DEACON FOR LIFE

Were there to be no support in the whole history of ethical and moral thought, were there no acknowledged confirmation from medical science, were the history of legal opinion to the contrary, we would still have to conclude on the basis of God's Holy Word that the unborn child is a person in the sight of God. He is protected by the sanctity of life graciously given to each individual by the Creator, Who alone places His image upon man and grants them any right to life which they have.

Sunday, September 26, 2021

40 Days For Life: DAY 5: God had other plans

The first-ever 40 Days for Life campaign in College Station, Texas was intended to be a one-city, one-time event...but God had other plans.

When the local abortion rate dropped by 28% during those 40 days, cities across Texas launched their own campaigns.

Then the pro-lifers of Green Bay, Wisconsin (which might as well have been the North Pole to me at the time!) invited me to speak at their 2006 40 Days for Life kickoff event, and I realized the Lord might have bigger plans for 40 Days for Life!

In addition to helping spur the first nationally coordinated 40 Days for Life campaign the following year, Green Bay's effort ultimately closed a local abortion facility that had been killing babies for decades, has saved numerous lives, and also helped spin off new vigils throughout the state.

Longtime Green Bay leader Jim--a true pro-life hero--and his team packed a local community center to celebrate 15 years of 40 Days for Life campaigns in Titletown and to launch this fall's vigil.

Local campaign leaders from across Wisconsin drove to Green Bay for the occasion. And because no celebration in the Badger State is complete without them, Jim brought in deep-fried cheese curds to feast on before the fasting began.

Little Rock, Arkansas

On day 1, Little Rock's vigil schedule was filled largely by members of Deeper Still Arkansas, an abortion recovery group.

"Many of them have had an abortion and received healing from the Lord," reported Toni, the co-leader of the Little Rock campaign.

Having encountered God's mercy in the wake of their abortions, they participate in the 40 Days for Life vigil to help spare other women from the pain and loss they experienced.

Bratislava, Slovakia

The Bratislava vigil is off to a wet start. "It was raining hard!" said Martina, the local leader.

Martina has requested prayers after learning that a hostile television station is planning to feature her 40 Days for Life campaign in a documentary on abortion.

"It is a big trouble for me as they are very pro-abortion," she said. "Please pray for us."

Washington, New Jersey

Jen in Washington opened her campaign with a prayer procession.

So many people turned out that traffic needed to be stopped to accommodate the prayer warriors.

"All attendees were grateful to start our 40-day effort with such blessings," Jen remarked.

The King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.”

—Matthew 25:31-46

Gracious and merciful Father, we renew our dedication to defending the unborn and all whose right to life is compromised by our godless society’s selfish lack of concern. Free us from our own failures and sins so that we will be truly pro-life in every area of our lives.

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

LIFE IS SACRED

An example of the traditional magisterial teaching which indicates that it is never morally licit to intentionally kill a child through abortion in order to “save the life of its mother” comes from the teaching of Pope Pius XII:

“Every human being, even the infant in the mother's womb, has the right to life immediately from God, not from the parent or any human society or authority. Therefore, there is no man, no human authority, no science, no medical, eugenic, social, economic or moral ‘indication’ that can show or give valid juridical title for direct deliberate disposition concerning an innocent human life-which is to say, a disposition that aims at its destruction either as an end in itself or as the means of attaining another end that is perhaps in no way illicit itself. Thus, for example, to save the life of the mother is a most noble end, but the direct killing of the child as a means to this end is not licit.”