40 Days For Life: DAY 11: Abortion in the pews

Sometimes, simply talking about abortion can be the difference between life and death. Last month, Karen in Flossmoor, Illinois had the opportunity to address her church about abortion and 40 Days for Life. The message struck a chord with a woman whose daughter--under heavy pressure from those close to her--scheduled an abortion. The pregnant woman's mother visited the Flossmoor campaign webpage and emailed Karen to ask for prayers and help. After a series of emails, texts, and calls, Karen met the expectant mother at a local pregnancy center, where she had an ultrasound and chose life--a day before her scheduled abortion!

Most babies saved through 40 Days for Life campaigns are saved at the vigil. But sometimes, it's the community outreach component of 40 Days for Life that spares a mother the trauma of abortion. The conversations we never have can be deadly. Fortunately, Karen had the courage to speak up about the most controversial subject in the world. "We got to know each other," Karen said of the mother she helped empower to choose life. "She continues to go to the pregnancy center, and I will continue to support her. I told her I will be there for her throughout her pregnancy."

Masaka, Uganda Speaking of community outreach, the Masaka, Uganda campaign has been dynamic in bringing the message of life to the public. Abortion-on-demand isn't legal in Uganda. But broad exceptions to the law mean that hundreds of thousands of lives are lost to abortion in the country each year. Local leader Fr. Deusdedit and his team are working hard to educate community members about the dignity of life before they find themselves contemplating abortion. "The campaign is moving on very well," Fr. Deusdedit said. "Young people are giving testimonies about protecting Life. Some people had fallen victims of abortion, but now they are ready to protect life."

Memphis, Tennessee "You guys sure are determined--I'll give you that," said an African-American man waiting for the bus near the Memphis vigil. When asked for his opinion on abortion, the man said that the government shouldn't limit a woman's choices. But when vigil participants discussed abortion in terms of biology and human rights, the conversation changed. "He began drawing the similarities between [abortion] and slavery--how terrible tragedies arise when one group of people question the humanity of another group," said Jessie, the local leader. "By the time the bus arrived, he was thanking us for being out there with tears in his eyes."

I beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness, and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love. — Ephesians 4:1b-2 Dear Heavenly Father, we are humbled that you have called us and appointed us to be ambassadors of Christ in a world that is not our home. We pray that your Holy Spirit will empower us to walk worthy of the calling. We pray that Your unconditional love will flow through us to those who desperately need Your saving grace. 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