Welcome to 40 Days for Life: September 26 - November 4, 2012

40DaysforLife.com ^ | 09-25-12 | 40DaysforLife.com

[Salvation]

40 Days for Life opens September 26 in 316 locations

	It's official! This 40 Days for Life campaign will be a record-setter! The campaign, from September 26 - November 4, will be the largest and longest internationally coordinated pro-life mobilization in history ... and you can help save lives by getting involved TODAY!

Here's a quick rundown:

• 316 locations -- the most ever!
• 49 US states -- plus Washington, DC
• 7 Canadian provinces
• Australia, England, Spain and -- for the first time -- Uganda
• Many NEW cities ... 46 first-time campaigns

The full list of locations for the 40 Days for Life campaign has just been posted. Click on the site that is closest to where you live. You will be redirected to the web page for that local 40 Days for Life campaign. On that local web page, sign up with your name and e-mail address to get involved and help save lives!

 

Take the leap of faith and get involved with 40 Days for Life

Have you been to pray at a 40 Days for Life vigil yet? You may ask, “What do I do?” or “What sign should I bring?” The answer is simple; the only sign you really need to bring is yourself, for you represent God’s love.

[Salvation]

Prayer and fasting:

Christ told us some demons can only be driven out by prayer and fasting. The two go hand in hand. Prayer keeps us rooted in the fact that it is our desire to carry out God's will. Fasting is a sacrifice that helps us reach beyond our own limitations with God's help.

Fasting is not a Christian diet; it is a form of physical prayer. You can fast from food, TV, alcohol ... anything that separates you from God.

 

Constant vigil:

The most visible component of 40 Days for Life is a constant prayer vigil outside a place where children are aborted. It is the hope that the vigil can be maintained 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

It is a prayerful witness to the clinic's patients and employees, and to the entire community, that evil is in our midst and that with God's help, it will be defeated.

 

Community outreach:

During 40 Days for Life, the pro-life message is proactively taken to the community through focused, grassroots educational efforts. People are given the opportunity to visibly show their support for 40 Days for Life.

A door-to-door petition and education drive reaches out. Informational flyers can raise awareness about abortion. Church involvement, media contact and campus outreach also contribute.

[Salvation]

What 40 Days for Life has witnessed (so far!)

	There have now been ten coordinated 40 Days for Life campaigns since 2007, mobilizing people of faith and conscience in 440 cities across the United States and Canada, plus cities in Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Belize, Denmark, England, Georgia, Germany, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Poland, Puerto Rico and Spain.

During these unified efforts, participants witnessed countless blessings from God:

• 1,894 individual campaigns have taken place in 440 cities
• More than 525,000 have joined together in an historic display of unity to pray and fast for an end to abortion
• More than 15,000 church congregations have participated in the 40 Days for Life campaigns
• Reports document 5,928 lives that have been spared from abortion — and those are just the ones we know about
• 69 abortion workers have quit their jobs and walked away from the abortion industry
• 24 abortion facilities completely shut down following local 40 Days for Life campaigns
• Hundreds of women and men have been spared from the tragic effects of abortion, including a lifetime of regrets
• More than 2,100 news stories have been featured in newspapers, magazines, radio shows and TV programs from coast to coast ... and overseas
• Many people with past abortion experiences have stepped forward to begin post-abortion healing and recovery

After so many years of legalized abortion, many people of faith are experiencing a renewed sense of HOPE!

 

24 abortion centers close following 40 Days for Life

On March 1, the Planned Parenthood abortion center in Storm Lake, Iowa shut its doors. Just last fall, this location was the site of a 40 Days for Life vigil, coordinated by Sue Thayer – who once served as manager of that very facility ... until she was fired! Watch this video of the local celebration to learn more.

With the closure of the Storm Lake Planned Parenthood center – and a second Planned Parenthood location in Knoxville, Iowa that closed the same day. An abortion facility in Allentown, Pennsylvania closed right after the campaign, followed by an abortion center in Knoxville, Tennessee – this now makes 24 abortion centers that have shut down during or following 40 Days for Life campaigns outside their doors.

To God be the glory, and congratulations to all the pro-life groups and individuals in these cities whose years of fervent prayers and faithful efforts have been rewarded!

[Salvation]

Prayer Ping!

The 40 Days for Life campaign is firmly rooted on a foundation of prayer and fasting. To help maintain focus on the Lord and stay in tune with His guidance, we have prepared a series of daily devotionals — one for each of the 40 days of the campaign — plus two bonus devotionals.

We fervently believe that prayer and fasting will end abortion, and your prayers are very much needed and appreciated. Please follow the links below to read and meditate upon these brief reflections.

Printable versions are available; please click the link at the bottom of each devotional.

Prepare: September 25 Day 1: September 26 Day 2: September 27 Day 3: September 28 Day 4: September 29 Day 5: September 30 Day 6: October 1 Day 7: October 2 Day 8: October 3 Day 9: October 4 Day 10: October 5 Day 11: October 6 Day 12: October 7 Day 13: October 8 Day 14: October 9 Day 15: October 10 Day 16: October 11 Day 17: October 12 Day 18: October 13 Day 19: October 14 Day 20: October 15

Day 21: October 16 Day 22: October 17 Day 23: October 18 Day 24: October 19 Day 25: October 20 Day 26: October 21 Day 27: October 22 Day 28: October 23 Day 29: October 24 Day 30: October 25 Day 31: October 26 Day 32: October 27 Day 33: October 28 Day 34: October 29 Day 35: October 30 Day 36: October 31 Day 37: November 1 Day 38: November 2 Day 39: November 3 Day 40: November 4 Day 41: November 5

[Salvation]

Day of Preparation - September 25

 

Intention:

For God's blessing upon all participating in the coming 40 Days for Life campaign.

Scripture:

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.

-- 2 Chronicles 7:14

Reflection:

Not unlike God's chosen people of Israel, we must humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways, if we expect God to hear from heaven, forgive our sin, and heal our land. The need for repentance has not been greater since the Supreme Court decision of Roe vs. Wade in 1973. The number one cause of death in America is the needless sacrifice of our children at the altar of convenience called abortion. Conservative estimates put the number of deaths at nearly 48 million.

And lest we think this is an issue outside the church walls, 43 percent of women obtaining abortions identify themselves as Protestant, and 27 percent identify themselves as Catholic. One in four women has at least one abortion by the age of 45 -- both non-Christian and Christian alike. Where was the voice of Truth -- the church?

Mary Comm of In Our Midst Ministries, Inc. sums up the issue best as she writes, "We (the church) have been an unintentional accomplice to the millions of lives lost and to the multiplied millions of lives devastated by abortion. We didn't want them to abort. We didn't mean for them to abort. But, because of our lack of knowledge, because of our fear, we have continued to stand by and do nothing. We, God's hands and feet in this dark and hurting world, have been unintentional, unknowledgeable accomplice, but an accomplice nonetheless."

May today mark the beginning of change within the church, as God's people, in unity, seek His forgiveness.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we have turned our backs on you and your principles in your Word. We have allowed man to usurp Your role as God over life and the number of our days. But we come to you in brokenness and repentance over our sin. We cry out for Your mercy and ask you to remove the scourge of abortion from our land. Use us as your vessels, Lord, to bring the light of Your Truth to our nation once again. Because of Christ we pray, amen.

Carmen Pate
40 Days for Life board of directors

[Faith]

Ready to go here in Ohio. Thanks, Salvation.

[Mrs. Don-o]

`

[Salvation]

It may have been me or my computer or forces who did not want this posted. But I had to post it three times before it finally made it.

Makes one wonder.

Thanks for bumping and signing in with your state.

[Salvation]

Today’s email from Shawn Carney:

The largest 40 Days for Life campaign ever starts
tomorrow in 316 locations ... with more than 40
brand-new cities, including Kampala, Uganda!

Today I am in chilly Ohio, where I spoke at a kickoff
event for the Toledo 40 Days for Life campaign before
heading to St. Paul, Minnesota tomorrow.

Since returning from Australia, our national director,
David Bereit, has already helped to kick off local
campaigns in New Hampshire, Maryland, Washington, DC and
Virginia. Tomorrow he will be in Fort Worth, Texas,
launching their 40 Days for Life before heading on
to Kansas City.

Five years ago, when 40 Days for Life was first launched
as a national effort, David and I were hoping 20 cities
would take part. But God put that campaign in 89 cities.

In these five years, YOUR faith in God has been the
difference. Your faith is the reason this humble effort
has spread to an overall total of 440 cities ...

... from 1,000 volunteers in Texas to 525,000 worldwide ...

... from a few churches to 15,000 ...

... and from one country to 15 around the globe.

Over those five years, you’ve sacrificed and persevered
through rain, snow, heat ... and a shout or two from
those who did not agree with you.

But God has worked miracles ...

... miracles of babies joining the peaceful vigils
outside the places they were schedule to be aborted ...

... workers who joined and even led the very campaigns
they were trained to despise ...

... and with abortion facilities closing their doors.

As inspiring as these results are for us as we move
forward, they mean very little to the woman scheduled
for an abortion this week. Over these 40 days, we once
again have an opportunity to pray and fast — and to be
a witness to the hope and love of Christ.

And PRAYER does come first.

You’ll be getting messages from me each of the 40 days
with a quick campaign update and a daily devotional.

On this day before the campaign begins, I’d also like to
recommend an article about the 69 abortion workers who
have left their jobs after 40 Days for Life vigils were
held in the public right-of-way outside their buildings.

In this new article, Abby Johnson, the former director
of the Planned Parenthood abortion center in College
Station, Texas (the very place that 40 Days for Life
began), comments on the love she received from vigil
participants.

“They had always told me, ‘If you ever want to leave,
we’ll be here for you.’” she said. “I decided to put
them to the test. I broke down and told them, ‘I know
what I’ve been doing is wrong, and I want out.’ They
just looked at me and said, ‘We’re here to help you.’”

To read the full article in the National Catholic
Register, please go to:

http://bit.ly/OIYOJk

A prayerful foundation is the key for bringing a “what
would Jesus do” attitude to the vigil. This is the
attitude that has helped mothers choose life for their
babies — and helped clinic employees like Abby Johnson
change their hearts and leave the abortion business.

This is my personal invitation for you to get involved.
Here’s the link to all 316 locations — please find the
one nearest you and learn how you can help:

http://40daysforlife.com/location

[poptartacus]

Lord Jesus bless your good works. God stands with the righteous.

[P.O.E.]

Thanks. These are neat to have handy.

[Salvation]

Thanks for stopping by to pray. If you can go to the abortion clinics, even sitting in your car across the street, and pray — a powerful message is being sent.

[Sun]

Bump for life!

[SumProVita]

This is a super list, Salvation. Thank you very much!

[Hoosier Catholic Momma]

Another Ohio participant heard from. Unfortunately, the nearest 40 Days vigil site to me is in Huntington, WV (less than 1 hour away). I may be signing up to do some prayer time down there—I just signed up with their local chapter online this morning. I do belong to the Gallia County Right to Life and will be participating in the Life Chain on October 7th.

[Salvation]

As we begin this 40-day journey of prayer and fasting,
peaceful vigil, and community outreach, imagine what
God can do through YOU ... in YOUR city.

In a NEW kickoff video, David Bereit — our national
director — shares a touching (and rarely told) story
that shows the powerful impact one person can make:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3264

In the video, you’ll learn about one person — who was
personally affected by abortion — who helped to launch
the entire 40 Days for Life worldwide movement ... and
you’ll hear David share an inspiring account of the
baby he met this weekend whose life was spared through
one person participating in 40 Days for Life.

Make time to watch this video — you’ll be glad you did:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3264

---

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA

---

If we are willing to pray ... and ACT ... God can work
through us. I’m getting ready to visit the 40 Days for
Life in Minnesota’s Twin Cities, and the volunteers
here fully understand that.

Their campaign is focusing on a second abortion center
— because following the campaign a year ago, the FIRST
abortion location where they held their 40-day prayer
vigils CLOSED!

There had been SEVEN 40 Days for Life campaigns outside
a hospital that did abortions. But hospital managers
closed the abortion unit because business had declined
40 percent during that time and abortion was no longer
economically viable (or in plain English, they were
losing money).

The quick point to take away from this is that God
answered prayers in the Twin Cities — and He is ready
to answer prayers in YOUR city!

---

RENO, NEVADA

---

The Reno-Tahoe area was among the 89 cities that took
part in the first 40 Days for Life campaign five years
ago. (Yes, it’s been FIVE YEARS!) Faithful volunteers
are back again for this campaign. Over the years,
they’ve seen changes at the abortion center.

This is one of the most challenging locations for a
40 Days for Life vigil. The abortionist is a rather
belligerent individual who taunts vigil participants
with signs on the side of the building. He also turns
a sprinkler system on the prayer volunteers and plays
vulgar music through a powerful sound system.

But even here, the quiet voice of prayer is having
an effect.

People pray outside that abortion center year-round
now. In addition to praying at the sidewalk, they
observe the comings and goings at the building.
Operating hours have decreased. Instead of opening
early in the day, the doors aren’t opened til
mid-morning now. They also appear to be open fewer
days each week.

One day recently, the staff came and went. But there
were no customers. NO ONE had an abortion that day.

Said one of the volunteers, “all we can do is
re-double our prayer in the hopes that this means
lives and souls are being spared the pain of abortion.”

God is moving in a powerful way. Keep praying!

To find the 40 Days for Life location nearest you,
go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/location.cfm

Click on the city name — and sign up to get involved!

[Salvation]

Day 1 - September 26

 

Intention:

That we may use these 40 Days for Life to plead for God's mercy and grace upon all those involved in the sin of abortion.

Scripture:

Blow the trumpet in Zion! Proclaim a fast, call an assembly. Gather the people, notify the congregation. Assemble the elders; gather the children and the infants at the breast… Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep and say, "Spare, O Lord, your people."

-- Joel 2:15-17

Reflection:

The toll of abortion cannot be measured. We hear estimates of almost 50 million innocent victims, but that's only one aspect of the harm that has unfolded in abortion's wake. There are also the mothers and fathers of these millions, as well as the grandparents, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins. Unborn lives destroyed. Lives of the living shattered.

It's overwhelming and depressing, but even in the midst of such unfathomable darkness, the church teaches us to have hope. Yes, it was indeed Calvary that followed Christ's 40 days in the desert, but without Calvary there would have been no Resurrection - His victory over death that opened the gates of heaven to those who believe in and follow Him.

The psalmist encourages us to go humbly before God as we seek His will: "A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me… Give me back the joy of your salvation and a willing spirit sustain in me… O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise" (Psalm 51:12, 14, 17).

We are called to be God's messengers; or as the Apostle Paul told the Corinthians: "We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20). That is the true message to all we encounter at the abortion centers and in our communities who have been deceived by the Culture of Death. We don't bring condemnation; we bring God's good news.

Prayer:

Lord, we ask for the strength, courage, wisdom, determination and stamina to carry out this mission according to Your will. Guide us, we pray, as we go forth and proclaim Your truth, always doing so with a spirit of love and compassion, as was demonstrated to us by Your Son, Jesus Christ. In His name we pray, amen.

David Brandao
Communications Director, 40 Days for Life

[Faith]

We had about 30 people at the Dayton, OH abortion center today. There was singing and Bible reading as well as many prayers. May God rescue the babies and the mothers and fathers, in the Name of Jesus.

[Sun]

“God is moving in a powerful way. Keep praying!”

Yes!

[Salvation]

Day 2 - September 27

 

Intention:

Pray for those who work in the abortion industry, and for those who have repented of committing abortions and have resolved to defend life.

Scripture:

Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man."

-- Luke 23:46-47

Reflection:

"Those of us who have participated in the killing of unborn children are the Centurions of today. We have dropped our swords against the unborn child. Now we must recognize the depth of our guilt and deal with the ramifications... To revitalize our humanity we need to forgive and be forgiven, to reconcile and be healed."

These words come from a brochure of the Society of Centurions, an organization for former abortion providers. These words convey in a beautiful and moving way what is happening across the nation as hundreds of abortionists and their staff members experience repentance, conversion, and healing.

How does this conversion begin? Dr. Philip Ney writes, "The factors that changed their opinion on performing abortions, in the following order of frequency, were: evidence of the infant's humanity, a spiritual experience, personal distress, evidence of the mother's distress, scientific articles, being accepted as a person, a personal relationship with a pro-lifer, pro-life pickets." (The Centurion's Pathway, p. 77).

The journey is not easy. But the Jesus who heals us calls us to face the truth of what we've done, make restitution where possible, and engage in the hard work of mending relationships. Let's pray for the Centurions; may their numbers increase!

Prayer:

Lord, we thank you for those who have repented of committing abortions and have resolved to defend life. We too repent and resolve. We repent of every instance in which fear has made us silent when we should have spoken. We repent of the ongoing bloodshed in our land, and for thinking that we can deprive the unborn of protection but keep it for ourselves. We resolve that we will advance the cause of righteous candidates for public office, and that we will be more afraid of offending you by our silence than of offending others by our speech. We resolve that we will proclaim your name to the nations, through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life

[SumProVita]

Thank you so much for posting this daily, Salvation. Your devotion is a blessing to many. :-)