40 Days For Life: DAY 34: Grandma to the Rescue

 

We now have confirmed reports of 370 babies saved from abortion since March 2. More good news is coming in every day!

A woman who brought her teenage daughter to the San Luis Obispo, California, Planned Parenthood for an abortion made a beeline for 40 Days for Life volunteers praying on the sidewalk. "Please, could you pray for my daughter?" the woman begged through her tears. "Pray for us! She is just 17...but I know she is not sure! Please, please pray. Could you pray?" Vigil participants and the abortion-bound teen's mother spent hours in intense prayer. Finally, the young woman exited Planned Parenthood and got in the car. As the vehicle left, the new grandmother stopped to flash two thumbs up and a huge smile toward the vigil participants. "We watched, in grateful prayer, knowing the prayers of a mother and those gathered around her had, indeed, been answered," said one vigil participant.

The San Luis Obispo team's prayers helped spare another family the trauma of abortion when the mom of an abortion client arrived at Planned Parenthood--frantic and desperate to save the life of her unborn grandchild. "She quickly got out of her car, still wearing her pajamas and socks, and ran inside," said Katie, the local 40 Days for Life leader. About 15 minutes later, the grandmother returned to her vehicle. "She pulled out, giving us a worried, yet 'glad-we-were-there' wave," Katie explained. Vigil participants intensified their prayers--and those prayers were answered! "About 30 minutes later, the young girl came out smiling and exclaimed, 'I'm calling my mom!'" Katie reported. "She had chosen life! That was the BEST phone call the grandma in PJs ever received!"

Xochimilco, Mexico A young woman in Xochimilco found herself pregnant when her contraceptive injection failed. She intended to have an abortion, but an acquaintance introduced her to Elsy, the Xochimilco 40 Days for Life leader, who is also a doctor. Elsy provided the woman with a free ultrasound and even gave her a ride to the appointment where she met her baby for the first time. After hearing her child's heartbeat and seeing the baby's hand move, she decided to keep her baby! "Miracles happen every day," Elsy said. "The emotion of seeing one of them is indescribable!"

Manhattan, New York Laurie reported three babies saved in one day at Planned Parenthood's flagship facility in Manhattan. A couple coming for a late-term abortion chose life after a sidewalk counselor showed an educational video on what a 21-week abortion entails. Laurie said another woman went inside Planned Parenthood but came out and told vigil participants that "she couldn't go through with the abortion after what she'd heard from the sidewalk counselor."

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. —John 1:1-3 O God, may we always be quick to call You Father. And when we call You Father, let Your Spirit remind us that we, and all people, from their beginning to their last day, are Your children. We praise you, Father, that you sent Your Son to reveal to the world that all people are His brothers and sisters, that all people are Your children. 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

40 Days For Life: DAY 33: From Abortion Worker to Campaign Leader

 

When Franne landed a job at Planned Parenthood in Los Angeles, she looked forward to a career advancing women's health. She was quickly disillusioned. "They didn’t want us to take our time with patients," Franne remembered. "The faster, the better." And then there was the gruesome nature of her job. Franne assisted with abortions and handled the bodies of aborted babies. While Planned Parenthood’s dehumanizing rhetoric helped her cope with the brutality of her work, Franne admitted, "We clearly saw that it was a baby, not just tissue..." But when Franne began desiring a relationship with God, He led her out of the abortion industry... ...and called her to lead a 40 Days for Life campaign in front of her former workplace.

Many of you just received (or are about to receive) the beautiful tribute to Sue Thayer in our spring magazine. But if you don't receive Day 41, it's not too late to subscribe and get the full story of Franne's miraculous journey from abortion worker to 40 Days for Life leader in our next issue. Sign up for your FREE quarterly subscription* at: 40daysforlife.com/magazine In this issue, you'll also hear from: Abby Johnson, author of Unplanned Abortion survivor Claire Culwell The missionary who brought 40 Days for Life to Taiwan Get your free subscription TODAY! *U.S. residents only.

Lancaster, California Prayer warriors in Lancaster held a diaper drive to support their local pregnancy help centers. "The clinics really appreciate our assistance," said Mary Anne, who serves on the local leadership team. "We believe helping mothers and babies in need is an important part of our 40 Days for Life commitment!"

Cancun, Mexico The Cancun 40 Days for Life team prays in front of a hospital that does abortions. One of the hospital workers informed vigil participants that the number of abortions has dropped by 28% since they began praying in front of the medical center. "We are happy and grateful to God," exclaimed Mary Carmen, the local leader. "He lets us know that He listens to us. God is good!"

Cork, Ireland The legalization of abortion in Ireland is a recent, tragic development. But young pro-lifers are coming to the rescue. As Kate wrapped up her vigil shift in front of Cork University Hospital, she was delighted to see three young students arrive to replace her. "It was just such a hopeful sign to meet them," she said.

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor. --Psalm 8:3-9 Lord, you are the creator of all things. Guide my thoughts to consider your creation in all of its majesty, beauty and holiness. Guide my heart especially to your creation of precious human life. Help me to comprehend how essential life is in your own heart. Teach me to appreciate, love and protect all human life. 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

40 Days For Life: DAY 32: Beaten for Saying 'No' to Abortion

 

 

Saturday is the busiest abortion day in America... ...and abortion survives on pain. You will see that pain played out as women enter and exit abortion facilities, and relief is nowhere to be found on their faces. Prayer warriors in Hollywood, Florida, recently watched a woman emerge from the abortion center physically and emotionally broken. "She leaned against the building trying to steady herself but couldn't," said Nancy, the local leader. "So she sat on the concrete walkway." The abortionist had already gone home, but vigil participants stuck around to minister to the woman, offering prayers, a chair, and a bottle of water. "Her lips were dry and chapped, and she dribbled water out of her mouth as she thanked us," Nancy continued. The post-abortive mother didn't want to end her pregnancy, but when she told her husband she didn't want the abortion, he hit her.

"That's when the 'Father of the Year' showed up and told her to get in the car," Nancy remembered. "He offered her no assistance." Vigil participants witnessed a similar scene a week later when another weeping woman accepted help from the vigil participants after her abortion. The woman's sister arrived to drive her home and angrily accused prayer warriors of making her "feel more guilty." When Nancy explained that her team wasn't judging, simply offering the help the abortion workers didn't provide, the sister calmed down and thanked the vigil participants. Serving as the first sign of God's mercy after a woman has an abortion isn't as joyful or exciting as saving a baby...but it's no less important.

Sevilla, Spain The 40 Days for Life team in Sevilla encountered a woman who had an abortion late in the second trimester because her baby had an abnormality. "After many hours, she came out, walking with difficulty," noted Nayeli, who organizes the Sevilla campaign. Later that day, a van from the mortuary arrived. "Don't worry, we are only here to pick up the body of a little boy," the driver said to Nayeli as he held out his hand to indicate the child's size. "How blind and lost people are," Nayeli commented.

Watertown, New York "My heart is heavy...I'm so saddened," said Flora, the campaign leader in Watertown. "I couldn't convince a young couple today. Knowing they went through with it is devastating." Flora said she thinks the expectant mother was interested in having a conversation with vigil participants--but her boyfriend rushed her into the facility. "We prayed and prayed for her to come back out, but she didn't until much later," Flora recalled.

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