40 Days for Life -- March 3 through April 13 -- Pray to End Abortion

One of the joys of 40 Days for Life is seeing so many different Christians united to end abortion. As a Catholic from the bible belt of East Texas, I’ve often seen Evangelical and Protestant Christians on fire to save lives from abortion and help women in need.

During a 40 Days for Life campaign, we see that unity far and wide – whether it’s in a nice, warm church in Florida … or a bitterly cold sidewalk in British Columbia.

Port Charlotte, Florida

The unity theme was really evident in Port Charlotte, where I had an opportunity to speak at their kickoff event. People from various faith communities came together to hear inspirational speakers and launch the campaign. The Catholic, Protestant and Evangelical Christians who gathered in a Baptist church were fired up by Katie, the local leader.

Katie is a young mother of three. She and her husband, Matthew, are deeply involved at their church … but they stepped up to lead the Port Charlotte 40 Days for Life campaign. After the rally, we went out to visit the abortion facility where the local vigil is being held.

I heard that the abortionist is growing more and more irritated at the peaceful presence. He even stopped at the vigil on his day off to harass the volunteers praying!

Prince George, British Columbia

“God bless from the cold white north!” said Tony, who is leading the first-ever campaign in Prince George, a Canadian town that’s about a 10-hour drive north from Vancouver

“I’m sending pictures of the group of us braving the cold weather at the kickoff event,” he said. Joe, the first volunteer to arrive, showed up at 6 am and stayed for three hours. “The temperature was -23C,” Tony said. That’s about -10F. Other first-day prayer volunteers included the area’s Catholic bishop.

“I was amazed at the response of the passing cars,” Tony added. “Many honks of appreciation.”

A woman arrived, seemingly from out of nowhere, to offer hot chocolate to the people praying outside the local hospital. She also expressed her gratitude to the volunteers standing in the freezing cold to pray for an end to abortion.

“A worker indirectly involved with abortion at our hospital even asked if he could join us,” Tony said. “What a great experience 40 Days for Life is!”

Devotional for Day 5

March 9, 2014

Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life

Intention: May God’s people understand that the Lazarus of the 21st Century is the un- born child, and respond accordingly.

Scripture: There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abra- ham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abra- ham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, “Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.” But Abraham replied, “Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.

“And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.” —Luke 16:19-31

Reflection: The rich man did not go to hell because he was rich. He went to hell because he ignored the other man. He thought that because Lazarus had less that he was worth less. He failed to recognize that Lazarus was his brother. Lazarus was waiting at the door of the rich man for scraps of food; the Lazarus of our day, the unborn child, is waiting at the door of the womb for birth itself. God does not only prohibit aborting the unborn; he prohibits ignoring them.

Prayer: Father, I thank you for the life that I possess, and for the birth that you granted me. I hear the cries of the Laz- arus of our day; I see them sitting at the door. Grant that I may never ignore them, and that through this 40 Days campaign, I may stir many others to pay attention to them as well. Through Christ our Lord, amen.

It wasn't long into this campaign before we got word of the first turnaround outside an abortion center. And so far, we have reports of ...

... 44 babies saved from abortion – that we know of!

It takes faith and courage to pray and stand witness in front of an abortion facility. Some say it is a waste of time — but I beg to differ ... and so do the moms who turn around at the last moment. God has not forgotten them … and neither should we!

Here’s what I mean.

Norristown, Pennsylvania

David Bereit, 40 Days for Life’s national director, fired up the crowd of more than 150 people at the kickoff of the Norristown campaign, just outside of Philadelphia.

In addition to launching the inaugural campaign in Norristown, many people came from nearby Collegeville to celebrate the closure of the local Planned Parenthood abortion center in their community following twelve 40 Days for Life campaigns outside its doors.

Little did the participants know they’d be celebrating again just days later.

“Praise God!” began the excited note from Victoria in Norristown. “Our first day – of the first-ever 40 Days for Life in Norristown – and our first baby saved!”

A couple of hours later, she let us know about even more blessings – two more babies had been spared from abortion. Victoria’s reaction? “I’m so excited!”

Charlotte, North Carolina

The 40 Days for Life team saw miracles unfold on Day 1 in Charlotte. “We had four saves today!” said John, the local coordinator. “We now have an ultrasound van with a registered nurse every day. Praise God!”

John said the peaceful vigil outside the abortion facility has had a great turnout so far, “including pastoral staff from Stonebridge PCA Church, who have begun a pro-life awareness program.”

Lansing, Michigan

There was more good news from Lansing – no abortions! The facility was unexpectedly closed.

Cecilia, the 40 Days for Life coordinator in Lansing, had an opportunity to talk to a woman outside who said she wanted an abortion. “She allowed me to sit in her car and pray with her. It's cold here!”

Cecilia prayed with her while the young woman cried softly. “She is a student and works part time — and is overwhelmed. ‘It’s going to be okay,’ I told her.” She shared pregnancy resource information with the student and encouraged her to schedule an ultrasound. “And she did!”

Please join the Lansing team in praying for this young woman – and her baby.

Devotional for Day 6, March 10, 2014

Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life

Intention: That those tempted to abort may un- derstand that their child is already pre- sent, 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 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 preg- t-

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 child, already present and in full pos- session 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 eve- ry 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.

Abortion facilities are dark places ... their rooms are filled, not with hope and relief, but with despair and loneliness.

For the first days of this campaign, we’ve talked about how the light has broken through the darkness at abortion centers – and, as a result, babies scheduled to be aborted have been saved.

But the darkness is real and can’t be ignored ... especially at one of the most notorious late-term abortion facilities in America, which is where we begin today.

Germantown, Maryland

Last week, an ambulance was called to bring a woman from late-term abortionist LeRoy Carhart’s facility to the hospital.

“This is the fourth patient that we know of sent to the hospital in the past 13 months,” said Andrew in Germantown. “And as we know, tragically one of these patients passed away last year after the abortion of her 33-week-old child.”

Andrew asked for prayers for this latest victim’s “physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. Pray that this tragedy will be used to help bring an end to the abortions performed in Germantown.”

Manchester, England

John saw a similar scene unfold in Manchester. “A paramedic car and an ambulance were called at the clinic, presumably to take a client to hospital for emergency treatment.”

But there were also signs of hope. A woman who was two months pregnant took pro-life information from prayer volunteers on her way inside. “She came out after a while, saying she had decided to keep her baby,” John said.

Phoenix, Arizona

Praying outside an abortion clinic isn’t easy. But it’s necessary. “Today was a very hard day at our site,” said Nancy in Phoenix. “I counted 14 women going in this morning, ranging from teenagers to a woman in her forties.”

Parishioners from Mater Misericordiae Mission filled every hour of their 12-hour vigil, which did give Nancy encouragement. “Although we had no turnarounds to report,” she said, “I pray that our presence at Family Planning Associates bears much fruit.”

Savannah, Georgia

Finally, Paula in Savannah sent a picture of an evening vigil. Around 50 people turned out, including three members of the clergy, for prayer that ended with the singing of Amazing Grace.

“We lit candles,” she said, “and declared that we would be the light of the Lord Jesus Christ in the darkness on 34th Street in Savannah!”

Amen!

This happened during the 40 Days in 2013 in Tri-Cities, Tennessee....

Standing on the street with a cold wind blowing, did not seem to be anything happening in the blue building, feeling a bit sorry for myself, wanting to get warm.

Then

A dark haired young woman approached me from the convenience store parking lot. I said, “Hello.” She spoke not a word, but extended a hand to shake. She silently looked into my eyes, then handed me a note.

“24 years ago my mother went to a place like this because she thought she was too young and she couldn’t financially take care of me. She saw people like you and stated crying and drove away. 9 months later, she had me. I want to thank you all for what you do and what you stand for. Because of people like you, I’m alive. 2 weeks ago I saved a 3 year old from getting hit by a truck. If I hadn’t pulled him away he would have died. So in a way people like you saved his life too. Keep it up. Pass it along. God bless you all and God bless America.”

Suddenly, I did not feel the cold.

Devotional for Day 7, March 11, 2014

Carmen Pate, Alliance Ministries

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 in- stead 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 pres-

ence will not go unnoticed. Your non- verbal 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 re- demption so others may see it and trust in You. In obedience to You, and by your grace, I choose to forgive oth- ers as you have forgiven me. In the name of Christ I pray, amen.

Little did we know that God would ever take 40 Days for Life international! Now, under the leadership and courage of Robert Colquhoun, this campaign is breaking language barriers and, through God's grace, saving lives.

Here’s a report from Robert, who is based in London and serves as our international outreach director. He recently got a first-hand look at the first-ever 40 Days for Life campaign in Croatia.

Zagreb, Croatia

I was really blessed to visit Zagreb for Thursday and Friday last week, and was amazed by their campaign. The following video shows the determination and courage of many individuals in their community who are committed to their campaign.

In four minutes, the video shows the power of 40 Days for Life. The majority is in Croatian, of course (with the exception of a brief portion around the one minute mark where they interviewed me), but you don’t need to speak the language to see the faith and the passion of the people who came to pray.

Click on the image below to watch the video:

Or you may go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=5400

Ante, the local coordinator who is featured in the video, is an impressive leader. He is assisted by a large and well-organised main committee.

Croatia, which was formerly part of Yugoslavia, has a population of 4 million. There is a big opportunity for growth for pro-life groups in the country.

Birmingham, England

Birmingham is a well-established campaign, in its sixth incarnation this time — and they are doing great work.

Archbishop Bernard Longley came to the first day of the 40 Days for Life campaign in Birmingham to lead an hour of prayer. He had prayed at the vigil last year as well – and in fact there was a turnaround while he was there.

As the archbishop left, a car drew up with a woman and her child. The woman asked Isabel, the local leader, what was going on. “So I spent a long time explaining why we were there and how we helped women who were suffering after abortions to find healing,” Isabel said

The woman listened intently, and tears welled up in her eyes as she said, “I just wish you'd been here four years ago. Things would be different then.” Fortunately, the volunteers were able to direct her to post-abortion care.

Thanks again to Robert Colquhoun for today’s report!

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Devotional for Day 8, March 12, 2014

Rev. Rob Schenck, President, Faith and Action

Intention: We pray for a renewal of our zeal to of- fer generous help to the unborn and their families.

Scripture: If I have despised the cause of my male or female servant when they com- plained 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, particular- ly 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 sta- tus 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.

View all pictures at the site's blog.

It’s cold in many 40 Days for Life locations during this second week of the campaign! But that’s not stopping the prayers outside one really cold Planned Parenthood center.

Before I share that story, here is a beautiful report about a saved baby that shows the power of prayer on the sidewalks … and the value of easily available ultrasounds offered by pro-life pregnancy centers.

Baltimore / Fullerton, Maryland

The third 40 Days for Life campaign is now under way outside Whole Women’s Health in Baltimore’s Fullerton section. Jody, the local director, wrote to say she was excited to share magnificent news.

“A baby’s life was saved,” she said, “thanks to the faithful, prayerful presence on the sidewalk!”

A young woman and her friend had arrived at the abortion center — and walked past the people quietly praying on the sidewalk. After a while, the two women came out to talk. The one who was thinking about abortion said the atmosphere inside the building was cold.

Her friend pointed to the life-affirming signs the volunteers were carrying and noted, “You can’t ignore that.”

With that, the two women left — on their way to a pro-life pregnancy center for an ultrasound exam. “I know that you are praising God with us right now,” Jody said.

Spring Valley, New York

“What joy there is in freezing for life!” Those words came from Eileen in Spring Valley, who added that “prayer power is surrounding Planned Parenthood.”

Temperatures were in the single digits as Spring Valley started its twelfth campaign, but prayer vigil participants were able to “stand tall knowing the truth: life is precious and each one of us is called to defend and protect the most innocent among us.”

The volunteers were warmed by God’s promise of protection in Psalm 91 — that God, in whom we trust, will be our refuge and our fortress.

El Paso, Texas

Volunteers arrived Saturday for what they thought would be a heart-wrenching day on the sidewalk, but there was unexpected good news — there would be no abortions that day!

But Gaby in El Paso says there was still non-stop prayer at the 40 Days for Life vigil. “Knights on Bikes showed up,” she said. These Knights of Columbus “prayed with all their hearts to end abortion.”

Devotional for Day 9, March 13, 2014

Carmen Pate, Alliance Ministries

Intention: Pray that the post-abortive woman would be repentant, accept for- giveness, be healed and restored, and bring glory to God with her new life.

Scripture: I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity have not hidden. said, will confess my transgressions to the ord,’ and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. —Psalm 32:5

Reflection: Because abortion is legal in America, many have ustified their choice. “f it’s legal, it can’t be wrong, right” We now have an entire generation of men and women who have never known abor- tion 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-, , “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 glo- rious 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 my- self 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.

From my neck of the woods -- the most unchurched state in the Union.

Even in a vocal, pro-abortion cultural climate, a 40 Days for Life campaign can thrive. But it takes sacrifice from the participants. This is especially true in places where volunteers endure persecution almost every day.

This week, Steve Karlen – the North American outreach director for 40 Days for Life – visited the three campaigns in Oregon. There he witnessed the faith and courage of those who aren’t afraid to be voices for the unborn … no matter what obstacles they face.

Here is Steve’s report.

Salem, Oregon

It’s a very prayerful, very enthusiastic group in Salem.

There are two volunteers, Tammi and Lori, who take 12-hour prayer shifts at the vigil. Twelve hours! I asked them about their extraordinary sacrifices, but they seemed just too humble to offer many details.

The volunteers in Salem told me about unusual happenings they witnessed at Planned Parenthood.

They saw an older man bring a pre-teen girl in for an appointment. After a while, they left. But later that day, the same man arrived – with another pre-teen girl. While it appeared rather suspicious, the police told the prayer team there was nothing for them to do.

Beaverton, Oregon

We had a great time of offering encouragement to the volunteers in Beaverton. Some of the vigil participants here are saddened at times because they live in a pro-abortion community.

It didn’t take long for me to understand what they were talking about. Some teenagers even walked by and heckled us and praised the devil.

I reminded the Beaverton team that Jesus didn’t start out with big numbers … and that our persistence in the face of long odds is a prayer itself.

The Planned Parenthood center in Beaverton offered a sure sign that the campaign is making a difference. They’re doing a “pledge-a-picketer” campaign. That’s where they ask their supporters to donate money for everyone who comes to pray on the sidewalk. They had a less-than-impressive $37 per prayer volunteer committed.

Eugene, Oregon

I arrived to meet a very upbeat crowd in Eugene, where they’d set up a tent with signs, balloons and a sign-up area in the parking lot across from a huge Planned Parenthood mega-center.

Lynda, the local leader arrived with her pastor. Pastor Steve opened our time of prayer. We were joined by members of Marist High School’s pro-life group.

It was really an exciting visit to Oregon!

Thanks again to Steve Karlen for today’s report.

Devotional for Day 10, March 14, 2014

Georgette Forney, Anglicans for Life

Intention: May those who hold life as trivial real- ize 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 every- thing 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, regard- less of the circumstances. In our present culture, we’ve lost that basic truth; every life is made and al- lowed 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 be- stow freely. In the name of Jesus, amen.

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