From 40 Days For Life: DAY 41: 402 babies spared - it worked!

Dear Deacon John, Children who were scheduled to be aborted are alive today ... because over these past 40 days, God blessed your prayers and peaceful vigil.   In fact, we know of ...  … 402 babies saved from abortion during this 40 Days for Life campaign!     As we enter what’s often called “the week that changed the world,” we journey through the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our Lord and Savior’s victory over death is the source of our hope – hope for ourselves ... and hope for our culture.     Thank you for being that witness of hope in a culture of death! This campaign showed how brightly light can shine when it is courageously brought into the darkness.  We have a final devotional for this campaign today … and, as always, a few stories to share. Grand Rapids, Michigan  “It worked!” Those were the words of a young woman who had been sitting in her car in the parking lot of the abortion center in Grand Rapids, talking with a friend who had an abortion appointment.  Lisa, the local coordinator in Grand Rapids, said this woman then went to tell the sidewalk counselors that her friend was not going to keep her appointment. “After picking up a baby gift bag,” she said, “they simply drove away … which was the answer to so many prayers.” What exactly was it that worked? “The prayer volunteers were praying, the sidewalk counselors were standing by, the friends were talking in the car … and the Holy Spirit somehow used it all to touch the heart of this young mother,”Lisa explained. “What joyful news and what an awesome God!” Montgomery, Alabama  Michelle, the 40 Days for Life leader in Montgomery, said prayer volunteers witnessed two saves on one day. One of them did not come easily.  “This had to be the hardest fight I think I had fought here,” a sidewalk counselor said. “This young woman kept going in and out as her boyfriend tried to stop her, only to end up crying at the side of his car. You don’t see many dads this brave at this place.”  Eventually, the woman walked out to the car where her boyfriend was crying. “Facing each other,” Michelle said, “he gently reached for her hands.” As they talked quietly with the counselors, a man whose child was being aborted inside the building angrily approached the couple and insisted that she go through with the abortion.  “We have no idea why he was interfering and so adamant,” Michelle said. “All we know is that when the sidewalk counselor said ‘in the name of Jesus, get away,’ he fled immediately.” Finally, the couple drove away. They did not have the abortion. “Continue to pray for this new family,” Michelle said, that they may “love their baby … and be not afraid.” Roanoke, Virginia  Unfortunately, not every story has a happy ending. But God is in control. Sean in Roanoke says the 40 Days for Life team was asked to pray for a woman planning to abort twins. But a few days later, the woman went through with the abortion. “I am mourning this great loss,” he said. But there is hope in the fact that God turns mourning into joy. “Though the sorrow may last for a night, God’s joy comes in the morning. Even in the midst of darkness,” Sean said, “we celebrate the light.” On that note, we end this campaign but continue the battle, knowing in the end that Christ has already claimed the victory. As a bonus ... here is one final 40 Days for Life devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life.  Day 41 intention  Pray that the witness of 40 Days for Life bears abundant fruit, and that we begin again each day to storm the gates of hell until God welcomes us into the gates of heaven.  Scripture  He will wipe every tear from their eyes. On this rock I will build my church; the gates of hell will not prevail against it.  — Matthew 16:18  Reflection by Fr. Frank Pavone  When we read this verse, we usually think that the Lord is promising that the church, which is His Body, will withstand all the attacks launched against it.  Of course, that is true. But when we think about it more carefully, we realize that in a battle, the gates do not run out into the battlefield to attack the enemy. Rather, they stand still to defend the city from the enemy attacking it.  So when the Lord says that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church, who is doing the attacking?  It is the church storming the gates!  The church, all of God's people in Christ, is called to take the offensive, to run into enemy territory, and to gain ground for Jesus Christ.  We do not wait for an invitation; we already have a command.  We prepare, but we do not wait for circumstances to be perfect; we already have one who has gone before us.  During these 40 days, we have stormed the gates. We have taken the offensive. We have pushed forward the boundaries of the kingdom. And we must keep doing so, in numerous ways.  Indeed, the gates of hell will not prevail. The gates of falsehood will flee in the presence of truth. The gates of sin will melt in the presence of grace. The gates of death will fall in the presence of the church, the People of Life!  Prayer  Father, we praise you. We have heard the voice of your Son, and therefore we can make our voices heard.  We have done battle with the power of evil, and therefore we can have compassion on those still within its grip. We have been freed from the kingdom of darkness, and therefore we can bear witness to your Kingdom of Light.  May the witness of all your people through these 40 Days for Life bear abundant fruit, and may we begin again each day to storm the gates of hell until You welcome us into the gates of heaven.  We pray in the victorious name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.  Printable devotional  To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share: http://40daysforlife.com/media/day41.pdf For life,   SHAWN CARNEY Campaign Director 40 Days for Life www.40daysforlife.com

From 40 Days For Life: DAY 40: Only God

Dear Deacon John,

 

Ten years ago ... after we held the first-ever 40 Days for Life campaign ... we thought it was just going to be a one-time effort.

But since then, God has taken this campaign from Bryan/College Station, Texas to places no one could have imagined. It has seen blessing after blessing ... with lives saved from abortion, abortion centers closed ... and even the hardest hearts touched and transformed.

Only God could do this!

We wrap up this campaign with a look at three countries where 40 Days for Life is growing rapidly – Mexico, Romania and Croatia.

 

Mexico

 

 

Steve Karlen, the North American outreach director for 40 Days for Life, describes the Mexican campaigns in one word: “intense!”

 

“The local leaders are keenly aware that abortion isn’t something Mexico City wants,” said Steve, who is attending closing rallies. “It’s been imposed through significant pressure from other countries.”

 

The response to 40 Days for Life has been amazing. At a Friday night event, Steve said “it was raining, and there were still more people than we could count. People took a two-hour bus ride to come pray.”

 

This vigil is at outside a Marie Stopes abortion facility in Coyoacan, which mysteriously shut down about three weeks ago.  The leaders hope the closure is permanent … but their vigil continues.

 

This campaign has recorded five saved babies ... including a set of twins.

 

The other vigils are just as strong. Tere, the leader in Iztapalapa, said there are often as many as 30 people praying, and the local bishop has asked every church to participate.

 

Romania

 

 

Dan and Julia are the campaign directors for a first-time campaign in Cluj-Napoca, one of the largest cities in the country.

 

“The leader of the pro-life movement in Romania is astonished they achieved such an amazing task of doing a campaign in a textbook fashion and wants to know how they did it,” said Robert Colquhoun, the international outreach coordinator for 40 Days for Life.

 

Around 600 volunteers have participated so far in 40 Days for Life … and there are 10 different cities interested in hosting their own campaigns.

 

“There are many shy Christians in Romania,” Robert said, “so 40 Days for Life is certainly counter-cultural and counter-intuitive for them. Many people are amazed that the Orthodox believers also came to pray and they have had a real talent encouraging Christians to pray together, ecumenically.”

 

He said they’ve run an excellent campaign, “which sets a great precedent for the country ... and I expect many spiritual fruits and blessings as a result.”

 

Croatia

 

 

Ante Caljkusic, who brought the first 40 Days for Life vigil to Zagreb, has watched as the outreach has now spread to ten cities in his country in the past year … and it could expand to 16 or 17 for the next campaign. It may be spreading to adjacent countries as well.

 

The campaigns must be touching consciences. There were protests reported in two cities, Pula and Split. In Pula, volunteers continued their peaceful prayer as women chanted insulting slogans. In Split, a few people showed up to demonstrate … but they were surprised to find around 100 people in prayer!

 

The 40 Days for Life project, Ante said, is “very simple and very effective. And that’s why we chose it.”

 

The next campaign runs from September 23 to November 1. Will your community be part of it? Please pray about it as this campaign draws to a close.

Here’s today’s devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life.

 

Day 40 intention

Let us keep our eyes fixed on the New Jerusalem, where death will be no more.

 

Scripture

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"

—Revelation 21:4-5

 

Reflection

Every activity we undertake in defense of the sanctity of life is prophetic, inasmuch as it points to the day when "death will be no more."

Every victory we have when an act of abortion is prevented is prophetic of that day when death itself will be definitively conquered.

Every triumph of grace in this world, whereby someone is brought to see the value of life and given the strength to welcome it, is a breaking into our history of that definitive future in which the old order of things will have passed, and all things will be made new.

As pro-life warriors, we must keep our eyes fixed on heaven, and our hearts secure in the hope that the day is coming when all evil will be conquered. It is the future that shapes the present; it is victory that informs the battle; it is the destination that determines the journey.

Daily, we are called to reflect on heaven. When we weep, we are to think of the day when every tear will be wiped away.

When we face the destructive power of death, we are to think of the day when death is swallowed up in victory.

When we labor against abortion, we are to think of the day when we will have the rest and peace of the final triumph of life.

Heaven is as real as earth, and its joys will be as real as our present sorrows.

 

Prayer

Father, you are the God of hope. Your word fills us with the vision of the world to come, when every tear will be wiped away, and death will be no more. Father, how we need that hope, how we are strengthened by that vision!

Keep our hearts focused on heaven, and diligent in the labors of earth. As we struggle against the culture of death, root our souls in the assurance of victory. We pray through Christ our Lord, Amen.

 

Printable devotional

To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share:

 

http://40daysforlife.com/media/day40.pdf

 

For life,

 

SHAWN CARNEY Campaign Director 40 Days for Life www.40daysforlife.com

 

Bishop James Conley: Contraception Robs True freedom

Bishop James Conley: Contraception Robs True freedom

“I Exhort you to Reject the Use of Contraception in Your Marriage.”

Bishop James D. Conley, STL: A letter to the Catholic Families 
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Twenty years ago, Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta stood before the President of the United States, before senators and congressmen, before justices of the United States Supreme Court. She spoke about her work among the world’s poor. She spoke about justice and compassion. Most importantly, she spoke about love.
“Love,” she told them, “has to hurt. I must be willing to give whatever it takes not to harm other people and, in fact, to do good to them. This requires that I be willing to give until it hurts. Otherwise, there is no true love in me and I bring injustice, not peace, to those around me.” [1]

Sacrifice is the language of love.

Love is spoken in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who poured out his life for us on the cross. Love is spoken in the sacrifice of the Christian life, sharing in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. And love is spoken in the sacrifice of parents, and pastors, and friends.
We live in a world short on love. Today, love is too often understood as romantic sentimentality rather than unbreakable commitment. But sentimentality is unsatisfying. Material things, and comfort, and pleasure bring only fleeting happiness. The truth is that we are all searching for real love, because we are all searching for meaning.

What is Real Love?

Love—real love—is about sacrifice, and redemption, and hope. Real love is at the heart of a rich, full life. We are made for real love. And all that we do—in our lives, our careers, and our families, especially—should be rooted in our capacity for real, difficult, unfailing love.

Most Reverend James D. Conley, STL

But today, in a world short on love, we’re left without peace, and without joy.
In my priesthood, I have stood in front of abortion clinics to offer help to women experiencing unwanted pregnancies; I have prayed with the neglected elderly; and I have buried young victims of violence. I have seen the isolation, the injustice, and the sadness that comes from a world short on love. Mother Teresa believed, as do I, that much of the world’s unhappiness and injustice begins with a disregard for the miracle of life created in the womb of mothers. Today, our culture rejects love when it rejects the gift of new life, through the use of contraception
Mother Teresa said that, “in destroying the power of giving life, through contraception, a husband or wife…destroys the gift of love.”
Husbands and wives are made to freely offer themselves as gifts to one another in friendship, and to share in the life-giving love of God.
He created marriage to be unifying and procreative. To join husband and wife inseparably in the mission of love, and to bring forth from that love something new.
Contraception robs the freedom for those possibilities.
God made us to love and to be loved. He made us to delight in the power of sexual love to bring forth new human beings, children of God, created with immortal souls. Our Church has always taught that rejecting the gift of children erodes the love between husband and wife: it distorts the unitive and procreative nature of marriage. The use of contraception gravely and seriously disrupts the sacrificial, holy, and loving meaning of marriage itself.
The Church continues to call Catholic couples to unity and procreativity. Marriage is a call to greatness—to loving as God loves—freely, creatively, and generously. God himself is a community of love—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Christian marriage is an invitation to imitate, and to know, and to share in the joyful freedom of God’s love, an echo of the Holy Trinity.
___
In 1991, my predecessor, Bishop Glennon P. Flavin, wrote that “there can be no true happiness in your lives unless God is very much a part of your marriage covenant. To expect to find happiness in sin is to look for good in evil…. To keep God in your married life, to trust in his wisdom and love, and to obey his laws…will deepen your love for each other and will bring to you that inner peace of mind and heart which is the reward of a good conscience.” [2]
God is present in every marriage, and present during every marital embrace. He created sexuality so that males and females could mirror the Trinity: forming, in their sexual union, the life-long bonds of family. God chose to make spouses cooperators with him in creating new human lives, destined for eternity. Those who use contraception diminish their power to unite and they give up the opportunity to cooperate with God in the creation of life.

I Exhort you to Reject the Use of Contraception in Your Marriage.

As Bishop of Lincoln, I repeat the words of Bishop Flavin. Dear married men and women: I exhort you to reject the use of contraception in your marriage. I challenge you to be open to God’s loving plan for your life. I invite you to share in the gift of God’s life-giving love. I fervently believe that in God’s plan, you will rediscover real love for your spouse, your children, for God, and for the Church. I know that in this openness to life, you will find the rich adventure for which you were made.

Children are not a Burden

Our culture often teaches us that children are more a burden than a gift—that families impede our freedom and diminish our finances. We live in a world where large families are the objects of spectacle and derision, instead of the ordinary consequence of a loving marriage entrusted to God’s providence. But children should not be feared as a threat or a burden, but rather seen as a sign of hope for the future.
In 1995, Blessed John Paul II wrote that our culture suffers from a “hedonistic mentality unwilling to accept responsibility in matters of sexuality, and… a self-centered concept of freedom, which regards procreation as an obstacle to personal fulfillment. ” [3] Generous, life-giving spousal love is the antidote to hedonism and immaturity: parents gladly give up frivolous pursuits and selfishness for the intensely more meaningful work of loving and educating their children.
In the Diocese of Lincoln, I am grateful for the example of hundreds of families who have opened themselves freely and generously to children. Some have been given large families, and some have not. And of course, a few suffer the very difficult, hidden cross of infertility or low fertility. The mystery of God’s plan for our lives is incomprehensible. But the joy of these families, whether or not they bear many children, disproves the claims of the contraceptive mentality.
Dear brothers and sisters, Blessed John Paul II reminded us that, “man is called to a fullness of life which far exceeds the dimensions of his earthly existence, because it consists in sharing the very life of God.” [4] The sexual intimacy of marriage, the most intimate kind of human friendship, is a pathway to sharing in God’s own life. It is a pathway to the fullness of our own human life; it is a means of participating in the incredible love of God. Contraception impedes our share in God’s creative love. And thus it impedes our joy.
The joy of families living in accord with God’s plan animates and enriches our community with a spirit of vitality and enthusiasm. The example of your friends and neighbors demonstrates that while children require sacrifice, they are also the source of joy, meaning, and of peace. Who does not understand the great gift of a loving family?
Yes, being lovingly open to children requires sacrifice. But sacrifice is the harbinger of true joy. Dear brothers and sisters, I invite you to be open to joy.
___

What are the Valid Reasons to Delay Children?

Of course, there are some true and legitimate reasons why, at certain times, families may discern being called to the sacrifice of delaying children. For families with serious mental, physical, or emotional health problems, or who are experiencing dire financial troubles, bearing children might best be delayed. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that couples must have “just” reasons to delay childbearing. For couples facing difficulties of various kinds, the Church recommends Natural Family Planning: a method for making choices about engaging in fruitful sexual relations.
Natural Family Planning does not destroy the power to give life: instead, it challenges couples to discern prayerfully when to engage in life-giving sexual acts. It is an integrated, organic and holistic approach to fertility care.

The Gift of Natural Family Planning

Natural Family Planning is a reliable and trustworthy way to regulate fertility, is easy to learn, and can be a source of unity for couples. To be sure, using NFP requires sacrifice and patience, but sacrifice and patience are not obstacles to love, they are a part of love itself. Used correctly, NFP forms gentle, generous husbands, and selfless, patient wives. It can become a school of virtuous and holy love.
Those who confine sexual intimacy to the infertile times of the month are not engaging in contraceptive practices. They do not attempt to make a potentially fertile act infertile. They sacrificially abstain during the fertile time precisely because they respect fertility; they do not want to violate it; they do not want to treat the gift of fertility as a burden.

The Dangers of Using Natural Family Planning as a Contraceptive

In some relatively rare instances, Natural Family Planning is used by couples with a contraceptive mentality. Too often couples can choose to abstain from fertility by default, or out of fear of the consequences of new life. I encourage all couples who use Natural Family Planning to be very open with each other concerning the reasons they think it right to limit their family size, to take their thoughts to God, and to pray for his guidance. Do we let fear, anxiety, or worry determine the size of our families? Do we entrust ourselves to the Lord, whose generosity provides for all of our needs?
“Perfect love,” scripture teaches, “casts out fear.” [5]
Dear friends, I exhort you to openness in married life. I exhort you to trust in God’s abundant providence.
___
Tragically, a majority of people in our culture and even in our Church, have used contraception. Much of the responsibility for that lies in the fact that too few have ever been exposed to clear and consistent teaching on the subject. But the natural consequences of our culture’s contraceptive mentality are clear. Mother Teresa reflected that “once living love is destroyed by contraception, abortion follows very easily.” [7] She was right. Cultural attitudes that reject the gift of life lead very easily to social acceptance for abortion, for no-fault divorce, and for fatherless families. For fifty years, America has accepted the use of contraception, and the consequences have been dire.
Dear brothers and sisters, I encourage you to read the encyclical by Pope Paul VI, Humanae Vitae with your spouse, or in your parish. Consider also Married Love and the Gift of Life, written by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Dear brother priests, I encourage you to preach about the dangers of contraception, and to visit with families in your parish about this issue.
Dear brothers and sisters, if you have used or prescribed contraception, the merciful love of God awaits. Healing is possible—in the sacrament of penance. If you have used or supported contraception, I pray that you will stop, and that you will avail yourself of God’s tender mercy by making a good heartfelt confession.
___
Today, openness to children is rarely celebrated, rarely understood, and rarely supported. To many, the Church’s teachings on life seem oppressive or old-fashioned. Many believe that the Church asks too great a sacrifice.
But sacrifice is the language of love. And in sacrifice, we speak the language of God himself. I am calling you, dear brothers and sisters, to encounter Christ in your love for one another. I am calling you to rich and abundant family life. I am calling you to rejoice in the love, and the sacrifice, for which you were made. I am calling your family to share in the creative, active love of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
I pray that in true sacrifice, each of you will know perfect joy.
Through the intercession of Our Lady of the Annunciation, the Holy Family, and in the love of Jesus Christ,
+James D. Conley
Bishop of Lincoln

Discover More

1. Bishop Conley: I Exhort You To Reject The Use Of Contraception!
2. Bishop James Conley: Does Radical Redefinition of Marriage Concerns You?
3. Bishop Soto: Artificial Contraception Has Distorted Relationships.

 from Courageous Priest

National Right to Life News This Week 3/28/15

The best of NRL News Today for the week of March 23, 2015

6 people whose lives are changing the abortion debate By Kristi Burton Brown 1) 12-week-old Noah Noah died during a miscarriage at 12 weeks and 5 days. His mother willingly shared an amazing photo of his tiny human body so that others could see the humanity of the preborn child

Government Report Shows Hundreds of Millions in Tax Dollars Going to Planned Parenthood, Other Abortion Advocates By Randall K. O'Bannon, Ph.D., NRL Director of Education & Research In a $3.8 trillion federal budget, it isn't always easy to keep track of where all the money goes. But one thing a recent report from the U.S. Government

New York State Assembly Passes Dangerous Expansion of Abortion in the Third Trimester ALBANY – Today in a vote of 94-49 the New York State Assembly approved passage of AB 6221, the extreme stand-alone 10th point from the previously packaged 10-point Women's Equality Act, which would expand third-trimester abortions and allow non-doctors

Taxpayer funded abortion ban, abortion facility licensing bills approved by House committee MCCL-supported protective measures advance at Legislature ST. PAUL -- Abortion facilities would be licensed and taxpayer funding of abortion would be prohibited under two bills passed by a committee of the Minnesota House of Representatives on Wednesday.

Keeping The Momentum Going! Sometimes I hear the question: "Isn't it time we move on from abortion and work on other issues?" For those who have donated money and time to the cause, written letters to their elected officials, and voted for pro-life candidates,

North Carolina asks Supreme Court to hear abortion ultrasound case By Dave Andrusko On Monday North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper and Solicitor General, John F. Maddrey asked the Supreme Court to take up the decision of a three-judge panel of the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals striking down

Pro-abortion Senator Reid announces he will not run in 2016 By Dave Andrusko Not a bad way to start the day. Pro-abortion Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nv.) announces that he will not seek another term--that the 75-year-old will hang up his spikes after the 2016 election.

Dynel Lane will not be charged with murder in attack on pregnant woman whose baby died By Dave Andrusko The Washington Post is reporting this afternoon that murder charges will not be filed against Dynel Lane, accused of stabbing Michelle Wilkins last week and cutting out her 7-month-old unborn child.

Oklahoma Senate Committee passes Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act By Dave Andrusko As soon as next Monday, the Oklahoma Senate could be voting on the model Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act, which was provided by National Right to Life and is one of its highest legislative priorities.

TV's "The Good Wife" surprises with a refreshingly honest conversation about abortion By Texas Right to Life Editor's note. We wrote about this episode of "The Good Wife" on Wednesday. Texas RTL has added additional dialogue from the show and a very shrewd analysis of the twist at the end of the

NRL Convention 2015 -- Plan to attend now!

When a mom smokes while pregnant, her preborn baby reacts By Susan Michelle Powerful images of preborn babies in the womb who wince and grimace when their moms light up cigarettes are making headlines across the globe. The implications of these pictures reach beyond the harms of smoking during pregnancy;

Kevorkian's True Goal was Human Vivisection By Wesley J. Smith The revisionism about Jack Kevorkian and his purposes will not stop–and it can't be allowed to stand. The truth about K and what he was really after–his true motives–is too important, because it not only shows the

D&E Dismemberment abortions: "utterly beyond the pale" By Dave Andrusko We will be talking about a great deal in the coming weeks about enactment of Kansas's Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act and the expected passage of the same bill in Oklahoma where it has cruised

Read all the stories at: nationalrighttolifenews.org

National Right to Life, 512 10th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

From 40 Days For Life: DAY 39: "This campaign is affecting business"

Dear Deacon John, Your prayer presence hurts the bottom line of the abortion industry ...especially on Saturdays.  Saturday is the busiest day of the week at many abortion facilities … so please find a campaign location and join the vigil!  You never know what God may have in store. You may see your prayers answered as a mother turns away from abortion. Or you may even see a closedsign on the abortion business’s door!     That’s happened several times during this campaign. Here’s one example:   Winston-Salem, North Carolina  Toni in Winston-Salem says the Planned Parenthood center has been closed several days during the campaign, including at least one Saturday … which is usually an abortion day. “This campaign is definitely affecting business for them,” Toni said. She mentioned a couple driving into the parking lot who looked at the prayer volunteers … but did not stop to talk. After about five minutes, though, they turned around and drove out. They never went inside. “They honked at us before they headed off,” Toni said. “We hope that means another child’s life was saved.” She stressed the need for more prayer … even when the abortion center is closed. Those prayers, she said, get applied according to God’s will. “That part is for God. We just keep up the prayers and witness and He will take it from there!” Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania  “I just found out that a young woman who had an abortion scheduled at Planned Parenthood did not go through with it,” said Nikki, the local 40 Days for Life leader in Pittsburgh. “She didn’t want an abortion, but finally succumbed to the steady pressure of her boyfriend, made the appointment and went to Planned Parenthood,” she said. But when this woman saw the volunteers praying, she decided not to do it. One of the people praying was a priest, who was joined by several members of his parish. “I believe seeing clergy and religious at our vigil sends a powerful statement to reach people’s consciences,” Nikki said. “Thank you to all the pastors who have made the time in their busy schedules to witness at our vigil!” Tucson, Arizona  Matt in Tucson tells of a woman who parked her car near the prayer volunteers … and got out with a huge smile on her face. At first, she just asked, “What are you doing out here?” The volunteers said not everyone is aware of this, but the building they’re in front of is an abortion center. “We are praying for everyone going in there today … and for an end to abortion.” “I actually just came from the clinic,” she said, “and I had a sonogram. I am about eight weeks along and my fiancé doesn’t even know I’m here.” He was very much against the abortion, she said. “I’ve changed my mind now and I’m going to keep the baby!” The volunteers gave her information about local pregnancy resources and told her to get in touch if they can help in any way. “This reminded us of the importance of being out there,” Matt said. “Let us continue to pray for her.” Today’s devotional is from Carmen Pate of Alliance Ministries.     Day 39 intention  Pray that volunteers will replace exhaustion or discouragement with rejoicing over the miracles we have seen thus far, and enthusiastic service as God takes us on to victory!  Scripture  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  — 1 Peter 1:6-7  Reflection by Carmen Pate  We have reason to rejoice when we consider the many babies whose lives have been saved during the 40 Days for Life campaign.  Add to those lives, the women and men who have been spared from a devastating decision and now have opportunity to make a plan for their baby that is both life affirming and God honoring.  Whether directly, or indirectly, you have contributed to these testimonies of praise with your sacrificial service.  Perhaps you have been grieved by various trials during your commitment to 40 days.  The attacks of the enemy come in many forms — difficulties in relationships, finances, health.  Or maybe you are physically and mentally exhausted and have been marking off the days on your calendar, eagerly waiting for Day 40.  Consider these trials in light of God's plan for you.  The Apostle Paul understood the big picture when he said in Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”  This is our Hope and our victory. Let us rejoice in the opportunity to give that Hope to others in our path.  Prayer  Dear Heavenly Father, we sing to You a new song, for You have done marvelous things. Forgive us when we allow circumstances to defeat us. You give power to the faint and You increase strength in those who have no might.  We rest in You, dear Lord, and ask You to empower us again for Your service as You work out Your plan for us and through us.  May You receive glory through our victory in Christ, in whose name we pray, Amen.  Printable devotional  To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share: http://40daysforlife.com/media/day39.pdf For life,   SHAWN CARNEY Campaign Director 40 Days for Life www.40daysforlife.com

LifeNews Pro-Life News Report 3/27/15

LifeNews.com Pro-Life News Report
Friday, March 27, 2015

For pro-life news updated throughout the day, visit LifeNews.com.

Top Stories
• Woman Who Cut 7-Month-Old Baby Out of Mother’s Womb Won’t Face Murder Charge
• Prosecutor Who Won’t Charge Woman for Killing Unborn Baby Had Planned Parenthood Backing
• Pro-Abortion Senate Democrat Leader Harry Reid Retiring, Flip-Flopped on Abortion
• 14-Week-Old Unborn Baby Starts Clapping in the Womb as Parents Sing a Nursery Rhyme

More Pro-Life News• Blind, Autistic Boy Leaves Viewers in Tears as He Sings “Open the Eyes of My Heart Lord”
• Abortion Clinic in Kansas Botches Abortion, Tries to Hide Victim With No Lights or Sirens• Legislator Defends Her Abortion After Being Raped: “I Dare You to Judge Me”
• Watch How This Couple Saved Two Babies From Death Before They Were Even Born
• Population Control: UN Agency Lobbies African and Asian Nations to Have Fewer Children
• Watch This Man With Down Syndrome Give His Girlfriend a Beautiful Surprise Marriage Proposal
• Chloe’s Mom Was Pressured to Abort Her Because She is Severely Disabled, But She Said No
• Nurse Recalls Infanticides: Doctor Would Signal if Baby Should Live or Die
• U.S. May Follow Britain’s Lead in Allowing Three-Parent Human Embryos, Speak Up Now
• Michigan Planned Parenthood Unveils Newly-Renovated $2 Million Abortion Center
• Arkansas Legislature Passes Bill to Cut Off Funding to Planned Parenthood Abortion Biz
• Prosecutor Who Won’t Charge Woman for Killing Unborn Baby Had Planned Parenthood Backing

Woman Who Cut 7-Month-Old Baby Out of Mother’s Womb Won’t Face Murder Charge
After an examination of the 7-month-old unborn baby who was cut out of a Colorado woman’s womb this week, county officials say they will not charge the woman who cut the baby out of her mother’s womb with murder for killing the baby.
Click to Read at LifeNews.com:
http://www.lifenews.com/2015/03/27/woman-who-cut-7-month-old-baby-out-of-mothers-womb-wont-face-murder-charge/

Prosecutor Who Won’t Charge Woman for Killing Unborn Baby Had Planned Parenthood Backing
As LifeNews has reported, the Colorado woman who cut out a 7-month-old unborn baby from a mother’s abdomen, resulting in the death of the infant, will not be charged with murder.
Click to Read at LifeNews.com:
http://www.lifenews.com/2015/03/27/prosecutor-who-wont-charge-woman-for-killing-unborn-baby-had-planned-parenthood-backing/

Pro-Abortion Senate Democrat Leader Harry Reid Retiring, Flip-Flopped on Abortion
Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, an ardent abortion advocate, announced today that he is retiring from the Senate and will not seek re-election in 2016. His retirement paves the way for pro-life advocates to elect a pro-life replacement in Nevada, where his seat would be a competitive race.
Click to Read at LifeNews.com:
http://www.lifenews.com/2015/03/27/pro-abortion-senator-democrat-leader-harry-reid-retiring-flip-flopped-on-abortion/

14-Week-Old Unborn Baby Starts Clapping in the Womb as Parents Sing a Nursery Rhyme
On March 26th, Jen Cardinal posted a YouTube video of her 14-week-old unborn baby clapping and it has already received over 100,000 views. Cardinal told the Daily Mail that she began singing “If You’re Happy And You Know It Clap Your Hands” after she saw her baby clapping for the first time.
Click to Read at LifeNews.com:
http://www.lifenews.com/2015/03/27/14-week-old-unborn-baby-starts-clapping-in-the-womb-as-parents-sing-a-nursery-rhyme/

Blind, Autistic Boy Leaves Viewers in Tears as He Sings “Open the Eyes of My Heart Lord”
In May 2001, Christopher Duffley was born at 26 weeks, weighing only one pound and 12 ounces with cocaine in his system. He was blind, autistic, and suffered from a host of other medical ailments.
Click to Read at LifeNews.com:
http://www.lifenews.com/2015/03/27/blind-autistic-boy-leaves-viewers-in-tears-as-he-sings-open-the-eyes-of-my-heart-lord/

Abortion Clinic in Kansas Botches Abortion, Tries to Hide Victim With No Lights or Sirens
An ambulance was called to South Wind Women’s Center abortion facility in Wichita, Kansas, for a woman experiencing a medical emergency on March 26, 2015.
Click to Read at LifeNews.com:
http://www.lifenews.com/2015/03/27/abortion-clinic-in-kansas-botches-abortion-tries-to-hide-victim-with-no-lights-or-sirens/

Legislator Defends Her Abortion After Being Raped: “I Dare You to Judge Me”
The NAACP is continuing its battle to silence a black pro-life writer who parodied it’s pro-abortion stance by referring to the NAACP as the “National Association for the Abortion of Colored People.”
Click to Read at LifeNews.com:
http://www.lifenews.com/2015/03/27/legislator-defends-her-abortion-after-being-raped-i-dare-you-to-judge-me/

Watch How This Couple Saved Two Babies From Death Before They Were Even Born
The inherent commoditization of human beings is the glaring moral conundrum of in vitro fertilization. In the IVF process, a large number of eggs are typically siphoned from a woman in hopes of two things: that more perfect babies can be chosen from among the number of embryos created, and that there will be “backup” embryos if and when others are miscarried.
Click to Read at LifeNews.com:
http://www.lifenews.com/2015/03/27/watch-how-this-couple-saved-two-babies-from-death-before-they-were-even-born/

Population Control: UN Agency Lobbies African and Asian Nations to Have Fewer Children http://www.lifenews.com/2015/03/27/population-control-un-agency-lobbies-african-and-asian-nations-to-have-fewer-children/

Watch This Man With Down Syndrome Give His Girlfriend a Beautiful Surprise Marriage Proposal http://www.lifenews.com/2015/03/27/watch-this-man-with-down-syndrome-give-his-girlfriend-a-beautiful-surprise-marriage-proposal/

Chloe’s Mom Was Pressured to Abort Her Because She is Severely Disabled, But She Said No http://www.lifenews.com/2015/03/27/chloes-momwas-pressured-to-abort-her-because-she-is-severely-disabled-but-she-said-no/

Nurse Recalls Infanticides: Doctor Would Signal if Baby Should Live or Die http://www.lifenews.com/2015/03/27/nurse-recalls-infanticides-doctor-would-signal-if-baby-should-live-or-die/

U.S. May Follow Britain’s Lead in Allowing Three-Parent Human Embryos, Speak Up Now http://www.lifenews.com/2015/03/27/u-s-may-follow-britains-lead-in-allowing-three-parent-human-embryos-speak-up-now/

Michigan Planned Parenthood Unveils Newly-Renovated $2 Million Abortion Center http://www.lifenews.com/2015/03/27/michigan-planned-parenthood-unveils-newly-renovated-2-million-abortion-center/

Arkansas Legislature Passes Bill to Cut Off Funding to Planned Parenthood Abortion Biz http://www.lifenews.com/2015/03/27/arkansas-legislature-passes-bill-to-cut-off-funding-to-planned-parenthood-abortion-biz/

Doctors Failed to Report Half of All Euthanasia Deaths in Belgium http://www.lifenews.com/2015/03/27/doctors-failed-to-report-half-of-all-euthanasia-deaths-in-belgium/