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We can see the finish line from here – so keep going! People are tired, weary … but aware that the need for prayer remains great. And if you haven’t been to a 40 Days for Life vigil yet, it isn’t too late. In fact, today would be a great day to start!

Find the location nearest you!

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

People have come to join the 40 Days for Life vigil from the nearby communities of Daly City, San Ramon and San Bruno – people who “responded YES to praying for the mommies and their babies,” as one team member put it – including mothers and their children … and a group of Catholic nuns.

Vigil participants are facing a new challenge, though, as one of the city supervisors wants to expand a bubble zone around abortion facilities from 8 feet to 25 feet – a move that could push the peaceful vigil farther away from the abortion center. The supervisor cited alleged harassment of Planned Parenthood clients in his call for changing the requirements.

"There's no harassment whatsoever," Ron Konopaski, the 40 Days for Life coordinator, told the San Francisco Chronicle“We're here to help the woman in any way we can and save the baby from being killed."

“We are working with Life Legal Defense Foundation,” one of the team leaders said, “but need your prayers and willingness to be present with us to stop this infringement of our constitutional rights.”

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

The number of faith communities taking part in 40 Days for Life continues to grow.

Caroline in St. Louis sent a link to this video of a prayer hour at the vigil organized by Lutherans for Life. Members of several area Lutheran churches gathered to pray and sing in the public right-of-way outside Planned Parenthood.

To watch the short video (it's only around a minute long), click the image below or go to http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=4460

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN

“I went for the first time to a 40 Days for Life Campaign in Grand Rapids, Michigan,” said Mary, who wrote about her experiences on the 40 Days for Life blog. “There were only a handful of people there, but one man’s dedication was truly impressive.”

The sun was shining, but it was very cold with a strong west wind – “a day I’d rather be doing something else than stand and pray in front of an abortion clinic with my 14-year-old daughter,” she said.

The man she’s talking about took a day off from work to be there. He arrived at 6 that morning to fill a gap in the schedule. “He stayed til 6 pm – maybe longer,” Mary said. He did take a break from time to time – but only if he was sure other volunteers would man the vigil until he returned.

“You would have never guessed that this was his first time here,” Mary said, “and I’d bet it won’t be his last either. What an inspiration to us all – especially to my young daughter!”

Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life

Intention:

Pray that we become vessels of hope to all around us, especially to those who minister in the pro-life movement.

Scripture:

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!”

— Luke 24:1-5

Reflection:

This meditation, based on a sermon I once heard, is adapted for pro-life concerns. It’s Friday. Jesus is on the cross. He has been killed by his enemies; he is off the scene. But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday. Abortionists continue their work 3,300 times a day, tearing off the arms and legs of little babies and crushing their heads. But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday. Pro-abortion groups receive blood money from billionaires who are as deceived as they are. But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday. Liars attempt to speak for all women and hide the pain of abortion, and ignore the evidence of how it harms women, and call abortion a blessing. But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday. People of hardened hearts guard the clinics and usher desperate women in to have their abortions, while keeping them from the pro-life people who want to give them hope. But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’!

Hope does not mean that we ignore or minimize the evils around us. It means, rather, that we see the whole picture, which is that evil is conquered because of what happened one Sunday morning. We are called to proclaim, celebrate, and serve that victory, waiting in joyful hope for Christ’s return and the full flowering of the Culture of Life!

Indeed, Sunday’s comin’!

Prayer:

Lord, fill your people with new hope. Make us vessels of hope to all around us, especially to those who minister in the pro-life movement, that as we engage in the difficult work ahead, we may experience the peace and joy that come only from you and that nobody can take away from us. We ask this through Christ our Lord, amen.