40 Days for Life launches record-shattering campaign. March 9 to April 17

Today’s email from Shawn Carney — chuckle a little at first.

There is NEVER a dull moment during a 40 Days for Life
campaign.

I am writing this message from an airport. I looked up
a few moments ago and I saw someone wearing a 40 Days
for Life shirt.

As he got closer, I noticed he looked familiar.

It was David Bereit, our national director!

We both just laughed when we saw each other. With 247
cities participating in 40 Days for Life right now, I
guess it was only a matter of time until David and I
ran into each other at an airport.

As David and I get ready to jump on planes, I wanted
to share two beautiful stories about children helping
save the lives of other children.

The abortion industry doesn’t like it when we talk about
children — it reminds everyone what this so-called
“choice” is all about.

So let’s keep talking about children!

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA

A small group was quietly praying at the 40 Days for
Life vigil in Pittsburgh when a van pulled into a
parking place near Planned Parenthood.

There was a little girl in the van who kept looking at
the people praying, and talking to her mom. This went
on for about five minutes.

The woman and her daughter finally got out of the van
and headed towards a nearby business. As they passed
the people praying, the little girl handed one of the
volunteers a dollar.

She had mistakenly thought the volunteer’s sign said
“PAY to end abortion”!

Of course, that brought smiles to everyone’s faces.

“Thank you, but you don’t have to pay us,” the volunteer
told the child. “In fact, there‘s something far more
important and special that you can give. You can pray
to God that He will put an end to abortion.”

The mother then talked about that conversation in the
van — explaining to her daughter what abortion was.
Her daughter could not understand why a mother would
throw away her own child.

The girl then asked if she could have the sign — the
one that really says “PRAY to end abortion.”

As they drove away, one of the volunteers noted, “God
is so amazing the way He uses the little children to
teach us so much about child-like faith.”

To see pictures of the 40 Days for Life vigil in
Pittsburgh, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1736

SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN

Mike in Southfield also has a story involving a child —
an 11-year-old who owes his life to people praying on
the sidewalk in front of the abortion center.

He came along with his mother, who wanted to join the
volunteers in prayer and to thank them for their witness.

“She had come to this abortion facility 11 years ago
to abort her son,” Mike said. “At the time, she was
fearful of being pregnant and thought of abortion as
her only answer.”

When she arrived for the abortion, there were people
praying on the sidewalk. One of them told her that
Jesus wanted her to keep her baby – it’s better to
trust in the Lord.

“Well, she got real mad at this lady for telling her
these things and interfering with her plans,” said
Mike, “but she did change her mind about having an
abortion that day. Today, she is a living testimony
to the hope that we can bring to the sidewalk during
our vigils.”

Mike also thanked the clergymen from several Christian
churches who’ve led hours of prayer during the 40 Days
for Life vigil. “These times are always encouraging for
us because there is great comfort in the support of
the clergy for the work of 40 Days for Life,” he said,
“and because a clergy member usually draws additional
people to the sidewalk to join in the prayers.”

To see a photo of the 40 Days for Life vigil in
Southfield, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1736

Day 15 - March 23

Intention:

Pray that we will not become defeated by the enemy's attacks but rather call on the name of the Lord who is on our side and our help in time of trouble.

Scripture:

What if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us? They would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger. Praise the Lord, who did not let their teeth tear us apart! Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

-- Psalm 124:2,3,6,8

Reflection:

The enemy attacks in many ways, but one of his favorites is to slander us with hopes of tarnishing our reputation and character, and ultimately to defeat our good work for the Lord. It is interesting to note however that it is usually not the slander that causes harm to our testimony, but our response to the slander. Proverbs 24:10 says, "If you faint in the day of adversity your strength is small."

So if we are applying God's truths to our lives moment by moment, we are not swayed by the lies of the enemy and we will be strong.

Standing on the front lines, armed with God's truth, places you in the battlefield for the mind. As you are prepared to present words of love, for the sake of the unborn and for the distraught and confused women and men who are entering the abortion facilities, know that the enemy has prepared his forces to attack your mind.

Unkind words from a protester, or vicious lies in the local paper about who you are and what your mission is, can indeed be hurtful. But rather than give in to defeat, that is the time to shine for the Lord, standing firm, as you call on Him to defeat the enemy.

Remember the words of Romans 8:31, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Let's stand strong for those who need us most.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, help us to ignore the verbal attacks of the enemy and instead turn to You, our refuge and strength. Help us to find shelter in the blessed promises and provisions of Your Word. Thank you that no enemy can defeat us, and we praise You knowing that nothing can separate us from Your love. In the name of Jesus, we come to You, amen.

Carmen Pate
Co-host, "Point of View" Talk Show

I appreciate your prayers so much.

Here is today’s email from Shawn Carney:

Today’s devotional is about the incarnation of Christ —
complete with the passage from Luke’s gospel where the
angel Gabriel brings God’s message to the Virgin Mary.

Tomorrow is March 25 — a day celebrated in a number of
nations, especially in South America, as the Day of the
Unborn Child.

And that idea is catching on around the world!

March 25 is exactly nine months before Christmas. This
date has been observed by many Christians throughout the
history of the church, as it marks the day that “the
Word became flesh.”

As you pray, reflect upon Jesus in the womb — and
think about His children in the womb today. Through His
grace, may today’s world accept both Christ AND His
precious children!

Before we get to the devotional, here are some stories
from 40 Days for Life campaigns.

CANTON, OHIO

As the world rejects Christ, it often rejects those who
stand for His children. A woman in Canton found this out
while praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil.

A car pulled up to the red light at the corner next to
Planned Parenthood. The driver rolled his window down
and unleashed all sorts of nastiness in her direction.
The tirade ended only when the light turned green.

“The beauty of God’s design is, of course, that this man’s
insane, obscene chanting, accompanied by his gestures,
garnered the sympathy and support of Planned Parenthood
clients,” she said.

Onlookers in Planned Parenthood’s parking lot were
horrified at what he said, and took an interest in
her wellbeing — and took her pro-life literature.

“One woman pulled out of Planned Parenthood and asked
me to be careful,” she said. “Another witness said,
‘I’m on your side.’”

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN

A young man joined the 40 Days for Life vigil in
Milwaukee for the first time recently — and was
promptly greeted by “clinic escorts” who called the
police. He, of course, was doing nothing wrong.

“The fact is,” said Dan in Milwaukee, “they knew he was
a fresh face here and they wanted to intimidate him into
never coming back.” This is not the first time Dan has
seen this.

The police arrived, talked to him, and quickly departed.
“Nothing resulted from the brief visit,” Dan said, aside
from the abortion center wasting taxpayers’ money on
officers following up a bogus complaint.

Dan needed to cheer up the young man, so he told him
about the baby who was saved the day before. “His face
lit up like the sun, smiling from ear to ear.”

Speaking of Milwaukee, the 40 Days for Life team has its
green smocks again — the ones that look almost exactly
like the ones Planned Parenthood’s escorts wear. In fact,
they even say “parenthood volunteer” with a cross-like
design that resembles the style of Planned Parenthood’s
logo.

To see a picture of green-smocked volunteers in Milwaukee,
go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1756

Planned Parenthood tried to pull a fast one — they
switched to orange smocks for their escorts. “They looked
really pleased with themselves,” Dan said.

But his team was ready — they pulled out orange versions
of THEIR OWN smocks! He’d seen one of the orange Planned
Parenthood smocks earlier and sensed that something was
up. So they had some orange “parenthood volunteer” smocks
on hand just in case Planned Parenthood switched colors.

The vigil participants put on the orange and Dan says
the smiles on the escorts’ faces “turned upside down —
WAY down!”

Day 16 - March 24

Intention:

May the mystery of the Incarnation increase our zeal for defending life.

Scripture:

Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."

-- Luke 1:30-33

Reflection:

"God has assumed Humanity, joining it with Divinity, and kindled in men's hearts new love of me." These words were written by a Roman poet in the Fourth Century. He spent his life finding ways to express the greatest mystery of the world: the incarnation, in which God became man.

Often the womb has been referred to as the "first home of the whole human race." It is the place where life begins, where our stories start. In the womb the great men and women of history began their magnificent march through life. In the womb Divinity met humanity, and God the Son was born into the world. As one of the Fathers of the early church, St. Leo the Great, declared, "Within her spotless womb Wisdom built itself a house and the Word became flesh."

Recently, I was at the hospital for the birth of my fourth grandchild. Looking through the nursery window at the rows of newly born babies, I began to think of the great stories that would be written about these tiny lives. During his visitation with the Virgin Mary, the angel prophesied to Mary about the life of her child. Here in this hospital, I pondered, what would he say about each of these? Would they meet the one who also came from His mother's womb to redeem the world and kindle our hearts afresh for God? I thanked God for each baby alive and prayed for each story yet to be written.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, you have made the womb of each woman a very special place. Help us to hold fast to the sanctity of this first home of humanity, remembering the wonderful mystery, that God inhabited the womb of a young woman and came forth as the savior and deliverer of the world. We ask this in the Name of the one who came forth, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Randolph Sly
National Pro-life Religious Council

Today’s email......PP is riled.

Planned Parenthood is in trouble.

And they have YOU to blame.

Their federal funding (which accounts for one third of
their total income) is threatened. They’re getting tons
of bad publicity. AND ...

... there are people right now praying outside more than
100 Planned Parenthood offices during 40 Days for Life.

I’ve always paid close attention to the nation’s largest
abortion chain. The first time I prayed in front of an
abortion facility, it was a Planned Parenthood location.

That same Planned Parenthood in Bryan, Texas was also the
birthplace of 40 Days for Life in 2004 and the location
where Abby Johnson was the director before quitting her
job after witnessing an ultrasound abortion.

So here’s an update on what Planned Parenthood is saying
— and doing — in response to YOUR presence outside,
praying for an end to abortion.

ST. LOUIS and COLUMBIA, MISSOURI

These Missouri cities were visited by Planned Parenthood’s
“big pink bus” recently. It’s basically a combination pep
rally wagon / fundraising machine on wheels.

Of course, 40 Days for Life participants were on hand
to pray for an end to abortion while Planned Parenthood
supporters were praising abortion.

The bus has numbers painted on its side — numbers of
cancer screenings Planned Parenthood has offered, HIV tests
conducted, and so forth.

The number that is NOT posted is 5,320,095 — the number
of abortions Planned Parenthood has done since 1970.

To see some pictures from the 40 Days for Life vigil in
St. Louis, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1744

HOUSTON, TEXAS

The Planned Parenthood affiliate in Houston calls the
prayer vigil outside its iron gates and glass tower
“40 Days of Harassment.”

“From March 9 to April 17,” announces the Planned
Parenthood Gulf Coast web site, “protesters will attempt
to keep women from coming to Planned Parenthood.”

As these “protesters” allegedly stand outside and “bully
clients,” Planned Parenthood is asking its friends to
stand with them and “support healthcare without
harassment.” It’s all just a ploy to ask for donations.

To see a photo of the 40 Days for Life vigil in Houston
— a picture showing a few groups of people quietly
praying on the sidewalk, almost unnoticed — please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1744

By the way, Planned Parenthood has a special name for
this building, which is the largest abortion center in
the Western Hemisphere — “Prevention Park.” I think they
really believe that. Please keep praying for these folks!

AUGUSTA, MAINE

The 40 Days for Life vigil in Augusta is in progress
outside Family Planning Association of Maine. It is not
part of Planned Parenthood, but its director once
worked for Planned Parenthood, and has adopted many
of its practices.

This abortion center is lashing out against the campaign,
calling it “40 Days of Lies.”

Quite honestly, however, there isn’t a whole lot of truth
coming out of this business.

“For the next forty days,” reads an entry on FPA’s web
site, “each time any of us come into or leave the
building, we will be the targets of angry shouts and
sign waving by anti-choice protesters.”

The truth is that the building is set far back from a
lonely road, and the vigil is held on the opposite side
of that road — an aerial photo posted on the Catholic
Maine web site shows how far the vigil is from the
front door — and how ridiculous is the allegation of
harassment.

For a link to see the aerial photo, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1744

This business is also trying to use 40 Days for Life
to raise funds — they’re calling their effort “Defend the
Truth.” That’s about as honest as calling an abortion
megaplex “Prevention Plaza.”

Please, please pray harder!

Day 17 - March 25

Intention:

Pray that we choose to trust God to bring an end to abortion soon, no matter how impossible that may seem to others.

Scripture:

The hand of the Lord was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" I said, "O Sovereign Lord, you alone know."

-- Ezekiel 37:1-3

Reflection:

You and I are standing in a world today over a field of dry bones: those who have been killed by abortion, those who have been killed by so many other things attacking the dignity of human life. And God has placed us here; we find ourselves here in the midst of this incredible tragedy. Like Ezekiel, you and I are in a dilemma because God says to us: "Speak and proclaim the Word of Life. Keep doing it. Let nothing deter you."

People can say, "This is humanly foolish, humanly impossible. How can we transform the world from the path of death that it's on?" Yet we choose to do the "foolish" thing rather than the dangerous thing.

If you ever doubt that we can bring an end to this culture of death, this destruction of the family, this destruction of life by abortion, if you ever think for a moment that it's impossible, then ask yourself this: Can a man who has been scourged, crowned with thorns, nailed hands and feet to a cross, pierced with a lance, has died and been buried; can such a man ever live again?

Prayer:

Lord, I thank you for giving me the holy dilemma of having to choose between the foolish thing or the dangerous thing. Yet for me the solution is clear. Lord, I will obey you, even if it means aiming for a goal which, in the eyes of others, seems foolish. I will obey you, and will hope for the end of abortion soon, no matter how impossible that may seem to others. I dare not mistrust you; I dare not doubt your power; I dare not fail to follow your call. In you, who raise the dead, all hope comes alive. Amen.

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life and President, National Pro-life Religious Council

Abortion centers closing, cutting back
as 40 Days for Life begins in 247 cities

WASHINGTON, DC – “Recent abortion center closings have added momentum to the kickoff of the largest 40 Days for Life campaign in history – which launches tomorrow in 247 cities across the United States and eight other countries,” said Shawn Carney, campaign director of 40 Days for Life.

40 Days for Life, a 40-day campaign of prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil and community outreach, launches tomorrow at 247 locations in the United States, Canada, Australia, England, Ireland, Spain, Belize, Armenia and Georgia. This represents a 47% increase in the number of locations over last spring. The campaign will run through April 17.

“We know of nine abortion facilities where 40 Days for Life prayer vigils have been conducted that are now closed,” said Carney, “and following other peaceful vigils, more abortion centers may soon be added to that list.”

Just last week, Golden Gate Community Health, a collection of abortion facilities in the San Francisco Bay area that was once part of the Planned Parenthood network, announced it was shutting down – at least temporarily, and possibly forever. That chain includes abortion centers in San Francisco and San Mateo where 40 Days for Life campaigns have been held, as well as three other locations.

In Columbia, Missouri, several peaceful 40 Days for Life vigils have been held outside a Planned Parenthood abortion center. Another prayer campaign is starting this week. Because of staffing issues, this location was unable to offer abortions for several months last year. Abortions resumed on an every-other-week basis in the fall, but now sources in Columbia say no abortions have taken place there since January 26.

“Abortions are only available right now at one place in the entire state of Missouri – Planned Parenthood in St. Louis, where another 40 Days for Life vigil begins tomorrow,” Carney said.

Since 40 Days for Life began as a national – and then international – effort in 2007, more than 400,000 people have participated and confirmed reports have documented that 3,599 babies have been saved from abortion. “When people respond to abortion as a local problem,” said Carney, “they see the local results of a peaceful vigil: lives saved, hearts changed – and abortion centers closed.”

The list of participating communities is posted online at: http://www.40daysforlife.com/location.cfm

Day 18 - March 26

Intention:

May we absorb the truth that God is paying attention to us, and to each human life, personally and individually.

Scripture:

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor.

-- Psalm 8:3-9

Reflection:

How often we ignore the phrase, "stop and smell the roses" and instead submit to the all too "urgent" task at hand. Is this tendency what keeps us, at least in part, from acknowledging that God's care for His sacred creation is paramount in His own mind?

The Psalmist speaks of God's handiwork: the heavens, the work of his "fingers," and then points to God's masterpiece - human life. He declares to us that God is mindful of us. God keeps His masterpiece in His thoughts.

God, the creator of the awe-inspiring heavens, is not distracted by the tasks before Him. He is not pulled away, as we might be, by thoughts of something "more important." God is paying attention to and attending to His crowning glory, His masterpiece of creation, which cannot be duplicated or replaced, which surpasses the beauty of all other created things - the human being.

There is no way to adequately describe how God feels about us as human beings. There are no words to fully portray His love, compassion or desire to be in communion with us. Perhaps, the closest we can come, is to contemplate the thoughts of a mother as she gazes for the first time at her newborn child. God cares for Life. We, as His followers, should take time to consider the life He has created and called upon us to love and protect.

Prayer:

Lord, you are the creator of all things. Guide my thoughts to consider your creation in all of its majesty, beauty and holiness. Guide my heart especially to your creation of precious human life. Help me to comprehend how essential life is in your own heart. Teach me to appreciate, love and protect all human life through your son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fr. Terry Gensemer
National Director, Charismatic Episcopal Church for Life

Today’s email from Shawn Carney:

My note last week about the impact of children outside
abortion centers generated a lot of feedback — and
more pictures!

What a joy to see children at 40 Days for Life vigils!
After all, Jesus did say ...

... “Let the little children come to me.” And that’s
exactly what they’re doing!

FROM THE 40 DAYS FOR LIFE BLOG

Lisa wrote about her prayer time with her young son.
She usually brings a stroller and pushes him back and
forth along the sidewalk. But one day, she forgot to
bring the stroller.

After a while, they sat down on the sidewalk —
“a 6-foot-wide sidewalk,” she said, “not blocking
anyone’s way.”

An employee came out of the abortion center to ask if
she was waiting for a ride, and she said she was not.
The employee then asked if she was protesting.

“No, I’m praying,” Lisa responded.

The worker then said it was illegal to sit on the
sidewalk. That’s nonsense, of course. But it’s typical
talk from abortion center employees who just wish we’d
all go home.

It quickly became clear to Lisa that her young son
“was a threat to them; no one wants to see a child.
It makes you realize how amazing this life is. Sadly,
you can see the anger and evil in these people
who yell at us. Continue to pray and forgive them —
you’ll never know if you are changing their hearts!”

LAFAYETTE, INDIANA

I can only imagine what people who work at Planned
Parenthood in Lafayette think when they see young
children praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil.

“We are working very hard praying for the babies,”
said one 4-year-old, who was at the vigil with her
1-year-old sister.

“They take it quite seriously,” said their mom.

“Our older daughter doesn’t fully understand what is
really going on; we’ve simply explained that the mommies,
daddies and babies need our prayers so that the babies
can be born ‘healthy and strong,’ which is just what
we prayed for her baby sister.”

They made a sign that said, “We’re praying for you” and,
on the reverse, “We love you and baby too!”

To see a couple of photos of children at prayer in
Lafayette — and you REALLY don’t want to miss these! —
please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1801

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS

We have another photo of a youngster at a 40 Days for
Life prayer vigil — in a stroller, holding a “pray to
end abortion” sign. You can see it at:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1801

He may not be able to read yet — but the people
walking into Planned Parenthood can!

“He held it and waved it for at least 15 minutes without
dropping!” said this young guy’s mom. “I’m proud of my
little social activist.”

On another day at the vigil, a woman entered Planned
Parenthood with some “choice words” for a lone volunteer
who was praying near a similar sign. A while later, she
left — still upset with the person praying.

The young woman took the “pray to end abortion” sign —
and left. Several days later, this same woman arrived,
pulled up another “pray to end abortion” sign that was
staked into the ground, tossed it in her car ... and
drove away.

“While we don’t know what is motivating this young
woman’s behavior,” said Juliet in Fayetteville, “we now
have the opportunity to pray for her, that she will find
healing for whatever is stirring in her heart.”

Day 19 - March 27

Intention:

Pray that when those representing Planned Parenthood and other abortion groups see volunteers for 40 Days for Life, they see ambassadors of Christ, and may each volunteer be consciously aware at all times of Whom we represent.

Scripture:

I...beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness, and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.

-- Ephesians 4:1b-2

Reflection:

When Carol Everett, a former abortionist and post-abortive woman, was asked what turned her heart from death to life in Christ, she said, "It was unconditional love," shown by a man who prayed daily for her in front of the abortion clinic where she worked.

He told Carol that "God had sent him" because there was someone in there that God wanted out. She left 27 days later and now serves as Christ's ambassador to help others. We too have been sent by Christ as an ambassador to love unconditionally those God seeks to "get out" of their bondage and sin. What a high calling it is -- much higher than any presidential appointment to another country.

In his book, Fishers of Men, Dr. Sumner Wemp describes what it means to be an ambassador of Christ, the King of Kings:

God has chosen us (John 15:16)
We are sent into a world that is not our home (1 Peter 2:11)
Our walk must match our talk (1 Timothy 3:7)
We must abide in Him for daily instruction (John 15:5)
Know our purpose -- to seek and to save that which is lost (Luke 19:10)
We are to reconcile others to God with His authority (Matthew 28:19-20)
Do not let kindness and truth leave you (Proverbs 3:3-4)
Our service is to be grounded and rooted in love (Ephesians 3:17)

Pray that we each will walk worthy of the calling with which we were called!

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we are humbled that you have called us and appointed us to be ambassadors of Christ in a world that is not our home. We pray that your Holy Spirit will empower us to walk worthy of the calling. We pray that Your unconditional love will flow through us onto those who desperately need Your saving grace. In the name of Christ who is worthy, amen.

Carmen Pate Co-host, "Point of View" Talk Show

Today’s email from Shawn Carney:

I just got a note from a 40 Days for Life volunteer who
was overwhelmed with joy. The message read, “I’m doing
a praise dance right now!”

The reason? Another life spared from abortion!

Anyone who knows me, especially my poor wife, knows that
I can’t dance. But with 178 lives saved — that we know
of — during this 40 Days for Life campaign, I may have
to take lessons.

We do give the praise and glory to God for these lives.

In fact, here are a few stories of babies who almost
didn’t make it through the weekend but will now have
life — Praise God indeed!

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY

Two churches teamed up recently to pray and stand vigil
outside the only abortion clinic in Lexington.

“Usually, there are from 5 to 9 abortions on Thursdays,”
said Jayne in Lexington. “But for some reason, there
were none on that day! The only person there the whole
day was the office manager. We thank and praise God for
his many blessings and we thank everyone who came to
spend time in prayer.”

VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA

“What an encouraging day,” said Marcia in Virginia
Beach. “Another couple chose life for their child!”

A man and woman drove into the Planned Parenthood lot —
right past people praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil.
One person held a sign with the phone number of the local
pregnancy resource center.

But the couple never even got out of the car. Instead,
they got on the phone — and then turned around and left.

As they exited the driveway, they pointed to the sign —
and said they were going to the pro-life center because
they had decided to keep their baby.

“Praise God!” said Marcia.

You can see photos of the 40 Days for Life vigil in
Virginia Beach at:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1811

EVERETT, WASHINGTON

A woman and her husband had an appointment for an
abortion one morning, but upon seeing the 40 Days for
Life prayer volunteers, the woman began to cry.

A counselor spent a lot of time talking with them and
referred them to a pregnancy resource center. Another
volunteer got a follow-up call from the woman, and she
confirmed that although she faces a number of health
problems, she has decided to keep her baby.

Please keep her in your prayers.

“Our prayerful presence outside Everett Planned
Parenthood,” notes one 40 Days for Life team member,
“was critical.”

PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK

“Please keep up the prayers to close the Planned
Parenthood in Plattsburgh,” said Nancy. “By the looks
of the numbers of customers going in, they are losing
business. God IS hearing our prayers!”

To see a photo of the 40 Days for Life vigil in
Plattsburgh, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1811

MOBILE, ALABAMA

“A recently-divorced mother had scheduled an appointment
with Planned Parenthood to obtain an abortion,” said
Fred in Mobile.

“A long-time sidewalk counselor spoke with her and
persuaded her to cross the street and visit with the
Christian volunteers at the Women’s Resource Center.
She stayed in contact with them and confirmed today
that she will keep her child,” he said.

“Thanks be to God!”

MANASSAS, VIRGINIA

“I know the prayers are having an enormous effect on
those working at the abortion center,” said the director
of a pregnancy help and education facility near the
abortion center.

“On a Friday, no abortions took place, no abortionist
entered their clinic — which never happens,” she said.

“I don’t know what is going on, but I trust God and
know that the evil one is not happy with our presence.
Keep praying!”

To see a photo of the 40 Days for Life vigil in
Manassas, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1811

Day 20 - March 28

Intention:

We pray for humility in our work for God's Kingdom.

Scripture:

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

-- Philippians 2:5-8

Reflection:

There is no limit to what we can accomplish when we don't care who gets the credit.

Jesus Christ's life on earth exemplifies a total submission to the will of the Father. His humility, compassion, gentleness and thoughtfulness are reflected over and over again in the New Testament. He was God incarnate, yet He chose to be born to a humble, working class home.

How absurd it must have seemed to the rich and powerful that the Son of God, the Messiah, the one foretold by the prophets, the 'King of the Jews' was born and raised as a simple peasant.

During His thirty-three years on earth, He sought no riches, claimed no secular power and gathered no possessions. Yet, His short time on earth changed more lives, softened more hearts, and gave hope to more people, than all the rich and powerful human 'kings' combined. And, at the end of His life on earth, by dying on the cross, He opened the door to eternal life for those who heed his words and follow in his footsteps.

Prayer:

O Lord, help us follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Let us humbly and diligently work to restore legal protection for the unborn, the disabled, the medically dependent and all innocent children of God whose lives are threatened. Let us remember the old adage that "He can never lead who has not first learned to obey." And, Lord, grant us a peaceful heart as we labor in your name. Amen.

Ernest Ohlhoff
Outreach Director, National Right to Life

Today’s email:

The subject line in this message comes from my friend
Elizabeth McClung in Austin, Texas.

Elizabeth has led many successful 40 Days for Life
campaigns in the most pro-abortion city in the Lone
Star State.

This is one of several updates that again show the
tremendous power of a few humble souls gathered together
in prayer in front of the places where there is such
despair and destruction.

AUSTIN, TEXAS

Elizabeth in Austin received what she describes as “a
very friendly courtesy call from the FBI.” The agent
reported that Whole Woman’s Health in Austin has made
several complaints about the peaceful presence of
40 Days for Life.

Her reaction? “What a blessing!”

She said the abortion center’s complaint “is just the
type of confirmation that we always pray for. We now
know how much of an impact we are having on their clients,
their abortion numbers, and on their workers!”

Elizabeth is also aware of four women who were scheduled
for abortions at that facility, but who changed their
minds during this 40 Days for Life campaign.

“Thank God for the work He is doing inside of that
abortion clinic,” she said. “Our presence is working!”

To see photos of the peaceful 40 Days for Life vigil
in Austin, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1831

OLD TOWN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

In the Old Town section of Chicago, the 40 Days for Life
vigil is going on outside a Planned Parenthood office.
And it seems the people inside aren’t real comfortable
with the volunteers peacefully praying outside.

According to team leaders in Old Town, “Planned
Parenthood posted a sign on the outside of their
building claiming that photography or audio/video
recording at their facility would be punishable by a
$25,000 fine or 1-5 years in jail.”

“After consulting with an attorney from the Thomas More
Society Pro-Life Law Center and the police, we have
decided that this sign is largely groundless,” said one
of the coordinators. “We will continue to film our
valiant vigil participants as we see fit.”

And they did! To see photos of 40 Days for Life vigil
participants in Old Town Chicago, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1831

BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS

Planned Parenthood tries to present itself as the only
place in town women can go for low-cost health care.
That simply isn’t correct. And the 40 Days for Life
team in Bryan/College Station has been giving women the
real facts on the sidewalk outside Planned Parenthood.

When a woman brought her granddaughter in for a
check-up, a counselor told her there’s no doctor at
Planned Parenthood, and there were other places to go
that did not offer abortions.

Another young woman wanted a pregnancy test. She was
guided to the Coalition for Life, where she could get
the test at no cost — and would NOT be pressured into
an abortion.

Finally, counselors were able to refer a third young
woman to another provider for routine care — she hadn’t
known of any alternatives.

“You know, I’ve never felt entirely comfortable coming
here,” she said, “and now I have somewhere else to go!”

Day 21 - March 29

Intention:

We pray for the conversion of all those who refuse to acknowledge that human life belongs only to God.

Scripture:

Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations."

-- Jeremiah 1:4-5

Reflection:

To be or not to be? There is no question!

The question of "being" is something philosophers have long pondered. What is the meaning of being and what is the source? In the passage before us, we have our answer. We have being because we are known by God.

For God to declare that he knows and sets apart the prophet Jeremiah even before he is conceived indicates that our being rests in God's own being. Because He is and because He wills we, therefore, are and do. The Apostle Paul says as much when he declares before the philosophers of his day, "In Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28).

One of the tragedies of the abortion culture is that life in the womb has been so heartbreakingly devalued. To embrace the arguments of the "pro-choice" crowd one must conclude that the child in the womb doesn't exist, isn't there, has no being. But nothing could be further from the truth. That child is known by God and, as such, has being.

Prayer:

Lord God, we confess that in You we live and move and have our being. Because You are, we are. May we find grace from You to affirm the being of every human and may we labor to make this truth known to the world around us. Amen.

Rev. J. Kirk van der Swaagh
Pastor, Conservative Congregational Christian Conference

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