DAY 5 

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Margaret, Claire, Patrick, and I have been very blessed to be able to go visit so many different 40 Days for Life locations. (What a great homeschooling experience it has been for our children!)

Yesterday we joined the faithful people leading the Grand Rapids, Michigan, campaign, and then traveled to Ann Arbor where we joined more than 20 enthusiastic volunteers praying in the dark of night outside of Planned Parenthood.

We just left Toledo, Ohio, where we shared a beautiful time of prayer with the family of the local campaign leader, and now we’re driving to the Columbus, Ohio, vigil and then we’re off to Pittsburgh.

Everywhere we have been, there has been one common thread among 40 Days for Life participants: TRUST.

• Trust that God would provide for their campaign’s needs…
• Trust that God would send the right people at the right time…
• Trust that God would use their humble efforts to make a life-saving and world-changing impact…

…And you know what? God has been faithful!

You’ve read stories over the last few days about how the Lord has already worked miracles through people participating in 40 Days for Life vigils:

• Numerous lives have already been saved…
• Many new people are getting involved in pro-life efforts for the first time…
• Countless hearts are being touched…
• Leaders are taking a bold stand for life…
• The secular media has been reporting some of the  most positive pro-life news I’ve ever seen…
• People are turning back to God as the solution to  the abortion crisis!

I continue to get amazing reports from all across America — and I’ve heard from more than a dozen other countries that are praying daily for the United States during the 40 Days for Life!

These powerful results have been accomplished as God’s people have put their trust in Him by participating in the 80+ prayer vigils across America.

If you haven’t yet experienced the blessings of participating in this peaceful and loving public witness, you can be an answer to the prayers of the local 40 Days for Life coordinators by signing up to participate in the vigil nearest to you.

Here’s how YOU can “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves”:

1. Go to the web site of the 40 Days for Life campaign nearest to you:  http://www.40daysforlife.com/location.cfm
2. Find the location of the prayer vigil
3. Contact the local coordinators and sign-up to go out and pray!

Now, I have to be completely honest with you — the first time someone asked me to go pray outside an abortion facility, I was terrified!

What would happen?

Who might see me?

What would I say or do?

It was only because of my wife’s encouragement that I finally went… And it ended up being a blessing!

I finally realized that I could be part of the solution rather than just sitting on the sidelines contributing to the problem through my apathy and indifference. As you join the thousands of other people who are already putting their trust in God by going to the streets and sidewalks of America, you can also be part of the solution!

I hope my family gets the opportunity to meet you at one of the 40 Days for Life vigils!

Here’s today’s devotional by Carmen Pate…

SCRIPTURE:

“Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, ’surely we did not know this’, does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?” — Proverbs 24: 11-12

REFLECTION:

As the Creator and giver of life, God values every human being from the moment of conception until natural death.

In this age of technologically advanced communication, ignorance of human rights abuses is no excuse.

We know there are persecuted Christians in China, there is genocide in Darfur, the international sexual trafficking of children is alarming, and there are babies aborted and women and families devastated as a result, right in our own communities.

“But I can’t save them all” you say.

God isn’t asking you to. He has equipped each of us with time, talent, and treasure to do what we can when He provides the opportunity.

He has given us His Holy Spirit to empower us as we abide in Him. Remember, He is the Redeemer and He is asking us to be on His side in speaking out and protecting those who can’t protect themselves.

When we are obedient to His calling to get in on the work He is doing, we will experience intimacy with Him in a whole new way. Our faith will increase as we see God at work!

You have responded to His call to pray, to fast, to stand in peaceful vigil, or perhaps to talk to your friends of knock on doors during this 40 Days for Life campaign.

Let your efforts be for His pleasure and His purposes. Intercessory prayer on behalf of those who bear His image and whom He loves with an everlasting love will be heard. Pray without ceasing!

PRAYER:

God Almighty, You are indeed powerful and willing to supply all that we ask or need to do what you have called us to do.

We pray for continued guidance and strength as we intercede on behalf of the young women and their babies who are “stumbling to the slaughter”.

Open the eyes of the mother’s heart to see her child as you do – a precious gift to be treasured. Let her feel Your loving arms around her and may she be assured that you have a plan and a future for her and her child. Give her reason not to enter the abortion clinic. Give her wisdom and discernment to find life options through a local pregnancy care center and may she boldly choose life.

Thank you Lord for hearing our prayer. Because of Your Son’s sacrifice we pray, AMEN.

DAY 4

After a wonderful few days participating in the 40 Days for Life locations across Wisconsin (Milwaukee, Grand Chute, Green Bay, and Madison) my family is now driving to join the 40 Days for Life efforts in Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Rather than me tell you about all of the miraculous happenings across America, I thought I’d share excerpts from just a few of the hundreds of inspiring messages I’ve received in the last day, in the actual words of the 40 Days for Life participants…

EL PASO, TX:

We are excited about the works our Heavenly Father is performing in our cities & nation. On the 27th there were 3 saves & 2 of those babies were twins. Amen! We are trusting in many more saves, conversion of souls & healing for post-abortive men/women.

SARASOTA, FL:

At least 40 people — a record — participated Friday in the weekly abortion-day Prayer Vigil at Sarasota Planned Parenthood. That’s because it melded with the 3rd day of 40 Days for Life, a vigil of prayer at PP every day through November 4.

Instead of sidewalk counselors for the usual 2 morning hours, sidewalk counselors were there from 8am through 4pm. And 3 couples — a record for one day — decided not to stay for an abortion!

PENSACOLA, FL:

One of Pensacola’s abortion clinics was not open today.  Today is the day (Friday) that the both clinics in Pensacola perform abortions. Praise the Lord! If they are closed each Friday for the next six weeks, that is a lot of lives saved and a lot of revenue lost for the abortionists. God is working here and across the country. 

FARGO, ND:

My mind is spinning. God is moving so fast I can hardly keep up!!! Our Bishop is now doing radio spots and they are powerful. He has met with his Priests strongly encouraging them to get involved.

A secular radio station is announcing DAILY what hours are needed and any update from the [vigil] site or whatever need we may have. North Dakota Family Alliance is involved in writing letters to the editor.

An individual from France was so touched by our web site and our Bishop’s statement that he had to give us a call. Heart after heart is being touched as you can read on our web site: http://www.40daysforlifend.com

Doors are opening where no doors were open before. I am totally in awe. What a mighty God we serve!

SACRAMENTO, CA:

It’s hitting the middle of 6am now… but just a half hour ago I was kneeling on a “picnic blanket,” rosary in hand, my eyes half open, smiling in contentment & staring up at the sky at this strangely bright silver star in the sky that appeared from my eye, two inches from the roof of the Planned Parenthood building…

Everything is so organized and peaceful while praying, very much contrary to what I thought it would be like.   God is good. Just goes to show, I need to trust Him more. He sets you free. I am not a morning person, but I have never been more alive than after praying fervently during these last couple of hours!

DALLAS, TX:

While I was at the 40 Days for Life site, I realized that it was all God’s doing for me to be there. There were four of us there, Gracie, Nancy and her son, Lawrence.

I was praying the rosary when Nancy and Lawrence told me that a car was waiting on the curb. I went up to the window and two young women were in the car. The driver told me she had been to the abortion mill to have an abortion, but when she saw our display, she decided to come back to see what we were doing.

I told her we were having a peaceful, prayerful vigil in an effort to stop Planned Parenthood from performing abortions. She then told me she was pregnant and had been there to have an abortion. She also told me she “could not have the baby” because the father was 28 and she was 36.

I told her, “well, you already have the baby. And it’s going to be born. It’s just up to you whether it’s going to be born dead or alive.” I handed her the literature I had in my hand and she said, “See, I look at the pictures of these babies and it does something to me.”

I told her that her baby was hoping that she would be his or her “hero” and not go through with the abortion. I also told her that I was also once an unwed mother and abortion-minded and how my oldest daughter is now such a blessing to me.

I asked her if she had ever heard of the Reverend Ricky Rush. She said yes, of course, and I told her how my daughter was once the only non-black lead singer in his 700 member Gospel Choir. She was amazed!

I said, “Well, God has a plan for your baby just like He had a plan for mine and you should not interrupt God’s plan by aborting this child that God has willed into your life. He could have prevented you from getting pregnant, but He didn’t, so obviously, God wants this child to be born.”

She then said that what I was telling her was giving her chills and that she knew now she could never abort her baby. I gave her the White Rose Crisis Pregnancy Center information and her friend told her she would show her how to get there. She went away thanking us for being there and saying there was no way she would abort her baby.

I went back to Nancy, Lawrence and Gracie and we all hugged and thanked God for this wonderful deed God had done with this girl. Nancy and Lawrence said they were so grateful that their parish coordinator had signed them up to come and pray, otherwise they would have never had this wonderful experience. I just thanked God over and over again for His mercy and love for this little one and the Mommy that would someday realize how close she came to missing out on the blessing of being a Mom.

What a day and what joy to have been part of 40 Days for Life!

Praise the Lord for all He is doing in our land!

If you have a story of how God is working through your 40 Days for Life efforts, please e-mail it straight to me at: david@40daysforlife.com

Here’s today’s devotional by Carmen Pate

SCRIPTURE:

“Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge that I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may answer words of truth to those who send to you?” — Proverbs 22:20-21

REFLECTION:

We live in a post-modern culture today that is void of truth. No wonder so many behave as “children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting.” (Ephesians 4:14)

The enemy has more than a foothold in the lives of young people today — he has a stronghold.

He has taken the most vulnerable minds among us, our children, and told them that evil is good and good is evil. They have bought the lies from the father of lies, most particularly, in the area of sexual immorality.

The consequences of the lies surface in sexually transmitted diseases, out of wedlock pregnancies, and broken hearts.

The lies and deceit continue when they enter the abortion clinic. “It’s just a blob of tissue,” they are told. “Abortion is the best decision for you at this time in your life.” “Abortion is safer than carrying a baby full term”. “In just a few hours, it will all be over”.

Once again the consequences surface — the loss of their baby, the emotional and sometimes physical complications, regrets that are lifelong.

We have a duty to educate ourselves with the truth about abortion and its consequences. We must stay on top of the facts about sexually transmitted diseases.

We need to have an open heart and a listening ear to learn about the latest trends in relationships among young people today. We are to equip our minds with God’s truths on sexuality and the boundaries He has set for our good.

Why? So we are prepared to answer questions and give wise counsel when the opportunity arises.

Most importantly, we must prepare to introduce others to THE TRUTH that is Jesus Christ so that “speaking the truth in love, they may grow in every way more and more like Christ who is the head of his body, the church.” (Ephesians 4:15)

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, Your Word is the most liberating truth in the world. We sometimes forget that part of your greatest commandment is to love You with all of our MINDS.

Lord, we confess that our lack of knowledge about your Word and about this world system puts us at a disadvantage against the enemy.

Lord, empower and enable us with Your wisdom as we seek your truth for our daily lives. We surrender to the teaching of Your Holy Spirit as we become your vessels of truth.

In the name of your Son Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. AMEN.

 DAY 3

 More praise reports keep coming in about lives saved during the first two days of 40 Days for Life!

In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a woman went into the abortion facility intending to make her appointment for an abortion. She was brought there by her friend who did not want her to do it. The friend was asked to leave the clinic when the abortion workers heard she was not in favor of the abortion.

The friend found herself outside on the sidewalk talking with a sidewalk counselor and about eight 40 Days for Life volunteers. They prayed together for the woman who was in the facility for the abortion.

The friend then asked for information and ideas on how to talk the other woman out of what she intended to do.  The volunteers gave her multiple sources of help and information, and she went inside.

The woman who had planned on the abortion came out of the clinic and said it was “creepy” inside and that the workers did not offer her any help at all.

She decided to let her child live. Praise God! 

You can also read the moving story of a life saved through the prayers and faithful efforts of 40 Days for Life volunteers in Fargo, North Dakota:

http://www.fargodiocese.org

Additionally, I’ve gotten e-mails about several different abortion facilities being closed and not performing abortions on their normally scheduled days in cities that are conducting 40 Days for Life.

The news also just broke about the closure of a filthy, run-down abortion facility in Atlantic City, NJ, called Alternatives. This was not a 40 Days for Life location, but I don’t believe it’s any coincidence that the facility went out of business and the abortionist surrendered his license during 40 Days for Life.

And the Aurora, Illinois, Planned Parenthood abortion facility is STILL closed, on day 50 of their local 40 Days for Life effort!

God is working in a mighty way throughout America, and I’m thrilled that each of us have this opportunity to join Him in His work!

Here’s the devotional for Day 3 by Carmen Pate

SCRIPTURE:

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.” — 1 Timothy 1:15b-16

REFLECTION:

As a post-abortive woman, I (Carmen Pate) made this my life verse following my brokenness before the Lord and the receiving of His forgiveness.

This verse is a reminder to me that I must never waste God’s mercy towards me, but instead allow Him to use me as an example of His love, His patience, and His amazing grace.

The Apostle Paul was the first to identify himself as the “chief of sinners.” Certainly, it is easy for us to point to his record of sins and understand why he would claim this label as his own.

We may wonder silently if it might more appropriately be the label for the abortionist inside the clinic, or the Planned Parenthood counselors, or the NARAL activists. But God who knows your heart may be nudging you right now asking, “What about you”?

Paul spells out the case for all of us when he writes, “Once you were dead because of your disobedience. But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved. So, God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of His grace and kindness toward us shown in all He has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2: 1, 4-5, 7 NLT)

Truly, we are all trophies of His grace. May we live worthy of the honor He has given us to be heirs in Christ Jesus.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, the Lord Our Righteousness, may we be ever mindful of your amazing grace in each of our lives that allows us access to Your throne. You deem us worthy only because of the sacrifice of your precious Son, Jesus Christ, and our acknowledgment of His saving blood.

May Your love that drew us to Yourself, be evident as we love others. Expose any area of pride that would keep us from reaching out in kindness to hurting hearts. Cleanse us Lord, and prepare our hearts to gather more trophies for your kingdom.

In Christ’s name we pray, AMEN.

ACTION ITEM:

Ask others to join you in prayer during 40 Days for Life. Encourage them to visit http://www.40daysforlife.com and sign up for the updates.

The more people who are praying together, the more miraculous stories we’ll be hearing about!

DAY 2

God Almighty is working miracles across America through the faithfulness of His people during 40 Days for Life!

In addition to the amazing stories I have been receiving about Christians joining together across denominational lines for 40 day vigils, and the reports of believers having life-changing conversations with passers-by and abortion clinic workers, I have learned that lives have already been saved in the first 24 hours of 40 Days for Life!

From Durango, Colorado, we learned that one woman left the abortion facility after sitting in her car for about 15 minutes, while three 40 Days for Life volunteers prayed fervently for her.

Then the abortionist didn’t show, so five other mothers waiting for abortions left. As many as six babies may have been saved!

In Richmond, Virginia, a woman going in for an abortion rejected information from sidewalk counselors, but a post-abortive woman reached out to her and said, “Please don’t make the same mistake that I have. You can chose a better way, God’s way, the way of life! Please won’t you let your baby live, and love you?”

The woman went in to the abortion facility anyway…

…A few more minutes went by, and the young woman came out of the clinic. She hugged the sidewalk counselor, took contact information from her regarding where she could get medical and emotional support, and got into her father’s car.

As she drove away, she glanced over at the 40 Days for Life participants and mouthed the words “thank you” as tears streamed down her father’s face. Then they were gone.

As the 40 Days for Life volunteer shared in the e-mail she sent me, “It all happened in a matter of minutes, precious minutes given to her by Christ to reconsider what she was doing. It was my first experience of what this work is all about, and it made my first day involved in the pro-life movement one I will not soon forget.”

Wow!

Even the media is standing up and taking notice of the impact of 40 Days for Life. Here is a list of just SOME of the news stories from the first day of this effort:

• Catholic Exchange
• Lufkin Daily News
• Catholic News Agency
• The Christian Post
• The Seattle Post Intelligencer
• The California Catholic Daily
• LifeNews
• The Journal
• The New York Observer
• Earthtimes.org
• The Bradenton Herald
• The Courier News
• The Sun-Herald
• Zenit News Agency
• KXXV-TV Waco, TX
• The Jonesboro Sun
• The Day (Connecticut)
• WBAY-TV Green Bay, WI
• The Beacon News
• Michnews
• The Courier of Montgomery County
• The Naperville Sun
• AOL News
• Breitbart.com
• Forbes
• The Houston Chronicle
• Market Watch
• State House News Service
• Yahoo Politics
• Focus on the Family Citizen Link

That’s not even counting any of the radio stories that have been filling the airwaves!

Momentum is building all across our land, and we’re excited that you are part of this initiative.

Here’s your devotional for Day 2, by Carmen Pate

SCRIPTURE:

“Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” — Psalm 34: 3-4, 7

REFLECTION:

Fear of what man may do to us, or fear of what the future may hold, keeps many in bondage to the lies of the enemy.

A young woman may fear her boyfriend won’t love her if she doesn’t engage in promiscuity. The young woman who has an unplanned pregnancy may fear what the future holds because she has believed the lie that her life and her future are over because of the child in her womb. The post-abortive woman may fear she is unworthy of love and deserves to be punished by both God and man. We may fear what people think or what man may do to us because we stand for righteousness, and stand in the gap for the unborn and the woman with child.

But Scripture tells us to fear the Lord! In fact, the theme of the book of Proverbs is that the fear of the Lord is the starting point and essence of wisdom.

In this context “fear” is a reverence for God expressed in submission to His will. It is a reverent awe of who God is and what He does. When we understand His unique and immutable characteristics — that He is Omniscient (all-knowing), Omnipotent (all-powerful) and Omnipresent (everywhere present) — our reverent awe is a natural response.

When we add to that knowledge the fact that God is Love, His ways are perfect, and “All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28), we understand why this “perfect Love casts out fear” of the enemy, of man, and what tomorrow may bring our way.

Let’s put fear in proper perspective as we magnify the Lord and cast all our fears at His feet.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, you are the Lord Our Peace. Help us to reflect your peace as we encounter those today who are in the bondage of fear.

We acknowledge that you are indeed all-knowing, all-powerful, and everywhere present. Thank you for your love and faithfulness to us. As we commit to fear You alone, give us your wisdom and discernment to help calm the fears of others and redirect them to Truth, and a reverent awe of You.

In the name of Your Son, Jesus, upon whose name we can boldly come before You, we pray, AMEN.

DAY 1

Amazing reports are flooding in from all across the nation about the start of 40 Days for Life.

Kickoff events drew crowds ranging from several dozen to several hundred people, and peaceful vigils commenced outside abortion facilities and Planned Parenthood offices in more than 80 cities today.

We’re also hearing reports from people in many other cities and towns that are experiencing dramatic new levels of pro-life involvement as people are joining in solidarity with 40 Days for Life.

I am with my amazing wife Margaret, my 9-year-old daughter Claire, and 5-year-old son Patrick in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where we are joining the local 40 Days for Life campaign shortly.

Earlier today, we stopped in Grand Chute, Wisconsin, to encourage the dedicated group that is holding down the vigil outside of a Planned Parenthood abortion facility that currently can’t find an abortionist. The believers there are praying fervently during these 40 days that an abortionist is never found for that office!

Between fielding radio and newspaper interviews all day today, I was deeply inspired by the thought of YOU…  the faithful people across the country united together in one common purpose: ending the tragedy of abortion!

God bless you for your prayers and participation in this history-making endeavor!

Here’s your devotional for DAY 1,  written by Carmen Pate:

SCRIPTURE:

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.” — 2 Chronicles 7:14

REFLECTION:

God was responding to Solomon’s prayer for the people of Israel, during the dedication of the newly built temple. The people of Israel had repeatedly turned from God and each time, God would turn them over to an enemy.

The people would cry out to the Lord and God would deliver them, only to see them turn away from Him once again. This cycle was repeated over and over, demonstrating the amazing mercy of Our Lord on each occasion. (See 2 Chronicles 6: 36-40)

Not unlike God’s chosen people of Israel, the body of Christ, which is His church, must humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways, if we expect God to hear from heaven, forgive our sin, and heal our land.

The need for repentance has not been greater since the Supreme Court decision of Roe vs. Wade in 1973.

The number one cause of death in America is the needless sacrifice of our children at the altar of convenience called abortion. Conservative estimates put the number of deaths at nearly 47 million in America alone.

And lest we think this is an issue outside the church walls, 43% of women obtaining abortions identify themselves as Protestant, and 27% identify themselves as Catholic. One in four women has at least one abortion by the age of 45 — both non-Christian and Christian alike.

Where was the voice of Truth — the church?

Mary Comm of In Our Midst Ministries, Inc. sums up the issue best as she writes, “We (the church) have been an unintentional accomplice to the millions of lives lost and to the multiplied millions of lives devastated by abortion. We didn’t want them to abort. We didn’t mean for them to abort. But, because of our lack of knowledge, because of our fear, we have continued to stand by and do nothing. We, God’s hands and feet in this dark and hurting world, have been unintentional, unknowledgeable accomplice, but an accomplice nonetheless.”

May today mark the beginning of change within the church, as God’s people, in unity, seek His forgiveness.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, as our sovereign and powerful Creator, You have blessed this nation because of our Founding Fathers intentional plan to worship You alone.

We have turned our backs on you and your principles in your Word. We have allowed man to usurp Your role as God over life and the number of our days. You are justified in removing your hedge of protection and turning us over to our decadence.

But we come to you in brokenness and repentance over our sin. We cry out for Your mercy and ask you to remove the scourge of abortion from our land. Use us as your vessels, Lord, to bring the light of Your Truth to our nation once again.

Because of Christ we pray, AMEN