40 Days For Life: DAY 22: This Is Personal

 

All 40 Days for Life leaders have different reasons for stepping up and leading their community into spiritual battle. Laura's "why" is personal. Nearly a quarter-century ago, a dear friend confided that she was pregnant--and had scheduled an abortion the next day. "I was dumbfounded," Laura said. "I didn't know what to say." Laura doesn't remember what she told her friend. She does remember staying up all night praying that she would have a change of heart. The woman went through with the abortion and then showed up on Laura's doorstep, devastated and crying. "She shared the horror of the experience with me, the sound of the vacuum, the ripping of the body parts." The two never spoke about the abortion again and eventually lost touch. "I knew why," Laura said. "I reminded her of the child, and she wanted to forget." But Laura never forgot. She named her friend's baby Clara Grace and equipped herself to speak up about abortion. She has now led a 40 Days for Life campaign in Southern California for nearly a decade. "Clara Grace would be about 24 years old now," Laura said. "Everyone has a purpose in life, even those whose lives are stolen by abortion. I feel like her purpose has been lived out in one way by my choice to lead this vigil." Lancaster and Palmdale, California Most pro-lifers should go pray at the local 40 Days for Life vigil. Some can't. Mary, who helps lead the campaigns in Lancaster and Palmdale, met Deacon Ralph while visiting Pennsylvania last year. "He volunteers at a prison, where he shares the gift of faith with men who are incarcerated," she said. "I asked [whether] the men in his Bible study might consider praying alongside our campaign." Deacon Ralph agreed to ask...and 47 incarcerated men agreed to pray for an end to abortion from behind bars. "You never know who God is going to call to help do His work!" Mary said. Claremont, New Hampshire Becky and her team stand vigil outside a pharmacy in their community, and their vigil continues to grow! "We had a good week on the sidewalk, and three new first-time volunteers joined us," she reported. "We're especially excited that two pastors from local churches are coming out during this vigil." Becky said both pastors have hearts for evangelization, and she prays that will help her campaign's pro-life message penetrate deeper into the community! "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?” --John 6:9 Lord, you multiplied the meager offering of one boy to feed a hungry crowd. Please do the same with our humble prayers. Multiply the fruits of these 40 days. Use our own resources to glorify your name. Grant us the humility to know our limitations, the wisdom to turn to you in moments of distress, and the grace to carry out your will with trust and courage. Amen. For life, Shawn Carney President & CEO, 40 Days for Life

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