40 Days For Life, Fall 2010

I'll be making more stops in California today --
visiting 40 Days for Life vigil locations in Santa
Cruz and San Jose.

Our national director, David Bereit, is in Michigan
today, stopping at 40 Days for Life locations in
Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Southfield, Sterling
Heights, Clarkston, Flint and Saginaw.

40 Days for Life campaigns -- 238 strong -- are
gaining momentum and the stories and pictures
continue to pour in.

Take a quick tour and see what God has done in just
the first week...

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

In Baltimore, 40 Days for Life coordinators held
a prayer procession from a local church to the
abortion center -- a distance of about 1/3 mile.

They hoped about 200 people would attend. But
the evening of this candlelight event, they
counted at least 350 people taking part.

"The police officer on the scene called for two
additional backup cars to ensure our safety,"
said one of the local leaders. "Our numbers
stretched almost the entire distance from the
church to the abortion facility."

To see a photo of the candlelight procession in
Baltimore, please go to:

DAY 7: God provides the miracles | 40 Days for Life


-----------------------------------------------------
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA
-----------------------------------------------------

The opening of a second abortion center has led to
a second 40 Days for Life vigil in Pensacola.

As they prepared for this campaign, the Pensacola
leadership team keep praying, "Lord, send laborers
for your harvest."

"Wow!" said Ernie, the local coordinator. "Has He
indeed answered that prayer!" Both abortion
facilities have been covered in prayer for a
minimum of 12 hours a day, and more churches are
taking entire days at the vigil.

In addition, two mothers have changed their minds
and canceled their abortion appointments. "We do
what God asks," said Ernie, "and He provides
the miracles!"

To see a photo of one of the 40 Days for Life
vigils in Pensacola, please go to:

DAY 7: God provides the miracles | 40 Days for Life


-----------------------------------------------------
COLLEGEVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA
-----------------------------------------------------

This is the SIXTH 40 Days for Life campaign for
the folks in Collegeville. Once again, they are
faithfully praying for an end to abortion outside
the local Planned Parenthood facility.

The vigil itself helps recruit new people to
stand and pray. Rita, the local coordinator, said
a man with his young son drove past the vigil, saw
what was going on -- and got out to pray!

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

DAY 7: God provides the miracles | 40 Days for Life


-----------------------------------------------------
SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA
-----------------------------------------------------

Vigil participants in Shreveport are praying that
abortions will cease at a facility with a name
that's hard to believe: The Hope Medical Group
for Women.

It's typical of the false image that the abortion
industry presents.

This facility is currently under investigation by
Louisiana health officials. Please pray that God
may use that investigation to close this center.

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

DAY 7: God provides the miracles | 40 Days for Life


-----------------------------------------------------
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
-----------------------------------------------------

There's one final picture I'd like you to see.

It shows 40 Days for Life in a different light --
not with a tremendous group of people praying, but
just one.

The Planned Parenthood building in Indianapolis
looks huge, and the lone person praying looks small.
But don't forget Who is listening to that prayer!

With God, all things are possible -- even something
as daunting as bringing abortion to an end.

To see the picture, please go to:

DAY 7: God provides the miracles | 40 Days for Life



And now here's today's devotional from Fr. Terry
Gensemer, the National Director of the Charismatic
Episcopal Church for Life...

-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 7 INTENTION
-----------------------------------------------------

May we have a heart and a zeal to save the poor and
release the oppressed.

-----------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
-----------------------------------------------------

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has
anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has
sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim
liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the
blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.

-- Luke 4:18-19

-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Fr. Terry Gensemer
-----------------------------------------------------

This passage is a very familiar one. It has been
preached on many occasions, even made popular in
books and songs. Though the quote is about Jesus, all
Christians take this commission seriously as a
directive on how to reach the world with the gospel.

We, like our Savior, are to bring the good news to
the poor, the brokenhearted, those in captivity,
those who cannot see, and the oppressed.

The commission given to us in this passage is clearly
a charge to care for those for whom God cares the
most. I wonder though, whom do we look for to be
touched by the Holy Spirit as we go out into the
world?

Who are the poor, if not those unborn children who
have been abandoned by their parents before they ever
leave the womb?

Who are the brokenhearted, if not those unborn
children whose only example of love is having their
mother take them to an abortion clinic to be
destroyed, or the mother of a child who has been
deceived by everyone around her into believing that
what she is doing is best for her and her child?

Who are the captives, if not those unborn children
who are bound over to death by the "choice" of
abortion?

Who is more blind than an unborn child in the
darkness of a womb that has become a waiting room for
their death?

And who is more oppressed than those unborn children
whose oppression has been legitimized by their
government, their church and even their family and
loved ones?

-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
-----------------------------------------------------

Lord, You empower us with Your Spirit to do your will
in the earth. Send us to the poorest, the most
broken, the most captive, the most blind and the most
oppressed in the world, the innocent pre-born
children in their mother's wombs that are scheduled
for destruction. Help us to bring them healing,
liberty, sight and justice through Jesus Christ our
Lord, Amen.

-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
-----------------------------------------------------

To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2010day07print.pdf

-----------------------------------------------------

For Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: What's going on with 40 Days for Life in your
community? Please leave a comment on today's
blog entry and let me know! Go to:

DAY 7: God provides the miracles | 40 Days for Life

Click to expand...

"It's official!" reads the message from Michael, the
local 40 Days for Life coordinator in Severna Park,
Maryland.

"We have confirmed that Gynecare is closed," he wrote,
"and will not reopen its doors. The office suite that
Gynecare has operated in for years is already listed
for rent, and we have confirmed with the listing agent
that the current tenant will be completely out of the
office soon!"

For the seventh time now, the Lord has responded to
40 Days for Life volunteers' prayers by closing the
doors of a place where countless numbers of innocent
lives were lost!!!

40 Days for Life came to Severna Park in the fall of
2008, and the focus from the beginning had been this
Gynecare abortion facility.

However, the campaign faced a significant hurdle.
The center was located in a private development, and
the closest the volunteers could get was several
hundred yards away.

But they prayed ... and they prayed ... and they prayed,
that God would end abortions at this facility.

"God has heard our prayers and has moved; but we still
aren't done yet," said Michael. "We need to continue to
sing to and praise God for the answers and grace that
He has shown these past few months. Countless lives have
been saved and will be saved because of the closing of
Gynecare in Severna Park!"

To see a photo of 40 Days for Life team members from
Severna Park, please go to:

DAY 8: Abortion center closes! | 40 Days for Life

There were MORE answered prayers this week in Texas.

A nurse walked out of the abortion center that is the
site of one of the 40 Days for Life vigils in the
El Paso area and gave her phone number to one of the
prayer volunteers.

"Please help me find a new job," she said. "I quit!"

When we pray at an abortion center, we're praying for
the mothers and babies, of course. But we're also
praying for the people who work at those facilities.

Some of them are determined advocates of "choice."
Others are simply people who need a job, and in
these economic times, the options are often limited.

Still others don't fully understand what they're
getting into when they sign up for work at one of
these so-called reproductive healthcare centers.

That may be the case with a man who just recently
took a job as a security guard at a facility where
a 40 Days for Life vigil is in progress.

Over the weekend, he was approached by a young
woman who had come for an abortion -- and she's
pregnant with twins!

The abortion was her boyfriend's idea -- not hers.
In fact, she didn't want the abortion at all. But
he was pressuring her, and she explained her
situation to the guard.

His response: "Do what your heart tells you to do."

That was amazing enough. But the guard then told the
boyfriend that it was basically time to man-up and
do the right thing. And, he added, if the boyfriend
continued to threaten his girlfriend, she could
press charges.

The young man broke down in tears and admitted he
was wrong. The couple then left the abortion center.

Michael in Maryland sent a scripture verse with the
story of the abortion center closing. It talks about
faith. It's worth repeating:

"I tell you the truth; if anyone says to this
mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and
does not doubt in his heart but believes that what
he says will happen, it will be done for him."

-- Mark 11:23

Please thank God for the miracles in Maryland and
Texas -- and please pray for His guidance for the
security guard who provided unexpected support for
a young mother. And BELIEVE!

Here's today's devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone,
national director of Priests for Life...

-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 8 INTENTION
-----------------------------------------------------

May the spirit and example of the Good Samaritan fill
the hearts and minds of all our citizens.

-----------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
-----------------------------------------------------

Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to
Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They
stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away,
leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going
down the same road, and when he saw the man, he
passed by on the other side. So, too, a Levite, when
he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the
other side."

"But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man
was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He
went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil
and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took
him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he
took out two silver coins and gave them to the
innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I
return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense
you may have.'"

"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to
the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The
expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on
him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

-- Luke 10:30-37

-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life
-----------------------------------------------------

Here Jesus commands us to show mercy to the victims
of the culture of violence and death.

But why did the priest and Levite fail to show mercy?
Perhaps they feared that the robbers were hiding just
around the next corner to attack them. They asked
themselves, "If I stop to help this man, what will
happen to me?"

The Samaritan, however, reversed the question, and
asked, "If I don't stop to help this man, what will
happen to him?"

In working to save the unborn, let's not worry about
what will happen to us if we act; let's worry about
what will happen to the unborn if we don't.

-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
-----------------------------------------------------

Father, we are moved by the lesson of the Good
Samaritan, who allowed compassion to influence him
more than fear. Give us the same heart.

Grant that we may never count the cost of standing up
and speaking out for the unborn. We pray through
Christ our Lord, Amen.

-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
-----------------------------------------------------

To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2010day08print.pdf

-----------------------------------------------------

For Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: Please continue to share your own 40 Days for
Life stories! You're invited to leave a comment
on today's blog entry at:

DAY 8: Abortion center closes! | 40 Days for Life

Click to expand...

Every once in a while, people show up at a 40 Days
for Life prayer vigil who wish YOU would just go home.

In some cases, they themselves are suffering as the
result of an abortion experience. Or they may simply
want to get under your skin.

Persecution is not suggested by Jesus; it is PROMISED
if we follow Him. While seeking persecution is not
the goal of 40 Days for Life, it does go along with
standing against the evil of abortion.

If that ever happens to you, just remain peaceful --
and pray harder! The fruit is worth it.


-----------------------------------------------------
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
-----------------------------------------------------

On my recent visit to the 40 Days for Life vigil in
Milwaukee, the abortion center put a sign in their
window asking for contributions to "pledge to end
harassment."

This tired, ineffective tactic is attempted often,
particularly by Planned Parenthood. But it doesn't
work. They do it because they don't know how to
react to peaceful opposition that speaks to their
conscience and calls them to re-evaluate their work.

This childish reaction speaks to the effectiveness
of the prayer that they view as "harassment."

To see the window of the Milwaukee abortion center,
please go to:

DAY 9: Steadfast in the face of persecution | 40 Days for Life


-----------------------------------------------------
SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA
-----------------------------------------------------

At their kickoff event recently, the 40 Days for Life
team in Santa Cruz was "welcomed" by a local, rabidly
pro-abortion anarchist group that was attempting to
thwart their efforts.

Most of what these abortion supporters said and did
to the prayer volunteers cannot be repeated. Suffice
it to say, it was vile and nasty.

One pastor wisely advised the prayer volunteers to
keep an air of serenity and ignore the obnoxious
behavior -- but to not back down.

And they followed that advice.

Please keep the Santa Cruz team in your prayers. And
pray for the coversion of the misguided anarchists.

There is only one picture I can show you from Santa
Cruz, featuring a small group praying. Opposing them
is a man holding a sign that reads "Abort Jesus."

DAY 9: Steadfast in the face of persecution | 40 Days for Life


-----------------------------------------------------
RENO, NEVADA
-----------------------------------------------------

Please keep Reno in your prayers as well.

When I was in there a few days ago, I witnessed what
the volunteers there have to endure -- an aggressive
abortionist with a vulgar and confrontational attitude.

One sign that he had professionally made is so vulgar
I cannot put it in an e-mail. But there are other
signs, facing the street for all to see:

* No trespassing
* God is pro-choice
* These protesters are terrorists

The abortionist also has a sprinkler system -- but not
for landscaping. The sprinklers are intentionally
pointed towards the sidewalk ... where the prayer
volunteers stand.

He also installed a sound system that he often uses to
blast out obscene music -- hoping that the Christians
praying on the sidewalk would be offended and leave.

Well, it isn't working. It hasn't worked -- ever. But
still he persists. As do the prayer volunteers!

To see photos of the Reno vigil site, please go to:

DAY 9: Steadfast in the face of persecution | 40 Days for Life


-----------------------------------------------------
LAWRENCEVILLE, GEORGIA
-----------------------------------------------------

If someone does give you a hard time, pray for them!

A woman drove into the parking lot near the 40 Days
for Life vigil location in Lawrenceville and started
yelling at one of the volunteers. She was described
as very aggressive and angry, shouting things like,
"Just WHAT are you people doing here?"

The volunteer quietly explained what the vigil was
all about -- and the angry woman started to calm down
a bit. During the course of a 15-minute conversation,
she shared some personal information (we're not sure
exactly what was discussed), and finally she had made
a complete turnaround.

"She became very sweet and very supportive of what
we were doing," one of the volunteers reported.

To see a photo of 40 Days for Life participants in
Lawrenceville, please go to:

DAY 9: Steadfast in the face of persecution | 40 Days for Life


The long and the short of it is PRAYER WORKS -- so
please keep it up!

Here's today's devotional from Day Gardner, president
of the National Black Pro-life Union...

-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 9 INTENTION
-----------------------------------------------------

May we grow in joy, knowing we serve a living God.

-----------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
-----------------------------------------------------

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we
beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten
of the Father, full of grace and truth.

-- John 1:14

-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Day Gardner
-----------------------------------------------------

The Word of God came to us in human form in Jesus
Christ. Every time I contemplate this fact I get
chills! And I think it is something that we, as
Christians, tend to gloss over. I can only imagine
how the first disciples felt when they were looking
into the eyes of the one and only Almighty God who
created them.

The first disciples developed a close relationship
with Him as they daily walked and talked with Him.
They ate with Him, prayed with Him and rested when He
rested. As they listened to the Word of God, who was
and is Jesus....they believed and "beheld His glory."

Today, this is something we can still do because we
serve a living God. Remember, Jesus died on the cross
but rose from the dead in victory! Jesus is every bit
as real and alive for all of us as He was to the
first disciples. He wants us to develop a close
relationship with Him in the very same way. Jesus
wants us to know Him personally. He wants us to walk
with Him and talk with Him on a daily basis.

-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
-----------------------------------------------------

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for your love and
saving grace in Christ Jesus. Help us to realize
every day the great blessing we have in our Savior.

I pray that we will rise every morning with
excitement and zeal, looking forward to walking
another day in your footsteps fully knowing that you
continue to dwell among us. Amen.

-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
-----------------------------------------------------

To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2010day09print.pdf

-----------------------------------------------------

For Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

Click to expand...

-----

Lord, we ask your forgiveness for any times our words
have dehumanized our brothers and sisters.

We also ask you to send your grace to those who speak
and write in degrading terms about the children in
the womb. Convert those who do not see the dignity of
these children. Loosen the tongues of those who do
not know how to acknowledge the humanity and
sacredness of these tiny lives.

Keep us all aware of the power of language, and help
us to use it rightly in the cause of life and
justice. We pray through Christ our Lord, Amen.

-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
-----------------------------------------------------

To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2010day10print.pdf

-----------------------------------------------------

For Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: How is 40 Days for Life affecting your city?
Please leave a comment on today's blog entry at:

DAY 10: Great news from England | 40 Days for Life

Click to expand...

Today's message is a praise report from David Bereit
about his whirlwind trip across Michigan. This should
give you an idea of how powerfully God is working
through His people ...

... in many locations ... all at the same time!

-------------------------------------------------------

On Monday morning, I got up at 3 AM to catch a flight
to Grand Rapids. Upon arrival, I met up with Abby
Johnson, the former Planned Parenthood abortion center
director who experienced a conversion during last
fall's 40 Days for Life.

At the Grand Rapids 40 Days for Life vigil, we spoke
to more than 40 faithful prayer volunteers and learned
that on Day 2 of the campaign, a couple scheduled for
abortion there changed their mind and turned away due
to the prayer vigil!

See the picture of Abby speaking to volunteers by
visiting:

DAY 11: Abortion manager quits | 40 Days for Life

That night, we spoke at a large right-to-life dinner
and shared the 40 Days for Life story with an
audience of nearly 1,000 pro-lifers, many of whom
signed up to get involved in 40 Days for Life.

On Tuesday morning, I awoke at 5 AM and drove to
Kalamazoo. I was thrilled to see more than 25 people
praying at the vigil outside Planned Parenthood -- in
the pouring rain!

From there, I drove two hours to Ann Arbor, and joined
18 faithful prayer warriors -- it was still raining.
Some of these incredibly dedicated volunteers have
been working for life for more than three decades.

Next was Dearborn, where more than a dozen believers
were standing vigil despite the downpour. One man told
me that he'd previously been "pro-choice" before a
friend invited him to get involved in a Detroit-area
40 Days for Life campaign. Not only did that forever
change his mind about abortion, today he is the leader
of the Dearborn 40 Days for Life campaign!

See the rain-soaked Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor and Dearborn
40 Days for Life participants at:

DAY 11: Abortion manager quits | 40 Days for Life

From there, I headed to Southfield, where 13 people
stood vigil outside an abortion facility that is now
up for sale.

This past weekend, a woman pulled up and thanked them
for being there. A year ago she had been on her way to
have an abortion, but the 40 Days for Life prayer
volunteers had changed her mind. She then introduced
them to her baby who was in the car!

Next was Sterling Heights, where I joined about 20
Christians. They were praying fervently for an end to
abortion when I arrived, and were still praying hard
when I had to depart. What devotion!

See pictures from the Southfield and Sterling Heights
40 Days for Life campaigns at:

DAY 11: Abortion manager quits | 40 Days for Life

When I arrived in Clarkston, I was greeted by a crowd
of more than 40 enthusiastic volunteers participating
in their city's first 40 Days for Life.

While there, I was interviewed by a radio station and
two local newspapers. The next day, 40 Days for Life
was front page news!

From there, I drove to Flint where more than two dozen
people were praying outside the local abortion facility.
Their dedication -- even in the midst of challenges --
was inspiring.

My final stop of Tuesday was Saginaw, where more than
20 people were standing vigil as the sun was setting.

They excitedly shared that the abortion center manager
came out to let them know she had begun to attend church
services, and quit her job after working there 7 years.

Praise God!!

See the Clarkston, Saginaw and Flint vigils at:

DAY 11: Abortion manager quits | 40 Days for Life

On Wednesday, I drove three hours to Traverse City,
where I spoke to the entire student body of a Catholic
high school, and also addressed a large right-to-life
banquet, encouraging the 600 attendees to get involved
in 40 Days for Life.

Early Thursday morning, I joined a group of the Traverse
City volunteers to pray together at their 40 Days for
Life vigil, before leaving Michigan en route to an event
in Illinois.

Five hundred miles, ten cities, three days ...

... one inspiring experience!

-------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to David Bereit for that amazing report!

Here's today's devotional from Carmen Pate, member
of the 40 Days for Life board of directors...

-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 11 INTENTION
-----------------------------------------------------

Pray that when those representing Planned Parenthood
and other abortion groups see volunteers for 40 Days
for Life, they see ambassadors of Christ, and may
each volunteer be consciously aware at all times we
represent Him.

-----------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
-----------------------------------------------------

I...beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with
which you were called, with all lowliness, and
gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one
another in love.

-- Ephesians 4:1-2

-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life
-----------------------------------------------------

When a former abortionist and post-abortive woman,
Carol Everett, was asked what turned her heart from
death to life in Christ, she replied, "It was
unconditional love" shown by a man who prayed daily
for her in front of the facility where she worked.

He told Carol that "God had sent him" because there
was someone in there that God wanted out. She left 27
days later and now serves as Christ's ambassador to
help others. We too have been sent by Christ as an
ambassador to love unconditionally those God seeks to
"get out" of their bondage and sin.

In his book, "Fishers of Men," Dr. Sumner Wemp
describes what it means to be an ambassador of
Christ, the King of Kings:

* God has chosen us (John 15:16)

* We are sent into a world that is not our home (1
Peter 2:11)

* Our walk must match our talk (1 Timothy 3:7)

* We must abide in Him for daily instruction (John
15:5)

* Know our purpose -- to seek and to save that which
is lost (Luke 19:10)

* We are to reconcile others to God with His
authority (Matthew 28:19-20)

* Our service is to be grounded and rooted in love
(Ephesians 3:17)

Pray that we each will walk worthy of the calling
with which we were called!

-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
-----------------------------------------------------

Dear Heavenly Father, we are humbled that you have
called us and appointed us to be ambassadors of
Christ in a world that is not our home. It is a
calling much higher and grander than our finite minds
can imagine.

We pray that your Holy Spirit will empower us to walk
worthy of the calling. We pray that Your
unconditional love will flow through us onto those
who desperately need Your saving grace. In the name
of Christ who is worthy, Amen.

-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
-----------------------------------------------------

To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2010day11print.pdf

-----------------------------------------------------

For Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: We now know what's going on in Michigan! What's
new with 40 Days for Life everywhere else? Please
feel to share your stories by leaving a comment
on today's blog entry at:

DAY 11: Abortion manager quits | 40 Days for Life

Click to expand...

Most people are unaware that abortions take place in
their hometowns -- it's true!

Abortion centers are often quietly nestled in unassuming
neighborhoods and rarely draw attention to themselves.

Well, there's one thing that 40 Days for Life is very
good at -- and that's drawing attention to the sobering
reality that abortion is very much a local problem.


-----------------------------------------------------
BEAUMONT, TEXAS
-----------------------------------------------------

Organizers of Beaumont's first 40 Days for Life
campaign wondered if people would notice their vigil.
But plenty of people are seeing it now -- thanks to
a nearby road construction project.

Traffic now has to make a detour -- and the new route
is bringing a huge flow of vehicles right in front of
the abortion center.

One woman stopped to tell vigil participants to keep
up the good work. "I'll bet half the people in
Beaumont don't even know that abortions are performed
here," she said.

Later, she called one of the local TV stations and
told them they should send a news team. And they did!

Then the woman shared what was really on her mind.
When she was 16 years old, she had an abortion.

"I am so glad y'all are here," she said. The abortion
was forced on her. "I felt so alone and scared. But
if there had been anyone there praying, I feel sure I
wouldn't have done it. Never stop what you are doing!"

A bit later, a man parked his huge truck and thanked the
volunteers. "I was adopted. If it weren't for people
like you, I would be dead!"

One of the local leaders says the volunteers are all
tired by the end of the day, "but it's the best tired
I've ever felt."

-----------------------------------------------------
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
-----------------------------------------------------

People in Jacksonville also know now where abortions
are performed. 40 Days for Life participants met for
prayer at a local abortion center -- then marched as
a group to another facility about a third of a mile
away for additional prayer.

Then they marched back to the first location. "SEVEN
TIMES we marched between the two," said one of the
volunteers.

The local coordinators estimated about 120 people
took part in this event.

To see pictures of the prayer vigils at each facility,
and the march between the two, please go to:

DAY 12: Vigils, traffic jams, lifting the fog | 40 Days for Life


-----------------------------------------------------
CANTON, OHIO
-----------------------------------------------------

Bryan in Canton had some thoughts about the 40 Days
for Life effort as he drove through a very heavy fog
one morning.

"It occurred to me that this must be what it is like
for the abortionists, their staff and their clients.
They are living in a fog of deception," he said, "and
it makes the most obvious things seem to be what they
are not. Simply put, they are being deceived, and
they need the truth and the grace of God to change
their hearts."

And that's where we come in.

"I believe that God is calling us to dispel the fog
surrounding the abortion industry and to change the
hearts of the enemies of life through His love," Bryan
said. "So let us be faithful witnesses to the truth
and always open our hearts to God's grace so that we
can be His instruments."

Well said!

Here's today's devotional from Kevin Burke,
executive director of Rachel's Vineyard Ministries...

-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 12 INTENTION
-----------------------------------------------------

May the King of the Universe, who entered this world
as a helpless infant, give us the humility to be
healed.

-----------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
-----------------------------------------------------

My power is made perfect in weakness.

--2 Corinthians 12:9

-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Kevin Burke, Rachel's Vineyard
-----------------------------------------------------

The great mystery of the Humility of God is very near
and dear to the mission of those serving in pro life
and in a special way, post abortion ministries across
this nation.

For those wounded by their participation in abortion,
the door to healing often feels like crossing an
abyss of great fear: fear of judgment, fear of being
torn apart by the pain, by self hatred and rage at
those who hurt and abandoned you, and manipulated you
in your time of temptation.

For men in particular, entering the unknown waters of
emotional vulnerability, so necessary to healing
calls for a different kind of courage that feels
deceptively like weakness.

The door to healing is humility. It is born in the
inability to no longer control the pain, to live with
the consequences of that tragic decision to reject
life. The hearts cries out, "I have committed a grave
offense against my Creator and I am consumed by
regret, grief and sorrow!"

During these forty days let us pray for all who have
participated in abortion and with love call them to
healing and reconciliation. With healing these women
and men can become as John Paul II proclaimed in the
Gospel of Life, "the most eloquent defenders of
everyone's right to life."

Jesus proclaimed, "I am the Vine, you are the
branches" (John 15:5). To bear the greatest fruit,
the branches must be pruned. Each level of pruning of
the vine requires a deeper level of humility so that
we can abandon ourselves to His will.

This is not a lofty theological concept as much as it
is an earthy experience of pulling weeds, tilling
rocky soil, pruning and healing the vines. "If a man
wishes to come after me, he must deny his very self,
take up his cross, and begin to follow in my
footsteps" (Matthew 16:24).

-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
-----------------------------------------------------

Lord, during these forty days, we ask that with each
day of this sacred vigil, everything in us that
separates us from your perfect will would be pruned
from our hearts and souls.

In this blessed freedom may we experience a powerful
anointing of your Holy Spirit. Filled with confidence
and trust may we proclaim with the mother of Jesus,
"Let it be done to me, according to your Word."

-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
-----------------------------------------------------

To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2010day12print.pdf

-----------------------------------------------------

For Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: What has 40 Days for Life meant to you thus far?
Please share a comment on today's blog posting:

DAY 12: Vigils, traffic jams, lifting the fog | 40 Days for Life

Click to expand...

Everyone appreciates a little good news to brighten up a Monday morning, so here goes!
Thus far during this current 40 Days for Life campaign, we have reports of …
… 138 lives that have been saved from abortion — that we know of!
Take a look at the stories behind those numbers.
—————————————————–
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
—————————————————–
The 40 Days for Life vigil in Las Vegas is held outside an abortion center that is on a cul-de-sac. Just next to the abortion center is First Choice Pregnancy Center. Anyone going to the abortion facility has to drive right past this pregnancy center first.
A young couple drove through the parking lot … slowly — TWICE! — checking out both First Choice and the abortion center. The second time through, one of the pro-life volunteers told them they could get a free ultrasound at First Choice.
They accepted the offer, saw the ultrasound — and confirmed to vigil participants that they are choosing life for their child.
“Our prayers were answered,” said the volunteer. “Thank you, Lord!”
—————————————————–
NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK
—————————————————–
The 40 Days for Life team in Niagara Falls is aware of one baby that has been saved from abortion during this campaign.
Vigil participants prayed as a young woman walked into the abortion center — prayed that she would still find it in her heart to change her mind.
Then, said one of the volunteers, they watched in amazement a bit later as the woman “literally bolted from the facility and ran away.” She wanted out of there — as quickly as possible.
The vigil participants tried to find out more, so they ran after her. Before they could catch up, a car stopped and picked her up. She did not return.
—————————————————–
DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA
—————————————————–
“We had one woman and two couples change their minds and left the abortion site with peaceful faces,” said Patti in Downey. “Praise God for them — and for the young woman the previous day who changed her mind.”
That’s four babies saved in Downey, “and our team is rejoicing!” Patti says the word is getting out and more people are coming to stand and pray.
“It is our first campaign and the Lord is moving before us,” she said. “The church is opposing the gates of hell … and some day this abortion site will be closed. Amen!”
—————————————————–
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
—————————————————–
The 40 Days for Life team in Nashville saw firsthand that it pays to remain faithful and trust in God. It was a busy day at the abortion center — cars started streaming into the parking lot at 7 am and volunteers counted more than three dozen clients entering the building.
It just seemed bleak. No one wanted to talk. No one wanted to take any of the prayer volunteers’ pro-life literature.
Later that day, though, their prayers were answered.
“A mom and her daughter came out the door with the young girl’s ultrasound picture,” said Marilyn. “She was smiling at me and said, “You keep praying! I’ve decided to keep my baby.”
Marilyn then asked if they could pray together in thanksgiving. “Thank you, Lord, that she has chosen life,” she said. “We give You all the glory!”
Our national director, David Bereit, will be visiting 40 Days for Life locations in El Paso, Texas and Albuquerque, New Mexico today. My family and I will be visiting the 40 Days for Life vigil in Cherry Hill, New Jersey tomorrow morning. If you’re nearby … please stop in!
Here’s today’s devotional from Randolph Sly of the National Pro-life Religious Council…
—————————————————–
DAY 13 INTENTION
—————————————————–
For all fathers who are terrified of being fathers.
—————————————————–
SCRIPTURE
—————————————————–
A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation.
– Psalm 68:5
—————————————————–
REFLECTION by Randolph Sly
—————————————————–
I had a friend many years ago who confided in me that he was terrified of being a father. He and his wife already had two children when this revelation came forth. “I never knew my father,” he explained, “and I have no idea what a father is supposed to do.”
We continued to share about this, as well as pray together. He began to see he had a father’s heart for his children. His biggest problem was not a limitation on love but not knowing how to act out this love.
One day we talked about the verse quoted at the top of this page. I shared that he did know his Father…not his biological father but his Heavenly Father, who had rescued him from a life of destruction not many years before.
“How did your Heavenly Father guide you?” I asked. He talked about the ways he had seen God’s love offered to him and the way the Lord had used circumstances and the Scriptures to mold him and mature him. “Well, the Lord wants to do the same thing through you for your children. Be available to His love and available to your kids. You’ll do fine.”
How wonderful it is to know that God takes a personal interest in each of us, many times using His faithful people — the Church — as channels of this love. No one is fatherless who lives in the Lord. His fatherly care begins at the moment of our conception, as it is written, “you knit me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:12), and continues to be poured upon us throughout our lives.
—————————————————–
PRAYER
—————————————————–
Heavenly Father, we thank you for caring about each of us so deeply. Help us to see and know you as our Father in heaven each and every day of our lives.
Your loving hand also rests on every child today carried in its mother’s womb. May they be born into this world and come to know fully and personally your endless love. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
—————————————————–
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
—————————————————–
To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2010day13print.pdf
—————————————————–
For Life,
Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
PS: What can you share about 40 Days for Life in your hometown? Please post a comment below!

Click to expand...

First of all ... yes, the Monday message was quite
a bit late in arriving. Sorry about that! The
e-mail service we use was experiencing challenges.
But hopefully, we're back on schedule now.

Today is October 5. It may be just another day to
you, but not for me -- and most certainly not for
Abby Johnson.

It was one year ago today that I walked into my old
office at the Coalition for Life in Bryan/College
Station, Texas and discovered that Abby Johnson was
there.

We had been on opposite sides of the fence for years
and at that moment we found ourselves together --
her crying and me trying to grasp what the Holy
Spirit was unraveling before my eyes.

To see Abby Johnson, the regional Planned Parenthood
affiliate's employee of the year, in my office --
in tears -- was ... a miracle!

Abby had seen an abortion on an ultrasound -- for the
first time -- and was overcome by the reality of what
actually happens during an abortion. She knew she was
watching a helpless human being die. And she also
knew immediately she could NEVER do it again.

A few days later, Abby and I posed for a picture at
the birthplace of 40 Days for Life -- her former
abortion center!

We had been on opposite sides of this fence for
8 years as volunteers and then employees. She
admitted it felt better to be on our side of the
fence!

To see that picture, go to:

DAY 14: One year ago today | 40 Days for Life

Fast forward just a few months to Abby standing in
front of the abortion facility she had run for years
kicking off the spring 40 Days for Life in Bryan/
College Station, Texas.

To see a video of her comments, please go to:

DAY 14: One year ago today | 40 Days for Life

This is truly a testimony of what God can -- and
WILL -- do in answer to prayer.

We know of 37 abortion center employees -- including
Abby -- who have left their jobs during 40 Days for
Life campaigns.

I didn't know this would happen to me last year
and you don't know what can happen to YOU during
your campaign!

This fall remember to pray for the staff along
with the moms and the babies. Many of them are
looking for a way out -- pray they will have the
courage to take that step.

Right now there is one employee in particular who
really needs prayer because this person saw another
employee quit the center and want to do likewise.

I continue to be amazed this fall of the employees
who are coming to 40 Days for Life and wanting out
of the abortion industry but after all...

...as I learned last fall firsthand, the God who
convinced Abby Johnson to quit Planned Parenthood
can do ANYTHING!

Here's today's devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone, the
national director of Priests for Life...

-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 14 INTENTION
-----------------------------------------------------

Abortion is the great "no." May all of God's people
have the freedom and grace to say "yes" to His
marvelous plans.

-----------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
-----------------------------------------------------

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my
mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully
and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and
that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden
from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully
wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes
saw my substance, being yet unformed and in Your book
they all were written, The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

-- Psalm 139:13-16

-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life
-----------------------------------------------------

Unlike the rest of creation, we are capable of a
personal relationship with God. Not only did God
create us, but created us according to a plan devised
from all eternity. No matter how far back we go in
our imagination, there was never a time when God did
not know each of us, in every detail of our being.

There was not a particular time when God decided to
make us. The decision to make us has been in the mind
of God from all eternity. All our days were written
in His book.

To dare to say that a human being, developing in the
womb, should not be born is as wrong as to say that a
born person should not continue to grow and live. In
each case, an attack on human life is an attack on
the God who formed and made us. Jesus Christ is the
great "yes" to the promises of God; abortion is the
great "no."

-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
-----------------------------------------------------

Lord, I pray today for every unborn child. The beauty
of the bodies and souls of these children flows from
your hands and your eternal plan.

Awaken in every human conscience a profound reverence
for human life, and grant us grace to defend our
smallest and most defenseless brothers and sisters,
those still being formed in the secret places of
their mothers' womb. We ask this through Christ our
Lord, Amen.

-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
-----------------------------------------------------

To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2010day14print.pdf

-----------------------------------------------------

For Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: Have you been blessed through 40 Days for Life
during this campaign? Please share your story by
leaving a comment on today's blog posting at:

DAY 14: One year ago today | 40 Days for Life

Click to expand...

I just got an e-mail from Canberra, Australia asking
if they can do a 40 Days for Life in 2011!

I'm just trying to make it through this fall!

Honestly, the international enthusiasm for this
lifesaving campaign has been unexpected since we first
launched 40 Days for Life in the United States just
three years ago.

Here's a quick tour of some of the international
campaigns that are seeing amazing results ...

-------------------------------------------------------
MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK
-------------------------------------------------------

Moncton is one of nine campaigns in Canada right now.
And as you might suspect, there are signs in French that
read "40 Jours pour la Vie."

To see a French sign, please go to:

DAY 15: In any language | 40 Days for Life

The sign the woman is holding is a translation of the
poster the man is carrying -- "Before I formed you in
the womb, I knew you."

"The prayer site across from the Dr. Georges Dumont
Hospital is tremendous for public exposure -- such a
humungous amount of traffic all day long," wrote Peter
Ryan in New Brunswick Right to Life's blog. "If those
people did not know before about the hospital doing
abortions, they sure are finding out now."


-------------------------------------------------------
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA
-------------------------------------------------------

The 40 Days for Life team in this Canadian location
employs bilingual posters as well. The two languages
are English ... and Mandarin Chinese!

To see 40 Days for Life in Chinese, please go to:

DAY 15: In any language | 40 Days for Life

"We have many Chinese students attending St. Mary's
University and they walk past us as they go from school
to the main street of Halifax," said Julie. A Chinese
pastor did the translation, and he invites Chinese
students with questions to contact him.

"Abortion is a given in their country," she said. "All
of these students will not have any brothers or sisters."


-------------------------------------------------------
HOLBAEK, DENMARK
-------------------------------------------------------

As is the case in Moncton and Halifax, abortions in
Holbæk are done in a hospital. 40 Days for Life vigil
participants often hold two large banners outside.

To see the Danish banners, please go to:

DAY 15: In any language | 40 Days for Life

One offers a familiar pro-life sentiment: "Abortion
stops a beating heart." The other reads, "Choose Jesus.
'Whoever receives one such little child in My name
receives Me.'"

Susanne in Holbæk reports the campaign is getting much
positive attention -- though there was a young woman
who stood across the street with a banner of her own
that read, "Thank God for free abortion. We already
have too many disregarded and unwanted children present
in this world." She was soon joined by several others.

"We kept on praying and called for Jesus to intercede,"
Susanne said. "They disappeared as suddenly as they came."


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

"We had the first member of staff tell us she has quit
her job there," said one of the 40 Days for Life prayer
volunteers outside the Marie Stopes abortion facility
in London. "We should continue praying and being there
for the rest."

In addition, at least three more babies have been saved
from abortion!

The London campaign is receiving a lot of support --
though not every passerby has a favorable view.

"I am used to abuse in the hospital," said one volunteer,
who is a nurse. "But the anger I heard out of the
businesswomen was difficult to take. 'Stop abusing
women!' I heard repeatedly. They seemed completely
unaware that I am a woman, too!"

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

DAY 15: In any language | 40 Days for Life

Where to from here?

The London team has received inquiries about the
campaign from interested people in Russia, Ghana and
Colombia.

I've also gotten e-mail from people in France and
Spain, asking about to bringing 40 Days for Life to
those countries.

Let's see what God has in store!

Here's today's devotional from Rev. Rob Schenck,
president of Faith and Action...

-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 15 INTENTION
-----------------------------------------------------

May God's people awaken to the fact that we are our
brothers' keepers.

-----------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
-----------------------------------------------------

Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to
pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up
against Abel his brother and killed him. Then the
Lord said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He
said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" And
He said, "What have you done? The voice of your
brother's blood cries out to me from the ground."

-- Genesis 4:8-10

-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Rev. Rob Schenck, Faith and Action
-----------------------------------------------------

"Methinks he doth protest too much ..."

The Bible is filled with passages that speak to our
obligation to care for our fellow human beings. From
the many commands in the books of Moses enjoining
love of family, neighbors and even strangers, to
Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan, the injunction
to care for others is inescapable.

In this account, the guilt-stricken Cain tries to
shrug off his obligation to his own kin by dismissing
it as an unreasonable duty. A la Shakespeare, though,
"methinks he doth protest too much." Cain's objection
doesn't stem from his sense of proper boundaries of
responsibility, but from his own self-centered sense
of self-preservation.

Christ said, "Greater love has no one than this, than
to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13).
This is the standard of divine love. It required God
to sacrifice what was most precious to Him for the
temporal and eternal well being of all humankind (see
John 3:16). Though on a much-reduced scale, he
expects us to do the same.

Trying to duck our obligation to others is futile. We
can't get away with simply dismissing others,
especially the most vulnerable among us: the
pre-born, the disabled, the sick and the aged. As
with Cain, God sees and hears their suffering and
will call us to account for what we do -- or do not
do -- for them.

-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
-----------------------------------------------------

Father, help us to embrace the fact that we are our
"brother's keeper." When, due to selfish motives, we
try to cast off this responsibility please call to us
to account. We would be pleasing to you and to our
"brother." Through the help and grace of our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
-----------------------------------------------------

To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2010day15print.pdf

-----------------------------------------------------

For Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: What's new with 40 Days for Life in your city?
Please leave a comment on today's blog entry:

DAY 15: In any language | 40 Days for Life

Click to expand...

Your witness is making a difference; but it is also
a sobering reminder of the reality of abortion.

One 40 Days for Life team reports on someone whose
conscience is starting to stir -- a driver for a
medical waste company. When this driver sees
people praying at the abortion facility, it has a
profound impact.

There's no other way to put this. The driver's job
includes picking up bins containing the bodies of
children whose lives were ended by abortion.

The driver has asked about being transferred to a
different route. The company could do that, but
could not guarantee that the new route would not
include another abortion center.

Please pray for this driver, who may soon come to
see that the only option is looking for another job.

-------------------------------------------------------
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
-------------------------------------------------------

The witness of 40 Days for Life prayer vigils is also
shining a light on Planned Parenthood, the largest
abortion chain in the United States. About 100 of
the 238 locations where people are praying during this
current campaign are Planned Parenthood facilities.

In Richmond, one of the local leaders has had the
opportunity to educate the community.

"I have had people walk up to me at this vigil outside
of Planned Parenthood to let me know that they don't do
abortions here," she said. "When I tell them that I had
gone to the Planned Parenthood web site for Richmond --
and the first service they list is 'abortion services' --
they are surprised."

While it is true that not all Planned Parenthood
locations offer surgical abortions, they will all counsel
women to have them -- and refer them to their nearest
office that provides them.


-------------------------------------------------------
PAINESVILLE, OHIO
-------------------------------------------------------

The vigil location in Painesville is a "family planning
center" that does not offer abortions -- but certainly
encourages them.

Dawn, the local coordinator, shared a story that shows
why a prayer presence in front of places like this is
also a very important part of 40 Days for Life.

It was cold, windy and raining when she was praying
the other evening. The center was closed and there were
very few people around. But as Dawn was about ready to
leave, a young woman drove up with two young children
in the back seat. She wanted to talk.

"She wanted to let me know how much she appreciates
our presence," Dawn said. The woman said she had been
a client at this center during her first pregnancy --
and the staff kept hounding her to have an abortion.

That sort of talk made her angry, but she kept going
back for free prenatal care. She went there again when
she became pregnant with her second child -- and they
started right in with the same kind of pressure.

But this time, she spoke up. "Didn't we just go
through this?" she asked. "I told you I will not have
an abortion!"

"She told me she walked out and never returned," Dawn
said. "That was four years ago."

Here's today's devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone,
National Director of Priests for Life...

-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 17 INTENTION
-----------------------------------------------------

May all understand more deeply that the pro-life
message is rooted in the two basic truths of life:

There is a God;
He isn't me

-----------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
-----------------------------------------------------

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the
ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of
life; and man became a living being.

-- Genesis 2:7

-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life
-----------------------------------------------------

From the beginning of the Bible until the end, the
theme is echoed that God alone has dominion over
human life. He made it; shared it; died to save it;
will raise it up forever.

The act of creation described in Genesis 2:7, and
earlier in Genesis 1:26-27, is a sovereign act. God
did not have to do it, and would have been happy
forever without us.

Yet without our asking for it or earning it, God
brought us out of nothingness and into life, and
sustains our existence at every moment. And He does
so in Christ. "For by Him all things were
created...in
Him all things exist" (Colossians 1:16-17).

"You are not your own," Paul declares in 1
Corinthians 6. God alone owns us. While He entrusts
us to the care of one another, He does not allow any
human being to own another.

A Southern California abortionist, James McMahon,
once explained how he justified killing children
after 20 weeks gestation by partial-birth abortion.
He did not deny that this was a child, but rather
asked, "Who owns the child? It's got to be the
mother."

The struggle over abortion is really a struggle over
the dominion of God. The Christian individual, and
the Christian Church, cannot sit idly by when others
declare that God is not God.

-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
-----------------------------------------------------

Lord, we are yours. Thank you for breathing into us
the breath of life. Thank you for claiming us as your
own. May our words and actions in defense of human
life proclaim to all the world that you alone are
Lord of life and death, Lord of our freedom and of
our choices. We pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.

-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
-----------------------------------------------------

To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2010day17print.pdf

-----------------------------------------------------

For Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: What are people in your community saying about
40 Days for Life? Please leave a comment on
today's blog posting at:

DAY 17: Opening their eyes | 40 Days for Life

Click to expand...

Davidnic said:

Thank you for posting all this.

Click to expand...

Prayer makes a difference -- especially in front of
the very places where innocent lives are taken. That
is a constant theme of this 40 Days for Life campaign.

That message comes through loud and clear in some of
the many thoughtful comments that have been posted on
the 40 Days for Life blog.

"We all know that our presence and our prayers and
fasting make a difference, yet we don’t always see
it," wrote Lisa. While she was praying at the vigil,
a car pulled into the clinic drive and stopped right
at the entrance.

"A young woman got out," she said, "and wanted to
thank us for being there. Four years ago, she came for
an abortion -- and did not go through with it because
we were there praying. She pointed to her son in her
car. Then she hugged me. Praise God!"

Something similar happened to Kathy: a taxi driver gave
vigil participants a thumbs-up ... then got out of his
taxi to tell a story. "He said 19 years ago, he and his
wife were very poor when she got pregnant ... and made
an appointment for an abortion."

When they arrived for the appointment, there were
people praying outside. "This caused him to change his
mind. He showed me pictures of his two children, now
ages 18 and 19," she said. "We do make a difference."

Linda wrote that the 40 Days for Life campaign had
inspired her to go pray at the local abortion facility
for the first time ever. "When I realized how many
good people do not like to discuss abortion and its
horrors," she wrote, "I knew I had to take another
step forward to raise the awareness of this crime
against life."

Linda said she will pray that she will respond the
way Jesus would want. "Please pray," she said, "that
I may continue to grow in strength and courage to
become like so many of you who devote time, fasting
and prayer for the respect of all life."

A number of the people participating in 40 Days for
Life have experienced abortion, and now realize
the impact.

"I made two horrendous mistakes," Margarita wrote.
"Following the lead of women older than me advising
me, I fell for the deception that promised wisdom and
finances and I aborted two of my precious babies."

Margarita added that she has gained wisdom over the
years and has come to see that children are indeed a
gift from God. "I have since had eight more beautiful
children that love me unconditionally like only a
child can love its mother."

Cheryl wrote of kneeling on the sidewalk in prayer
while holding a sign that reads, "Abortion hurts women."

"Most people were respectful as they drove by, and
some thanked us for being there. There were a few,
though, who chose to use bad language," she wrote.

"I prayed harder, because the sign I chose to hold
stated who I was -- a woman hurt by abortion -- and
I don’t want it to happen to anybody else."

"Whether or not you personally receive a sign,
encouragement or words of thanks," wrote Jean,
another 40 Days for Life participant, "we can know
with certainty that God is with us, and be
encouraged by each other through these daily
messages. Thank you all!"

Here's today's devotional from Randolph Sly of the
National Pro-life Religious Council...

-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 18 INTENTION
-----------------------------------------------------

We pray for a flowering of the joy of parenthood.

-----------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
-----------------------------------------------------

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the
fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the
hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's
youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of
them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with
their enemies in the gate.

-- Psalm 127:3-5

-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Randolph Sly
-----------------------------------------------------

I still vividly remember the day my first child was
born. As she came into the world I gazed upon the
most beautiful little baby I'd ever seen.

Later I was driving home from the hospital for a
shower and a fresh change of clothes when a song came
on the radio, "The Men in My Little Girl's Life" -- a
ballad about being a father as he watches his
daughter grow through childhood to womanhood.

I wept as I listened, knowing those years would go by
very fast... and they did.

Being a father, whenever I read the Psalm quoted
above I'm always captivated by one word - "heritage."
It basically means "something passed down from a
preceding generation."

That little girl I watched being born and wept for is
not mine to give to God like a product of our
fertility, but rather His, which he has entrusted to
us. So are all her siblings.

My wife and I share a great treasure: precious lives,
which are placed in our lineage that His life with us
might be perpetuated.

To the psalmist, this was a blessing from the
Lawgiver, God Himself, who blessed Israel with
another generation intended to continue their
covenantal promise.

For us in Christ, it is his gift of succeeding
generations for His Church and her families.

These days I'm looking upon my grandchildren, and
rejoicing that my children and their spouses will
pass on the greatness of Christ's gospel to them and
thus will continue the work of God in the world. What
a blessing. What a heritage!

-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
-----------------------------------------------------

Heavenly Father, please keep me from taking for
granted the gift of children. Help us to remember
this heritage that you have given us. Make us
faithful stewards of these precious lives, that each
generation might be raised in the nurture and
admonition of the Lord. We ask this through Jesus
Christ our Lord, Amen.

-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
-----------------------------------------------------

To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2010day18print.pdf

-----------------------------------------------------

For Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: Has 40 Days for Life affected you? If it has,
please leave a comment on today's blog entry:

DAY 18: We DO make a difference! | 40 Days for Life

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We know that -- ultimately -- this is God's battle and
it is in His hands. That is our faith ... and the reason
we are responding to His call.

We also know, however, that there will be stumbles
along the way. We will try to save every baby. We know
we will not succeed. Still, we ask for God's grace,
strength and courage to continue this fight.

This is something that Regina, a 40 Days for Life
volunteer in Southern California, now realizes.

She was praying outside a Planned Parenthood abortion
center, feeling a bit awkward. "Okay, Lord, you got
me here," she prayed. "Please guide me!"

About that time, a young woman left the building,
walked up to her and asked to borrow her phone. She
made the call, standing right next to Regina.

"They won't do it today," the young woman said to the
person on the other end of the phone call. "I don't
care. I'm 13 weeks and I want it done. I'll come
back tomorrow."

Regina was stunned. "O, dear Lord! Please, what do
I say?" The woman returned her phone and quickly
walked away.

After a while, Regina realized she had something
valuable. The number that this woman called was still
in her cell phone! She called the number. Regina said
she had information to share. But before too long,
the person who answered hung up.

So Regina called back. "I care about Sarah and her
baby," she said. "I want you to know that there are
people that want to help Sarah and her baby."

Click! Another hang-up. No impact.

Regina then sent a text message. But -- no response.

She arrived at Planned Parenthood the next morning,
hoping for a miracle. At first, she was full of hope
-- there was no sign of Sarah.

But eventually, she arrived with her sister for the
re-scheduled abortion appointment. Regina walked up
to them and said, "Sarah, over 225 people are praying
for you and your baby."

The two women continued walking into the building.

"I stood outside that place and cried," said Regina.
"My heart is heavy tonight. I wanted to see the
miracle -- but this morning was a harsh reality."

Pro-life outreach like this is something new for
Regina. "Up until yesterday afternoon, I could not
imagine myself crying over a stranger's baby," she
said. "I've been crying for Sarah's baby today."

Still, Regina is aware that the Lord doesn't give us
anything we can't handle. "I believe the Lord put
Sarah and her baby in my path so that I could feel
His pain and sorrow," she said. "I am forever changed
by this experience. I will always remember the sorrow
I feel today. I can now accept the challenge."

As Regina discovered, this fight is not easy or pretty.
"Our prayers and unity in this are necessary," she said.
"I thank God for each of you and your efforts. Thank
you for helping me learn what it takes to try and save
a baby like Sarah's."

Here's today's devotional from Rev. Rob Schenck,
President of Faith and Action and National Clergy
Council...

-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 19 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 by Rev. Rob Schenck
-----------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
-----------------------------------------------------

To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2010day19print.pdf

-----------------------------------------------------

For Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: Share the news from your city's 40 Days for Life
campaign! Please leave a comment on today's blog
posting at:

DAY 19: The battle goes on | 40 Days for Life

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40 Days for Life just reached a huge milestone, but
first I have to share an AMAZING story ...

... Last week I showed you pictures of the 40 Days
for Life vigil in Reno, Nevada -- where the
abortionist uses a sprinkler system to soak the
people praying outside his fence.

Despite this aggressive hostility, we just received an
incredible report from that location.

A woman driving out of the abortion center's parking
lot stopped to ask one of the local volunteer for her
phone number. Shortly after, the volunteer received
a text message.

This text sums up what 40 Days for Life is about --
and the impact a local vigil can have.

Here is the exact text message:


I just wanted to send you guys a text to let you
know that what you do out there does make a
difference.

When I went to that abortion clinic last week to
drop off my money to terminate my pregnancy, I saw
people standing out there with signs. I didn’t
expect to see that and part of me felt ashamed.

I drove through the gates anyway and went inside,
gave them my money and made an appointment for
2:30pm today.

As I was driving away I couldn’t help but think
that maybe there was another way. All this week I
thought and prayed about it and I realized in my
heart what the right thing to do was.

I can’t help but think, that had you guys not been
there that day to remind me that I had another
choice, that maybe one more baby would have died
today.

Don’t stop what you’re doing. It matters. It did
to me. From the blonde lady in the white SUV who
picked up her money instead of aborting her baby
today.

WOW.

And that's just ONE of the ...

... 3,000 lives God has saved -- that we know of ...

... thanks to YOUR prayers and efforts since the very
first coordinated 40 Days for Life campaign started
in the fall of 2007!

THREE THOUSAND -- to God be the glory for reaching
this major milestone!

That's a LOT of children and mothers spared from
abortion. And that's a lot of GREAT stories ...

... like the one I just received from Carol in
Houston: "This e-mail is to CONFIRM that God saved
TWO BABIES this morning at the mega-abortion Planned
Parenthood facility!"

A group prayed while one volunteer, holding a sign
reading "Pray to end abortion," waved at cars driving
by. After a while, a van turned into the Planned
Parenthood parking lot. They drove around -- slowly
-- then headed towards the exit.

As they reached the street, the van stopped and a
woman rolled down the window. "Because you were
here," she said, "my daughter has chosen NOT to have
an abortion." The daughter was weeping in the back
seat. "Thanks for being here and saving her baby."

A short time later, a couple in an SUV went in and
out of Planned Parenthood a couple of times. They
finally drove out and they, too, told the volunteers
that they could not go through with the abortion.

Praise God for these -- and all -- the 3,000 lives
saved from abortion due to local 40 Days for Life
campaigns. And THANK YOU ... for your prayers, your
fasting, your steadfast response to God's call.

Here's today's devotional from Rev. John Brown, the
Director of United Friends for Life (United Church of
Christ)...

-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 20 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 by Rev. John Brown
-----------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
-----------------------------------------------------

To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2010day20print.pdf

-----------------------------------------------------

For Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: Heard any good stories about 40 Days for Life
activities in your community? I hope so! Please
share the good news by leaving a comment at
today's blog entry:

DAY 20: Milestone — 3,000 saved | 40 Days for Life

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