40 Days For Life: DAY 20: Got Angry...but Still Chose Life

 

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At the end of the day we'll be halfway through this spring's 40 Days for Life campaign. We have reports of 76 babies saved from abortion in response to your prayer, fasting, community outreach, and peaceful vigil!

Dan in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, noticed a couple repeatedly entering and exiting Planned Parenthood, so he asked whether they were keeping their baby. "It's none of your business!" the abortion-vulnerable woman snapped back. "Planned Parenthood does more than abortions." While Dan acknowledged that Planned Parenthood does, indeed, harm women, families, and communities in more ways than one, the woman's husband came out and shared that they come from large families and that he doesn't believe in abortion. Meanwhile, the expectant mother cried as she continued to enter and exit the abortion facility without any apparent purpose...until finally, she made a decision. "At the end of their stay, they both agreed that they were keeping the baby," Dan said.

The couple began their journey home, which was about an hour away. Fortunately, Dan was prepared. He equipped them with information on the pregnancy center in their community. If you haven't joined your local 40 Days for Life vigil yet this Lent, I have good news: We still have an entire half of the vigil to go! Don't wait any longer. Sign up today at: 40daysforlife.com/location

Duitama, Colombia A community member in Duitama approached 40 Days for Life participants and asked them to reach out to a young woman who was thinking about having an abortion. A professional psychologist from the campaign team called and counseled the woman--and provided the support and reassurance she needed to feel confident choosing life. "The girl decided that she is going to tell her mother and will continue with her pregnancy," reported 40 Days for Life director of Latin American campaigns Lourdes Varela.

Valladolid, Spain 40 Days for Life volunteers in Valladolid just learned of a baby saved through their efforts, which started before the spring vigil even began! "A week before the campaign started, a volunteer was praying when three girls arrived at the abortion center," Lourdes explained. "One wanted to have an abortion and went inside for information. The other two waited outside and started talking to the 40 Days for Life volunteer." When the abortion-bound young woman came out, her friends introduced her to the vigil participant, who offered her support through a local pro-life organization... ...but it wasn't until the campaign was under way that they confirmed the woman would, in fact, keep her baby!

But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you. --Matthew 6:17-18 Heavenly Father, we ask for humility in our prayer and fasting. Help us to place you at the center of our lives so that others will come to know you through our words and deeds. As we continue through these 40 days, help us to listen to your voice, act in accord with your will, and trust in the power of prayer even when we don’t always see the fruits on earth. Amen.

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 19: Pro-Life Clergy Are Speaking Out

 

 

About two-thirds of Americans self-identify as Christians... ...which means the abortion industry can't maintain a market for its core product without preying upon believers. Planned Parenthood even maintains a "clergy advisory board" of pro-abortion activists masquerading as ministers. The abortion giant relies on the ruse to hide the fact that real Christian clergy are pro-life...and they are increasingly speaking out about it! Oakland, California, Bishop Michael Barber recently celebrated a pro-life Mass for hundreds of Walnut Creek 40 Days for Life participants and was then accompanied by TEN other members of the clergy for a procession to Planned Parenthood.

The huge vigil drew the attention of abortion workers, who set off their car alarms to try to drown out the prayers. "What they don't realize is they can NEVER drown out the power of PRAYER, nor the spirit of those called to do God's work," wrote Jodie from the Walnut Creek leadership team. "What a blessing to have so many out there with us affirming life!"

Columbus, Georgia Two Christian pastors united dozens of 40 Days for Life participants spanning numerous denominations for a prayer rally in Columbus. "Pastors Will Cook and Ed Kivictus led us in prayer, and the focus was on prayers of thanksgiving for what we KNOW God will do through His people," wrote Amber, the longtime campaign leader. Those prayers have been answered before. While praying in front of the local abortion facility years ago, Pastor Ed asked God to place the building next door into pro-life hands. In 2015, the Lord made the pastor's vision a reality, as the local pregnancy center, Seneca Choices for Life, moved in. Since then, the pregnancy center and 40 Days for Life participants have worked together to save a staggering number of babies from abortion!

St. Cloud, Minnesota Bishop Patrick Neary led North Star State 40 Days for Life participants in pro-life vespers--which campaign leader Judy described as "a very moving prayer service." Judy said pro-lifers are unhappy that their state is inviting women from surrounding states to come abort their children in Minnesota. It's also targeting women from rural communities within the state... ...so 40 Days for Life volunteers are stepping up their efforts. "Our vigil has many people traveling many miles from outlying cities and towns in rural Minnesota," she reported. Last week, a group of women held a trilingual hour of prayer in front of Planned Parenthood--petitioning God to end abortion in English, Spanish, and Italian!

A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." --John 4:7 Heavenly Father, we pray in a special way for all women who have experienced an abortion. We ask that you draw these women close to your healing heart. Help us all to recognize our deep thirst for the living water that only you can offer, and give us the courage to invite others to the well of your forgiveness. Amen.

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 18: The Future Is Here

 

 

Students are the future of the pro-life movement...and the future is here! Our 2021 4040 Scholarship winner, Sister Mary Gianna, recently graduated from the University of New Mexico with a nursing degree--and was honored by her alma mater as "an inspiring grad." Sister Mary Gianna isn't the only scholarship awardee making a difference in the world after graduating. Since the first 4040 Scholarship in 2018, winners have gone on to lead local 40 Days for Life campaigns, serve as pro-life missionaries across America and abroad, get married, and start families!

Reports from 40 Days for Life vigils throughout the United States suggest there will be no shortage of worthy scholarship applicants in the years to come! Falls Church, Virginia, campaign leader Joe said that 18 college students and a professor gathered to pray and witness in front of the local abortion facility. "It was an honor to pray on the sidewalk yesterday!" wrote Rebecca, who led the student delegation. "We began and ended with a few songs, psalms, and the doxology and prayed individually and in small groups as well."

For more information on the 4040 Scholarship or to apply, visit: 40daysforlife.com/scholarship The 4040 Scholarship is supported by donors who want to recognize and reward the accomplishments of students saving lives from abortion on campus.

Madison, Wisconsin Senior and junior high students at St. Ambrose Academy in the Badger State recently had a day off of school... ...so the St. Ambrose pro-life club braved a cold and breezy day to pray for an end to abortion in front of the local Planned Parenthood. At the end of their vigil, they received a copy of our book What to Say When: The Complete New Guide to Discussing Abortion.

Tuluá Valle, Colombia A university student in Tuluá Valle learned that a friend was pregnant with twins. But when her boyfriend abandoned her, she scheduled an abortion appointment. Fortunately, the young man's mother participates in 40 Days for Life, so he knew how to help. "The volunteer's son told her that before having the abortion, she should get a second opinion," explained 40 Days for Life director of Latin American campaigns Lourdes Varela. "The girl accepted and went to talk with participants at the 40 Days for Life vigil. After three days, she agreed to continue with her pregnancy!" Campaign supporters provided numerous items to support the young mom.

But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. --Luke 6:27-28 Lord, you showed friendship to the sinners and outcasts. You have been merciful in offering friendship to me. I long for true friendship with you and a Christ-centered friendship with those who need me. Let me show your kindness to those who fight against the right to life. Let me be understanding of their misguided intentions and own experiences. Let me be a bridge over which people may cross to your truth, goodness, and love.

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