40 Days for Life: Vision and Mission, February 13

Vision and mission

40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life campaign with a vision to access God’s power through prayer, fasting, and peaceful vigil to end abortion.

The mission of the campaign is to bring together the body of Christ in a spirit of unity during a focused 40 day campaign of prayer, fasting, and peaceful activism, with the purpose of repentance, to seek God’s favor to turn hearts and minds from a culture of death to a culture of life, thus bringing an end to abortion.

The 40 Days for Life campaign

40 Days for Life is a community-based campaign that draws attention to the evil of abortion through the use of a three-point program:

40 Days for Life takes a determined, peaceful approach to showing local communities the consequences of abortion in their own neighborhoods, for their own friends and families. It puts into action a desire to cooperate with God in the carrying out of His plan for the end of abortion.

The 40-day campaign tracks Biblical history, where God used 40-day periods to transform individuals, communities ... and the entire world. From Noah in the flood to Moses on the mountain to the disciples after Christ's resurrection, it is clear that God sees the transformative value of His people accepting and meeting a 40-day challenge.

Rev. John Ensor, Vice President, Heartbeat International

Intention:

Pray for your local pregnancy help center:

for those who answer calls from

women considering abortion, those

who provide ultrasounds, and those

who personally help mothers prepare

to parent or place for adoption.

Scripture:

Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver

them from the hand of the wicked.

— Psalm 82:4

Reflection:

When a woman arrives at her local

pregnancy help center, the hard work

of “rescuing the weak” begins. They

listen to her. What desperate circumstance

is driving her? They act. A professional

ultrasound and medical care

is provided. They pray, “God use us.”

Then, they take up her burdens and

work towards life. It is cross-bearing

for the child-bearing.

Recently, I prayed for one volunteer

who was working with one mother in

her struggle. Here is what “rescue the

weak” looked like in this one case:

 Aug 3: She made an appointment

for Thursday to get an

abortion and while she feels terrible

about it, she also feels like

she has no choice. Pray that her

heart is changed!

 Aug 10: She is 12 weeks along

but missed her appointment.

She had some good conversations

with people at the pregnancy

center. She is now considering

adoption.

 Aug 13: Things are down again.

She now has an abortion scheduled

for Monday. Pray!

 Aug 17: Missed appointment!

God is working in her life.

 Sept 1: We’ve hit another rocky

period. She has an abortion

scheduled for tomorrow. She

found out today that her parents

are planning a trip to visit

her and she is panicking.

 Sept 15: Missed third appointment.

But feels like she has no

choice. Please pray today.

 Sept 20: She fears her parents

but has agreed to another ultrasound

(a breakthrough).

 Sept 22: I was there with her

for her ultrasound. She saw her

baby moving and made the realization

that she wants to carry

her baby.

Please keep praying against attack by

the enemy. We are overwhelmed by

seeing God's hand move in this situation

and are so very thankful for the

prayers lifted up by each one of you.

God is good!

Prayer:

Father, we praise you for this one sister

who gave herself, heart and soul, to

rescue this one mother and baby. O

may you empower the hundreds more

today who are serving in our pregnancy

help centers. Grant those answering

calls, providing ultrasound and following

up with a bold spirit of truth, love

and perseverance.

Today’s email is different from most of our emails.

In chapter 36 of the new 40 Days for Life book
(http://www.40daysforlife.com/book ), I write about
the notorious abortionist LeRoy Carhart.

In that chapter, I tell about Carhart’s aggressive
late-term abortion business, my interesting
experience with him on an airplane ... and the
inspiring story of 40 Days for Life volunteers
responding to his new late-term abortion facility
in Germantown, Maryland.

What is not in the book, however, is what happened
last week.

GERMANTOWN, MARYLAND

Every abortion ends a life. An abortion that took
place right before this campaign began ended two.

Germantown has just started its fifth 40 Days for
Life vigil outside a facility where Leroy Carhart
travels each week to perform late-term abortions.

According to several reports, Jennifer Morbelli
arrived in at the abortion center in Germantown on
February 3. She was a 29-year-old teacher from
White Plains, New York. She was also 33 weeks
pregnant ... and had named her child Madison.

The reports state that Madison was being welcomed
into the family — the family had set up an online
gift register of requested baby items. But then,
Jennifer was told her child had significant physical
anomalies and she was advised to have an abortion.

Because of the very late stage of the pregnancy,
the abortion was a multi-day procedure. She arrived
at the abortion center each day, four days in a row
... and each day, sidewalk counselors say she looked
progressively weaker.

Finally, on February 7, she was taken to a hospital
emergency room early in the morning ... but the
doctors could not save her. At 10 am, she was
pronounced dead.

Even the Washington Post reported on this story,
noting that Maryland’s chief medical officer and the
local police are investigating Jennifer’s death ...
at the same time when Maryland’s attorney general has
just launched a criminal investigation of Carhart on
an unrelated matter — primarily related to illegal
dumping, possibly of human fetal remains.

Michael Martelli, a 40 Days for Life leader who serves
as director of the Maryland Coalition for Life, is
calling on the state to close the abortion center and
to suspend or revoke Carhart’s medical license. For
now, the business remains open.

The volunteers in Germantown will have much to pray
about over these 40 days. Yet there is always hope.

David Bereit, 40 Days for Life’s national director,
attended the 40 Days for Life kickoff event in
Germantown last fall — and met a baby who had been
spared from abortion at Carhart’s facility.

The mother showed up for her abortion appointment,
but the building was not yet open. As people prayed
on the sidewalk as part of 40 Days for Life, one of
the volunteers asked the woman if she needed help.

They directed her to the pro-life pregnancy resource
center across the street, where she was told about
the many support services available and encouraged
to keep her baby.

She did — and at the Germantown rally, she said it
was because the morning she had been scheduled for
an abortion, she was surrounded by love — love from
the 40 Days for Life volunteers and love from the
pregnancy center workers.

God’s love can overcome even the most profound
darkness. Let us continue to pray for His mercy.

Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life board of directors

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

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.

Thank you for hearing our requests for

direction and protection. Thank you for

the victory that is ours because of Your

Son Jesus, amen.

This week marked the beginning of 40 Days for Life
vigils in many places. But one particular location
has inspired many.

Five years ago, I couldn’t have predicted 40 Days for
Life going beyond the United States. But it did!

Even as God has taken this campaign to other
countries, I would have never imagined that Moscow
would ever launch 40 Days for Life. But on Wednesday
of this week, that’s exactly what happened.

The international reach of 40 Days for Life keeps
growing, with 24 locations outside the United States
this time, including the first-ever sites in Wales,
Nigeria and South Africa in addition to Russia.

There are 261 locations in all. So please follow this
link and get involved in the closest campaign:

http://40daysforlife.com/location

Here’s a look at just a few of the countries hosting
40 Days for Life.

MOSCOW, RUSSIA

Pastors and their congregations from seven different
churches in Moscow have each agreed to take one day
a week to pray at the vigil. They’ve also opened up
their churches for people who wish to pray.

“I see a great grace for this campaign,” said Arevik,
the campaign coordinator. “I have met a lot of young
and talented persons from my church whom I didn’t
know before. They are writing about abortion ... and
care about human life.”

According to a report released recently, the number
of abortions in Russia exceeds the number of births.

“It is so painful to hear from women that had abortions
before they met Jesus,” Arevik said. “Russia needs to
be healed from this spiritual disease.”

Please keep this campaign — and this entire nation —
in your prayers these next 40 days.

AUSTRALIA

There are seven 40 Days for Life campaigns in progress
in Australia (where it is currently summertime),
stretching from coast to coast. It may be halfway
around the world from the United States, but the
problems are the same ... and so are the answers.

“I have been moved by the prayerfulness and commitment
of the hundreds of people involved giving witness to
Christ’s love, with many being young adults,” said
Bishop Julian Porteous of Sydney, one of many
Australian religious leaders commending the 40 Days
for Life mission.

“In light of the rising attacks on life, faith and
family,” he said, “this loving witness is needed
all the more.”

The Australian team has produced an excellent video.
I really recommend that you take a look! The message
applies ... wherever you’re praying and fasting for
an end to abortion.

To see the video from Australia, go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3926

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

“The first day in Cape Town was exciting and long,”
said Colette, the local coordinator. “This morning
there were lots of teenagers going to school and
taking pamphlets and asking questions. We got a
very positive response from the community.”

The prayer volunteers did receive a few negative
comments, but Colette said it was nothing to
worry about.

“We have stood at this abortion centre before,”
she said, “but what I have noticed today was that
the number of clients has declined.” On this
particular day at the Marie Stopes facility, there
were only four clients.

“The clinic got very upset with us and wanted us
to move,” Colette said, “but we had a permit with
us that stated we will be there till 24 March.”

To see a photo of the vigil in Cape Town, go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3926

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

Intention:

May God’s justice sober our society;

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 ablebodied,

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.

It was just last month that I heard the annual
grumbling about the way the national media ignored
the March for Life — when “only” about half a million
pro-life people gathered in Washington, DC.

But when you compare national and local media, it’s
like night and day. And this means MANY people are
hearing about 40 Days for Life for the first time.

The secular media usually expects a 40 Days for Life
vigil to be filled with angry Christians. When the
local reporters arrive, however, they see the real
story — which is quite different from the
stereotype. This often results in excellent — and
fair — media coverage.

Here are just a few examples:

ST. CLOUD, MINNESOTA

The 40 Days for Life campaign was covered in the
St. Cloud Times this week. “This is a first for us
and a major breakthrough in people finding out
about 40 Days For Life,” said Judy in St. Cloud.

“Our focus is prayer,” Jan, a prayer volunteer, told
the reporter. “This is one way to witness to the
public how we feel about building a culture of life.
I believe very strongly in life, and I believe
abortion should be ended,” she said.

She invited people to join the vigil — but to come
prepared, since there was snow in the forecast with
temperatures promising to dip well below freezing.

For a link to the St. Cloud Times report — including
a video featuring Jan — please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3940

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

Birmingham’s Fox affiliate, WBRC-TV, interviewed Ed
Carrick, the local 40 Days for Life coordinator.

The reporter noted that “this is going to be a
peaceful movement with no yelling or screaming. They
simply want to offer alternatives to abortions.”

Ed talked about his experiences when he first began
praying outside the local abortion center.

“I watched as the women come out; they were pretty
much devastated,” he said. “Some were in pain. They
were definitely at a loss for why they were there
and what’s happening to them.

“And I guess to see the pain and suffering in their
face, I said I would really like to do something
about this, so I kept coming.”

Ed added that churches in the Birmingham community
have raised money to fund pro-life pregnancy centers
so clients can be supported financially, spiritually,
emotionally and medically.

For a link to the WBRC-TV report, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3940

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND

The Brighton campaign received coverage in a local
newspaper, The Argus.

Caroline Hubert, the Brighton campaign coordinator,
told the reporter that society is in the midst of an
abortion crisis.

The paper interviewed an abortion center spokesman
who complained that vigil participants “intimidated”
clients. The photo accompanying the article shows a
young woman, smiling and holding 40 Days for Life
pamphlets.

“There is no intimidation,” Caroline said. “It’s
peaceful — and any person who is taking part has
to sign a statement of peace. We’re there to pray,
we’re not there for anything else.”

She noted that there were 4,000 abortions in the
Brighton and Hove area each year. That equals more
than two classrooms of schoolchildren ... aborted
every WEEK.

For a link to the coverage of the Brighton campaign
in The Argus, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3940

Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life

Intention:

That those tempted to abort may understand

that their child is already present,

and already a real person.

Scripture:

And it happened, when Elizabeth heard

the greeting of Mary that the babe

leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was

filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she

spoke out with a loud voice and said,

“Blessed are you among women, and

blessed is the fruit of your womb! But

why is this granted to me, that the

mother of my Lord should come to me?

For indeed, as soon as the voice of your

greeting sounded in my ears, the babe

leaped in my womb for joy.

—Luke 1:41-44

Reflection:

Jesus not only loves unborn children —

He was one himself!

Think about this for a moment.

We often hear people speak of a pregnant

mother by saying, “She’s expecting

a child.”

Now if one is expecting a package, the

package is not yet there.

As reflected in our verse for today,

however, this is not the case with the

mother.

Her gift is already there. The pregnant

woman, a mother already, does not

have a child “on the way,” but has a

child, already present and in full possession

of his or her human rights,

starting with the right to life.

Prayer:

Jesus, open my eyes to your presence

in the life of every child. Open my heart

to joy in the birth of every child, a birth

that reflects the joy of your own birth

in Bethlehem.

As you shared life in the womb of Mary,

so now send your protection upon every

child still in the womb, and grant to

their mothers the strength and joy that

comes from welcoming the gift of life.

We pray through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

DAY 6: 47 lives saved already

February 18th, 2013

It’s the first Monday of this 40 Days for Life.

And Monday is the day when we report to you on lives that have been saved from abortion thus far during this campaign … but first I have a special surprise for you!

You can instantly download the “Day 6″ chapter of the brand-new 40 Days for Life book (in PDF format) — FREE!

The chapter tells the riveting story of a life saved from abortion at the last possible second — and is the chapter about which we’ve received the most positive feedback. It will bless the start of your week!

Every life saved through 40 Days for Life is due to two things:

The grace of God
The faithfulness of His people

And the “Day 6″ chapter reveals that powerfully. Enjoy!

Now, here’s the report on some of the 47 lives saved thus far — that we know of — during this campaign.

—————————————————–
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
—————————————————–

“Through your prayers and the efforts of people just like you on the sidewalk we’ve seen three women leave the Planned Parenthood abortion facility today, not getting abortions,” said Brian, the 40 Days for Life coordinator in St. Louis — and that happened just in the first few hours of Day 1!

“One young couple walked right past the prayer volunteers and sidewalk counselor, but just 10 minutes later they walked out looking for some help,” he said. A counselor took a few minutes with them and found out she was pregnant. The young woman was, however, open to other options.

Brian said the counselor “was able to escort this young couple over to our friends at the mobile medical center right across the street to receive all the help they needed to choose life.”

—————————————————–
BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA
—————————————————–

Terri in Bakersfield shared the story of a young woman who drove more than an hour — by herself — for an RU-486 abortion.

The woman speaks Spanish — but Terri only knows a few words in the language. Thankfully, among the prayer volunteers were several who are fluent in Spanish and quickly offered to help.

The volunteers were able to tell the woman that they loved her — and loved her baby. “At first, she was stone faced,” Terri said, “but when one of the prayer ladies started crying, tears ran down her face!”

A few minutes later, a family with two small children introduced themselves to the young woman, “which melted her heart even more!”

The volunteers were able to offer assistance — baby gifts, gas money … and even the possibility of a place for her to live — “and a lot of hugs,” Terri added. “She left thanking us with a big smile and a grateful heart.”

—————————————————–
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA
—————————————————–

The day before the campaign started, Ernie in Pensacola received a new report of abortion numbers for Escambia County, the county in which Pensacola is located.

“The number of abortions continues to decline,” he said. In 2006 — the year before 40 Days for Life started — Escambia County recorded 2,659 abortions. The 2012 total was 1,645 — more than 1,000 fewer abortions each year!

“Through your faithful witness, prayer, fasting and the grace of God, we have observed a 38% drop in the number of abortions in Pensacola since the start of 40 Days for Life,” Ernie said. “Praise be to God!”

For Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life board of directors

Intention:

Pray that the abortionists and all

workers in abortion facilities would be

troubled in their souls regarding their

work and would seek truth.

Scripture:

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger,

and clamor, and evil speaking, be put

away from you, with all malice. And be

kind one to another, tenderhearted,

forgiving one another, even as God for

Christ s sake has forgiven you.

— Ephesians 4:31-32

Reflection:

We see the evil and oppression in the

world, the arrogance of those who

mock God, the millions of innocent

lives destroyed because of the greed of

a few. Our flesh tells us that we should

take justice in our own hands, but instead

of vengeance, the Lord calls us to

love our enemy, to forgive others as we

have been forgiven.

God loves the abortionist and the

Planned Parenthood advocate just as

much as He loves you.

It breaks His heart to see them in

bondage to sin and He is giving you this

opportunity to introduce them to the

Savior who sets the captive free.

Though you may not experience direct

interaction with these souls, your presence

will not go unnoticed. Your nonverbal

communications speak volumes

about the God you serve.

Forgiveness is an act of obedience to

God (Colossians 3:13). Forgiveness is

not condoning or overlooking the

wrong behavior of others, but rather it

is freeing ourselves so that

God can work mightily through us to

touch their hearts for Him. Let’s join

our hearts with His in recognizing that

those in the abortion industry are not

the enemy, but rather they are blinded

by the enemy.

God desires that we bring them the

message of truth and hope found in

Christ, but the messengers He will use

are those willing to forgive.

Prayer:

Dearest God, You tell us in Proverbs

that the foolish and the wicked lack

wisdom and understanding. I pray you

will trouble the souls of those in the

abortion industry so that they hunger

for truth and cry out for freedom.

I pray that my life would reflect my redemption

so others may see it and

trust in You. In obedience to You, and

by your grace, I choose to forgive others

as you have forgiven me. In the

name of Christ I pray, amen.

Planned Parenthood — which received $538 MILLION of
your tax dollars, and performed 333,964 abortions in
one year alone — operates the largest abortion
facility in the western hemisphere in Houston.

Of the 261 communities participating in this 40 Days
for Life campaign, 127 of them are holding their
peaceful vigils in the public right-of-way next to
facilities run by Planned Parenthood, the biggest
abortion chain in the United States ...

... including the one deep in the heart of Texas
that I just visited.

HOUSTON, TEXAS

The 40 Days for Life vigil takes place outside of
this monster-sized, 78,000 square foot building. As
I explained in the new “40 Days for Life” book,
Planned Parenthood secretly used a different name
to buy this massive former bank building and turn
it into a late-term abortion facility.

What they underestimated was the size of the pro-
life response.

The location makes it very difficult to place a
pregnancy center nearby to offer free alternatives,
so Christine Melchor, the local 40 Days for Life
leader and the director of the Houston Coalition
for Life, went to work.

Christine and her team had a pregnancy center put
on wheels in a large, state-of-the-art bus —
equipped with a nurse and ultrasound machine!

To see this huge late-term abortion facility and a
picture of Christine in the mobile pregnancy center,
where hundreds of lives have been saved from
abortion, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3973

Christine is a dedicated pro-life hero ... and her
story in chapter 32 of the 40 Days for Life book
shows what can happen when we trust God — even
when the largest abortion facility in North America
comes to our community.

If you haven’t picked it up already, you can get the
book at http://40daysforlife.com/book

RIO RANCHO, NEW MEXICO

“Wow!” said Jen in Rio Rancho, a community which is
conducting its first 40 Days for Life campaign.

“We have been able to attract some attention while
standing up for life,” she said. Many people are just
curious. And the reactions from passers-by? “Both
positive and not-so-positive.”

Jen spoke to a young woman outside, telling her about
Planned Parenthood’s abortion numbers and taxpayer
funding. The woman said she didn’t believe in abortion,
but was there for other healthcare purposes.

“I encouraged her to seek the services of an OB/GYN
rather than give any money to Planned Parenthood,”
Jen explained. “She was thankful for the information.”

Jen said she appreciates everyone who has stepped out
of their comfort zone to pray at the vigil. “As we
shine His light in this dark culture, there will
always be a backlash. I am so proud of everyone
for standing firm.”

Rev. Rob Schenck, President, Faith and Action

Intention:

We pray for a renewal of our zeal to offer

generous help to the unborn and

their families.

Scripture:

If I have despised the cause of my male

or female servant when they complained

against me, what then shall I do

when God rises up? When He punishes,

how shall I answer Him? Did not He

who made me in the womb make

them? Did not the same One fashion us

in the womb?

—Job 31:13-15

Reflection:

The ground is level as we stand before

God.

Job lived with an awe provoking sense

of God’s expectation of him, particularly

regarding his obligation to care for

the weak and needy. He knew that in

God’s economy everyone stands on

level ground when it comes to our status

as God’s creatures. Because of that

central truth, we must take care of each

other.

Job also knew that he didn’t deserve

any of the good things God gave to him.

Instead, those blessings came to Job

from God’s benevolent heart.

As an extension of that knowledge, Job

instinctively linked his obligation to be

generous to others to God’s kindness

toward him.

As in Jesus’ parable of the unmerciful

servant (Matthew 18:23-35), Job knew

that it is an egregious sin to deny to

others what we enjoy ourselves.

He actually calls down on his own head

severe condemnation and even punishment

should he fail to share with

others out of his own abundance (see

verses 16-23).

Proverbs 3:27 reads, “Withhold not

good from them to whom it is due,

when it is in the power of your hand to

do so.” Some things are so obvious that

we don’t even need to pray except to

ask of God forgiveness and the power

to do what so obviously needs doing.

Prayer:

God, forgive us when we try to explain

away the obligation we have to help

others who need help. Enable us to not

devalue them because they are in the

circumstance that they are in, but to

see them for what they are, those, who

like us, were formed by your hand in

their mother’s womb. Amen.

The first time I was invited to pray outside of an
abortion facility, I didn’t really want to do it.

Like me, many people’s initial reaction is to find
the most heartfelt and sincere excuse. However, when
we overcome that first natural hesitation and just
do it, we don’t regret it. And it’s never what we
thought it would be like.

When you pray outside an abortion facility at a
40 Days for Life vigil, you may affect women going
into the building ... the people driving by ... the
people who work there.

But there’s one other person your prayer experience
can affect — YOU!

Here are just a few examples from the sidewalk.

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA

“Today I prayed for three hours in front of the
Planned Parenthood in Chapel Hill,” a volunteer wrote
on the 40 Days for Life blog. “The steady stream of
people going in and out, the sometimes packed parking
lot, other people walking in from nearby parking lots
and streets, was heartbreaking.”

People outside the building generally ignored him,
he said — except for two men holding babies. Whenever
he looked their way, he could tell they had been
looking at them. But they would quickly glance away,
trying to avoid making eye contact. Why were they
there? What were they thinking?

The volunteer just continued to pray. “I prayed for
babies to be saved, for mothers and family members to
have a change of heart and find real help elsewhere,
for workers to be convicted and quit” — anything to
stop what was going on inside.

“I prayed with a small stone cross in my hand, the
word ‘hope’ written on it,” he said. “I pray that
those considering abortion will find real hope, real
help and real life in Christ.”

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

Another volunteer, praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil
in Sacramento, was also seeking signs of hope.

“The clinic faces two streets,” she wrote in a 40 Days
for Life blog posting. “One is a very busy — Alta
Arden Way — with many cars whizzing by in both
directions. The other is Wright Street, which is a
far more quiet street. Our opportunity to witness is
greater on the Wright Street.”

As she and others were praying together, they
noticed the abortion center’s sign was in “utter
disrepair. I hoped that it meant that as the clinic
was losing business and ... that this battered sign
meant hope that soon no preborn babies would lose
their lives at this location.”

KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN

“It was an abortion day in Kalamazoo,” a third prayer
volunteer wrote. “I was new to the sidewalk.”

She had prayed at home during several campaigns, but
she said the daily 40 Days for Life emails — plus
God’s prompting — convinced her she had to do more.

As she and several others prayed outside Planned
Parenthood, a large truck pulled up and a man got
out. “He thanked us for being there and for praying,”
she said. “He explained that his oldest child was
aborted. All these years later he still carried that
pain and loss. He lived the tragedy.”

He thanked the volunteers again, then drove away.

“If I had any doubts of my need to be there, they
were instantly gone,” she wrote. “God sent the
guy in the big truck to tell me that my presence
mattered. God keeps showing me that our presence
on the sidewalk matters.”

Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life board of directors

Intention:

Pray that the post-abortive woman

would be repentant, accept forgiveness,

be healed and restored, and

bring glory to God with her new life.

Scripture:

I acknowledged my sin to You, and my

iniquity I have not hidden. I said, ‘I will

confess my transgressions to the Lord,’

and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

—Psalm 32:5

Reflection:

Because abortion is legal in America,

many have justified their choice. “If it’s

legal, it can’t be wrong, right?” We now

have an entire generation of men and

women who have never known abortion

to be illegal; a generation of people

who have never been broken over their

sin of abortion.

As a result, the consequences of unconfessed

sin weigh on their souls, yet they

have never connected the dots as to

why their hearts are heavy. No wonder

we have millions of women who are

struggling with depression, addictions,

eating disorders and more.

Post abortion syndrome is very real

but recovery begins when the individual

agrees with God as David confessed

in Psalm 51:3-4, 14, “Against You, You

only, have I sinned, and done this evil

in Your sight — that You may be found

just when You speak, and blameless

when you Judge. Deliver me from the

guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of

my salvation.”

Brokenness is the key to accessing

God’s glorious mercy and healing.

Christ came to heal the broken hearted

and He is waiting with open arms to

take the post-abortive woman on a glorious

journey of healing and restoration

if she will only run to Him.

God will not waste any sin we lay at His

feet. Imagine millions of healed and restored

post-abortive women like myself

singing aloud of His righteousness

and giving testimony of His love and

forgiveness. What a day of rejoicing

that will be!

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.

We have gotten a lot of emails asking, “What kind of
impact is the 40 Days for Life book having?”

Most importantly, the feedback has been very moving
from everyone — from those who’ve had abortions ...
to volunteers ... to people who had never before
heard of 40 Days for Life and are now getting involved
in a pro-life activity for the first time.

A recent report from Amazon.com displayed YOUR
enthusiasm for the new book. It’s currently listed
as top-rated in five categories…

* Christian Living: #2
* Christianity: #2
* Religion & Spirituality: #3
* Non-fiction: #4
* ALL Kindle e-books: #5

The success of the book continues to inspire hearts
and send a strong message to the abortion industry.
To build upon this momentum, you can do a few things:

1. Participate in your local campaign
2. Get the book from major book outlets or at:
http://40daysforlife.com/book
3. Call your local bookstores and ask them to
carry the book

The book reveals what can happen through prayer when
there is both hope and mercy in the most unexpected
places –- the sidewalks outside abortion facilities.

Today’s devotional focuses on mercy ... as do these
stories from the sidewalk.

FORT COLLNS, COLORADO

“What do you get out of this?”

The question, from a young man smoking a cigarette
outside the Planned Parenthood building, was directed
at the volunteers who offered him an information card.

“We do not get anything,” replied Scott, one of the
volunteers. “We are here to help you.”

So the man told his story. He has a two-year-old
daughter ... but his wife was inside for an abortion.
“Everyone should have a choice,” the man insisted —
throughout all nine months of pregnancy.

As the two men continued to talk, the young father said,
“I have seen other protesters, but you are different.”

The man finally took the card Scott had offered him —
it includes information about post-abortive help.

“When his wife came over to get him,” said Linda in
Fort Collins, “her eyes revealed the pain in her soul.
It is this pain that we so much pray to prevent from
happening.”

ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA

Paula shared some thoughts after arriving back home
after prayer in front of Planned Parenthood.

“The temperature says 12 degrees, but it feels like
-3,” she said. “Cold fingers, cold nose, cold toes
— but nothing is as cold and numb as what is
happening behind closed doors.”

More babies died. More women were permanently
scarred. “And the world seemingly, unknowingly,
continues on ... rushing by in traffic, shopping,
eating, exercising and working right in close
proximity to the destruction.”

Paula said it breaks her heart to see the women’s
faces when they come out of those doors — changed
forever. “Lord, I pray they find healing someday,”
she said. “When will this destruction of life come
to an end?”

CANTON, OHIO

“Sometimes I get frustrated and wonder why I go to
Planned Parenthood,” said Linda in Canton. “It is
like, what have I accomplished? Then God, in His
great wisdom, gives me a clue.”

Linda was praying with two other volunteers when one
began telling a personal story about an abortion
experience. “We could see the pain in their eyes,”
she said. “Although many years have passed, the pain
was still there, the loss remained.”

Linda had just been praying — and trying to keep her
feet warm. “And then a person shared a part of their
past — and I was there to reach out and hug a fellow
pro-lifer in need of understanding.”

She felt that God put the three of them there together
that day to fulfill His plan. “What is God’s plan for
you this week?”

Georgette Forney, Anglicans for Life

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

freely. In the name of Jesus, amen.

In yesterday’s message, I talked about prayer
volunteers being the first sign of mercy a woman
sees after an abortion. But it is also true that
on the sidewalks outside the abortion centers,
you’re the last sign of hope for the women going
in for an abortion.

In many cases, you’re the ONLY sign of hope. And
sometimes, that one sign is all that is needed.

ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS

“On the second day of our 10th campaign in Attleboro,
a young couple left the abortion clinic and drove
across the street to where a group of our vigil
volunteers were praying,” said Ron in Attleboro.

The couple said, “Thank you! We didn’t do it” — and
drove happily away.

“Since Massachusetts laws allow for a large buffer
zone near the clinic, we have little opportunity to
engage with those who come to the clinic considering
abortion,” Ron explained.

“Those present were surprised and deeply overjoyed at
the news. This save is a blessing on our campaign and
we continue to pray for many more in the days ahead.”

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA

Trudi in Melbourne reports that on the first day of
the campaign, prayer volunteers were able to help a
young mother choose life. If she had come to the
abortion center the day before, there would have
been no one praying outside at that hour.

Two days later, another young mother left looking very
upset. “She was comforted at the gate by a counselor,”
Trudi said. “Again, this was in the afternoon when no
one is normally present to offer help. She was six
months pregnant and the abortionist would not do late
term abortions.”

She was too scared to tell her mother. She had been
pregnant once before, and her mother insisted on an
abortion. “Miraculously,” Trudi said, “the father
saved that baby at the eleventh hour.” The mother who
demanded an abortion is now the loving grandmother of
a 2-year-old boy.

“But the miracles continue,” she said. The abortion
center counselor DID NOT direct her to a late term
abortion facility, but to a pro-life pregnancy help
agency. “Unbelievable!”

The 40 Days for Life team is looking for a place for
the young woman to stay. She is still too scared to
tell her mother.

URGENT PERSONAL PRAYER REQUEST

Before today’s devotional, I have an urgent prayer
request for a friend — someone who was instrumental
in getting 40 Days for Life started. His name is
Dr. Royal Benson, and he is fighting for his life
at this moment.

For the last 13 years, Royal has served on the board
of directors (ten of those years as chairman of the
board) of the Coalition for Life, the organization
in Bryan/College Station, Texas where 40 Days for Life
began. His support and enthusiasm were instrumental in
launching the first local campaign, and he helped with
the expansion of 40 Days for Life to a national, and
then international, effort.

He is a gifted OB-GYN, and was doctor to my wife and
David Bereit’s wife. He delivered David’s son and
three of my children when we lived in Texas. He is
also a dear friend of Abby Johnson and her husband
Doug, and delivered their baby boy last summer.

Dr. Benson is only 56 years old and is battling a
serious respiratory crisis and is in ICU on a
ventilator. Please pray for strength for this
pro-life hero and dear friend, his wife, and his
daughter during their difficult time.

Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life

Intention:

Pray that people of faith will have their

strength renewed even in the face of

the violence of abortion.

Scripture:

The favors of the Lord are not exhausted,

his mercies are not spent. They are

renewed each morning, so great is his

faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord

is my portion; therefore I will wait for

him.” The Lord is good to those whose

hope is in him, to the one who seeks

him; it is good to wait in silence for the

saving help of the Lord.

—Lamentations 3:22-26

Reflection:

The Book of Lamentations, a short

book of only five chapters, contains

some of the most poignant expressions

of human grief.

These verses are used in many churches

on Good Friday, since they can be

seen to express a prophecy of the suffering

of the Lord and the lamentation

of his followers on that dark day. But in

the midst of his grief, Jeremiah writes

the verses quoted above. “The favors of

the Lord are not exhausted.” It is a call

to hope that no matter how much violence

there is, life will prevail in the

end.

Why does he say, however, that God’s

mercies are renewed each morning?

Because early in the morning, on the

first day of the week, the women came

to the tomb -- and they found that the

events of that morning changed everything.

Christ’s victory over death came in the

morning, and therefore each day we

can renew our confidence that life has

the final victory.

Prayer:

Lord, look kindly on your people who

weep and mourn amidst the vast devastation

that abortion has brought upon

our land. We cannot even count the

children killed, and the mothers and fathers

wounded.

We cannot measure the devastation

and corruption abortion has brought

upon the very fabric of our society. But

we declare today that your favors have

not been exhausted, your mercies have

not been spent. They are renewed each

morning.

Give us new strength today, in the resurrection

of Christ your Son, that we

may bear effective witness to the victory

of life! In His name we pray, amen.

Thank you to everyone who has come out to pray at
40 Days for Life vigils. If you haven’t had a chance
yet, why not go out today?

Saturdays are the busiest days of the week at many
abortion centers. Perhaps the Lord is calling YOU to
step out in faith today.

Here’s the link to the 261 campaign locations. To find
the one nearest you, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/location

Recently, I was in Florida and Texas, where they had
one thing they don’t have at many of those 261
locations — warm weather!

In fact, in many cities it’s downright cold. Here are
some thoughts — and links to pictures — from people
enduring cold weather with warm hearts.

CINCINNATI, OHIO

It was “ever so cold” when volunteers bundled up and
gathered together for a nighttime prayer vigil outside
Planned Parenthood with Bishop Joseph Binzer.

“We give thanks to all who’ve been able to tolerate
the cold and join us in prayer throughout the
campaign,” said Theresa in Cincinnati. “Thanks to
all who’ve answered the call to stand united in
prayer to end abortion.”

To see pictures of cold-but-faithful volunteers in
Cincinnati, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=4026

WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK

Gerald thanked “over 30 hardy pro-lifers fired up
White Plains despite the chilly weather. Thank you
for showing up and witnessing to the dignity of
human life. You are making a difference!”

To see a picture of the volunteers in White Plains
— in the snow — go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=4026

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

Haylee prayed at the 40 Days for Life in Anchorage ...
concerned not with the cold, but by what she witnessed:
“Young women, in a continual stream, entered the doors
with sad faces and left missing the soul of their
child they carried in with them.”

She prayed for those young women, but also that more
“men and women of courage” would answer God’s call to
join the vigil.

“My prayer is that the place of darkness might be
turned to light, from despair to hope, from brokenness
to wholeness, and from death to life,” she said.

“My prayer is also that Christ will convict the
hearts of His Church to stand in the gap for the
unborn. Don’t let another woman enter that facility
without having someone there praying for her!”

SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA

“I saw one person praying out in front of Planned
Parenthood the other day,” said Pastor Matt Haag in
Sioux Falls, “and my first thought was I wish there
were more! But in all reality, God is there even if
no one is out praying. And perhaps when I see no one
there, God is actually calling me!

“I pray that you are called to take a stand, to see
God at work first hand. Please join us praying to
end abortion!”

Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life board of directors

Intention:

Pray to God who is able to do immeasurably

more than all we ask or imagine,

to end abortion.

Scripture:

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly

abundantly above all that we ask

or think, according to the power that

works in us, to Him be glory in the

church by Christ Jesus to all generations,

forever and ever. Amen.

-- Ephesians 3:20-21

Reflection:

God’s power working in and through

His people is unlimited and far beyond

our comprehension when we submit to

God’s Word and Spirit. He receives glory

when we are obedient to His calling

and faithfully serve Him in His

strength.

Consider God’s hand of providence on

this nation because of the faithfulness

of a few who were totally committed to

God and His truths. It is interesting to

note the words of Mother Teresa of

Calcutta: “Yours is the one great nation

in all history which was founded on the

precept of equal rights and respect for

all humankind, for the poorest and

weakest of us as well as the richest and

strongest.”

Mother Teresa, in addressing the Supreme

Court of the United States said,

“Human rights are not a privilege conferred

by government. They are every

human being’s entitlement by virtue of

his humanity. I have no new teaching

for America. I seek only to recall you to

faithfulness to what you once taught

the world. Your nation was founded on

the proposition very old as a moral

precept, but startling and innovative as

a political insight that human life is a

gift of immeasurable worth, and that it

deserves, always and everywhere, to

be treated with the utmost dignity and

respect.”

It is time to restore that dignity and respect.

Our God is able. Are we willing to

remain faithful until His work through

us is done?

Prayer:

God Almighty, Who is powerful and

willing to supply, our hearts cry in

unison for You to restore dignity and

respect to human life, not only in

America, but around the world.

Lord, may our hearts remain faithful to

your calling, and may You begin Your

transforming work with me. Keep me

ever mindful that with You Lord, nothing

is impossible; without You, I can do

nothing. To You be glory forever and

ever, amen.

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