40 Days For Life: DAY 35: "Abnormal"

 

Medical science has made unbelievable progress in treating all sorts of diseases and health problems. Unfortunately, the health care industry appears increasingly interested in managing suffering by killing patients--in or out of the womb--rather than by addressing their health needs. Check out my recent Blaze News op-ed in which I explain why Canada's physician-assisted suicide program--which is closing in on its 100,000th fatality--is the inevitable consequence of abortion: theblaze.com/columns/opinion/we-must-resist-a-culture-that-redefines-death-as-dignity Recently, a jogger running past the El Cajon, California, 40 Days for Life vigil stopped to tearfully explain how last fall, a doctor advised his wife to have an abortion because the baby would be "abnormal." As the couple left their abortion-pill appointment at Planned Parenthood, they noticed the 40 Days for Life vigil. "The sight of us on the sidewalk made them decide to keep the baby," explained longtime El Cajon campaign leader Vicki. "This young man then showed a picture of himself, his wife, and their completely HEALTHY baby boy!" Bristol, Virginia After the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the Bristol, Tennessee, abortion facility moved across the state border to Bristol, Virginia. Just a week into THIS campaign, it relocated again. "We made a quick pivot," noted Angie, the campaign leader. While the vigil address changed, Angie's impact on the sidewalk has not. A delivery driver hurting from the loss of his child to abortion chose to spend his lunch break praying at the vigil and holding a 40 Days for Life sign. The Bristol team then educated a second delivery driver about abortion. She also stopped to pray...and pledged to promote the 40 Days for Life campaign at her church. "Our peaceful presence has increased awareness about the evil of abortion to a whole new group of people," Angie shared. A volunteer named Scottie has spent more than 65 hours at the vigil. "He has been out there in every kind of weather," Angie said. "Freezing, windy, rainy, as well as sunny and comfortable." Mira Mesa, San Diego, California Doug's 40 Days for Life team is always looking to add volunteers, so Patti recruited a chapter of Young Catholic Professionals to come out to the sidewalk and pray. "As a result of their collaboration and the impressive YCP organizing skills, we were joined on Saturday by more than two dozen young men and women who made their pro-life commitment visible in prayer and song," Doug reported. Father, forgive them, they know not what they do. --Luke 23:34  Lord, we pray that you might help us to look with mercy upon those who seek to advance the evil of abortion. We ask that you lead them to a sincere conversion of heart. And we pray that you might help them to see the grace imbued in every soul and embrace the beauty that every child brings to the world. Amen. For life, Shawn Carney President & CEO, 40 Days for Life

40 Days for Life | 4112 East 29th Street | Bryan, TX 77802 US

40 Days For Life: DAY 34: Touchdown Dance

 

 

Don't miss out: This is the last week of the Lenten 40 Days for Life campaign. Find your local vigil and sign up to pray before we wrap up this weekend! 40daysforlife.com/locations John, People often ask how we know when a baby is saved from abortion at a 40 Days for Life vigil. The answer is simple: The parents tell us! A couple in Santa Maria, California, left Planned Parenthood and slowly drove by the vigil, looking at 40 Days for Life participants. "I thought he was going to heckle us," wrote Hilda, the local leader. Instead, the driver made an announcement: "We're keeping the baby!" Hilda and her prayer partner were thrilled. "Kerry and I both stood up and cheered like our favorite team had scored a touchdown," she said. "Then we both started crying, because it was so amazing. We are so thankful to be part of this ministry. I know God wants us to save lives!" Hilda said that she and her team have dedicated more time to conducting community outreach in area churches, visiting many youth groups. One of those youth ministers complemented Hilda's talk by sharing her own experience with the power of pro-life prayers. Years ago, she became pregnant at just 17 years old. Her friends brought her to Planned Parenthood for an abortion... ...but the prayerful presence of pro-lifers changed her mind. Her baby boy is now 24 years old and a police officer. "She showed me his picture and, in front of all the young people, asked that we continue doing our work because those prayers in front of Planned Parenthood were saving lives," Hilda said. Yuba City, California An abortion-minded mother in Yuba City stopped to talk with 40 Days for Life volunteers as she left Planned Parenthood. Dianne--who is leading her first 40 Days for Life campaign--and her team shared information on the local pregnancy help center. The next day, the expectant mom returned to Planned Parenthood and spoke with Dianne again. "I'm pregnant," she told Dianne. "I was going to have an abortion, but I'm here to let you know I'm keeping my baby." The mom was in tears--and she wasn't alone. "The three of us on the sidewalk were all tearing up--overjoyed and praising God." Duitama, Colombia Every day, a woman walked past the local 40 Days for Life vigil, paying no mind to the prayer warriors. But when that woman's daughter told her she was pregnant and considering abortion, the vigil drew the woman's attention, leading to a critical conversation--and a life decision. "The woman understood that what her daughter carried inside her was not a problem, but a miracle," reported Claudia, the campaign leader. "The prayers she had previously ignored became her refuge, her lifeline." Budapest, Hungary Józsefné said that the 40 Days for Life campaign in Budapest is difficult. Her team has experienced cold, snow, and sleet as well as challenges with vigil turnout. The struggle has borne tremendous fruit, however, resulting in television and print media coverage. And vigil participants report thoughtful dialogue with passersby. Most importantly, their efforts have moved a family considering aborting their fifth child to choose life! "Nothing is impossible for God," Józsefné said. As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the county; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. --Luke 23:26 Lord, teach us how to suffer alongside you. Grant us the joy of your company under the wood of the cross. Grant us the strength of Simon to help you on your way. We unite every tired step and discouraging defeat to your sacrifice for the redemption of all humanity. Amen. For life, Shawn Carney President & CEO, 40 Days for Life

40 Days for Life | 4112 East 29th Street | Bryan, TX 77802 US

40 Days For Life: DAY 33: The Right Place at the Right Time

 

 

Many 40 Days for Life campaigns seem to take on a theme. The trend this Lent appears to be God putting just the right people in just the right place at just the right time to achieve His mission. The latest example of such a divine appointment came when Luca and Andrea in Modena, Italy, decided to stay and pray just a little bit longer after finishing their vigil shift. God honored that extra prayer time by placing a young woman suffering in the wake of an abortion in their path. "I just had an abortion," she told them. "What can I do now?" Luca and Andrea knew exactly what she could do, and they connected her and the father of her aborted baby with support and resources for accessing God's mercy and finding healing from abortion. "Today, the Lord has given us a great gift," Andrea reflected. "Today, the Lord has shown us once again that praying publicly has an explosive, disruptive, irreplaceable power." Let God put YOU in the right place at the right time to work a miracle by signing up to pray this last week of the Lenten 40 Days for Life vigil: 40daysforlife.com/locations Álvaro Obregón, Mexico City, Mexico A woman in Mexico City asked for time off of work because her daughter was pregnant...and considering abortion. Fortunately, the HR director has a family member involved in the local 40 Days for Life campaign and reached out immediately. After a week of conversations with the team by phone, the employee and her daughter chose life for the baby! Colorado Springs, Colorado 40 Days for Life outreach director Ramona Trevino's trek through the Centennial State continued in Colorado Springs, where former abortion provider Dr. Catherine Wheeler joined the vigil. "She shared with me that she experienced a conversion the same year as me," Ramona noted. "Catherine is now a strong advocate for the unborn." Ramona said the vigil location is challenging, with a narrow sidewalk, a busy street, and distant parking. "But the faithful volunteers come out regardless of the challenges," she said. "It's a beautiful reminder of their commitment to the unborn." Reporters from the local newspaper also came to cover the prayer rally--staying for the entire event! When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, "So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." --Matthew 26:40-41 Most sweet Jesus, my heart aches for your suffering and loneliness in the garden of Gethsemane. Let me never fall asleep again when you so lovingly ask for my company. When I feel alone and afraid, remind me that you are with me and that you feel the pain that I feel. Keep me close to you on this 40-day journey and strengthen me through your blood and tears. For life, Shawn Carney President & CEO, 40 Days for Life

40 Days for Life | 4112 East 29th Street | Bryan, TX 77802 US