THANK YOU for your prayers on behalf of the 40 Days for Life effort!

We know that the powerful results of this fall’s campaign are due — first and foremost — to the power of prayer. And we know we can always count on you to remind us about the importance of prayer.

Here’s a short message that accompanied a donation to 40 Days for Life over the weekend:

Please BE CAREFUL as you branch out that the foundation of prayer and fasting remains strong. That’s what has made this movement different from past efforts, and that is what has brought about the amazing results you have seen.

Amen, and thank you for this very wise reminder!

40 Days for Life is a testament to the power of prayer and fasting, and that will always be at the heart of everything we do.

With that in mind, I ask for your prayers for a developing situation in Michigan.

In addition to the other two abortion centers that closed during this fall’s 40 Days for Life campaign, there’s now real hope that MORE abortion facilities will be closing soon.

Albert Hodari is an abortionist who owns a chain of abortion centers in Michigan. Three of this fall’s 40 Days for Life vigils took place outside his facilities. In the days since the fall campaign ended, “for sale” signs have suddenly appeared outside two of those abortion centers — as well as at another of his locations.

There’s intense speculation about what’s going on with Hodari and exactly why these properties are for sale. But I have no doubt — not for even a second — that the power of prayer is at work. Skeptics might call this a coincidence. With God, however, there’s no such thing as coincidence.

Could more abortion centers be closing soon? God willing, the answer will be YES.

So please keep praying!

By the way, many of you have asked for an update on our matching grant challenge.

Our benefactors promised to double any contributions to 40 Days for Life — up to a total of $85,000 — either made online or postmarked before midnight TOMORROW, November 17.

Thus far, 449 people have generously responded, with gifts and pledges totaling $58,965!

Thank you all — we’re getting close!!

We’ve only asked for money one other time this year, and we purposely keep financial requests to a bare minimum. We want to spend as much of our time as possible on the 40 Days for Life mission.

Your assistance in helping us reach that $85,000 matching grant will ensure that our life-saving mission gets all our attention as we move forward.

If you have not yet participated in this effort — and are able to do so — here are the links…

To make a pledge of monthly support (the annualized amount of your monthly pledge will be DOUBLED) go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/donate.cfm?selected=monthly

If you feel called to make a one-time gift that will be instantly DOUBLED, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/donate.cfm?selected=onetime

Yes, contributions may also be sent by mail. Our address is:

40 Days for Life
3515-B Longmire #316
College Station, TX 77845

For those mailed gifts to be doubled, they need to be postmarked by Tuesday, November 17.

Thanks for your prayers — and your support.

You are making a powerful impact!

For Life,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life

Three important items …

1.) O’Reilly Factor video and transcript
2.) Transparency about financial challenges
3.) How to DOUBLE your money in a down economy

Let’s dive right in …

—————————————————–
1.) O’REILLY FACTOR VIDEO AND TRANSCRIPT
—————————————————–

God has truly blessed 40 Days for Life. We’re still receiving reports from local campaigns, and the number of babies (and mothers) saved from abortion during this fall has now risen to …

605!!

Two clinics where 40 Days for Life vigils were held are closing their doors forever — and there’s now a “for sale” sign on at least one other location!

Eight abortion industry workers have quit their jobs this fall, including Abby Johnson, director of the Planned Parenthood abortion center in Bryan/College Station, Texas — where 40 Days for Life began — who experienced a spiritual conversion and left her job after seeing an ultrasound abortion and having a change of heart. Abby has now joined the prayer efforts outside of her former workplace.

Indeed, God’s blessings have far exceeded anything we could have ever hoped for. And now, thanks to the power of Abby’s conversion story, people from coast to coast are learning about 40 Days for Life — many for the first time.

Abby, along with 40 Days for Life campaign director Shawn Carney, appeared on the Fox News Channel’s O’Reilly Factor Wednesday night. If you haven’t seen this courageous woman yet, here’s your chance!

Click here to see the 5-minute video:

Fox News video

Or click here to read the transcript:

Fox News story

This tremendous blessing is a direct result of people just like you praying to God for an end to abortion; I have no doubt that He’s hearing your prayers and that we will continue to see the fruit of these efforts grow and grow.

—————————————————–
2.) TRANSPARENCY ABOUT FINANCIAL CHALLENGES
—————————————————–

So why would God give this fledgling effort — which has only been up and running for the last two and a half years — such a huge mission?

I honestly don’t know.

But He continues to show us that He has much bigger plans for us that will require great faith.

During this fall’s 40 Days for Life campaign, we knew how much was at stake. So we invested everything we could into the campaign to ensure that there would be no regrets at the end.

In addition to conducting two enormously impactful 40 Days for Life campaigns this year, our national team was also called upon to help organize the Stop the Abortion Mandate Coalition — a collaborative project of 70+ pro-life and pro-family groups that rallied unprecedented grassroots opposition to government funded abortion in health care.

We hadn’t budgeted any funds for this, but the urgency of the situation demanded immediate action.

Together, we’ve made progress on this front. But there is still much work to be done as the battle shifts to the U.S. Senate this coming week.

Early next year, we are also preparing to launch a brand new effort to build on the momentum of 40 Days for Life — the “Ending Abortion” initiative that will educate, equip, and empower pro-lifers in communities across North America and around the globe.

And now, with no idea who might financially partner with us on these brand-new initiatives — and with no guarantees of what the future will hold — we are taking a huge leap of faith to press forward with these big plans.

There’s a simple reason why we’re doing it: 40 Days for Life is the single most impactful pro-life project we have ever taken part in. Period.

Until now, we’ve only publicly asked for financial help three times — ever.

We haven’t had to ask again up to this point, because God has been faithful — and because the generosity of many people in the past carried us through a very successful fall campaign.

We’ve squeezed every penny we possibly could and have worked round-the-clock to ensure the success of this vital mission.

My family and I — as well as our national team members and their families — are committed to continue working our hearts out to see this effort through to completion, regardless of the huge challenges, because we know how important it is.

But at this crucial moment when we have unprecedented opportunities to change the course of history, 40 Days for Life has heavily depleted its funds.

Isn’t that just like God to give us an opportunity to stretch our faith while doing His work?

As I was praying about what to do, God reminded me of you and the thousands of other faithful friends across the country who have been a part of this amazing movement.

Well, God is giving me this opportunity to come to you with the news that we are in significant need of financial help right now — if we are to move forward on any of these plans.

Thanks to your prayers and participation, 40 Days for Life is in a unique position to save thousands of children from abortion in cities all across North America and around the globe.

But we can’t do what needs to be done unless friends like you sacrifice with us.

I guess that’s what I’m asking you for: sacrifice.

Our family and the national team is willing to endure the hardships and inconveniences necessary to “fight the good fight” and help end the tragedy of abortion.

I hope you will join us in making whatever sacrifice God puts on your heart today.

Ask God what He wants you to do to help. Then respond to Him — not to me.

I know the economy has been hard on many of us, so I’m simply asking you to do whatever you can after tithing to your local church and taking care of your family.

Here’s my solemn promise to you: every dollar you give to 40 Days for Life will be used in the most effective and efficient way possible to save innocent lives from abortion.

And please keep this work in your prayers — you have no idea how much we appreciate that!

—————————————————–
3.) HOW TO DOUBLE YOUR MONEY IN A DOWN ECONOMY
—————————————————–

Over the last few days, I’ve received touching notes from people who are contributing to this effort even though they’re currently out of work.

One of the reasons they’re taking this great leap of faith is because of a guarantee that their money is being DOUBLED.

Contribute to 40 Days for Life before midnight next Tuesday (November 17) and your gift — or the annualized amount of your monthly pledge — will be doubled — up to $85,000!

Incredibly generous donors have put up this matching challenge, and for that I’m humbled and grateful. They’ve answered the call to sacrificially invest in this work in a way that would encourage others to help as well.

I would like to personally thank the 234 people who have already contributed toward the match — your investment will help take this important work to the next level!

For everyone else — REMEMBER: The matching challenge will only double gifts or pledges made by midnight Tuesday.

We’re at the half-way point time wise for the matching challenge, and at $34,990, we are close to half of the total — but we’re not there yet.

We certainly don’t want to leave any of this generosity sitting on the table!

If God is weighing on your heart to make a one-time gift that will be instantly DOUBLED, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/donate.cfm?selected=onetime

If you feel called to make a pledge of monthly support (the annualized amount of your monthly pledge will be DOUBLED!) go now to:

http://40daysforlife.com/donate.cfm?selected=monthly

Many people have asked for our mailing address to send a donation. They can be sent to:

40 Days for Life
3515-B Longmire #316
College Station, TX 77845

For those mailed gifts to be doubled, they need to be postmarked by Tuesday, November 17.

This is a crucial moment and we hope that you will respond generously. Thank you!

—————————————————–

Well, that’s a lot to cover, but with all that’s at stake right now — I figured you’d want to know all the important news!

God bless you for all you’ve done to help 40 Days for Life get to this point.

I can’t wait to see what God has in store for 2010 and beyond!

Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life

P.S.- If you have any question about making a gift that I haven’t answered or that isn’t answered at http://www.40daysforlife.com/donate, just reply to this e-mail and we’ll do our best to get back with an answer before the matching challenge expires.

I had to let you know about a BIG victory!

If you’ve been following the story of Abby Johnson, the courageous woman who just quit her job as director of the Planned Parenthood abortion center in Bryan/College Station, Texas — the place where 40 Days for Life began — there’s good news to report.

Planned Parenthood’s misguided effort to muzzle their former employee has failed!

Planned Parenthood went to court YESTERDAY, seeking a restraining order against both Abby and the Coalition for Life — the group that began 40 Days for Life in Bryan/College Station — to limit what they could say about the clinic and Abby’s conversion.

The judge said there was no compelling reason to warrant such extreme action and immediately dissolved the restraining order and dismissed their injunction.

I talked to Abby on the phone last night and she is elated at this victory over the abortion chain!

She is now speaking out against the abortion industry — something she can do even more freely after yesterday’s big court win in Texas.

I promised to send you a transcript of the BELIEVE teleconference from Monday night, so here’s the link to download it now:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/believe_transcript.pdf

If you missed the live presentation — or if you just want to go back and read about some of the amazing blessings God has provided during the fall campaign, or see more about our plans for the future, this is a great opportunity.

If you’d rather listen to the BELIEVE teleconference — or download it to your iPod — here’s the link where you can get the audio replay:
http://www.instantteleseminar.com/?eventid=9888195

One of the big announcements from the teleconference is that some of our generous supporters have put forward a matching grant of $85,000.

Every gift received between now and midnight next Tuesday, up to the $85,000 amount — will be DOUBLED!

Thus far, we have received one-time gifts and monthly pledges amounting to $22,980, so that’s a great start towards meeting that goal!

Thank you to everyone who has given already!!

For Life,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life

P.S.: Here are the links for contributing to the 40 Days for Life effort — and helping to reach that $85,000 matching grant:

One-time gift:
http://40daysforlife.com/donate.cfm?selected=onetime

Monthly pledge:
http://40daysforlife.com/donate.cfm?selected=monthly

P.P.S.: I can’t overlook the fact that it’s Veterans Day. In appreciation, let me extend a most sincere thanks to all who have served our country!

1,879 people participated in the 40 Days for Life “BELIEVE” teleconference and webcast, and here are just a few of the rave reviews that poured in after the event:

“It’s been a blessing to hear this. This is actually my first time that I did 40 days for life and I actually got to participate with the abortion closing in Pensacola… PRAISE GOD.”

— Natalie in Pensacola, FL

“Abby, you are totally inspirational! We love you! Thank you for having the courage to speak out. You are beautiful! We are praying for you! Thank you for sharing…”

— Jennifer in Cherry Hill, NJ

“We are so thrilled to be a part of 40 Days for Life! Can hardly wait for the next action item! We learned so much from the call tonight.”

— Mike and Kathy in Columbia, MO

“So amazed at what God is doing through you for ultimately the end of this holocaust. Blessings on you all!”

— Suzanne in Prague, Czech Republic

This morning my e-mail inbox was overflowing with questions about whether there will be a recording and/or written transcript available from the call.

The answer: YES!

Our transcriptionist is hard at work putting every word in writing. She’ll send me the transcript late today and I’ll have that to you tomorrow.

Since it will be another day until I get that written summary to you, I decided to release the entire audio recording of last night’s event to you today, so you don’t have to wonder what the excitement is about:

http://www.instantteleseminar.com/?eventid=9888195

On the recording you will:

• Learn about the amazing results from this fall’s 40 Days for Life campaign
• Meet ABBY JOHNSON, former director of the Planned Parenthood abortion center in the community where 40 Days for Life began, who shared details about her amazing conversion — and revealed her feelings about the impact of 40 Days for Life
• Hear the incredible story of the closure of the Pensacola abortion facility on Day 38 of this fall’s campaign directly from local 40 Days for Life leaders ERNIE AND MARY BETH CYR
• Find out the specific plans for these efforts for 2010 and beyond
• And discover how YOU can help make a life- saving impact at this crucial moment in history!

On the call, we also announced some GREAT NEWS!

A group of generous donors — who believe in 40 Days for Life — issued a MATCHING CHALLENGE to encourage others to join them in taking this critical work to the next level.

Bottom-line: your one-time gift — or the annualized amount of your monthly pledge — to 40 Days for Life will be instantly doubled, up to…

… $85,000!!

Here’s the catch: This challenge will only double gifts or pledges made by midnight next TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17!

We certainly don’t want to leave any of their generosity sitting on the table!

If God is weighing on your heart to make a one-time gift that will be instantly DOUBLED, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/donate.cfm?selected=onetime

On that page, you can make a secure donation online, or you can print out a form where you can indicate your one-time pledge or gift and mail it in — but it MUST be postmarked by next Tuesday to be doubled!

If you feel called to make a pledge of monthly support (the annualized amount of your monthly pledge will be doubled!) go now to:

http://40daysforlife.com/donate.cfm?selected=monthly

We are VERY grateful that God has provided these amazing opportunities at this crucial moment and hope that you feel led to respond generously.

The future of the pro-life movement has never been brighter!

In Christ,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life

P.S.- You can listen to the streaming audio online from last night’s teleconference even if you have a dial-up Internet connection — or you can download the MP3 to your iPod or computer at:

http://www.instantteleseminar.com/?eventid=9888195

Even before the end of this fall’s 40 Days for Life, hundreds of calls and e-mails started pouring in with one unified message:

“We can’t stop now!”

There’s no question that we’ve just witnessed God bring about profound miracles over a 40-day period:

• 212 cities in 45 states, 5 Canadian provinces, and Denmark participated in the largest and longest coordinated pro-life mobilization in history
• Tens of thousands of faithful participants were mobilized into peaceful and effective action
• More than 580 babies were spared from abortion
• 8 clinic workers quit their jobs — including Abby Johnson, the Planned Parenthood director who experienced a profound conversion and now prays outside her former workplace
• Two more abortion facilities CLOSED DOWN

And, during the same time, 40 Days for Life helped to organize 70 other pro-life groups into the powerful “Stop the Abortion Mandate” grassroots coalition that has successfully been able to block abortion funding from health care reform — so far.

But — as so many of you have been telling us — with everything that’s at stake, we CAN’T stop now.

As long as children continue to perish and women continue to be wounded, we must press on — until abortion ends.

TONIGHT — Monday, November 9 — the national 40 Days for Life team is holding a teleconference and web simulcast to take these efforts to the next level:

http://www.40daysforlife.com/believe

If you haven’t already registered for this amazing event, here are the details …

*****************************************************

WHAT: 40 Days for Life “BELIEVE” Teleconference and Web Simulcast

DATE: TONIGHT! Monday, November 9

TIME: 9 PM Eastern (8 PM Central, 7 PM Mountain, 6 PM Pacific)

FORMAT: Simulcast! (Attend via phone or webcast — it’s your choice)

SPACE IS LIMITED! REGISTER ONLINE AT:

http://www.40daysforlife.com/believe

*****************************************************

On the call you will:

• Learn about the comprehensive results from this fall’s 40 Days for Life campaign
• Meet ABBY JOHNSON, former director of the Planned Parenthood abortion center in the community where 40 Days for Life began, who will be on the call live to share more about her amazing conversion — and the power of prayer
• Hear the incredible story of the closure of the Pensacola abortion facility on Day 38 of this fall’s campaign directly from the local 40 Days for Life leaders
• Find out plans for the two 40 Days for Life campaigns in 2010
• Discover the BIG NEWS about a brand-new initiative that will build on the success of a local 40 Days for Life campaign in your community
• Learn about a SURPRISE that will multiply the effectiveness of all these efforts

Though there is no obligation, we will also invite attendees on the live teleconference and webcast to financially invest in this work, if they feel led.

Here’s why …

We’ve pulled out all the stops this fall to ensure the maximum results of this campaign — which were beyond anything we could have imagined — and we haven’t asked for help one time over the last six months. (We’ve been too busy working to save lives!)

As a result, our resources have been heavily depleted — and tonight’s call will determine what the future holds for our unified efforts.

Here’s what I’m asking you to do:

1. Pray about your ongoing role in this work
2. If you haven’t already, sign up yourself for tonight’s “BELIEVE” teleconference and webcast and be on the live call:

   http://www.40daysforlife.com/believe

3. Spread the word and encourage others to join tonight’s call. Simply forward this message to other pro-lifers so we can continue to expand this work until abortion ends!

I believe these next few months are going to be a major “tipping point” for the pro-life movement, and tonight will be a huge first step.

For Life,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life

P.S.- There’s limited space on the teleconference tonight, but as I’m writing this message there are still slots available. Make sure to get your spot by registering now at:

http://www.40daysforlife.com/believe

P.P.S.- Have a schedule conflict tonight? Go ahead and register anyway. Our system will automatically assign your spot to someone else and the whole event will be recorded. You’ll be the first to get the recording after the call is done. Sign up now at:

http://www.40daysforlife.com/believe

There is a REALLY BIG announcement at the end of this message — that you won’t want to miss — but first I have to share the breaking news…

Just when you think it can’t get any better, it does!

I stand today in wonder at the awesome power of God, as one miracle follows on the heels of another miracle, which follows on the heels of yet another!

Here’s the latest …

For at least 25 years, there’s been an abortion facility at 6700 North 9th Avenue in Pensacola, Florida. But last Friday — Day 38 of the fall 40 Days for Life campaign — as people prayed outside, the clinic CLOSED ITS DOORS and shut down!

The local 40 Days for Life team didn’t even realize it at the time. Ernie Cyr, the Pensacola coordinator, heard reports that law enforcement officers went into the clinic on Friday to serve some legal papers, but no one really knew what was going on.

Then on Monday, a simple legal notice appeared in the fine-print section of the local newspaper: “As of October 30th, 2009, The Community Health Center of Pensacola will be terminating its practice.”

Ernie’s two-word response? “Praise God!”

A local TV news team did some digging, and last night their top story reported what they discovered. The clinic operated a lab, and that lab required a state license. The owners had a license at one time, but the news report documented that it expired 413 days ago. And that’s something state investigators became aware of only recently.

The clinic was given a choice: pay a huge fine or close down. The fine is $1,000 a day — for each of the 413 days the lab was without a license — which came to a whopping $413,000!

The clinic could not come up with the money … and was left with only one choice: CLOSE.

State officials told WEAR-TV that they had offered the abortion facility a reduced fine as part of a settlement agreement — but they never received a response. The abortion center staff would not talk with the TV reporters for comment, but the legal notice in the newspaper certainly suggests that the closure is permanent.

God works in mysterious — and wonderful — ways!

Here’s the WEAR-TV news report:

Now, I do have to tell you that this clinic had been the target of senseless violence in the past — a bombing in 1984 and two murders in 1994.

Because of that, many of the pro-life people in Pensacola quit coming out and opted to pray for the unborn at home or at church — or avoided pro-life efforts completely.

Although some stalwart Christian witnesses kept up their heroic efforts through the years, prayer presence at this clinic had drastically diminished because of the things that had happened.

Bottom line: the violence did not stop the abortions.

And, it drove away the very people who could have been part of the solution to the abortion crisis.

But God had other plans. A young couple named Ernie and Mary Beth moved to Pensacola and were not fully aware of the past history of the area. They heard about 40 Days for Life during a “Being Human” episode on EWTN and decided to conduct a local campaign — and then another, and then another.

It hasn’t always been easy, but throughout the three local 40 Days for Life campaigns over these last two years, Ernie and Mary Beth Cyr have seen more and more people coming back out to pray at the clinic, PEACEFULLY asking God to end abortion there.

And He did!

The TV news story reported the observable facts about a Florida health agency that took action against an unlicensed facility — but it also featured Ernie saying, “It’s just a complete joy and what a blessing for our community to have this facility close.”

During the news report, Bernadette Ensley — a University of West Florida student, and head of UWF’s Students for Life group — said it best: “For this to up and close the last weekend of 40 Days for Life is really shocking and great!”

Here are some of the Pensacola 40 Days for Life team members in front of the now-closed abortion center:

This now makes FIVE abortion centers CLOSED — facilities where people came to pray outside for an end to abortion during 40 Days for Life.

Praise God indeed, for answering your prayers and the prayers of thousands of others!

*** SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ***

Today’s amazing news makes me even more excited to announce that this coming Monday, November 9, you are invited to participate in a live teleconference and webcast where you will:

* Learn about the comprehensive results from this fall’s 40 Days for Life campaign — the impact is even bigger than you think!

* Meet Abby Johnson, former director of the Planned Parenthood abortion center in the community where 40 Days for Life began, who will be on the call live to share more about her amazing conversion — and the power of prayer

* Hear the incredible story of the closure of the Pensacola abortion facility directly from Ernie and Mary Beth Cyr

* Discover the BIG NEWS about what’s next for this nationwide movement

* And some additional surprises!

Here are the details:

*****************************************************

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

WHAT: 40 Days for Life “BELIEVE” Teleconference and Webcast Announcement

DATE: Monday, November 9

TIME: 9 PM Eastern / 8 PM Central / 7 PM Mountain / 6 PM Pacific

WHO: YOU!

FORMAT: Simulcast! (Attend via phone or webcast — it’s your choice)

TO REGISTER FOR THE EVENT, GO TO:

http://40daysforlife.com/believe

*****************************************************

With the BIG plans that will be revealed during the event, we believe that this next year could be the most exciting time the pro-life movement has seen in years …

… But we’ll also be totally transparent with you about the significant challenges that must be overcome if this effort is to realize its full potential …

… And how YOU can help make a life-saving impact during this crucial next year.

Register now at:

http://40daysforlife.com/believe

I can’t wait to share the breaking news with you next Monday night!

For Life,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life

What an amazing last few days!

After yesterday’s message sharing the miraculous conversion of Abby Johnson, former Planned Parenthood director in Bryan/College Station, Texas (birthplace of 40 Days for Life,) her story has sent shockwaves through the abortion industry and inspired hundreds of thousands of people world wide.

Here’s a picture of Abby with 40 Days for Life campaign director Shawn Carney in Bryan/College Station on the sidewalk outside of her former workplace:

Among the 100+ media outlets reporting on Abby’s conversion story in the last 24 hours, she was a featured guest yesterday on the nationally syndicated Laura Ingraham radio show (guest hosted by Raymond Arroyo) and shared her riveting story about the impact of 40 Days for Life people praying outside of her workplace.

We just posted a 10-minute audio excerpt of that interview, and you will be deeply touched when you hear what she said.

Listen to the audio online (click arrow to start):

Not only that, but yesterday, the first segment of ABC’s “The View” had Barbara Walters discussing Abby’s conversion and the disturbing revelations about how Planned Parenthood pressured Abby to increase the numbers of abortions to increase their income — which even pro-abortion co-host Joy Behar called “gross.”

The View’s national audience then heard actress Sherri Shepherd relate her own experience of being pressured at Planned Parenthood when she was 17 years old. She told the Planned Parenthood worker, “I’m not quite sure what I should do and she was pressuring me to get the abortion.”

Here’s a brief look at that discussion:

Praise God for all these opportunities Abby has to share the truth about life — and the harm caused by the abortion industry!

Please keep Abby in your prayers as abortion advocates — whose worldview has just been shattered — are now resorting to personal attacks against her.

*** NOW, I NEED YOUR ADVICE… ***

This is the SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT request I have sent to you throughout this fall 40 Days for Life campaign cycle, and your response is crucial.

The unprecedented growth and widespread impact of 40 Days for Life is a direct result of the input received from many people over the last year.

Now it’s your turn!

Regardless of your level of involvement in this campaign, please fill out a short survey to let us know your thoughts about 40 Days for Life — AND MORE IMPORTANTLY — to help shape the future of this collective effort!

Take the short survey now at:

http://www.40daysforlife.com/survey

It’s a simple survey with just a handful of questions that should take you about 3 minutes to complete.

I would really appreciate if you could make the time to complete this survey today — or by the end of this week, if at all possible.

There are enormous opportunities for us all to build on the momentum of this campaign, and your input will be vital in shaping the direction of these collective efforts in the future.

Fill it out online at:

http://www.40daysforlife.com/survey

The next few months promise to be exciting, and I truly believe the best days of the pro-life movement — and the biggest victories — are just ahead of us!

For Life,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life

It’s now the day after the end of the fall 40 Days for Life campaign.

Go ahead and take a deep breath — you need it! It’s important to re-charge after 40 intense days of prayer, fasting, vigil and outreach.

But you know what? Your efforts are working. So after you catch your breath, please don’t stop!

All the reports are still coming in, but as of now we know of at least 534 babies — and their moms — spared from abortion during this fall’s campaign!

The credit belongs to God — and YOU!

A report from Houston, Texas shows just how much the abortion industry hates it when there are people on the sidewalk praying and offering real alternatives to women.

There’s a pro-life pregnancy resource center around the corner from the Planned Parenthood facility where the Houston 40 Days for Life vigil was conducted. A counselor met two women outside the abortion facility recently — and convinced them to go to the pro-life center rather than entering Planned Parenthood.

The clinic escorts were furious.

The head escort told the women that if they didn’t move their cars out of the Planned Parenthood parking lot, she would have them towed.

Our Houston team reports, “The chances of these two women ever returning to Planned Parenthood are probably pretty slim based on the behavior of the escort. It is great when people are able to witness for themselves some of Planned Parenthood’s true colors.”

Planned Parenthood wasn’t the only one whose true colors were on display this fall. YOUR true colors also shined brightly for all to see! And we have pictures that tell the story.

Here’s a photo taken outside of Planned Parenthood in Phoenix, Arizona. The building’s on a corner, so the 40 Days for Life vigil was able to almost surround the place with prayer.

St. Cloud, Minnesota conducted its first 40 Days for Life campaign this fall. Here’s a picture of a faithful group praying outside Planned Parenthood (photo courtesy of Sue Schulzetenberg of The Visitor, the Catholic newspaper in St. Cloud):

Also along for their first 40 Days for Life campaign this fall was the team in Kitchener, Ontario — where it started getting chilly as the days got shorter:

“We continue to be a small group, but we are strong and do our best to be a witness to those who come to Planned Parenthood,” said Michelle in Lufkin, Texas. “We are confident that our prayers change lives even when we do not know the outcome. We will continue to pray in front of Planned Parenthood throughout the year.”

Here’s a picture of Lufkin’s 40 Days for Life vigil:

Sandy in Toms River, New Jersey tells a story that sums up 40 Days for Life and explains why your presence at the abortion facility for 40 days — and beyond — makes such an important difference.

A woman stopped her car at the vigil and told two volunteers that what they were doing is not in vain.

“My daughter was impressed that you are out here in the rain and cold and asked why,” the woman explained. “We had a good talk about standing up for what you believe in and what abortion means. A few days later my 16-year-old told me she is pregnant and wants to have the baby. I know that seeing you all helped her to make the right decision, so thank you for being here!”

The woman asked for prayers for her daughter. She also asked that her story be shared with other volunteers.

“We won’t even know until we meet the Lord how many more lives we have touched because of the continual presence at the abortion clinic during these 40 Days for Life,” Sandy added. “What enormous graces we have received!”

Over the coming days, I’ll have more stories to share from the conclusion of this 40 Days for Life — and I’ll be sharing other ways you can speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Thanks again for all you’ve done, and may God bless you richly for having answered His call.

Here’s today’s “bonus” devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life and President of the National Pro-life Religious Council…

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DAY 41 INTENTION
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Pray that the witness of 40 Days for Life bears abundant fruit, and that we begin again each day to storm the gates of hell until God welcomes us into the gates of heaven.

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SCRIPTURE
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On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

– Matthew 16:18

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REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone
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When we read this verse, we usually think that the Lord is promising that the church, which is His Body, will withstand all the attacks launched against it. Of course, that is true.

But when we think about it more carefully, we realize that in a battle, the gates do not run out into the battlefield to attack the enemy. Rather, they stand still to defend the city from the enemy attacking it.

So when the Lord says that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church, who is doing the attacking? It is the church storming the gates!

The church, all of God’s people in Christ, is called to take the offensive, to run into enemy territory, and to gain ground for Jesus Christ. We do not wait for an invitation; we already have a command. We prepare, but we do not wait for circumstances to be perfect; we already have one who has gone before us.

During these 40 days, we have stormed the gates. We have taken the offensive. We have pushed forward the boundaries of the kingdom. And we must keep doing so, in numerous ways.

Indeed, the gates of hell will not prevail. The gates of falsehood will flee in the presence of truth. The gates of sin will melt in the presence of grace. The gates of death will fall in the presence of the church, the People of Life!

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PRAYER
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Father, we praise you. We have heard the voice of your Son, and therefore we can make our voices heard. We have done battle with the power of evil, and therefore we can have compassion on those still within its grip. We have been freed from the kingdom of darkness, and therefore we can bear witness to your Kingdom of Light.

May the witness of all your people through these 40 Days for Life bear abundant fruit, and may we begin again each day to storm the gates of hell until You welcome us into the gates of heaven. We pray in the victorious name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

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

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2009day41print.pdf

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For Life,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life

It’s Day 40 — the final day of this fall’s 40 Days for Life effort.

Together we have witnessed God accomplishing amazing miracles through His faithful people, and I really believe that we are witnessing the beginning of the end of abortion in our land.

THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for being a part of the most profoundly touching 40 Days for Life campaign yet. As we wrap up the fifth coordinated 40 Days for Life effort, the seeds you have planted are beginning to bear incredible fruit.

One sign of that is the level of opposition that has been seen in many communities.

The abortion industry is starting to squirm.

Ann Scheidler of the Pro-Life Action League sent photos of people praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Chicago — and a picture of people actually demonstrating against 40 Days for Life.

On the day the demonstrators were there, she said, “they managed to create enough of an obstruction along the street that no one came in for an abortion.”

Now that’s what I call utterly amazing — and it’s clearly the hand of God at work. “Little do they realize,” Ann said, “they are saving babies by their presence.”

Here are the pictures from Chicago:

A nurse walked out of the Planned Parenthood location where the 40 Days for Life vigil is being held in Houston, Texas. One of the vigil participants wished her a cheerful “Good morning!” and asked how she was doing.

The answer was quick and unexpected. “I need a new job now,” she said. This may, in fact, have been her first day at Planned Parenthood. But it was also the last.

“I went in one of the rooms,” the nurse said, “and this is not for me.”

Planned Parenthood, of course, bills itself as a health care organization. What this nurse found there was certainly NOT health care.

Vigil participants suggested a few leads for finding a REAL health care position, and asked if there was anything else she needed.

“Not really,” the nurse responded. “I’m going home to hug my children.”

This nurse becomes the EIGHTH employee to leave an abortion industry job during this 40 Days for Life campaign. Praise God!

In Psalm 119:18, the psalmist prays to God, “Open my eyes to see clearly the wonders of your teachings.”

Thanks to you, many eyes have been opened during this 40 Days for Life campaign.

A prayer volunteer in Reno, Nevada who has spent many hours at the 40 Days for Life vigil has noticed a trend at the abortion center. Business has been down significantly — and there’s no doubt that the prayers of faithful volunteers, especially during the 40 Days for Life campaigns, are being heard.

When the first 40 Days for Life vigil was held there two years ago, the clinic was open five days a week. Now it is open only three days a week. The abortionist used to arrive around 9 am. Now he often doesn’t show up until 11.

Two years ago, the prayer volunteers say the clinic had about 15 patients each day. Now it is only around five. Staff members are working fewer hours. They often have days — even weeks — between shifts.

Carol Marie noted that one of the prayer volunteers in Reno had set a goal of praying for at least 40 hours during the 40 Days for Life vigil. She has met and exceeded that goal.

“She’s not finished yet,” Carol Marie said, “nor does she expect to stop when the campaign ends. She realizes that while she’s tired and her spirits are hard pressed to continue what she’s doing, she knows that we’re making a difference. She has seen that lives are saved.”

Day 40 is not the end. It’s only the beginning!

Here’s today’s devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life and President of the National Pro-life Religious Council…

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DAY 40 INTENTION
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Let us keep our eyes fixed on the New Jerusalem, where death will be no more.

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SCRIPTURE
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He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”

–Revelation 21:4-5

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REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone
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Every activity we undertake in defense of the sanctity of life is prophetic, inasmuch as it points to the day when “death will be no more.”

Every victory we have when an act of abortion is prevented is prophetic of that day when death itself will be definitively conquered.

Every triumph of grace in this world, whereby someone is brought to see the value of life and given the strength to welcome it, is a breaking into our history of that definitive future in which the old order of things will have passed, and all things will be made new.

As pro-life warriors, we must keep our eyes fixed on heaven, and our hearts secure in the hope that the day is coming when all evil will be conquered. It is the future that shapes the present; it is victory that informs the battle; it is the destination that determines the journey.

Daily, we are called to reflect on heaven. When we weep, we are to think of the day when every tear will be wiped away.

When we face the destructive power of death, we are to think of the day when death is swallowed up in victory. When we labor against abortion, we are to think of the day when we will have the rest and peace of the final triumph of life.

Heaven is as real as earth, and its joys will be as real as our present sorrows.

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PRAYER
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Father, you are the God of hope. Your word fills us with the vision of the world to come, when every tear will be wiped away, and death will be no more. Father, how we need that hope, how we are strengthened by that vision!

Keep our hearts focused on heaven, and diligent in the labors of earth. As we struggle against the culture of death, root our souls in the assurance of victory. We pray through Christ our Lord, Amen.

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

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2009day40print.pdf

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For Life,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life

Today is Day 39, and we’re in the home stretch of this fall’s 40 Days for Life effort. As we rapidly approach tomorrow’s finish line for this campaign, I just posted another short on-location video that I think you will love.

This hope-filled 4-minute clip comes from Peoria, Illinois — in the middle of the American heartland.

You’ll hear from several volunteers and the new president of the statewide right to life group about the blessings they have experienced as part of 40 Days for Life — and how they went from a previous campaign that really struggled to this fall’s effort that has involved hundreds of new people. Enjoy:

If you’ve missed any of the other short video reports (which have been getting THOUSANDS of views!) they’re all posted online at:

http://www.youtube.com/user/dbereit

Amazing things continue to happen during 40 Days for Life!

The 40 Days for Life team in Providence, Rhode Island report the story about a woman who had an abortion appointment at Planned Parenthood — and abortion facility escorts who tried to prevent her from hearing the truth.

Joanne said the woman “hesitated when she saw and heard the children praying” as part of the 40 Days for Life vigil. When she saw there was a member of the clergy praying with the children, “she stopped right in the middle of the road, her eyes filling with tears.”

Still, she permitted the escorts to hustle her into the clinic.

Fifteen minutes later, however, she walked back out. “She had found herself unable and unwilling to go through with the abortion,” said Joanne.

The escorts at Planned Parenthood didn’t like this one bit. “They shooed her away repeatedly, ending her stay by insisting that she was not to talk there,” Joanne said. “She was so unnerved at being pushed away by the escorts that she finally drove off, still crying. She remains in our hopeful prayers.”

Here’s a picture of the 40 Days for Life vigil in Providence:

People are also praying faithfully outside another Planned Parenthood center — in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Janet said the 40 Days for Life vigil participants have “shared the amazing gift of life, miracle of the preborn, and the devastating effects and aftermath that the abortion ‘choice’ has over our families and communities.”

Here’s a picture of the 40 Days for Life vigil in Honolulu:

Honolulu is also home of the “tow truck ministry.” Rocky is a tow truck driver whose job includes removing the vehicles of people who have parked in a nearby lot without paying. That often includes people who are visiting Planned Parenthood.

Rocky came to check on the vigil recently and said it was a real blessing to see everyone praying during 40 Days for Life. He also told Isaiah the story of a teenage boy who came to pick up his car, which had been towed from the lot.

“The boy was trying to reason that he only went into the clinic for a few moments,” Isaiah said. “Rocky was bold enough to admonish the boy over being too concerned over paying for his towed car rather than the life of the child that was aborted. The boy’s head dropped down in realizing the reality of what Rocky was speaking to him. We prayed for God’s blessing over Rocky as he continues to be a voice for life to those teenagers he encounters there at the clinic through his tow truck ministry. God bless you, Rocky!”

Here’s a picture of Rocky and Isaiah:

Here’s today’s devotional from Carmen Pate, Co-host of the “Point of View” radio talk show…

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DAY 39 INTENTION
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Pray that God will continue to bless the efforts that have gone into the 40 Days for Life campaign, as we trust Him for the results.

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

– Nehemiah 1:10-11

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

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

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

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

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

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PRAYER
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Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in heaven and in the earth is Yours.

We pray for your continued guidance and protection throughout the remainder of this 40 day campaign. May we be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in Your work, knowing that our labor will not be in vain. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

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

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2009day39print.pdf

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For Life,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life