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.

Friday, April 8, 2022

40 Days For Life: DAY 38: Held Down and Forced to Abort

If you haven't made it out to a 40 Days for Life vigil yet, it's not too late! Visit 40daysforlife.com/location and sign up to pray. Day 40 is Sunday!

Abortion was supposed to make Nichole's life better.

But as she lay on the operating table, she realized something wasn't right. Nichole tried to leave, but four abortion workers held her down and forced her to go through with the procedure.

The experience led to decades of trauma and guilt and, at one point, a plan to end her own life.

Nichole found redemption through Jesus Christ, and after participating in Pittsburgh's 40 Days for Life 365 vigil, she launched the first-ever 40 Days for Life campaign in Erie, Pennsylvania.

There isn't even an abortion business in Erie, but Nichole and her team are praying in the public square and witnessing to women in their city who might find themselves tempted to end their children's lives.

Nichole didn't benefit from her abortion...but somebody did.

On this week's episode of The 40 Days for Life Podcast, we break down the 7 big winners of abortion:

40daysforlife.com/who-actually-benefits-from-abortion

Tune in, then go out and pray at your local vigil!

Catonsville, Maryland

Kim in Catonsville reported two grace-filled encounters with post-abortive women and men at her vigil this spring.

A man approached vigil participants, shook their hands, thanked them for their presence, and explained that he participated in an abortion as a teenager.

Years later, he called the mother of his child to talk about the abortion, and both agreed they felt like they had "gotten away with murder."

Another woman told vigil participants she had an abortion after becoming pregnant through rape. "She said it's important that we promote and support the available resources," Kim said.

Lynnwood, Washington

"Have you ever had an abortion?!" a post-abortive woman angrily asked before launching into a tirade at vigil participants in Lynnwood.

"She lit into her [abortion] experience," recalled Susan. "She was shaken and mad as she told her story."

Susan responded by sharing how sorry she was about all the woman had been through--and asked whether she could hug the still-suffering woman.

"She said yes," Susan said. "She left relieved and a little less hurt."

Jacksonville, Florida

A man pulled up to the 40 Days for Life vigil in Jacksonville and told prayer warriors that he helped his girlfriend have an abortion 12 years ago.

"They soon broke up, and she has never been the same," relayed Meelah, the local campaign leader. "Recently, after all these years, she called him and said she is depressed and suicidal."

Pray for her healing! And pray for the continued healing of the man, who is now a Christian and eager to help other men learn from his experience.

You have heard it was said, "You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy." But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.

--Matthew 5:43-44

Heavenly Father, may we reflect your character of grace and kindness to those who hate us and curse us. Guard our hearts and our tongues as we respond in love to words and actions meant to rile us or cause us harm. Let others see the hope that is Christ in all we say and do.

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.”