If you listened to the TIPPING POINT webcast and teleconference on Tuesday evening, you heard about the many AMAZING victories God provided in response to your prayers during 40 Days for Life.

Then Thursday, I asked you to pray about an abortion center in Michigan that is on the verge of closing — becoming the NINTH abortion facility to shut its doors forever following a 40 Days for Life campaign outside its doors.

Well, the prayer was answered — but not in the way I was expecting! It turns out the ninth abortion center closing has already been recorded — in Seattle, Washington.

“In Seattle our first and second 40 Days campaigns took place in front of the Planned Parenthood facility nearest the University of Washington,” said Aaron, who led those campaigns in Seattle.

During the second campaign, that center stopped doing surgical abortions. Planned Parenthood then put the facility up for rent — and now their web site confirms this location is permanently CLOSED!

“God is good,” said Aaron, “and He honors prayer!”

The abortion facility in Sacramento, California that was the site of a 40 Days for Life campaign this fall is also struggling right now.

The clinic manager and two other clinic employees were just laid-off by the clinic owner due to “dwindling finances” at the clinic.

“Their client numbers were dropping,” said Wynette, the 40 Days for Life leader in Sacramento, “so budget cuts had to be made.”

Wynette added, “The clinic manager did tell me that only three employees remain and that they are open for business, but that business is REALLY down.”

Members of the 40 Days for Life team have offered to assist the three former workers — knowing it isn’t easy to be without a job as Thanksgiving and Christmas are approaching. Wynette also says, “we continue to pray for conversion of hearts and minds, so that this employment layoff becomes a life-long detachment from the abortion industry.”

Those are just two more breaking news stories that show why it is so important for the work of 40 Days for Life to keep growing.

Here’s a short, inspiring audio recording of three more of this fall’s local 40 Days for Life campaigns sharing the blessings they experienced (including another abortion facility closing).

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

Download MP3 (right-click to save file to your computer):

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/audio/tippingpoint.mp3

IMPORTANT UPDATE! One of the big announcements from Tuesday night’s “Tipping Point” webcast is that a small group of generous supporters have put forward a matching grant of $100,000.

Every gift received between now and midnight next Tuesday, November 23 — up to the $100,000 amount — will be DOUBLED!

We’re four days into the seven-day matching period and thus far, we’ve received one-time gifts and monthly pledges amounting to $47,860 — a great start, but a bit less than half. We certainly don’t want to miss out by not hitting the match.

Please help TODAY if at all possible — and thank you to everyone who has given already!!

For Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: Here are the links for contributing to 40 Days for Life today — and having your gift doubled while helping to reach that $100,000 matching challenge.

One-time gift:

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

Monthly pledge:

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

I just got home. What a week! What a fall it has been!

You have put in time, prayer and sweat … and God has blessed these efforts more than we could have ever expected back on September 22 when the campaign started.

As we tally up the final results of this fall’s 40 Days for Life campaign, we know that anything is possible with God … but this campaign is just the beginning.

In places where 40 Days for Life has been conducted for the first time ever …

… there is great hope and excitement.

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ZION, ILLINOIS
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In Zion — a community without an abortion center — Joellyn overcame a number of challenges and helped organize a campaign that has touched hearts and reports at least one life saved from abortion.

“This morning at church, a lady approached me and said, ‘Let’s keep those pray-to-end-abortion signs for the next prayer vigil in the spring!’ That was such wonderful news to me,” she said, “since this fall was the first time Zion had joined in as a part of 40 Days for Life. Praise God!”

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LONDON, ENGLAND
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The first-time 40 Days for Life campaign in London touched many.

“It’s the grand finale week, and wish it was the beginning of the 40 days,” said Monde. “The experience of being at the vigil for UK’s 40 Days for Life has been consoling and strengthening to my soul. It’s my prayer and hope that God’s grace will enable me to share this experience to be in practice this time around next year in Zambia.”

That’s just one of a number of new countries that are ready to join the 40 Days for Life effort in 2011.

Because of your example, many others are now considering a leap of faith and doing something they’ve never done before … something uncomfortable — going to stand and pray in front of the places where innocent lives are being lost.

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ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
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“People do not realize the good they do just being there praying quietly,” said one volunteer in St. Louis. “People going inside see the people praying peaceably and not shouting, and they want to be a part of that peace.”

This vigil participant added, “I really appreciate what the 40 Days for Life campaign does to set up such a program. I just regret that it only comes twice a year.”

You know … it doesn’t have to end.

We’ve always said that 40 Days for Life is but a first step. Now, it’s time to take the next step. What will that next step be? For you personally? For your community?

Others are already answering that question.

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
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“In the wake of 40 Days for Life, we are forming four distinct teams of sidewalk counselors and prayer warriors so that the work will not merely continue, but will flourish,” said Michael in Los Angeles. “We hope to quadruple our effectiveness.”

Some local teams have already done that, and they’re seeing amazing results.

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SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
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In Texas, for instance, the San Antonio Coalition for Life was formed right after the first national 40 Days for Life campaign in 2007.

“Since that time,” said Amy in San Antonio, “we have continued to be present, in prayer, on the sidewalk for every abortion day and have seen, in less than a year, the abortion rate at this clinic dropped by 46 percent!”

These things can be repeated in your community — through faithful response to God’s call, through hard work — and of course, through prayer.

What are we waiting for?

Here’s today’s “bonus” devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life.

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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
—————————————————–

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

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2010day41print.pdf

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For Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: What’s next for you? For your community’s 40 Days for Life effort? Please share your story by leaving a comment below.

It’s Day 40 — and I have great news to share! As of right now, we know of 541 babies — and their mothers — that God has spared from abortion.

That’s at least 3,352 since the first coordinated 40 Days for Life campaign a mere three years ago. And who knows how many more that we’ll never hear about?

“The Everett Planned Parenthood is closed again,” wrote Ed, one of the local 40 Days for Life leaders in Everett, Washington. “It’s the third Friday closed this campaign!”

In Columbia, Missouri … the Planned Parenthood facility there hasn’t done abortions since August 9. Faithful volunteers are continuing the vigil …

… and Planned Parenthood doesn’t like it.

“We found out that Planned Parenthood in Kansas is watching us on video — over 100 miles away,” said Kathy in Columbia, “and they called in a ‘violation’ to the Columbia police station.”

The “violation”? There was a camera tripod sitting in Planned Parenthood’s driveway. “Soon two police cars showed up and they went in,” Kathy said.

It turns out the tripod belonged to a reporter who was working on a news story. The police quickly left when they found out what was really going on. “One officer has come out twice — and he’s not too happy with Planned Parenthood.”

And all this time … no abortions in Columbia!

And of course … no abortions AT ALL in Severna Park, Maryland … where an abortion facility CLOSED ITS DOORS FOREVER at the very beginning of this campaign!

Who knows how many lives have been saved in Columbia and Severna Park?

There have also been at least four abortion facility employees who have left their jobs during this 40 Days for Life campaign — possibly more. And others may be thinking about it.

And then there’s Anita’s van — a life-saver on wheels. It has “pray to end abortion” painted on the side, along with a pregnancy help center’s phone number and the 40 Days for Life web address.

Lives have been saved because of the information on the van — no one knows how many. But this pro-life mission was about to come to an end. The van was about to be repossessed.

Anita had no idea what would happen. So she prayed. She had to decide whether to pay her tithe … or the note on the van. She paid her tithe.

Anita didn’t know it, but one of her friends sent out an e-mail that explained the situation. And people started giving. Before long, there was enough to pay off the loan!

“This is not my van,” she said. “This van belongs first and foremost to God, and then to every single pro-life person out there.”

The van — and its message — will stay on the road. And who knows how many lives will be saved?

“Abortion will truly be finished one day,” Anita said. “I pray it is very soon. The walls of deception are crumbling as we speak. The truth is spreading — one heart at a time — and all of you have played a part in getting that message out. Thank you all so very much!”

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

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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
—————————————————–

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

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2010day40print.pdf

—————————————————–

For Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: If you have good news to share from YOUR 40 Days for Life campaign, please leave a comment below!

It’s the final Saturday of this 40 Days for Life campaign.

Saturday is often “abortion day” at these facilities. It’s the day when prayer is needed most … and it’s the day that your peaceful presence can have the greatest impact on troubled young women whose lives will change today and whose babies will be killed through abortion.

It’s not too late to have an impact. Here’s the list 40 Days for Life vigil locations:

http://40daysforlife.com/location.cfm

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HOUSTON, TEXAS
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You may have seen the Planned Parenthood mega-center in Houston. I will be there this afternoon.

I have another view of that building for you that truly shows the scope of this, the largest abortion facility in North America.

The photo also contains a group of high school students. Their story is a testament to the power of prayer, the influence of youth — and the importance of this mission.

The students represent two schools — Sacred Heart and St. Paul — who are huge rivals in football. Just days before their annual meeting on the gridiron, students from both schools got together to pray at Planned Parenthood in Houston.

They had to ride more than two hours to get there, but this was important. They designed special t-shirts for the event, and prayed at the facility for three hours.

“What stronger witness could there be than when the students from rival schools join forces in solidarity with the unborn to pray for the safety of their lives,” said Rev. Tommy Chen, assistant pastor at Sacred Heart.

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MOBILE, ALABAMA
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I recently visited the 40 Days for Life vigil in Mobile. It’s outside a Planned Parenthood abortion center … strangely enough, diagonally across the street from Chuck E. Cheese.

If you don’t have Chuck E. Cheese in your area, it’s a family restaurant that specializes in young children’s birthday parties. The contrast between life on one side of the street and death on the other is pretty chilling.

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HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA
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A guy on a bicycle stopped at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Halifax and started asking Zachary some questions.

“Why can’t you just let people live their lives?” asked the cyclist. “Why do you have to come here and impose your beliefs on other people?” He then rode off.

He really didn’t seem to want answers. But if he had, Zachary was ready.

As for letting people live their lives, Zachary said, “That’s exactly why were praying — so that people can have a chance to live their lives.”

And for the often-asked question about imposing beliefs, “Nothing in my interaction with you was an attempt to impose my beliefs on you; rather, you tried to impose your beliefs on me. But the issue at hand is not about our beliefs, but about the right to live.”

Here’s a photo from the Halifax vigil (one of the best “cute kid” pictures yet):

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CINCINNATI, OHIO
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Two churches came together on a Sunday afternoon outside a Planned Parenthood facility to witness to the beauty of life and the harms and regrets that come to women under the guise of “choice.”

“The haunting spectre of this facility is anything but family-friendly,” said one 40 Days for Life volunteer, “with five-foot high wrought iron gates all around.”

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WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
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This photo of prayer volunteers was taken outside the Planned Parenthood abortion facility where the 40 Days for Life vigil is in progress in Worcester.

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TOMS RIVER, NEW JERSEY
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Volunteers in Toms River say they felt an outpouring of grace while they prayed at the 40 Days for Life vigil in front of the local abortion center. The rays of sunshine filtering through the trees in this image, they said, assured them of God’s presence.

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

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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, 40 Days for Life
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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
—————————————————–

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

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2010day39print.pdf

—————————————————–

For Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: Has there been a single moment in this 40 Days for Life campaign that stands out for you as a sign of God’s presence? Please share your story by leaving a comment below.

With just a few days remaining in this 40 Days for Life A few days ago I spoke at Cornell University and then took questions from the students. I also met many of the 40 Days for Life volunteers from Ithaca, New York, where Cornell is located.

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ITHACA, NEW YORK
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I know what you’re thinking — Ivy League schools are not typically known for their pro-life stance.

While this is true, I was encouraged to see such an active pro-life group on campus that is not only growing the efforts on campus but also participating in the local 40 Days for Life campaign!

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TAMPA, FLORIDA
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Volunteers say it’s very difficult to talk to women entering the abortion center where the first 40 Days for Life vigil in Tampa is being held. Women are escorted to the back door, and there is loud music directed at the people praying on the sidewalk.

But vigil participants did get to speak to a mother and daughter as they were leaving the abortion facility’s parking lot. They rolled down their window and said, “We didn’t do it!”

Volunteers asked them to pull over to a quieter spot, where the two women were offered information about a local pregnancy center and other helpful resources. They were also able to pray with them.

“All this happened while they were still in their car,” said one of the 40 Days for Life team members. “Prayer presence is powerful. And more importantly, our God is powerful — in spite of escorts and blaring music.”

The volunteer said the loud music was meant to dissuade the volunteers. “But what really happened is that the music turned the patrons away from the abortion facility. Not many entered that day.”

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BRYAN / COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS
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Finally today … a story and a couple of pictures from the place where 40 Days for Life began — and is stronger now than ever.

The pictures show children praying outside Planned Parenthood. Ordinary pictures, perhaps, said Karen in Bryan. “But what is extraordinary if the beautiful witness of faithfulness and passion these families share in their commitment to life. They are the reason we are able to continue this mission, and we are so grateful for all that they do!”

One of the 40 Days for Life volunteers was able to talk to a high school girl — let’s call her Sarah — who was entering Planned Parenthood.

She was not there for an abortion, but to pick up birth control pills.

The volunteer struck up a conversation with Sarah, who was curious about why there were people praying. Sarah took an information package that explains why Planned Parenthood is not the benevolent organization it pretends to be.

“I think God was using this young woman to show me that the women who enter these clinics, for whatever reason, sometimes just need a friendly wave and someone to listen to them or let them know that they are loved,” said the volunteer.

The conversation showed her that the women who patronize these abortion clinics are people — just like we are. “I think it is easy to forget that as we fight this battle each day. Although we most likely will not change every person’s mind,” she said, “we can always show them great love in the short interactions we are given.”

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

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DAY 38 INTENTION
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Pray that we become vessels of hope to all around us, especially to those who minister in the pro-life movement.

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

– Luke 24:1-5

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REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone
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This meditation, based on a sermon I once heard, is adapted for pro-life concerns.

It’s Friday. Jesus is on the cross. He has been killed by his enemies; he is off the scene. But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday. Abortionists continue their work 3,300 times a day, tearing off the arms and legs of little babies and crushing their heads. But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’! It’s Friday. Pro-abortion groups receive blood money from billionaires who are as deceived as they are. But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday. Liars attempt to speak for all women and hide the pain of abortion, and ignore the evidence of how it harms women, and call abortion a blessing. But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’! It’s Friday. People of hardened hearts guard the clinics and usher desperate women in to have their abortions, while keeping them from the pro-life people who want to give them hope. But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’!

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

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

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PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
—————————————————–

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

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2010day38print.pdf

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Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: What’s new with 40 Days for Life where you are? Please let everyone know by leaving a comment below.

When I was a kid, my grandfather would tell me that he fasted from skydiving and strawberries — he didn’t like strawberries!

He was Irish and kidding, of course. But many times we don’t know how to approach fasting. Before I share a few stories from the front lines, I want to pass along a note I got on fasting.

“I have been fasting on raw foods, mostly liquids,” wrote Patricia. “I have not had self control to fast for a long, long time. But I really feel the grace of God so powerfully because of His help in my fast.”

If you haven’t done so already, during these last few days of the campaign, please give fasting a try! It could be fasting from a favorite food — or television or the internet — or anything that keeps you from daily prayer.

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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA
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A 40 Days for Life coordinator received a call from a woman who was in tears. She is pregnant with her sixth child and her husband had been laid off from work. They’re struggling financially, trying to care for their five children in a two-bedroom apartment.

“She felt like her only option was to have an abortion,” said Wynette in Sacramento, “but her husband lovingly encouraged her to call the number he found on our 40 Days for Life flier, which had been given to him at church the previous Sunday. He did not want his wife to abort their child.”

This woman immediately connected with the 40 Days for Life volunteer — who also has five children … and her husband hasn’t been able to find work lately, either. “This turned a challenge into a mutual blessing,” Wynette said.

“The woman, who was strongly considering abortion, changed her mind and has chosen life, while also gaining a new friend in the 40 Days for Life volunteer — all the result of volunteers simply distributing 40 Days for Life fliers at local churches!”

Here are photos of the 40 Days for Life vigil in Sacramento.

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GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA
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More than 250 people turned out for a candlelight vigil at the 40 Days for Life vigil site in Greenville.

“It was a glorious event,” said one of the local team members. It featured prayer, music from violins and bagpipes, and “an abundance of flowers.”

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PERTH, ONTARIO
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This Canadian community is one of many cities taking part in 40 Days for Life for the first time. And the campaign is definitely having an impact. “We have gathered together the different faiths in our community and beyond,” said Karen in Perth.

“Each of the congregations or parishes were asked to commit to specific dates to pray and fast to see the tragedies of abortion ended in our nation and abroad,” she said. “The sense of unity and excitement to be part of a worthy cause was so uplifting — a cause that is so close to God’s heart.”

The volunteers have prayed for everyone involved in abortion and for governments at every level, seeking God’s grace “to touch the abortion doctors’ hearts — and the nurses and staff that assist — that the eyes of the Planned Parenthood staff would be opened.”

Karen said the group has had the opportunity to tell its story in the media — even having one media representative with “tears welling up in his eyes as we gave our story.”

God is at work in Perth, she said. “Nothing is impossible with God.”

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

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DAY 37 INTENTION
—————————————————–

Pray that we will each submit ourselves this day as a living sacrifice to God, giving all that we have in us for those being sacrificed on the altar of convenience.

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SCRIPTURE
—————————————————–

I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

– Romans 12:1

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REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life
—————————————————–

Since all things are for His glory, we are to offer ourselves for that purpose. This of course is in sharp contrast to those who are being swayed by the enemy to sacrifice their babies on the altar of convenience, rather than choosing to surrender their all, including their unborn child, to the Lord for His purposes.

A career, education goals, or even a boyfriend can unknowingly become an idol for some young women. In their minds, abortion is a convenient way to “rid themselves” of an obstacle in the way of their “worship.”

In light of the sacrifice Christ made on our behalf, and the fruit of God’s mercies on our lives, we owe God our highest form of praise and worship. Presenting our bodies as living sacrifices is therefore reasonable service.

We were made to worship God and God alone. The enemy who seeks worship for himself distorts God’s truth regarding worship, sacrifice, idols, and children.

As you have given of yourself to rescue those who are perishing — the young woman and her child — you are worshiping God in the truest sense of the word.

May your example lead an abortion minded client to turn from her idols to worship the one true God, sparing her child from the altar of convenience, and sparing herself from a lifetime of regret.

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PRAYER
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God Almighty, You alone are worthy of our praise and worship. Having accepted Your Son’s sacrifice on my behalf, I in turn present my body to you as a living sacrifice. Thank you for deeming me holy and acceptable because of Christ’s shed blood for me.

I pray that you would use me as your vessel to rescue others who are perishing. Through Christ who is Our Glory, 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/fall2010day37print.pdf

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For Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: Are Christians from different churches working together to pray for an end to abortion in your community? Please share any stories by leaving a comment below.

Only five days to go! I’m on the road today … visiting the 40 Days for Life teams in San Diego before going to Houston on Saturday. There’s a big gathering tonight at 6:30 in San Diego and I’m hoping to meet lots of California volunteers!

If you need event details, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/sandiego

It’s Wednesday — which means a church night for many people. Here are stories about folks who have brought their churches to the streets on Wednesday nights with events at their 40 Days for Life vigils.

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FORT WAYNE, INDIANA
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Every Wednesday night during this 40 Days for Life campaign, there has been a prayer service at the abortion center where the vigil is taking place.

Thursday is abortion day in Fort Wayne. The abortionist comes in from out of town each week, arriving on Wednesday night.

“We have had several denominations of the clergy lead the prayer services, as well as wonderful musicians who lead the group in song and worship to consecrate the grounds in God’s name directly across from the abortion clinic,” said Evelyn in Fort Wayne.

“On Thursdays,” she said, “we have the largest gatherings at the vigil site to let the women and the workers there know we care and we are there for them.”

Student groups continue to participate in the vigil as well — three different schools took part on day recently. “The first group of high school students came as they do every week before they go to school — so they are there before the sun even rises,” Evelyn said.

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SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA
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Wednesday is also the day a Sunday school group from Broadmoor Baptist Church goes to pray at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Shreveport.

In all, more than 300 people have signed up to pray at this, the first 40 Days for Life campaign in the Shreveport-Bossier City area. “One volunteer told me she went for her prayer hour and ended up staying for four! She said that she just couldn’t leave,” said Emily in Shreveport.

“Our campaign is raising awareness in the community about the location of the abortion facility,” she explained. “Many people, even some who are pro-life, did not know that the Hope facility on Kings Highway was an abortion clinic.”

With 300 to 400 abortions performed at the facility each month, Emily said, “our public prayers are so important.”

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ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA
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“Our vigil was blessed with the presence of more than 50 young students from St. Rita’s Church who came to pray for the unborn and a greater respect for life,” said Jacinta in Alexandria.

“We also had a successful outreach effort, with 13 people teaming up on Saturday and Sunday to knock on an estimated 350 doors and spread pro-life information in the area near the abortion centers and Old Town Alexandria,” she said.

One volunteer explained how she got involved. “I just signed up after learning that the clinics are only a short distance from where I work,” she said. “I was totally shocked that they are so close, so I felt compelled to witness and pray there.”

She then spread the word to her co-workers and brought six of them to pray at the vigil during their lunch hour.

“I have met people who have reinforced my faith and have been a blessing to be with,” said another volunteer. “There is a great unity among those committed to 40 Days for Life. May God bless you and those working so hard for the unborn.”

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

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DAY 36 INTENTION
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We are the defenders of true freedom. May our witness unveil the deception of the “pro-choice” slogan.

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SCRIPTURE
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Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

–2 Corinthians 3:17

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REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone
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Norma McCorvey (the former Jane Roe of Roe v. Wade) used to work at an abortion mill named “A Choice for Women.” She now realizes what a cruel irony that title was.

She saw first hand, just as pregnancy resource center counselors see, that women don’t get abortions because of freedom of choice, but rather because they feel they have no freedom and no choice.

They feel trapped, abandoned, desperate and afraid, and have been led to believe that abortion is their only option.

As Frederica Mathewes-Green has written, no want wants an abortion like she wants a Porsche or an ice cream; rather, she wants it like an animal caught in a trap wants to gnaw off its own leg.

“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” That doesn’t mean that the Spirit allows us to do whatever we want or to decide for ourselves what’s right and wrong.

Rather, it means that the Spirit gives us the freedom to do what is right, the power to choose what is good, when we see it before us and yet feel pulled in the opposite direction. Liberty means that we no longer have to feel doomed to do what we know is wrong.

We are the people of the Spirit of the Lord, and when we take action on behalf of life, especially by being present at abortion mills, we are acting on behalf of true freedom, and imparting to those who are in bondage the power to do what is right.

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PRAYER
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Come, Holy Spirit. You are the Spirit of freedom, the source of all that is good, the power to do what is right. Fill us, and fill those who are in bondage today, feeling doomed to do what is wrong. Set them free, and help us to hasten them on the road to freedom, where your grace overcomes every temptation. We ask this 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/fall2010day36print.pdf

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For Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: How are you going to spend these last days of the 40 Days for Life campaign? Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.

I know there are many of you who would like to join the prayers in front of the abortion center, but for very good reasons you are unable to do so.

All of you praying are a very important part of this campaign … and I know your prayers are being heard.

“Thank you so very much, Shawn, for providing daily coverage of the glorious happenings each day,” wrote Katie. “I am 85 years old and handicapped, so I can not go to Planned Parenthood clinics in my area; but I do relay your message.”

Katie said she makes copies of the daily e-mails and brings them to people at her church. “I know that some of those wonderful people have been moved to go to the Planned Parenthood clinic to pray and help save babies.”

Mary Ann wrote to say that she doesn’t drive, but she did have a friend take her to pray in front of a Planned Parenthood facility. “The ten or twelve people that we had was a grace from God,” she said.

“I go to church daily and you all are in my prayers,” she added. “Please pray for my church so that we get more pro-lifers so we can be more active — young ones that can do what us oldies can’t!”

There are others who are great distances from the nearest vigil — like Marcia in Kenya and Gabriela in Argentina.

“I’m a missionary in Kenya,” wrote Marcia, “and from here, the only thing that I can do is to pray. I would love to be there to pray in front of those abortion clinics, but I know that it doesn’t matter where we are; the Lord hears our prayer.”

Marcia said she needs to remind herself that the battle belongs to the Lord. “I feel that if I pray more or fast, the Lord will shut down all those abortion clinics. But His ways are higher than mine; I always need to have that in my mind. And remember that we are called to be faithful servants.”

“I really wish I could be physically present at one of the 238 locations where all of you are praying for an end to abortion,” Gabriela said. “However, I also know that prayer is powerful regardless the geographical place it comes from. God receives the prayers from every single heart and distributes His grace as He pleases.”

Margie prays at the 40 Days for Life vigil in her community; but she also stays in touch with a friend who is in a nursing home. On a recent visit, Margie said one of the volunteers reminded her friend that she is not far from a late term abortion clinic and can offer prayers from right where she is.

The woman in the nursing home is someone who is used to being on the front lines, “so this is a different role in the abortion battle than what she is used to taking,” Margie said.

“For those of you who can still get out there and take a shift,” she said, “do it for pro-lifers who no longer are able to get out to the clinics to pray. Do it! Receive the courage and the grace to stand for life today!”

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

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DAY 35 INTENTION
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Pray for post-abortive women who cannot forgive themselves; may they understand that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

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SCRIPTURE
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Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sin is covered. Blessed is the one to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.

– Romans 4:7-8

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REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life
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In the passage above, the Apostle Paul making a point about justification by faith, refers back to David’s words in Psalm 32:1-2. In spite of the enormity of David’s sin — adultery with Bathsheba and his murder of her husband — and the utter absence of any personal merit, David in his brokenness, understood the imputed righteousness of God. David’s response was not continued guilt over his sins, but praise for his freedom from guilt, and God’s power to live life differently.

Once your relationship with God has been restored, your guilt has served its purpose and should no longer be given place in your life. This is true regardless of the sin, including the sin of abortion. As a post-abortive woman, I too struggled with this issue until I realized that punishing and hating myself after receiving God’s forgiveness was an insult to God.

It was as though I were minimizing Christ’s work on the cross as insufficient to cover my sin. I was denying Him the opportunity to bring glory to His name for the healing and restoration He wanted to do in my life. I was giving victory to the enemy who having lost the battle for my soul, was bent on destroying my testimony as I accepted the continual guilt he heaped on my mind.

It is my joy to continually sing of God’s grace rather than give the devil a foothold in my life. Don’t waste God’s mercy! Accept His forgiveness and forgive yourself as testimony of His amazing grace.

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PRAYER
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Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for your amazing grace that saved a wretch like me. I come against the enemy of my soul who would have me feel cast down and dejected.

Lord, keep your children from falling prey to the accusations of the father of lies. Turn our mourning into dancing and may we bring praise to you as we give testimony of Your healing and restoration in our lives. For by His grace we are saved, 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/fall2010day35print.pdf

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For Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: Has your community changed during this 40 Days for Life campaign? Please share your stories by posting a comment below.

How many more lives will be saved this fall?

This is the last week of the campaign and a wild week for me — I go to Southern California before closing this fall’s campaign at the site of one of the largest abortion facilities in the world — the Planned Parenthood in Houston, Texas.

The number of babies God has saved in response to your prayers during this 40 Days for Life campaign is now 445 — that we know of. Please keep praying and fasting!

Here are some of the great stories I’ve received from local 40 Days for Life volunteers.

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CLEVELAND, OHIO
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Tom says the weather was nasty in Cleveland, which made the scene at the abortion center even more depressing than usual. But he and a number of other vigil volunteers prayed silently that God would hear their pleas — it was a Tuesday, an abortion day, and there were many women arriving for appointments.

Near the end of the prayer shift, one of the volunteers offered literature to a woman who was leaving the abortion center. “The woman told us that she had an appointment to abort her baby,” Tom said, “but had changed her mind.”

When asked what made her change her mind, she answered, “God did.”

“We told her that we would be offering prayers of thanksgiving for her courage and of support for her as she carries her baby to term,” Tom said.

Here’s a photo of the 40 Days for Life vigil in Cleveland:

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FORT WORTH, TEXAS
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When Theresa arrived at the 40 Days for Life vigil, the parking lot at Planned Parenthood was full.

“We saw several women leave after their abortion,” she said, “and one in particular really struck a chord within me. A young girl being escorted by her parents was holding her abdomen and crying. I immediately felt overwhelmed and began crying for her and her aborted baby as I prayed for God’s mercy.”

Shortly afterward, another car pulled in. But no one got out. Theresa and the others at the vigil just kept praying.

After about 10 minutes, the car began to leave. The woman in the car smiled, waved to the volunteers, and said, “I’m keeping my baby!”

“We all thanked the Lord for saving this innocent life,” Theresa said. “I gave Him a special thank you for giving us the gift knowing we made a difference.”

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
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Sue watched as a young woman got out of a taxi at the abortion center in Melbourne where the 40 Days for Life vigil is in progress.

Dave, one of the volunteers, glanced her way and said, “The group of people over there are praying for your unborn child. What do you need? We are here to help you and your child.”

She looked nervous. Dave asked her, “Why isn’t the father of the baby with you?”

“I have not told my husband. I didn’t want to be pregnant,” she said. After a short chat, the woman said she wasn’t really sure she wanted the abortion. “What shall I do now?”

She asked the right person. “Go home and tell your husband, your daughter and your parents about the new member of their family,” Dave said.

“I will ring the same taxi driver,” the woman said. “He gave me his number. I hope he can take me back.” The taxi was there within ten minutes.

Dave spoke to the taxi driver and asked him to take good care of her. With a smile and a thank you, they drove off.

“Please pray for this young woman and her family,” Sue said. “One more to add to the 3,000 plus who have been saved thanks to 40 Days for Life!”

Here’s today’s devotional from Rev. Paul Stallsworth, President of Lifewatch (United Methodist Church)…

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DAY 34 INTENTION
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May we come to know that divine life, in relationship, creates human life.

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SCRIPTURE
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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

–John 1:1-3

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REFLECTION by Rev. Paul Stallsworth
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“In the beginning” was God. Always, before all times there was God. This particular God — the God of the Bible, the God of St. John’s Gospel — is different from all other gods. This God is alive and full of life. This God is not the picture of deadness and death, aloneness and isolation. This God is the picture of life, relationship, and unity.

For within this God, within this one God, there are three divine persons who live, who love, and who work — together. This is the glorious mystery of the Trinity. The Trinity means divine life. The Trinity means three, living Persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — who relate to each other. The Trinity means mutual love and service among three Persons.

The Word was always with God the Father. This Word was, is, and will be the Trinity’s second person. The Word is also the Son of God or, as revealed in time, Jesus Christ. God the Father and God the Son live, love, and work for each other. As one, they create “all things” together: the Father creates all things, including all human life, through the Son.

So the Father, through the Son, creates all human lives. The little one swimming in his mother’s womb, the infant smiling in his father’s arms, the child crying in pain in a hospital bed, the energetic teen running another mile, the old man gasping for his last breath — all were created, at their beginning, by the Father through the Son. No exceptions. Divine life creates human life.

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PRAYER
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O God, may we always be quick to call you Father. And when we call you father, let your Spirit remind us that we, and all people, from their beginning to their last day, are your children. We praise you, Father, that you sent your Son to reveal to the world that all people are His brothers and sisters, that all people are your children. Through Jesus Christ we pray, 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/fall2010day34print.pdf

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For Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: What has impressed you most about your 40 Days for Life experience this fall? Please let us know by leaving a comment below.

It’s truly amazing to watch things happen at 40 Days for Life campaigns. After all … you’re watching God in action! Here are just a few of the ways He is changing hearts and minds in response to your faithful prayers.

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CHICO, CALIFORNIA
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40 Days for Life vigil participants were praying near Planned Parenthood’s driveway when an agitated young man approached one of the volunteers and said they had no right to be on the sidewalk.

The young man was visibly angry. He said he had brought his girlfriend to Planned Parenthood to “deal with her pregnancy.” But when she saw people standing in prayer on the sidewalk, she began to question the abortion.

“Just the presence of someone praying, even without any interaction, gives women perhaps just an extra second to question what they are about to do,” said Mary in Chico.

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CINCINNATI, OHIO
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One of the 40 Days for Life vigil participants in Cincinnati watched as a 14-year-old girl approached Planned Parenthood. “Since the gate was closed,” said this volunteer, “I asked what she was there for — and she said a pregnancy test.”

The volunteer got on the phone and called the director of a local pregnancy center, who then spoke to the girl and arranged a meeting. It was learned that the young girl was in foster care and was not able to contact her mother. “She was scared,” the volunteer said.

By being present at Planned Parenthood, the vigil participants were able to guide her away from the abortion center and towards people who would offer real help. “This is the first good story I have been a part of,” the volunteer said, “so I wanted to share it.”

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NAPLES, FLORIDA
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A woman from a neighboring business stopped to talk to prayer volunteers at Planned Parenthood in Naples, telling them that her son’s girlfriend was pregnant. Her son is 17 and the girl is 16.

The woman explained that she, the two teens and the girl’s mother had been to two abortion facilities. But for various reasons, the abortion did not take place and the couple decided to keep the child.

After further discussion, it soon became clear that the problem wasn’t the baby. This woman is a single mother who can barely afford to make ends meet. She has no idea how she would help the teens support the baby. That’s when the vigil participants got busy.

One volunteer gave the woman information about free pregnancy assistance. Another told her about a better job opportunity that seemed almost perfect.

“The mother started to cry and gave the coordinator a big hug,” said Jeanne in Naples. “God works in such a wonderful way and leads us forward.”

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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN
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Bob was praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Ann Arbor, holding a sign made by his grandsons. “I’ve been holding this sign for well over a year,” he said. Its simple message: “Choose life.”

He watched as a couple walked into the abortion center — and left after about half an hour. As they walked towards the parking lot, the man looked at Bob and said, “We made the right choice. We chose life!”

“As they drove out of the parking lot, they gave me a thumbs up and yelled ‘God bless you,’” said Bob. “It’s almost impossible to describe how I felt. A child’s life — and the lives of his mom and dad — had been saved.”

Here’s today’s devotional from Fr. Terry Gensemer, National Director of the Charismatic Episcopal Church for Life…

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DAY 33 INTENTION
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May we absorb the truth that God is paying attention to us, and to each human life, personally and individually.

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SCRIPTURE
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When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor.

– Psalm 8:3-9

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REFLECTION by Fr. Terry Gensemer
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How often we ignore the phrase, “stop and smell the roses” and instead submit to the all too “urgent” task at hand. Is this tendency what keeps us, at least in part, from acknowledging that God’s care for His sacred creation is paramount in His own mind?

The Psalmist speaks of God’s handiwork: the heavens, the work of his “fingers,” and then points to God’s masterpiece – human life. He declares to us that God is mindful of us. God keeps His masterpiece in His thoughts.

God, the creator of the awe-inspiring heavens, is not distracted by the tasks before Him. He is not pulled away, as we might be, by thoughts of something “more important.”

God is paying attention to and attending to His crowning glory, His masterpiece of creation, which cannot be duplicated or replaced, which surpasses the beauty of all other created things — the human being.

There is no way to adequately describe how God feels about us as human beings. There are no words to fully portray His love, compassion or desire to be in communion with us.

Perhaps, the closest we can come, is to contemplate the thoughts of a mother as she gazes for the first time at her newborn child. God cares for Life.

We, as His followers, should take time to consider the life He has created and called upon us to love and protect.

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PRAYER
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Lord, you are the creator of all things. Guide my thoughts to consider your creation in all of its majesty, beauty and holiness. Guide my heart especially to your creation of precious human life.

Help me to comprehend how essential life is in your own heart. Teach me to appreciate, love and protect all human life through your son, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

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PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
—————————————————–

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

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2010day33print.pdf

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For Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: As always, if you have news to report from your community’s 40 Days for Life effort, please let everyone know! You may leave a comment below.