the campaign there. Approximately 60 people showed up to pray for an 8:00 am midpoint rally. There was much to celebrate. A few years ago, Paula, then the local campaign leader, helped start a new pregnancy center in town. The brick-and-mortar clinic and its mobile ultrasound unit have saved more than 90 babies from abortion since February of 2018.

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