Welcome to 40 Days for Life: September 26

Day 20 - October 15

Intention:

May God's justice sober our society, and may mercy triumph over judgment.

Scripture:

Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning; from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of man. From the hand of every man's brother I will require the life of man. Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man.

- Genesis 9:5-6

Reflection:

The value of every human being can hardly be seen more clearly than with this verse. God, the King of the universe, has created all human beings in his image, and declares forthrightly that shedding the blood of any individual will require the blood of the one who shed it. God's concern for human beings is not limited to any particular group. Indeed, his concern is universal, and includes male and female, young and old, born and unborn, disabled and able-bodied, the citizens of every nation on earth.

Abortion, the deliberate killing of the unborn, is the shedding of innocent blood. Surely the blood of millions upon millions of innocent children cries out to God. It is true that we live in an age of grace, and yet this passage (among many other texts which express similar sentiments) should give every thinking Christian pause.

Christians of all people, entrusted with the Word of God as we are, must take a stand. We must speak out. We must do all that we can to protect the innocent, to pursue justice, and to encourage the repentance of all those who bear responsibility for this great evil. Only in this manner can we hope to forestall the judgment that must otherwise surely come.

This passage should also be seen as an encouragement to educate and disciple our children and grandchildren about what it means to be human, and the responsibility that will become theirs in this ongoing struggle.

Prayer:

O Father, forgive us for our lack of courage and our want of compassion for the unborn and for those lost and hurt by abortion. Fill us anew with your Spirit. Renew our minds, strengthen us in righteousness, help us be people of salt and light within our nation. May every human being, from conception to natural death, be treated with the respect due those made in your image. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Rev. John Brown
Director, United Friends for Life (United Church of Christ)

We are at the halfway point and look at the results into today's email from Shawn Carney.

We're halfway through this 40 Days for Life campaign
-- and it's clear that God has used YOU to help save
lives through these peaceful efforts.

Local campaign leaders report that so far ...

... 198 babies (and their mothers) have been spared
from abortion -- that we know of!

Praise God!!!

Here are just a few of their stories.

-----------------------------------------------------
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA
-----------------------------------------------------

A man walked up to the prayer volunteers at the
40 Days for Life vigil and said he had a story to tell.

"I have taught my daughter moral values all her life,"
he said. "She heard y'all out here praying when she
came here today. She heard y'all when she came out.
She has decided to have my grandchild. Thank you!"

"This is God's notice that your prayers are heard and
that your work is most worthy," said Eileen in Raleigh.

To see a photo of the vigil location in Raleigh,
please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3476

-----------------------------------------------------
GRANITE CITY, ILLINOIS
-----------------------------------------------------

Josephine watched as a woman left the abortion center
and walked towards her car. She looked at Josephine
and said, "I didn't do it."

The woman said that she had heard God’s voice and was
hoping that the prayer volunteers would still be there
when she left. "She shared with me she has twins,"
Josephine said. She also said that she had other
children already.

"I will always remember the smile on her face knowing
that God aided her toward making the right choice,"
Josephine said, "and for her awareness that others
had been praying for her."

-----------------------------------------------------
McMINNVILLE, OREGON
-----------------------------------------------------

"We have a confirmed baby saved at our site!" said
Elisha in McMinnville. Volunteers prayed as two young
women went into Planned Parenthood. When they left the
parking lot a half hour later, one of the girls
rolled down the car window and said to the vigil
participants, "I chose life!"

-----------------------------------------------------
LONDON, ENGLAND
-----------------------------------------------------

Dave from London's Brixton location said volunteers
from St. Bede's were on their knees in prayer outside
the abortion center when two women went over to the
prayer volunteers’ information stand and asked for
some literature.

One of the women was pregnant. She and her friend had
gone into the Marie Stopes abortion facility, but said
while she was inside, she had changed her mind.

"After shedding a few tears," Dave said, "the ladies
left promising to keep her baby."

-----------------------------------------------------
ALEXANDRIA, MINNESOTA
-----------------------------------------------------

In Alexandria, there's a pregnancy help center right
across the street from Planned Parenthood. One of the
volunteers there told of a couple who walked in and
said they had an appointment. The woman was in tears.

The volunteer was curious -- the pregnancy help center
doesn't require appointments, so she guessed that the
appointment was really at the place across the street.

The woman thought she was pregnant -- and frightened.
She was over 40, had never been pregnant and was not
sure she wanted to have the baby.

The volunteer explained all of the support that was
available and the couple left in much higher spirits.
"Hopefully," said Debbie in Alexandria, "another
precious baby saved!"

Day 21 - October 16

Intention:

Pray that we each will daily put on the full armor of God, so that we are strong in the Lord and the power of His might.

Scripture:

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand.

- Ephesians 6:12-13

Reflection:

I am confounded to see how the battle over the issue of life is perceived more often in churches today as political rather than spiritual. Ironically, the enemy has used this twisted perception to silence many in the body of Christ. We must see the battle for what it is and if we are to be prepared to face the spiritual enemy on the issue of abortion, we must daily "put on" the armor God has given us:

Gird your waist with Truth (vs. 14) - Commit your emotions to believe truth and to speak truth, regardless of the repercussions.
Put on the breastplate of Righteousness (vs. 14) -It will protect our hearts - the innermost springs of our beings - from all unrighteousness so evident in this fallen world.
Shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace. (vs. 15) -Preparation is vital if we are to be effective in God's work.
Taking the shield of faith (vs.16) - The Accuser will instill doubt, fear, and guilt. Faith acts as an invisible shield that deflects such false accusations.
Taking the Helmet of salvation (vs.17) - A helmet protects the head, the brain and in turn our mind and thoughts. Satan hopes we will set aside divine revelation for human reasoning.
Taking the sword of the Spirit (vs.17) - The Word of God, the only offensive weapon in this armor, was used by the Lord Jesus against Satan. The living Word is powerful and effective.

Our armor is complete. We are ready to wage war, and the next verse tells us how, "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit." (vs.18)

Prayer:

Dear Lord, as you lead us into the spiritual battle of abortion may we be reminded that the battle is truly Yours. We thank you for equipping us with Your armor. Lead us daily to put it on! Thank you for allowing us to serve under your command, and for hearing our requests for direction and protection. Thank you for the victory that is ours because of Your Son Jesus, amen.

Carmen Pate
40 Days for Life board of directors

Let’s face it. We need the full armor of God!

With some of the things people have had to deal with
while peacefully praying for an end to abortion, it’s
important to remember this is a spiritual battle.

People praying at the vigil have seen the occasional
negative reaction — rude words and gestures from
people driving by, for instance. But thankfully, the
Lord provides His grace so we may respond to such
anger with Christ-like love.

CANTON, OHIO

There’s a sign-carrying protester who yells at vigil
participants in Canton. Among other things, he insists
that Planned Parenthood does not do abortions.

True, Planned Parenthood does not do abortions at all
of its facilities — but the nation’s largest abortion
chain most certainly refers abortion-minded women to
other locations ... and its annual abortion toll is
330,000.

Volunteers tried to explain Planned Parenthood’s
agenda, but he wouldn’t listen. “The devil is lying
to you,” he screamed. “They do good things here.” He
refused to take literature — “propaganda,” he called
it — and shouted that people praying outside the
abortion center faced eternal punishment “for bearing
false witness.”

When a large prayer group’s vigil time ended and
they were preparing to go, he yelled at them, “Is
your party over?”

Linda, the coordinator in Canton, said this man
clearly “needs our prayers. We pray that the Holy
Spirit will enlighten him to the true purpose of
Planned Parenthood,” she said. “Pray that we continue
to show the love of Jesus with everyone we meet at
Planned Parenthood.”

To see one of the signs the Canton protester carries,
please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3512

SEVILLE, SPAIN

A woman walked up to one of the prayer volunteers and
looked at her “pray for an end to abortion” sign. “How
brutal,” she said. “The law is the law.”

The woman grabbed the sign, snarled that this was
harassment — and broke the sign. “I said that I was
not harassing anybody, but was only peacefully praying,”
the volunteer said.

As she went into the abortion center, the angry woman
said she was going to call the police. “I called the
police,” said the vigil participant, “and they told me
I wasn’t infringing any law.”

After a while, the woman came out. “She told me she
was a psychologist and that we were inflicting a lot
of damage on women who were going to freely abort
their children with defects,” said the 40 Days for
Life participant.

“In Seville we are very much alone,” she said. “I
saw the devil in the eyes of those people and in the
people at the doorway who laughed at me while shaking
their heads with hateful grimaces.”

RENO, NEVADA

Last week, I mentioned the pointy yucca plants
outside an abortion center in Atlanta. That reminded
me that the abortionist in Reno has a row of very
prickly cactus plants along the fence at his business.

Despite the cactus — and professionally-printed signs
with messages such as “Pray to end sidewalk bullying”
— praying, even at this place, can be a very peaceful
experience. The presence of the Holy Spirit can be
felt despite it all.

To see the fence, the cactus plants — and young people
peacefully praying at the Reno vigil along with a baby
in a stroller, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3512

Day 22 - October 17

Intention:

May those who hold life as trivial realize that we live because God wills it so.

Scripture:

Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this, in His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.

-- Job 12:9-10

Reflection:

Job was a man acquainted with grief, trials and tribulation. He had everything taken from him, including his family. He endured sickness, ridicule and judgment from his friends. Everyone gave him advice about his situation, questioning his spirituality and his God. Job's circumstances were bad but he never loses faith. Why? Because "the hand of the Lord has made all life." Created by God, he knows his life has meaning and purpose, regardless of the circumstances.

In our present culture, we've lost that basic truth; every life is made and allowed to live by God's sovereign authority. As people who pride ourselves on our independence, we have a hard time acknowledging our dependence on God. From our creation, when we were knit together in our mother's womb to our last breath, God's word is clear that "in His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind."

It's time for us as individuals, and as a society, to recognize that we exist by God's grace and turn back to Him, honoring His word and His teachings. Why? Because our world is full of Jobs, people who are dealing with trials and tribulations and hurting desperately. Job's response should be ours as well. Regardless of what we face (even an unplanned pregnancy) God in His wisdom and mercy will redeem it. How do I know? Job's friends who doubted God's sovereignty cry out to God asking for help, God instructs Job to pray for his friends and after he does, God restores all that Job had lost. In other words, because Job never lost faith and knew and trusted His Creator, the Lord blessed Job.

Prayer:

Thank you Father God for being the Creator of my life and every life. Please give me, and the society in which I live, an appreciation for your gift of life. Please help us set aside our pride and acknowledge that we need you. Show me how I can honor you today in response to all the blessings you bestow so freely. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Georgette Forney
President, Anglicans for Life

We need to pray for an end to abortion in our churches
and homes ... every day! That prayer foundation helps
sustain us when we physically go to pray at the places
where abortions actually happen ... and our peaceful,
prayerful presence makes a HUGE difference!

Abortion facilities are lonely and cold places — but
your prayerful presence gives hope to women at the
very last moment before they enter for their abortions.

It may not always be as comfortable as our homes
or churches ... but when we take our prayers to the
abortion facilities and bring God’s hope to places
where there is no hope — He uses our faithfulness
to save lives from abortion.

Your prayers on the sidewalks are working! Here are
just a few examples.

GERMANTOWN, MARYLAND

Andrew in Germantown shared some stories and pictures
about children. After all, this is all about the kids!

One of the pictures he sent was a mother and her baby
— a child whose life was spared. “His mother had
scheduled an abortion,” Andrew said, “but after talking
to one of the sidewalk counselors, she chose life.”

The other picture shows Andrew’s one-year-old daughter
Lucy holding a “pray to end abortion” sign. “It’s
literally her potential friends, classmates and peers”
whose lives are at risk, he said.

He also told of an 11-year-old who was out praying
with his dad one night. As it was starting to get a
bit cold, the father asked the son if he wanted to
go back to the car. “No way,” he said. “If I can
potentially save the life of a baby ... I’m going to
sacrifice and stand out here.”

Then there was a woman and her 11-year-old son who
were praying outside the late-term abortion center.
“He prayed that a group of cars passing us would be
supportive, even the pizza delivery guy passing by,”
the mom said.

“And immediately the pizza guy started honking!”

“God is answering our prayers in big and small ways,”
Andrew said. “It’s a great reminder that God hears
all of our prayers.”

To see the pictures Andrew sent me, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3521

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN

Four people arrived at the abortion center in a
minivan — a young man, a young woman and two other
women. Vigil participants said it may have been the
younger woman’s mother and grandmother.

Outside the building, they had a rather animated
discussion, with the older woman insisting that the
young girl go inside. “This older woman refused any
offers of help and was mad that we had even offered,”
said one of the volunteers.

With that, all four of them went in. About a half
hour later, however, they all came back out. There
was another lively discussion, but this time they
were smiling. The girl’s mother said, “We’re not going
to do it.” And then she whispered, “Thank you, God!”

To see a picture of the vigil in Grand Rapids, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3521

ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA

Volunteers in Rochester had a very specific situation
to pray about — a teenage girl who was three months
pregnant, whose mother was insisting on abortion.

The girl had an appointment scheduled with her family
doctor. The baby’s father went with her — but her
mother wasn’t able to be there. Nevertheless, the
young woman was planning to tell the doctor that she
would have the abortion.

That all changed when they saw the sonogram. “I can’t
have an abortion,” she said. “I am keeping my baby.”

Continued prayer is needed because of what one of the
volunteers called “complicated family dynamics” and
that this young mother can make the best decisions
for herself and the baby.

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

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3521

Day 23 - October 18

Intention:

We pray for the strength to love those who do not love us.

Scripture:

But the Lord said "You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in the night and perished in the night. And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left, and much livestock? Should I not be concerned about that great city?"

-- Jonah 4:10-11

Reflection:

God doesn't value people and things like we do. Jonah loved a shade tree more than an entire city of sinful people. We love our dogs more than a terrorist. We love our cars more than a beggar on the side of the road. And sometimes, we love our money more than a child growing in a desperate teenager's womb.

But God isn't like us. Genesis 1 tells us that humans were the capstone of God's creation. We were created on the sixth day after God had completed the land, the stars, the plants and the animals. Therefore, His love for us is greater than His love for a plant, an animal, or any other created thing. And the book of Jonah tells us that He loves even the most sinful people and seeks to bring them into His merciful arms. And it's a love that seeks to touch all of his created children: that desperate teenager, the baby growing in her womb, even tyrants and terrorists. So it's up to us to imitate God's merciful love by helping and praying for those who persecute us, and those who don't love us back.

Prayer:

Gracious God, loving our enemies seems like one of most difficult things you could ask of us. Please remind us that this is how you love and that if you ask it of us then you will give us the grace to do it. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Dennis DiMauro
Lutherans for Life representative to the National Pro-life Religious Council

Today’s email:

In a recent talk during this 40 Days for Life
campaign, I mentioned that the pro-life movement
is made up of sinners.

We are all sinners ... and the pro-life effort
includes many who have had abortions, doctors who
have done abortions and thousands who at one point
sincerely defended abortion but are now pro-life.

Many know the pain of abortion — including men.

After my talk, a man with passion in his face and
tears in his eyes shook my hand and shared how his
past sin of abortion is still deep in his heart.

Men can play a large role in an abortion. They can
abandon women when they hear they’re pregnant. They
can encourage, and many times pay for, the abortion.
Their mistakes are real, but so is their pain.

Other fathers are told they have no rights, no voice
... and they can do nothing to stop an abortion. And
that, too, can hurt deeply.

GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA

Volunteers prayed as three young people walked into
the abortion center — a young man and his girlfriend,
plus another female friend whom they described as
verbally abusive. A short time later, the young man
walked out of the building, sat on the steps — and
stared at the signs the prayer volunteers were holding.

Before long, he told his story. His girlfriend was
pregnant. She already has a child and wants an
abortion — a decision her friend strongly supports.

The volunteers showed him fetal models, and he was
totally shocked at the level of development of a
12-week baby. He said his girlfriend promised she
would not abort if she was past 14 weeks ... but she
and her friend were quite angry with him for not
supporting the abortion.

The friend then got in her car and took off, stranding
the young man at the abortion center. One of the vigil
participants asked if the angry friend had previously
had an abortion. “How did you know?” the young man
asked. To those familiar with post-abortion pain, it
seemed a reasonable suspicion.

He went inside once again, where he learned that his
girlfriend was nine weeks pregnant and going ahead
with the abortion.

He came back out, “fell to his knees and dropped his
cell phone and cigarette and cried so many tears that
they wet the sidewalk,” the volunteer said. He kept
repeating, “It’s my baby, too!”

The young man was offered emotional support and
guidance, financial assistance — even a ride back
home. “Please pray,” said the volunteer, “that God
would somehow turn this tragedy into repentance and
a future that would glorify His name.”

AUSTIN, TEXAS

Vigil participants often see a man walking his dog on
the sidewalk near the vigil. One day, one of the
volunteers simply said, “Good morning!”

The man walked down the street a bit, but then turned
around and walked over. “I want to tell you something,”
he said. “I know that I’m responsible for three of
them” — abortions — “and your sign that says ‘men
regret lost fatherhood’ is exactly right. I do regret
it ... and I want you to know I support what you’re
doing here.”

Another volunteer said all it took was a smile to get
the attention of a woman walking towards the abortion
facility. She walked over to the vigil participant,
who was standing next to a display that said “free
pregnancy tests and free ultrasounds.”

The woman said she was coming for a pregnancy test.
“I heard Planned Parenthood was the place to go,”
she said, adding that if she was in fact pregnant,
she wanted her baby.

The volunteer mentioned to her that Planned Parenthood
only offered sonograms to women who wanted an abortion.
The young woman quickly realized that Planned Parenthood
was NOT the place to go.

To see a picture of the vigil site in Austin, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3526

Day 24 - October 19

Intention:

Pray that God will continue to bless the efforts that have gone into the 40 Days for Life campaign, as we trust Him for the results.

Scripture:

Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand. O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name.

-- Nehemiah 1:10-11

Reflection:

Nehemiah provides an awesome blueprint for volunteers in God's service, particularly those responding to the devastation abortion has caused our nation.

Nehemiah grieved for God's reputation as he witnessed the condition of the city walls of Jerusalem. The walls were broken down which was seen by neighboring people as a sign of weakness on the part of Jerusalem's God. No wall meant no security for the city and its people.

We learn from his story that he covered every detail in prayer; inspired others to join the cause; organized others to help do the work; confronted opposition directly and turned to God when discouraged; and finally celebrated what was accomplished and gave God all the glory!

Like Nehemiah, we must acknowledge God's sovereignty as we serve Him before a mocking world. We too need to be reminded that we are "fighting" for our families. We too must have an attitude of confession and repentance before a Holy God. We must pray for strength, refute slander, and not be diverted from our work.

Like Nehemiah, we will draw attention from the enemy when we are seeking to protect the well-being of God's people. We too must stand firm and seek God's help to persevere until the task is done. We too will be victorious.

Prayer:

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in heaven and in the earth is Yours. We pray for your continued guidance and protection throughout the remainder of this 40 day campaign. May we be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in Your work, knowing that our labor will not be in vain. We pray in the name of Jesus, amen.

Carmen Pate
40 Days for Life board of directors

Today’s email:

Today I’ll be speaking at the 40 Days for Life vigil
in Mobile, Alabama ... where the Planned Parenthood
abortion facility is across from a local pregnancy
center that offers loving alternatives.

We usually start the work week with some encouraging
stories. Why not end it the same way?

There are challenges, obstacles and lots of sacrifices
that go along with conducting a 40 Days for Life
campaign. But the Lord’s abundant blessings make it
all worthwhile.

Here are just a few examples.

MADISON, WISCONSIN

Elizabeth in Madison says it looks like Planned
Parenthood is starting to get irritated. For one
thing, a pregnancy help center has opened right
across the street — and women are taking note.

Planned Parenthood even put up a sign that says
“health center entrance” next to their driveway,
suggesting that women were going to the pregnancy
help center by mistake.

Planned Parenthood also called the police because
one of the vigil participants, a disabled veteran,
was sitting in a lawn chair in the public
right-of-way. Elizabeth said it appeared that
“the police were annoyed by the call and supportive
of his right to be there. So praise God for the
persecution!”

DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS

About 60 people attended a prayer service at the
40 Days for Life vigil site in Downers Grove, hearing
from a local pastor as well as a representative of
Silent No More, who spoke of the pain and heartbreak
of abortion ... and the forgiveness and healing
available from God.

“We filled the time with music, prayer and scripture,”
said one of the volunteers, “calling for God’s mercy
and love to strengthen our resolve and soften hearts.”

To see a picture of the vigil in Downers Grove, please
go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3531

CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

“I just got the confirmation that one of the women
who left Planned Parenthood with our free pregnancy
test/ultrasound coupon went to the pregnancy health
center and has decided to keep her baby,” said
Paulette in Chester County.

“This is the first baby of this campaign that we are
definitely sure has been saved,” she said. “We are
all so blessed in Chester County’s 40 Days for Life.”

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA

“Our success is showing in the reaction of the clinic,
which has turned their sprinklers on us, provided
parking lot escorts, and even hired ‘pro-choice’
protesters,” said Chris in Shreveport. “Despite the
challenges, we remain undeterred.”

Prior to the start of this campaign, the Shreveport-
Bossier team started a sidewalk counseling initiative.
That effort has helped encourage eight mothers to
choose life for their babies.

“Some of us have been praying outside that abortion
center every month for twelve years,” Chris said.
“We have witnessed only a few saves in over a decade
of faithful prayer. While we firmly believe that God
answers our prayers mostly without us ever knowing
it, now He is starting to show us and it is glorious!”

Volunteers noted one woman in particular who came to
the abortion center, hesitant and unsure about even
going in. She told Brittany, one of the counselors,
that she was pregnant with her third child. But after
talking about the abortion with Brittany, she said,
“I don’t want to go through with it.”

Brittany witnessed her first save as she saw this
woman get in her car and drive off without making an
appointment. She said afterwards, “It’s a great day
to save a life!”

Day 25 - October 20

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

I’m back home after a visit with the 40 Days for Life
team in Mobile, Alabama. As I mentioned yesterday,
a pregnancy help center moved in across the street
to help women get loving alternatives.

Pregnancy centers often drive the abortion industry
crazy. The abortion business tries to position itself
as a mainstream healthcare service. But as anyone
who’s ever prayed outside one of those facilities
is aware, that is certainly not the case.

EUGENE, OREGON

A small group was praying outside the abortion center
in Eugene when an ambulance pulled up. It wasn’t long
before a woman was brought out, put in the ambulance
and taken away.

“We have prayed for her and know that she is in the
Lord’s hands for healing and recovery,” said Lynda
in Eugene. “Again, ‘legal’ does not mean ‘safe.’”

That same afternoon, a woman pulled into the parking
lot — her car was facing a “choose life” sign. As she
sat in her car, a child got out ... hesitated ...
then got back in. The woman put her car in reverse and
drove away. A changed heart? Please pray that it is!

The abortion facility usually opens at 9 o’clock. The
next day, it didn’t open til 1 pm. According to Lynda,
“business has slowed down since 40 Days for Life
kicked off. Thanks to prayer and His presence we are
seeing change!”

To see a picture of the Eugene abortion center, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3541

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA

Adelaide is a long way from Eugene — but these two
40 Days for Life locations have noticed the exact
same thing about the impact of their vigils. “During
our 40 Days for Life campaign,” said one of the
Adelaide volunteers, “we know that business drops
off significantly at the Pregnancy Advisory Centre.”

It’s important — wherever you happen to be — to
pray for abortion to end. “However,” this volunteer
said, “when there are numbers of people praying at
the vigil site, we have found the results of our
prayers to be much more fruitful than if we just
pray elsewhere, away from the site.”

The Adelaide team had a great opportunity recently
to promote the campaign on the radio. To hear a clip
from this interview on 107.9 Life FM, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3541

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA

There was an emergency call at the Planned Parenthood
abortion center in Charlottesville. The local police
quickly arrived, along with a special state police van.
It seems a “suspicious box” had been discovered along
the sidewalk outside Planned Parenthood — which is
where the 40 Days for Life vigil is currently underway.

The rapid law enforcement response got the attention
of one of the local radio stations, which mentioned it
on their newscast.

It didn’t take long for all the excitement to fizzle
out. When the police opened the “suspicious box,”
they found a Bible and some candles ... apparently
left outside by a late-night prayer volunteer.

40 Days for Life’s national director, David Bereit,
spoke at Charlottesville’s midpoint rally, sharing
good news about the campaign with about 60 people.
He encouraged volunteers to press on with even
greater vigor and commitment.

It had been a rainy day, but by the time the event
started, the skies had cleared and a rainbow appeared
in the sky — “God’s promise of good things to come,”
as one volunteer put it.

Day 26 - October 21

Intention:

That those who have forgotten their purpose may discover it in God and therefore have the courage to choose life.

Scripture:

These all wait for you, that you may give them their food in due season, what you give them they gather in; you open your hand they are filled with good. You hide your face, they are troubled; you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. You send forth your Spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the earth.

-- Psalm 104:27-30

Reflection:

"I am a feather on the breath of God."

As the quote above portrays, we are upheld by the power and purpose of God. Our very existence on earth, from our body's first breath to its last, when we leave it to return home, is our Father's choice and happens only by His willing to do so.

He who created the universe also created that which is "me." I do not "have" a soul - I AM a soul, as well as a body. My entire purpose in this life is to find my way back to my Creator.

Prayer:

Beloved Father, remind us today that there is no truth but you. Do not let us fall prey to the evil one's lie that we may choose death. Remind us right now that you, who created all life, are in control of all life, and let us know right now that you who created all life, are in control of all life, and let us choose life always.

Father, please let us hear your voice more today than yesterday. Keep lighting the pathway home, for us and for all who participate in this 40 Days for Life campaign. Father, we're on our way. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.

Vera Faith Lord
Director, Alpha/Omega Life Ministry
Representative of the Orthodox Church to the National Pro-life Religious Council

This is the biggest 40 Days for Life campaign yet in
Canada, with 18 locations from coast to coast.

Over the years, I’ve been to four 40 Days for Life
campaigns in Canada ... and last year, I spoke at a
national Canadian pro-life dinner in Calgary. In all
of my visits, I’ve been inspired by enthusiastic,
vibrant, diligent — and young — pro-lifers.

Here’s just one example of a Canadian campaign where
faithful people are praying and fasting for an end
to abortion ... overcoming challenges ... and changing
individuals and communities.

CALGARY, ALBERTA

“Community is a pretty special thing,” said Paige, a
40 Days for Life blogger in Calgary.

For this campaign, the leadership team has made an
effort to encourage different communities to take
blocks of time and pray together — congregations,
bible studies and small groups, for instance.

“We believe it will make our communities stronger as
we hear from God, and allow ourselves to be changed
by Him,” she wrote. “As a result, we’ve seen more full
days taken, more people borrowing courage from their
friends and fellow believers and more hours covered
in prayer. We are encouraged — and believe that this
will be our most successful campaign to date.”

Calgary’s team has some built-in challenges, thanks
to local restrictions. There’s a bubble zone
surrounding the place where abortions are performed,
so vigil participants are restricted to a small area
on the sidewalk across the street. And they are not
permitted to have more than four people praying at
a time.

“We’re facing a difficult situation here at the
Kensington clinic,” one volunteer said. “We’re not
allowed to speak unless spoken to.” Because of that,
a lot of thought has gone into the signs that some
people hold while they pray.

“The signs that we wear at the Kensington clinic are
likely the last pro-life messages that these women will
see before making a final decision about the wee life
they are carrying,” she said. “We want the signs to be
compelling — because this is life and death we’re
talking about.”

The messages are short and sweet— so they can be
read by women driving to the abortion center:
* You are loved
* Life is a gift
* It’s your child
* Look at the ultrasound

Some of the women with abortion appointments arrive by
taxi. One volunteer took note of that as she prayed for
the people going in and out of the building. “I prayed
for taxi drivers,” she said. “I prayed that God would
work through these taxi drivers.”

She wasn’t seeing anything, but did feel that God was
at work. She kept praying, but everyone who arrived at
the abortion facility went in. When a taxi pulled up,
“I prayed like crazy — don’t let her go in God!”

The door opened, and stayed open for a moment. But no
one got out. The door closed again, and the taxi drove
away with the passenger — a young woman — still inside.

Had she come for an abortion but changed her mind?
There was no direct way of knowing, but the young
woman “looked relieved and at peace. This was in harsh
contrast to the other women that came out of the clinic,
every one weeping, limping and broken ... now I believe
we are making a difference!”

“And so we’ll pray on the sidewalk in groups, and
overflow into the park when we pass our limit of four
on the sidewalk,” Paige said. “We’ll pray on our feet
— stomping out the cold — or on our knees when He bids
us come … and our communities of faith will powerfully
change the community at large by our peaceful,
prayerful presence and outreach.”

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

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3563

Day 27 - October 22

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 is good news!

With two weeks to go in this 40 Days for Life campaign,
we are so far aware of ...

... 341 babies saved from abortion!

Here are just a few of their stories.

-----------------------------------------------------
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
-----------------------------------------------------

There was a long line waiting to get into the abortion
center. As one of the young women waited, she could
hear the sung prayer of the 40 Days for Life vigil
participants. She said the song stuck in her head.

When she got inside and talked with the staff, she
asked for an ultrasound. Once she saw the baby, she
realized she couldn't go through with the abortion.

After she walked out, she spoke to vigil participants.
"She said she really never wanted to see the place
again," said Julie, one of the volunteers. "I don't
blame her! Thank you to all of you for your continued
presence at Planned Parenthood. A life was saved today!"

To see a photo of the vigil in Wilmington, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3580

-----------------------------------------------------
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
-----------------------------------------------------

Ken says the 40 Days for Life vigil in Las Vegas is
taking place outside the busiest late-term abortion
facility in Nevada.

Prayer volunteers watched as a young couple parked
their car, got out ... and walked right past them.
"The woman appeared determined to carry through
with her scheduled abortion," Ken said, "but the
father of the child entered the building in tears."

On their way into the building, however, they did
stop to take information about the pregnancy help
center just down the street.

They were not inside long. Minutes later, they
walked out of the abortion facility -- and straight
into the pregnancy help center for an ultrasound
and life-affirming counseling.

“We heard a short while later," Ken said, "that
they are definitely keeping their baby!"

-----------------------------------------------------
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
-----------------------------------------------------

Mary in New Orleans reports two lives were saved
during the 40 Days for Life vigil.

One woman spoke with a counselor outside the abortion
facility and decided to go to a pro-life pregnancy help
center instead. "She confirmed afterwards that she
was keeping her child, now that she had found support
and resources."

A second woman walked up to vigil participants to
thank them for their witness. She said that a few
days earlier, she was driving to the facility to have
an abortion. She prayed for a sign to convince her
not to go through with it. When she saw the 40 Days
for Life prayer team on the sidewalk, she recognized
the sign she had prayed for.

"This is a small glimpse of the impact that your
prayer and sacrifice are having," Mary said.
"Remember that these are the two that we know of.
There are most likely more."

To see a picture of the vigil in New Orleans, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3580

-----------------------------------------------------
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
-----------------------------------------------------

A first-time 40 Days for Life participant was praying
on the sidewalk when she noticed a young man standing
outside the abortion center's entrance, waiting for
the woman who arrived with him. He walked over to the
prayer volunteer and asked, "How can you help me?"

She quickly mentioned all of the assistance available
locally as he listened intently. He walked back to
the building -- and soon left with the woman who had
gone inside. She would not be having the abortion!

"Many times babies are saved and we are unaware,"
said Marci in Baltimore. "What a blessing to be made
aware of the fruits of our labors!"

Day 28 - October 23

Intention:

We pray for the conversion of abortionists and all abortion advocates.

Scripture:

"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow."

-- Isaiah 1:16-17

Reflection:

God is just.

Inscribed around the inside of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC, are the immortal words of Thomas Jefferson: "I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just." If the deist, Jefferson, knew in the depths of his being that God is just, how much more ought we Christians to reflect on this profound truth? The justice of God, like his holiness and his purity, encourages us to seek justice for all people. It is the evil deeds and wrong, selfish attitudes of our modern society that have led to the cavalier acceptance of abortion and euthanasia. But, as Jefferson also said, "his justice will not sleep forever."

God is calling us today to seek justice, to encourage the oppressed, and to defend the orphans and widows of our society. It is a noble calling! It is one which every true believer, every God-fearing man and woman, should heed with no hesitation and no reluctance. To follow the God of justice and truth is to stand unequivocally for the right to life of everyone, especially the unborn, the physically disabled, and the terminally ill. God's word through the prophet Isaiah is as relevant in today's 21st century world as it was in Isaiah's 8th century BC world. May God's grace help us to defend the unborn's right to life as well as that of the already born.

Prayer:

O God, our heavenly Father, give us courage and wisdom as we seek to eradicate the evil in our society. Help us to realize that your divine Spirit alone can change hearts and minds so that all your human creatures may enjoy the fullness of life you intended for them. I pray this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.

Rev. Ben Sheldon
President Emeritus, Presbyterians Pro-life and National Pro-life Religious Council

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