Those are 554 stories of children — made in God’s image and likeness — who were so close to becoming another statistic. But because of your prayers, and your courage to be there for their moms, they have life.

It is in this spirit of thanksgiving — for their lives and our lives — that we enter into the most important week of the year. This week we hand all of our weaknesses and doubts over to Christ, who takes them to the Cross, overcomes death, and reminds us that with Him all things are possible — even ending abortion.

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WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK
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Gerald was praying at the vigil in White Plains when somebody walked off with his backpack. But before he could get too concerned about that, he noticed two women heading his way – an older woman and a younger one.

The older woman told him they had driven two hours from upstate New York. The young woman had an abortion appointment, but now she is “probably going to have the baby.” She asked Gerald for information about pregnancy services.

That information, of course, was in Gerald’s backpack. But he passed along two pro-life pregnancy hotline numbers that he knew, as well as the web address of the Sisters of Life.

The young woman was smiling and said “God bless you” as Gerald waved good-bye. He said he’d been praying about the missing backpack, but “God responded with a much greater blessing!”

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KALISPELL, MONTANA
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Floyd in Kalispell says two babies were saved from abortion. In both cases, the mothers are 16-year-old girls.

One of these young women arrived at the abortion center with her mother, her aunt and one of her mother’s friends. Inside, the girl had an ultrasound exam.

The technician was telling her that she had a “tissue growth” that they could take care of for her. At that point, the girl’s aunt snatched the sonogram printout from the technician’s hand. “Look at this ultrasound!” She said. “It’s a baby!”

“The aunt convinced the young lady that it was in her best interest to have the baby,” said Floyd. “All the ladies left the clinic and haven’t been seen since. We have heard that the young lady went to the pregnancy center with her aunt — and all is well.”

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ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA
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A man stopped his car next to the prayer volunteers and asked where the abortion center was, since his wife had an appointment. One of the vigil participants talked to him, gave him some information … and convinced him to not keep the appointment.

A while later, the volunteer saw that same car, around the corner, parked off the side of the road.

The man and woman were feeling pressured and confused because the abortionist called to pressure them, asking why they had not shown up for their appointment.

The prayer volunteer assured them they were doing the right thing – that God will take care of them, to leave and not to have any second thoughts. The woman was very grateful, and told him God had sent him.

They contacted a pregnancy support center, where one of the workers confirmed that they had made a definitive choice to keep the baby.

“We at the prayer site are all rejoicing,” said one of the local leaders, “and giving thanks and praise to God for this wonderful miracle of life.”

There’s no way I can really express the appreciation I have for everything you’ve done during this campaign — your prayers, your participation, your persistence.

You provide tremendous HOPE for our future!

Here’s the link to today’s devotional.

Yours for Live,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: Any additional stories from 40 Days for Life in your community? Please respond below.

Today is Day 40, and I have just one story — a very powerful story.

I’ll keep her identity and location confidential … but here’s the story, in her own words, of how hearts are changing — one at a time.

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I WANT THEM TO KNOW
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I found out five weeks ago that I was pregnant.

My immediate reaction was — have the baby. The pregnancy was unplanned, and the father of that child-to-be was no longer a part of my life. The morning after I found out I was pregnant, I started realizing what bringing a child into this world would mean for ME and MY life and MY future. I wasn’t thinking about the life being created inside of me.

I started thinking about abortion.

I have always been pro-choice, and most of the people in my life are as well. When I told the father, he said he could not have a baby — but he would pay for the abortion. When I started telling other people about my situation, most said I would be insane to have the baby. Logically, I felt like they were right. I am in no position currently to raise a child.

But in my heart, I knew having an abortion would scar me forever.

I made an appointment for a medical abortion at Planned Parenthood for the following week. Giving birth to a child would certainly change my life, and I knew I wasn’t ready for that. But I started researching what my options were.

If I had the baby, I could keep it or give it up for adoption and give a family the greatest gift of their lives. And I started considering how an abortion would affect me. I knew I would regret it and never forgive myself.

I decided to have the baby and cancelled my appointment at Planned Parenthood; but I didn’t tell many people because they would think I was crazy and try to discourage me. I felt so good about my decision.

I started reading “Unplanned,” by Abby Johnson.

[Note: Abby is the former director of the Planned Parenthood abortion center in College Station, Texas, who quit her job after witnessing an ultrasound-guided abortion. She is now involved in pro-life outreach.]

About a week and a half after I found out I was pregnant, I had a miscarriage.

I was devastated. I didn’t realize how excited I was about the life growing inside of me until it was no longer there. This has been one of the most traumatic experiences of my life. But I realized through it how wrong abortion is. I want everyone to know this too!

I stopped reading the book when I had the miscarriage, but I just picked it up again a couple days ago.

I want to get involved in a big way. I want to help women with their decision. I want them to know they would not be crazy to have a baby, even if they can’t be the ones to raise it. What can I do to help your cause?

Here’s the link to today’s devotional.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have done to make this monumental campaign such an amazing success. You inspire me!

Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: Any final thoughts to share about this 40 Days for Life campaign? Please leave a note below.

It’s a cause for rejoicing when 40 Days for Life volunteers learn that no abortions are scheduling during a day the facility is usually open – or even for a whole week. Or even longer in at least one case.

One location that had no abortions this week was a notorious late-term facility in Maryland.

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GERMANTOWN, MARYLAND
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“Two more lives were spared from abortion,” said Andrew in Germantown. “Praise God!”

He also noted that abortionist LeRoy Carhart, who works at the facility where the 40 Days for Life vigil is conducted on the sidewalk outside, had not been seen. “So, no abortions at all this week in Germantown,” he said. “What a great way to end our campaign!”

Vigil participants say they’ve noticed that a particular abortion center employee has not been seen at work in more than four weeks. “Please pray,” Andrew said, “that she no longer works at Germantown Reproductive Health Services and has found employment outside of the abortion industry.”

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COLUMBIA, MISSOURI
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There have been no abortions in 40 weeks at the Planned Parenthood location in Columbia where volunteers pray in the public right-of-way outside. Planned Parenthood simply hasn’t been able to find anyone to do abortions there!

“How awesome is our God and what wondrous signs He gives us,” said Kathy in Columbia.

She also mentioned a man who stopped to speak with one of the volunteers. “He said 23 years ago, he encouraged his girlfriend to have an abortion. She refused. The baby was born by C-section. He held his baby as he cried. He could not believe that he had wanted her to abort his own child.”

The man gave the volunteer a donation – two dollars. It may have been his lunch money.

“This man has such a priceless treasure — a child — and he gave us his widow’s mite,” Kathy said. “People ask us why we stand on the sidewalk. I think you know why.”

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LANSING, MICHIGAN
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Cecelia in Lansing shares the story of Ken, who noticed no one had signed up to pray one evening between 6 and 8. The Michigan State basketball game against Big Ten rival Indiana was going on – but he chose instead to go pray.

At the end of his two hours, two young women drove up.

“Is there where they do abortions?” the driver said. “Are you thinking about having an abortion?” Ken replied. “Yes,” she said. “Do you know what they do with the fetuses?”

“That’s when I told her that we raise alpacas,” Ken said. “Well, we raise them for breeding and when we find out one is bred we celebrate. And the mother protects the alpaca carefully. If she loses one, she goes there and stands in the same spot to grieve.

He said a quick prayer to the Holy Spirit and showed the woman a flyer showing stages of the baby’s growth and when the heartbeat begins.

She started to cry. As tears were streaming down, “I gave her the phone numbers of the various pregnancy clinics,” Ken said. “I told her that something so precious and valuable as a baby alpaca doesn’t compare at all with a child.”

To ensure that this 40 Days for Life finishes strong, if there is any way you can carve out one extra hour this weekend to go pray outside the nearest abortion facility … it could make a world of difference.

Who knows? God might even use you to help save a life!

Here’s the link to today’s devotional.

Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: Have you prayed at an abortion facility for the first time during this 40 Days for Life campaign? If so, please share your experiences by responding below.

There are people in the abortion industry who call this campaign “40 Days of Harassment.” No one is being harassed, of course (except maybe the prayer volunteers).

The truth is that peaceful prayer on the sidewalk is bad for business. So the pro-abortion side is doing whatever it can to minimize the impact … by twisting the truth.

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40 DAYS OF MOCKERY
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There are a number of pro-abortion backlash efforts that have adopted the “40 days” theme. The worst of the lot is jointly sponsored by “Clergy for Choice” and the Planned Parenthood affiliate in Eureka, California.

This effort, “40 Days of Prayer to Keep Abortion Safe and Legal,” is really a mockery of 40 Days for Life – and frankly, of God. They use a collection of 40 daily prayer intentions – sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

But listen to some of the “Clergy for Choice” intentions:

• Day 5: Today we pray for medical students who want to include abortion care in their practice.
• Day 18: Today we pray for all the staff at abortion clinics around the nation. May they be daily confirmed in the sacred care that they offer women.
• Day 27: Today we give thanks for abortion providers around the nation whose concern for women is the driving force in their lives.
• Day 40: Today we give thanks and celebrate that abortion is still safe and legal.

To respond to each of those “prayer” intentions:

• Day 5: Fewer and fewer medical students are interested in abortion. Aging abortionists are retiring and not being replaced.
• Day 18: Abortion — the destruction of innocent children — is considered “sacred care”? Unbelievable!
• Day 27: The “driving force” for Planned Parenthood is money. There is no prestige in the abortion trade.
• Day 40: Safe and legal? Based on numerous ambulance calls at abortion facilities, “safe” couldn’t be any farther from the truth. And of course, abortion is never “safe” for the baby.

Let’s all pray for all of those who’ve convinced themselves that abortion is a moral “choice” – and for all who are deluded into believing that lie.

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GREENLAND, NEW HAMPSHIRE
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In spite of all the shrill rhetoric … the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit can reach the minds, hearts and souls of even the people on the inside of the abortion centers.

“A woman stopped to tell vigil prayer volunteers (several Knights of Columbus men) that she used to work at the abortion center they were standing in front of,” said Jackie in Greenland, “and how after three months of working there, she just had to quit.”

The woman said the abortion facility was “a terrible place. Fourteen-year-old girls go there … and they are not helping them. Their parents aren’t informed.”

She thanked the men several times for what they were doing … and then drove off.

She didn’t say when she had worked there, Jackie said, “but it brought to mind a clinic worker, who a few years ago during a 40 Days for Life campaign, had asked me and my prayer partner to pray for her as she was leaving the abortion center. Only God knows if this was the same worker.”

Here’s the link to today’s devotional.

Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: Have you received assurance that your efforts with 40 Days for Life have borne fruit? If so, please share your story by replying below.

Find the location nearest you!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here’s the link to today’s devotional.

Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: I’m really enjoying your stories of local 40 Days for Life campaigns posted on the 40 Days for Life blog. If you have news to share, please reply below.

Those words could be said about each of the 19 countries where 40 Days for Life vigils have taken place. But it’s particularly humbling to know that these thoughts are coming from Russia.

The speaker is Arevik Aivazova, the local campaign coordinator in Moscow.

Today’s entire report is an update on Russia’s first-ever 40 Days for Life campaign.

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MOSCOW, RUSSIA
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“Russia was the first country to legalize abortion, in 1920,” Arevik explained. “As a result, abortion still remains the primary method of family planning amongst most Russian women.” At 143 million, Russia’s population is less than half that of the United States. But the number of abortions is astounding.

“Officially, more than one million abortions take place in Russia annually,” Arevik said, “but this number excludes abortions in private clinics and medical abortions. Unofficially, the number of abortions in our country is more than six million a year. Now is the time to repent for the sins of past generations and stop abortion in Russia!”

Even though this is only Russia’s first 40 Days for Life effort, she said, “God’s work is so clearly seen in people’s lives.”

In addition to the vigil in Moscow, prayer is also taking place in two suburbs – Shchelkovo and Lyubertsy – as well as the St. Petersburg-area city of Vyborg.

“Our group prayed at abortion clinics,” said Elena Menchikova of Source of Life Church in Vyborg. “It was an unforgettable experience meeting with the women at the door step of abortion centers. God gave us words of prayer, which would not have happened if we had just prayed at the church and did not come in contact with these women.”

The church was asked to pray for a young woman whose mother wanted to force her to have an abortion. Some church members visited the family and showed them a model of a 12-week baby. “Both mother and daughter broke into tears,” she said, “and the unborn baby was saved.”

The campaign’s community outreach even opened the doors to prison ministry (shown above).

“We showed women in the prison a film, ‘Life from the Beginning to Birth.’ The film touched these women,” Arevik said, “and the officers saw the need to serve the women with post-abortion syndrome.”

Young and old alike are joining the effort. There’s a group of 350 bible school students who pray every morning for an end to abortion. There’s also a ministry called Elder Generation that is joining in prayer.

“Many of the elderly people cried,” said Tatiana Derr, one of the ministry’s leaders. “But God will not forsake those who have conceived … the babies will be safe. We’re praying for our grandchildren and for their future.”

We’ve talked about campaigns in cold-weather cities – and Moscow is certainly one of the coldest. “Given our climate, prayer on the street was the biggest challenge for us,” Arevik said. “The second half of February is traditionally the coldest time of the year.” It is not uncommon for the temperature to remain below freezing, day and night, for the entire month. Early March isn’t much warmer.

The vigil participants in Moscow are already looking forward to another opportunity to pray. This time, many were uncertain about attracting attention. “Considering the Russian mentality, people are just not used to seeing people pray on the streets.” But in the future, she said, “we will be bolder.”

Here’s the link to today’s devotional.

Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: What small victories have you witnessed with 40 Days for Life in your city? Please share the good news by replying below.

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BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT
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When I spoke at the Bridgeport vigil, I noticed that some of the abortion facility workers came out to listen to what I was saying.

Since we are in the last week of the campaign, I talked about how the abortion workers who leave their jobs during 40 Days for Life usually do so during the last part of the campaign.

I also shared how we are there for these workers … and how our message to them is one of hope and love – two things they will not find inside an abortion facility.

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CUTBACKS IN IOWA
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Earlier during this campaign, I told you about a number of Planned Parenthood locations that were closing – including two in Iowa. A 40 Days for Life coordinator in Iowa now says other Planned Parenthood facilities are seeing a downturn in business – and cutting their hours of operation.

“Across Iowa, we’ve seen great results this spring,” said Jim in Cedar Rapids. “The Planned Parenthood abortion facility here quietly reduced their hours by 25 percent, which included remaining closed on Thursdays, after being open at least five days a week for many years.”

Jim said the center also cut its hours on Mondays and Fridays. “When Thursday came,” he said, “many clients encountered locked doors. They eventually saw the sign.”

Statewide, he said, about half of their sites have scaled back their hours – in addition to the two that closed last week. “Those closures cut over 45 more hours from their statewide hours,” Jim said. “This makes standing in the colder-than-usual weather worth it.”

The Sioux City facility, where 40 Days for Life vigils have been held in the past, was cut by 10 hours per week. “They also discontinued surgical abortions, due to the lack of an abortionist,” he said. “Medical abortions, likely via webcam, are still listed.”

Planned Parenthood in Red Oak, Iowa has also cut its hours and is now open two days each week instead of three. “Currently,” said Rod, the local 40 Days for Life coordinator in Red Oak, “they are only open 11 hours per week.”

“When God gets involved, the one thing you can count on is that He will keep changing the reason for closures and scaling back of hours,” Jim said. “He doesn’t tend to use the same method twice in a row. It will cause the collapse of the abortion industry.”

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WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
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Recently, I told you about the four times in recent weeks that ambulances were called to the Planned Parenthood center in Orange County, California where a 40 Days for Life vigil is under way outside.

There are reports of five ambulance calls at the Marie Stopes abortion center in London’s Ealing section, where 40 Days for Life volunteers are praying.

A similar story comes from Wilmington, Delaware – where four times in five weeks, volunteers have seen ambulances drive up to the Planned Parenthood abortion center … and drive away with women who were taken out of the building by paramedics.

This story has a twist. In the latest emergency call, a 40 Days for Life prayer volunteer – a 63-year-old grandmother – was using her phone to make a video recording of the ambulance.

While she was doing that, a woman (apparently not an employee) came out of the building, heading straight toward the vigil participant. This woman then shoved the volunteer to the sidewalk and took her phone.

The attacker got away – but police are trying to find her.

The volunteer received medical attention, but she said she’s okay. We’re not sure about the four women who left this Planned Parenthood center by ambulance.

Here’s the link to today’s devotional.

Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: If you have stories to share about the 40 Days for Life campaign in your area, please respond below.

Here are three stories where mothers rejected abortion … and not a word was spoken on the sidewalk to any of the young women who chose life. It was all the power of prayer and God’s grace.

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SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
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A group of people – including a number of children – were praying on the sidewalk outside the abortion center in Santa Maria.

A car stopped in the street right in front of them, and a young woman got out. She took a close look at the children and what they were doing, but she then looked away and walked towards the building.

As she opened the door and was just about to walk in, she stopped. She looked back at the children, and watched them again.

This time, she looked down … closed the door …. retraced her steps … and left!

“The children all saw this,” said Jim in Santa Maria, “and were assured that this turn-back likely saved this young woman from a horrible choice.”

The children’s prayers became even more fervent and joyous. Said Jim, “Such a rich blessing to see!”

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KETCHIKAN, ALASKA
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There is no abortion clinic in Ketchikan. But that doesn’t mean abortion doesn’t touch this town of about 8,000 people in southeastern Alaska. There are women there who have abortions – they just travel someplace else to do it.

So, said Rob, one of the 40 Days for Life leaders, “we have been manning our vigil site since day one.”

“Supporters have brought us food and coffee as we battled inclement weather and our numbers, though small, are growing,” said Ken, one of the volunteers. “God will honor the prayers of His people!”

He’s not just saying that. There’s proof!

“Last week a local pastor reported that a young lady who had an appointment for an abortion had seen our signs at the vigil and had then canceled her appointment,” Rob said. “She chose life!”

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SYRACUSE, NEW YORK
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Jeanie in Syracuse got a phone call from a young woman asking how abortion affects women. “I shared with her the possible side-effects and impact an abortion can have,” she said, and gave her a number of resources that might help.

The young woman was considering abortion, and everyone was telling her that abortion was no big deal – she should go through with it and get on with her life.

Jeanie shared the story with the 40 Days for Life team, and they all prayed.

Later that day, the young woman called back. She had gone for an ultrasound and saw her baby’s picture – and has changed her mind about abortion.

It was at this point that Jeanie finally asked how she had gotten her phone number. The woman had seen it on a 40 Days for Life flyer on a bulletin board at college. The flyer said, “Save lives!”

“Let the people praying know they are doing good out there,” she told Jeanie. “Tell them they saved a baby girl!”

“God is so amazing,” Jeanie said. “It is through His abundant love and grace that this woman had a change of heart!”

Here’s the link to today’s devotional.

Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: There are miracles happening every day at 40 Days for Life locations near and far. Please share your thoughts, feelings and any good news by replying below.

Being from the Bible belt prepared me for the pro-life movement where Catholics, Protestants and Evangelicals are united in prayer and action to defend life.

This unity is something we should be proud of … and it is certainly something that the abortion industry notices as we strengthen each other in our common faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

As a Catholic who grew up in east Texas, I know a good Baptist when I see one. Recently the Southern Baptist Convention did a huge story on 40 Days for Life and a great article on one amazing Baptist woman — our friend Katherine Hearne.

Katherine has everything you could love about the south … including her faith, courage and beautiful Carolina accent. Katherine and her friend, Andrea Hines, a Catholic, led 40 Days for Life campaigns in Charlotte since the beginning of this effort and as a result have helped save hundreds of lives.

See what God can do when we stand together for His children … and be encouraged as you read these two articles from the Baptist Press along with media coverage from around the world.

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BAPTIST PRESS
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One article is an interview with me and David Bereit, and it talks about how 40 Days for Life sprang from one hour of prayer around an old wooden table in College Station, Texas in 2004.

PHOTO: BAPTIST PRESS

The other report focuses on Katherine Hearn and 40 Days for Life in Charlotte, North Carolina – even before the project’s coast-to-coast debut in 2007.

You can read about the successes of the Charlotte campaign in chapter 8 of the 40 Days for Life book … and there’s also a story about Australia’s campaigns in chapter 38. Speaking of Australia … let’s head even farther south.

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BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA
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PHOTO: BRISBANE CATHOLIC LEADER

The Brisbane Catholic Leader profiled Brendan and Judy Wong, the couple who helped start Australia’s first-ever 40 Days for Life campaign … and are now directing their fifth campaign.

Brendan grew up in Australia, but Judy is from the United States. They met in Germany – at World Youth Day in 2005 when they both ended up in the same discussion group. The following year, they got married.

Fast forward to 2008, when Judy’s mom in Pennsylvania mentioned something called 40 Days for Life that was spreading across America. It didn’t take long after that for 40 Days for Life to start spreading across Australia as well.

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MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE
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PHOTO: NEW HAMPSHIRE UNION-LEADER

Although the New Hampshire Union-Leader characterized 40 Days for Life vigil participants as “demonstrators,” the campaign had a great opportunity to tell the community about their efforts.

Planned Parenthood’s spokesman gave the organization’s typical response: “These protest marathons are designed to intimidate the many patients who seek basic health care services from Planned Parenthood.”

One of the volunteers held a poster with the message, “Look at the ultrasound.” That suggests Planned Parenthood’s main concern here – losing business.

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BOISE, IDAHO
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The Idaho Statesman newspaper featured an account of Boise’s 40 Days for Life vigil.

“Our goal is to save babies and the only way we can do it is through prayer,” said one of the Boise volunteers. “Sometimes this is hard,” another participant said on a cold, windy morning. “But we just have to trust that when we show up, God shows up, and He’s doing the work.”

Here’s the link to today’s devotional.

Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: Are you a first-time participant in 40 Days for Life? If so, thanks for joining the campaign! Please share your impressions by replying below.

There are many victories on the sidewalk. But there are also disappointments. The common thread, though, is that nothing can happen if we are not there for the women as they enter — and leave — the abortion center.

Between 40 Days for Life campaigns and the thousands of pregnancy centers from coast to coast, you are giving women hope at the most important level — the local level.

Here are some examples of the right people being in the right place at the right time.

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HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA
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Major in Huntsville notes that it’s often difficult to reach women on their way into the abortion center because of the facility’s escorts, who do their best to prevent vigil participants from speaking to their clients.

One day recently, the escorts weren’t there – so the volunteers had a chance to talk to a woman outside. She thought she was pregnant, but was told she needed a blood test. The abortion facility only charged $25, while other medical providers wanted upwards of $100.

Major said the woman did not appear to be abortion minded, but going into the abortion center ”is simply taking a terrible risk with the baby’s life as those folks would surely try to convince her that she was in a bad pregnancy.”

One of the vigil participants knows a pro-life doctor, so she called him for advice. The doctor quickly offered to write the order for a blood test – and to pay for it himself.

“Prayer works,” Major said. “It always works!”

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GREENLAND, NEW HAMPSHIRE
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Greenland’s campaign has had a constant theme: snow! One storm alone dumped 30 inches. The volunteers at the 40 Days for Life vigil had to stay inside that day – but they didn’t stop praying – and they were back out with snow shovels soon afterward.

Jackie in Greenland tells of one volunteer. “She had an encounter with a young man who drives by the vigil site regularly. He told her he doesn’t believe in her pro-life stance but he marveled at her perseverance,” she said.

“We are making a statement to the larger community, by our perseverance in praying outside the abortion center in all weather conditions,” said Jackie. “People are sacrificing their own comfort to save babies, and only God knows what effects this is having on other souls.”

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BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND
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“It was a bitterly cold day in the UK,” said Isabel in Birmingham. “The prayer volunteers stood shivering outside Calthorpe abortion clinic.”

They watched as a woman came out – perhaps the mother of a younger woman who had arrived for an abortion. She stopped next to the volunteers and simply said, “Well done! You’ve saved a life today!”

“No one noticed the cold anymore!” Isabel said.

That good news was tempered by what the volunteers saw next – a woman in a wheelchair being taken from the abortion center to her car.

“The fact that it was the clinic’s wheelchair … led us to assume that she was suffering after having had an abortion,” Isabel said. “The battle continues.”

Here’s the link to today’s devotional.

Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: How is 40 Days for Life changing your community? Your church? How is it changing YOU? Please reply below with your good news.