At last — the final message for this fall’s 40 Days for Life!

This specific campaign may be over, but ever since the start of 40 Days for Life we knew that this would only be the BEGINNING of the end of abortion.

As long as abortion continues to ravage our nation, there is much work still to do.

We’ve really only just begun.

I look forward to continuing to labor side-by-side with you in the Lord’s harvest field now until that glorious day when no more women cry and no more children die!

Before sharing a final batch of success stories from around the country, here are a few quick items:

1. PRAYER REQUEST — Our national team is actively praying and discerning how to move forward from here to keep the positive momentum growing. Over the next couple of weeks, important decisions will be made — with your input, the input of local campaign leaders, and the input of national pro-life leaders. Please pray that God grants wisdom and clarity as we seek to do His will through this vital work.

2. SURVEY — Your feedback is needed to help shape the future direction of this effort. Regardless of your level of involvement in this fall’s campaign, I would greatly appreciate if you would take 3-4 minutes to answer 11 quick questions on a simple online survey. Every answer will be read and used in determining what’s next. Just go to: http://snipurl.com/1tcg7 

3. LIMITED AVAILABILITY — As mentioned in previous messages, I will be taking a much needed break from this blog and e-mail over the next several days. Thanks for your understanding, and don’t worry — as soon as we have any news on what will happen next, I’ll get back in touch to let you know!

4. ONE MORE THANK YOU — I wanted to especially thank Carmen Pate and Fr. Frank Pavone who wrote the wonderful daily devotionals throughout 40 Days for Life, and gave such wise spiritual guidance to this entire effort.

5. IN MEMORY OF REGIS — In the final report at the bottom of this message you will learn about Regis Burlas, a dear man in his late 80’s, who died in a car crash turning into the parking lot for the 40 Days for Life vigil in Jacksonville, Florida, this past Saturday night. In a very real way, he gave his life doing God’s work. Earlier today, I recorded a short interview with the leader of the Jacksonville campaign, who shared a touching reflection about Regis’ life and service. Please take the 9 minutes to listen to the audio — you will be deeply moved. In addition to praying for the family members left behind, let’s honor the legacy of this heroic man who died while working to help others live.

Listen Online (press “Play” button):

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

http://www.40daysforlife.com/blog/audio/regis.mp3

Now, here are more amazing 40 Days for Life success stories from across America…

DALLAS, TEXAS:

We had 1,994 people sign in at the vigil site. The last day, we held a Jericho March so for seven hours we had different groups walking the two mile walk around Planned Parenthood. We had a Youth for Truth Rally and after had the youth distribute literature to the whole neighborhood! Also, during the vigil, Susan G. Komen had their Race for the Cure, so we held our Strike for Truth the same day, viewed by the 35,000 runners for their race. We made it on Fox 4 News! And they got the story right: “A Pro-life group holding signs because they think Susan G. Komen should not be giving money to Planned Parenthood!” Our plan now is to get our bishop to send a letter out to all the diocese so hopefully we can dry up their funding to PP.

HAMILTON, NEW JERSEY:

The biggest miracle for the 40 Days For Life local campaign is we were able to fill all prayer time, 6:00am – 6:00pm, for the entire 40 days in one of the most liberal states in the US. Being yelled at, cursed at, and spit on did not deter our local “prayer warriors” from coming back to the vigil site again and again. Also, despite having little support from local religious leaders, our small core team was able to rally over 200 of the faithful in our town to participate in our on-site vigil. As we wind up the 40 Days For Life Campaign, our prayer here in Hamilton, NJ is that this beautiful, prayerful national movement will mark the beginning of a re-invigorated national grass-roots pro-life movement — one our political & religious leaders will be forced to recognize and act on. Mother Teresa, as usual, hit the nail on the head when she said “Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” We are done waiting for our religious and political leaders to act. It’s time for us to stand up for what is right, for what is moral. Its time for us to speak for those who can’t speak for themselves, the unborn.

SARASOTA, FLORIDA:

More than 1,300 pro-life advocates from Southwest Florida, including 80 clergy members and a variety of faith-based organizations, participated in silent prayer, peaceful vigil and fasting outside the Sarasota Planned Parenthood facility during the 40-day period. The local campaign included participation from a mix of major religious denominations including Southern, Independent & Missionary Baptists, Roman Catholics, Inter, Trans & Non-Denominationals, Lutheran, Evangelicals, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Fundamentalists, Nazarene, and Methodists, among others. Faith-based organizations that participated in the campaign included Christian Coalition, Right to Life, Knights of Columbus and Council of Catholic Women, among others. This campaign has galvanized our community, raised public awareness and will now continue this important cause throughout the year.

EL PASO, TEXAS:

We were blessed to experience the Holy Spirit moving in our city. Many have been spiritually renewed and are willing to actively continue in the fight against the evil of abortion. 16 babies were saved from being torn from the wombs of their mothers. With that the lives of their parents were spared the aftermath of an abortion experience. We look forward to seeing what God has in store for our nation.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA:

Top 10 Blessings of Pensacola’s 40 Days for Life:

1. Community Awareness: many did not realize Pensacola has two abortion clinics and did not know where they were.
2. Mobilize people that have never been outside an abortion clinic
3. After 15 years we have broken the stereotype that it is dangerous to pray at the abortion clinic and we have proved to Pensacola that peaceful, prayerful vigil can save lives!
4. To see how the spirit of the long time pro-lifers (some 20+ years) go from one of discouragement to one of HOPE.
5. Immense spiritual growth and graces received from praying at the abortion clinic 
6. Overcome the TREMENDOUS negative impact of two abortionist murders and bombings that occurred approximately 15 years ago in Pensacola. This has been a significant challenge to overcome. This set back the pro-life movement in the community several years and has allowed the abortion clinics to flourish. NOT ANYMORE after 40 Days for Life. Instead of 2-3 people gathered on Fridays, this past Friday we had 50 and every week it has been growing!! We have redefined the Pro-Life movement in Pensacola. There is so much to build upon and you can feel the tide turning. Pensacola is cautiously becoming pro-life again. 
7. Witness how Jesus transfigures the ugly horror of abortion into a beautiful display of public prayer. That we raise others minds and heart to God as they drive by.
8. One clinic closed for 3 weeks (the first 3 weeks of 40 Days for Life) 
9. 6 post-abortive women seeking healing
10. Total of 84 lives saved over 40 Days. To have the husband of one woman come up to us and say that because you were out here we decided not to abort. To hear that one woman say she woke up and decided not to abort her child when she heard a man call out “Save your Baby!”

MERRILLVILLE, INDIANA:

We had two women who chose life for their babies!!! We also had two women who didn’t take the morning after pill. We spoke with a lady who picked up a job application, who we didn’t see return with her application. We spoke with women about contraception, who didn’t go into Planned Parenthood. We now have people who want to continue sidewalk counseling after 40 Days for Life!!! 40 Days for Life was wonderful!!!

RENO/TAHOE, NEVADA:

Being new to the Pro-Life Effort, I heeded the advice of those who have put their lives into the Pro-Life effort and did not take our vigil to the sidewalk of the abortion center, opting to cover our region in Prayer to End Abortion, Morning, Noon and Night for 40 Days from churches and homes rather than the sidewalk of the abortion center. But in unity with the campaigns nationwide, we stood vigil for 24 hours on Saturday, Nov 3, from 12:01 am until midnight that night. Throughout the campaign, we had slowly grown as a community committed to Praying to End Abortion, as one or another Church stepped forward each week. But during the 24 hour vigil, something miraculous happened. A true community was formed, friendships were forged and the human connection and commitment to this effort was made by those who participated. There is something special about standing with someone you’ve just met, at midnight, holding Holy Candles, Praying to End Abortion. For Reno/Tahoe, the 40 Days, rather than being over, has merely been the spark need to ignite the fire in our belly. We look forward to being here for the long haul. We wait in anticipation to see what other miracles God has in store for us.

CENTRAL TEXAS:

Seven Central Texas cities (Temple, Belton, Nolanvile Harker Heights, Killeen, Copperas Cove, and Lampasas) participated. Twenty two (known) churches, 345 adults, 30 children, 68 (undisclosed church affiliation) participated in the prayer vigil outside the abortion clinic. Approximately 100 people attended the closing event. Pastors gave us a word of encouragement, the “remnant” was exhorted for their faithfulness and God was praised for answered prayer. The ceremony ended with uplifting words and a celebration of life with a challenge to continue in the fight until abortion is ended in America. At least four babies were saved in Central Texas and countless people impacted by our constant presence at the abortion clinic. The biggest good story is one I heard of tonight… A neighbor that lives close by the clinic was convicted by the prayer vigil and about a week or two ago, he gave his heart to Jesus Christ!

FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA:

On day 39 a baby was SAVED from abortion and a young mother spared!!!!! Praise God!!!

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND:

God’s great blessings include:

–> A young couple listening to our reasons for standing on that sidewalk offered to pray, asked us for Rosary beads, and committed to learning and praying the Rosary together!

–> Two Spanish-speaking people overcame our language barrier to learn more about what Planned Parenthood is doing and have offered to ask their entire church to actively oppose PP’s plan to indoctrinate our children.

–> Pro-life veterans have found encouragement in our supportive prayerful presence.

–> The Massachusetts faithful, even those who have had to travel far out of their way, have joined us on the sidewalk in Providence to pray for an end to abortion.

–> Protestants have bravely come to the aid of Rosary-praying Catholics after witnessing hostile outbursts against us. They have called us a “sign” and a “calling” to them; their coming forth in prayer has been the greatest visible blessing of our 40 Days For Life campaign!

–> The First Baptist Church in Rumford committed themselves to the 40 Days For Life cause and invited the RI directors as guests to the CareNet annual banquet.

–> People with opposing viewpoints crossed the street to engage in peaceful dialog with 40 Days For Life vigil volunteers!

–> New committed volunteers will continue their pro-life efforts and encourage friends and church communities to join us after the 40 Days are over.

–> There is new hope on the faces and in the voices of witnesses who had begun to accept the inevitability of abortion during our lifetime. The tide IS turning!

COLLEGEVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA:

The biggest miracle at our location has been the determination to overcome all the obstacles that were in our path from the very beginning. They are too numerous to mention but with perseverance we continued to pray, fast and stand vigil at Planned Parenthood. The Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration chapel has had over 1,100 adorers in the first 3 weeks of opening. This is truly a miracle! 40 Days for Life is God’s work and we look forward to all the seeds that have been planted to turn our community and nation into one that respects life from conception to natural death!

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA:

Pittsburgh will be different from this day on. We had two reported saves and who knows how many hearts were affected. We rallied all faiths and remained obedient. Our prayer team was faithful and our vigils on Saturdays grew in numbers to a record 40 people (there’s that number again!) Duquesne University radio pulled $5,000 worth of Planned Parenthood advertising from their campus radio station and refunded them, refusing to give them an outlet. Robert Morris college will think twice about sending freshmen to the Planned Parenthood for community service. Pitt, Duquesne, Robert Morris, and Franciscan University students faithfully prayed and stood vigil. The gospel was shared with many women as well as drunks, gays, lesbians, and prostitutes in the area. Hopefully the new recruits who stepped out of their comfort zone to be faithful will remain that way for the next 40 days and the next 40 years to see Roe v. Wade overturned. We in Pittsburgh are confident that this is the beginning to the end of legal abortion in this country. We will never underestimate the power of unity in prayer across all denominations. We have formed friendships that will never end and are committed to make next year’s campaign more effective. We praise God for the blessing to serve Him and the time to see the fruits of our labor. Praise Jesus!

PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA:

I can tell you the reason we had so many babies saved is because of all the people who were faithful to come out to stand in front of the Planned Parenthood office. We also had as many faithful who stood in Ft. Pierce where the abortion mill is and many numbers there were turned around as well. We estimated the total saved for the whole 40 Days for Life to be about 25. Thanks be to God for 40 Days for Life.

LUFKIN, TEXAS:

Lufkin prayed for 40 days with many new volunteers. We had as many as 45 people praying at the clinic on a single day. We had a college student learn about abortion for the first time. We showed Planned Parenthood that our community supports the pro-life movement by hearing all of the honks and seeing people wave at us for 40 days. We had a supporter call the Planned Parenthood looking for more information about 40 days who spoke to the security guard and invited him to his church. We saw the healing process begin for several men and women after speaking to us at the site. We had 120 people pray in front of our clinic at some time during the 40 days. We prayed for a total of 631 vigil hours. We witnessed to 1000’s of people in cars that pass by on this busy street. We saw many youth get involved for the first time through their church youth groups. We had 41 people at our Celebration Rally and we prayed in front of Planned Parenthood for most of the last 24 hours, ending the last 5 hours with a candle light vigil at the new site. We remained faithful and many have committed themselves to continue to do so until abortion is no longer in our nation. These may seem small successes to many, but to Lufkin they are amazing and I praise God for each one. Most of all I praise God that I was able to be His humble servant in this campaign.

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA:

Regis Burlas, a sweet man in his late 80’s said, “I’ll come anytime, any day, Mary and I want to come stand for those tiny babies.” I scheduled them for a Sunday the first time so they could find their way on a low traffic day. I met them there and stood with them for awhile. They shared that it was their 7th wedding anniversary, they had been childhood sweethearts, gotten separated by wars and life, married, lost spouses, then after 55 years apart, they reunited and married. They came many times after that, coming to stand vigil separately and together, praying for the abortion facility to close. Last night as their car was turning into the parking lot, an oncoming car struck them and Regis died later at the hospital. Today we celebrate the life of the babies and mothers saved in these 40 days — and the life that Regis lived and spent serving the Lord in standing vigil for all the unborn. As he entered the kingdom, many tiny hands surely reached out to welcome him home and thank him for standing up for them.

Listen to the touching 9-minute audio tribute to the impact of Regis’ life here:

Listen Online (press “Play” button):

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

http://www.40daysforlife.com/blog/audio/regis.mp3

Thank you SO MUCH for your prayers, fasting, and participation in this historic effort. You helped to inspire an entire nation!

Let’s continue seeking the Lord’s will, and let’s never grow weary in the efforts to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.”

Your Brother In Christ,

David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

At 2:22 this morning I received a very moving e-mail from David Arabie, the young man who first suggested to me the “crazy” notion of holding a 24-hour-a-day vigil outside of an abortion facility.

That suggestion became a major factor leading to the formation of the first 40 Days for Life campaign in Bryan/College Station, Texas, in the Fall of 2004.

I did not know until this morning the circumstances that led to that initial suggestion, but when you read David’s message below, you will understand why I had to share this with you today.

I will actually send you the rest of the 40 Days for Life success reports and the prayer request tomorrow, because I think this message is worthy of your undivided attention.

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

David,

This is a long email. I know how busy you are. But I have been thinking about this stuff for about 43 days now and thought I should share it.
�
Congratulations on the completion of the National 40 Days for Life campaign. I got a call from the Columbia Magazine, the Knights of Columbus national publication, and the conversation reminded me of the beginning of this whole thing.

How many people will spend their entire lives yearning for a sign that God is with them. We had a couple of ideas, combined them over a dinner party and a meeting at the Coalition for Life office in 2004 and then 40 Days for Life started, all in a matter of weeks. We watched God, plain as day, mold that project in front of our very eyes. And now it’s changing the world.
�
I have thought thousands of times, how did I get in the middle of that? I had been at Texas A&M for almost four years before we met. I didn’t even know where the abortion clinic in Bryan was before July of ‘04. I am a carpenter. I cuss like a sailor and I party too much. Not so much anymore. But definitely then.

Then we did 40 days.

After it was over it became appearant that I wasn’t called to pro-life ministry, in the same way you and Shawn are. Abortion is the greatest evil we face, so of course we pray and support its demise in every way.

But other than the miracle of 40 days, I never felt called to be a part of the ministry except when I brought the idea of 24 hours’ presence to you in the first place.
�
This is how it happened. I don’t think I ever told anyone the details.
�
My Dad entered the last stages of his long fight with Cancer on Memorial Day weekend ‘04. He began hallucinating and such. During this time he prayed Rosaries nearly all of his waking hours. Doctors said he would be gone in days. So I stayed with him.

It wound up being months before he passed away. In those months, he was rarely the man I knew as my father. But he said he loved me all the time, several times per conversation. After a couple of weeks he would say, “Let’s pray this rosary to end abortion.”

After several rosaries to end abortion in one day, I asked, “Let’s pray this one to heal your cancer, or ease your pain.”
    �
He said, “NO! we are praying to end abortion.”

He then shared with me a story one evening about my own conception, and its inconvenience. A very long and complicated story made short.

They chose to have it, “taken care of.” They went to the Abortion Clinic, he paid the money, and then my mother stood him up for the final appointment.

He didn’t speak to her for weeks, until finally his mother shamed him into marrying my mom.

He said, “Here it is 25 years later, and the baby I wanted to kill is by my side at my deathbed.”

I was not upset at all about any of the circumstances surrounding that trip to the abortion clinic. I was upset that he had to struggle with that guilt on his deathbed, instead of all the great times we had in my great childhood.

I just wanted to talk about the good times, but he was worried about his soul, because of a near miss that never would have happened if there hadn’t been an abortion clinic at every turn in the city of Houston.
�
Julius Allen Arabie died in July of ‘04.

I decided right then that I was going to do something drastic. I mentioned the idea of a 24-hour presence at an abortion facility to priests and fellow knights, and a bunch of other people.

Originally I figured we were just going to stand there in force until it closed, and then go to the next one. And I didn’t even know who “we” was.

Eveyone tried to temper the idea. “Why don’t you just shoot for all the hours the clinic is open,” or something of the sort. Not you. The Lord was moving in you, because you knew we could do it.

You made my hairbrained idea practical, by putting a timeline on it, and making it repeatable, and marketable. You gave me an outlet in the Coalition for Life, and a microphone to help convince people we could do it.

And then subsequently you were given an outlet to spread the word to the rest of the country.
�
I am sorry for the length of this email. I just wasn’t sure if you knew that part of the birth of 40 days.

Monica and I often think about the example you and Margaret have set for us. My daughter Nicollette is almost 2 now and when I open the door she runs full speed to meet me with a hug. Thank you for everything. And again, congratulations.

–David Arabie

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

Isn’t God wonderful, the way He works through His people and uses the “little” things to make a BIG difference?

Wow.

Have a blessed day!

Your Brother In Christ,

David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

Below are MORE 40 Days for Life victory reports, but first, I want to personally thank:

1. My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is the reason for everything I do.
2. My amazing wife Margaret who sacrificed much — and stood right by my side each step of the way — to make this campaign possible. She is my very best friend and the love of my life!
3. Our wonderful children — Claire, age 9, and Patrick, age 5. They endured long hours and many miles to serve people all across the country (by age 5, Patrick has already traveled to 30 states – whew!) What troopers!
4. The 40 Days for Life Board of Directors — Jim Olson, Carmen Pate, Shawn Carney, and Amber Dolle. What an amazing team!
5. The volunteers who poured their talents and time into the national campaign. I especially want to recognize Barney, David, and Patrick for their “above and beyond” service to 40 Days for Life.
6. The handful of faithful donors whose contributions fueled the entire national campaign. Many of them wish to remain anonymous, but I want them to know how much I — and others — appreciate their sacrificial generosity.

Now, here are more of the 40 Days for Life victories…

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS:

1. The best pro-life effort in Corpus Christi since the rescues in the early 90’s.
2. Reawakened the zeal of long time pro-life activists.
3. Inspired hundreds of volunteers who had never before openly supported pro-life activities.
4. Was made known to thousands of Catholics with over 40,000 parish flyers, 4 South Texas Catholic newspaper articles that were sent to over 40,000 homes, was on KLUX Catholic radio daily, had several radio talk shows interviews.
5. Was supported by 25 Catholic parishes in Corpus Christi and surounding towns, and 7 parish Priests attended once or more with their parishoners.
6. Four babies are known to be saved during the 40 Days For Life vigils at the Aquino abortion clinic.

LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK:

Always, the “saves” of babies (and their moms & dads, too!) are our primary 40 Days for Life victories. Additionally, the significance of enduring “40 days” came to light the final week of the campaign. There has been a dearth of teenagers at our 40 Days for Life vigil (as well as at any of the 10 abortion sites where there is a weekly pro-life vigil on Long Island, many ongoing for years). But on day 36 (All Saints Eve / Halloween) some teenagers participated as part of the local homeschoolers group that prayed at the Planned Parenthood site of our 40 DFL vigil. Then the very next day (Day 37 / All Saints Day), seemingly out of nowhere, a small group of teens appeared and, huddled in a circle on the sidewalk, prayed for an end to abortion. Moreover, most of those teens are minorities and our vigil location is in a minority community — a group we have been struggling to connect with. The youth group coordinator is on fire to do more pro-life outreach and is now one of several young adult pro-life ministers who the pro-life “veterans” have been able to join forces with because of 40 Days for Life. The 40 Days for Life campaign also gave us an opportunity to do something unprecedented for the closing weekend. On Saturday morning Nov. 3, pro-lifers took the respect life message to SEVEN Planned Parenthood facilities in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Special praise to those prayer warriors who withstood the driving rain and buffeting winds from a passing hurricane.

SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA:

We were blessed with men, women, and children that prayed in front of Planned Parenthood. There were different pro-life organizations represented such as ALIVE!, Respect Life, and Bound4Life. It was a Joy to meet other people that have a common passion for Life. On Day 39 we were also blessed to have South Dakota’s first mobile crisis pregnancy center, Fleet For Little Feet, embark on its first mission. Our Fleet headed to Aberdeen, SD and was greeted with open arms by many pro-life prayer warriors in the Aberdeen area. The Fleet For Little Feet has an ultrasound on board and it went out equipped with a technician to run the ultrasound, a crisis pregnancy counselor, a counselor in training, and a bus driver. What a blessing the Fleet will be for our rural areas of South Dakota. Praise God for all the prayers and donations that have made this mobile mission possible.

HOUSTON, TEXAS:

During course the course of the 40 Days for Life, countless women went to local Crisis Pregnancy Centers for free pregnancy tests and Christian counseling. Praise God! Many were sent by the pro-lifers manning the prayer vigil and it was reported to us that many others were showing up at these CPC’s with the literature we were handing out at Planned Parenthood. It was obvious to those of us who pray regularly at Planned Parenthood that their business was down during this campaign. When we ended, during the course of the morning over 175 people came out to pray. One of the new Planned Parenthood escorts as she was helping to usher the moms in seemed very taken aback when she heard the loving kind way we speak to and counsel the moms. She then proceeded to stop escorting and just observed for a while. Shortly thereafter she was seen taking a Rosary out and started praying with us from inside Planned Parenthood’s fence! We know that Planned Parenthood lies to them about our approach, and in fact at least 3 of the escorts during this campaign told us that we “weren’t what they expected.” Almost to a person the participants in this campaign told us that they wanted to continue, this next week they will be contacted to schedule their times. Our goal is to eventually man every hour that they are open.

NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK:

The prayerful “message” of the Vigils gave a comfort level to those who had not walked the “line” (as they call it here in Niagara) before and also moved the mission from protest to prayer; thus, allowing us to see increases in the numbers standing for Life. One of our great victories was when one of our local leaders rallied a group of perhaps 40 home schooled children and their families for a noon-time prayer vigil and rally of signage in front of the local abortion clinic on a very busy roadway in Niagara! With children ranging from 3 to 4 years of age and up gathered together with their parents, the sight was impactful! Perhaps in a supernatural “message” from above, the beautiful rainbow that appeared that day over the Abortion Clinic and a mall that houses our local Summit Life Center, allowed us all to see His glory reflected in these gifts of “life”. I believe we are yet to see and hear about ALL of the lives and babies rescued from this amazing breakthrough of people, prayer, and provision in His name and in the name of 40 Days for Life!!

TUCSON, ARIZONA:

Praise God!!!!! Tucson ended our Vigil today (only for this week) with a promise to continue by registering families who will go one day per month or more to pray at the abortuaries in our town. We already have 4 families for Saturdays! Next is our super good news … PP was not killing today, the second time during the 40 Days Vigils that they were not killing on their busiest day of the week! Additionally, the private abortuary, located in the same private property complex, was not killing yesterday, the second time during the 40 Days, and again, on their busiest day of the week!

WILKES COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA:

A local newspaper called The Journal Patriot for the first time ever ran a front page positive pro-life article with two color photos and a B/W photo inside. The 2 local papers ran at least 4 positive articles and an editorial. We had 50 churches sign up for day(s) of prayer and fasting. Thirteen of these churches interacted with the Wilkes Pregnancy Care Center for the first time. 40 Days for life flyers were allowed in the public schools (with a disclaimer). Also the public schools allowed the students to hand out an informative “She’s a child not a choice” flyer about the development of the unborn child. Some post-abortive women have discovered each other and rejoice in their Savior Jesus Christ and His forgiveness and healing. The month of October has been one of the busiest months WPCC has ever had. We’ll never know how many babies were saved because we were there. Overall there is much more awareness and involvement from our local communities. And we have found some new volunteers, donors and many new friends. May God help us continue in a spirit of love as we serve the voiceless.

QUEENS, NEW YORK:

The biggest blessing to me was realizing how many young immigrant women in Jackson Heights, Queens, are pro-life and are stunned that their area has become abortion row. I received many “thumbs up” from local merchants who do not enjoy sharing space with abortionists. When it is time for that “all important” lease renewal, I hope that the owners of the buildings keep that in mind. I hope they come to respect the pro life values of the community. I also realized how much I have in common with people from different backgrounds who also value life. 40 Days for life, while not easy, has been a blessing. We are the “little engine that could.”

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS:

The vigil schedule was completely full at the beginning of the campaign and there wasn’t one Planned Parenthood client who wasn’t Sidewalk Counseled. We gave out 140 packets of free information about better healthcare alternatives. There were over 50 volunteers who came out multiple hours a week, some giving over 7 hours of their time every week. There were over 500 volunteers who came out at some point to pray. We distributed over 450 yard signs and over 4,000 bracelets. We got 3 pro-life letters to the editor in the local newspaper which has been notoriously biased in the past. Several women told us that they would not use Planned Parenthood again and would tell other people not to go there. One of the best victories, in my opinion, is that the Stand & Pray schedule for the next 6 weeks [in front of the abortion facility] is FULL!! Many hours have 2 people scheduled! Praise God for His mercy and His Holy Spirit!!

WASHINGTON, D.C.:

The 15-plus babies that we know were saved was the biggest blessing. Next, the beautiful people we have meet and forged eternal relationships with are a special blessing that will keep reaping benefits forever, even after the end of legalized abortion. Being part of such a “one of a kind national campaign” has been a great blessing.

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NEW YORK:

Our 40 Days or Life has touched many lives. Girls that have had abortions shared their stories with our prayer angels and are seeking healing. Care Net, right across the street from Planned Parenthood, has been kept very busy throughout the Forty Days for Life Vigil. People stopping and joining from the street and wanting to give money to support the PRO-LIFE CAUSE. So many had no idea that Planned Parenthood promotes abortion and promiscuity and are amazed when we are standing there to PRAY THEM AWAY. The CEO of Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic Inc. tried to stage a rally against the 40 Days for Life and the press coverage backfired and was more pro-life than pro-abortion.

SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA:

What hit me the most is how great is the love of God! In one little incident after another he’s shown his love for me and others. Like yesterday when I thought I would be one of only 3 people praying at 10 a.m. and there were thirty! He shows His love in the generosity of these volunteers many of whom are willing to continue to witness in front of Planned Parenthood even though in a more limited capacity over the winter — they are still willing. Then there are the prayer groups — they just found our campaign. I didn’t know most of them existed. There were at least six of them and one already has plans to pray at PP every first Saturday. Then there were the individuals who came to the vigil not once a week, but three, four, five and even six times a week. Of course there is the blessing of possibly two babies saved here, and elsewhere. I met someone from Allentown who told me two babies were saved in one day! God loves all of us including the women who go into the Planned Parenthoods, the babies, many who tragically will be destroyed and he loves the misguided who perform and promote abortion. That is why I believe God not only wants to be faithful, but He wants us to be successful in our efforts to save babies and end abortion.

**********

A final batch of success reports tomorrow, after which time I have a very important prayer request for you before I take a short break from this blog.

More victory reports — God is good!

Before I share more 40 Days for Life success stories, I had a few quick items…

1. Yesterday I mis-attributed one of the reports. The report labeled “Asheville, North Carolina” should have been labeled “Durango, Colorado.” My apologies to the dedicated teams in both of these locations for my error.
2. Tomorrow (Tuesday 11/6) is election day in most places around the country. Please be sure to go vote, and bring your pro-life convictions with you into the polling place! If you don’t know where a candidate stands on life, contact him or her today (or their campaign office) and ask! If all pro-life Americans would only vote for candidates committed to protect the right to life — granted to us by our creator — we would see instant transformation in this nation.
3. If you’ve been blessed by your 40 Days for Life experience, will you do me a big favor? If you live in a city or town that conducted a 40 Days for Life campaign, please thank your local leaders who have dedicated enormous amounts of time and energy to this effort. If you don’t live in a city that did a 40 Days for Life this time around, please scroll to the bottom of this posting and leave a reply with your general thanks to ALL the 40 Days for Life leaders around the country, and I’ll make sure they get to read your words. THANKS!

Now, here are more of the 40 Days for Life victories…

FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA:

The biggest blessings we have experienced are:

1. Two saved babies (that we know of.)
2. Two separate weeks of no surgical abortions.
3. Leadership of our Bishop and participation of Priests from throughout the state.
4. Involvement of people from the entire state of North Dakota.
5. Community Outreach of professionally printed flyers to over 40,000 households.
6. Unity of purpose accomplished with all denominations, changing minds and transforming hearts through the power — fire — of the Holy Spirit.
7. Outstanding response and faithful prayer vigil at the abortion site by all ages and especially our  youth and young adults.
8. Community awareness heightened by daily radio updates in the secular and Christian media as well as weekly presentations at churches, colleges and youth groups.
9. Up to date reporting, scheduling and pertinent information accomplished on the 40 Days for Life ND web site.
10. Massive communication promotion by our media coordinator including a diocesan newspaper reaching 127,000 homes.
11. It has been a privilege to partake in the nation-wide 40 Days for Life campaign in North Dakota and proclaim the call upon our state to become the  first abortion-free state in the nation.

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN:

The biggest blessing was the babies that were saved — 3 documented, and who knows how many others didn’t keep their appointments, or changed their minds and we never knew. For the next greatest blessing, I can’t help but think of Jesus in the desert for 40 days. At the end of it, he went into his public ministry. And so it is here in Ann Arbor. These 40 days have prepared the faithful for the battle that continues long after midnight tonight. Until every child is safe from the horror of abortion, WE WILL NOT STOP. The excitement, hope, faith and love that has been poured into each of us through this campaign is truly from our Lord. 40 Days for Life is not ending its mission today. It is just beginning. What an incredible blessing to be a small part of this. The Holy Spirit has awakened our souls, and we are on fire for life!

MADISON, WISCONSIN:

Here in Madison, we have seen such a beautiful family blossom from 40 Days for Life. This was formed by the Holy Spirit continuing to touch our hearts. From here on out we will be the 40 Days & Beyond for LIFE family!  We will continue to let Him lead us on this amazing
Mission in front of place of great sadness coming as His ambassadors of JOY!

TRI-CITY, MICHIGAN:

Our greatest victory may be yet to come. That would be the closing of our local abortion mills here in the TriCity’s. We have had a significant increase in the number of active prayer worriers at the abortion mills with a comparable increase in the number of “saved babies.” We have been blessed with a new found commitment of the 40 Day For Life participants that have committed to continue with their activities at the abortion mills. (We have two abortionists in the same building complex, competing with each other to the tune of about 1,200 dead babies annually.) On the last day we had two local media cover our efforts. Both where fair and accurate in their reporting. One media was our local television station. God is God. All praise be to Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen.

FREDERICK, MARYLAND:

Overall the Frederick effort had significant impact. Several days ago a women came out of the abortion center and told a volunteer she decided to keep her baby. This last Saturday the center was closed, likely because of our presence over recent weeks. We hope to continue our pro-life activities.

PHOENIX/SUN CITY, ARIZONA:

After the 40 days in the desert, Jesus BEGAN His ministry of three years. We have that same attitude. It isn’t time to quit, but time to look for ways to get moving. One of those ways is the planning of opening a crisis pregnancy center. We would like to implement not only crisis pregnancy services, but also full pregnancy resources and new family resources as well. Included in this plan is to offer ultrasound services. We have spent many hours at this location and many prayers have gone up. We had a save this week, and many of the area anti-abortion organizations have been brought together. Yesterday we were visited by Congressman Trent Franks, who is working diligently on a house bill to require every girl/woman to receive an ultrasound prior to her abortion. We are going to be in prayer for that. He was very excited about the 40 days movement and encouraged us to mark yesterday as the beginning of a new ministry. We already have commitments for next year’s 40 Days For Life campaign from radio stations, Representatives of Congress and local newspapers. It looks like, next year, we (Arizona) will have at least, two more locations to add to the national campaign, God willing.

TACOMA, WASHINGTON:

The biggest blessing here might have been the spiritual growth experienced by so many prayer vigilists. Everyone seemed genuinely grateful for the opportunity to pray publicly at the site where abortions are done, for an end to abortion, for the healing of all who’ve been involved in prior abortions, and for the ever-present chance of a life being saved as a consequence of their being prayerfully present right at the site where “a thought of God” is regularly rejected…in the harshest of ways, typically with a poor understanding of what’s involved in abortion. We were also reminded of how blessed we are to live in America, where we have the right to speak freely and assemble peaceably. On more than one occasion, Planned Parenthood had lined up protesters — people protesting our praying! They didn’t always have the good manners to let our speakers and singers be heard. Undeterred, our people prayed on.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA:

Over 220 people gathered at the Monsignor Kavanagh Center this afternoon to Celebrate Life and offer Thanksgiving for the many blessings we received during these past “40 Days”! Our biggest blessing has been raising the awareness amongst our community to the painful atrocity of abortion and mobilizing people to take prayerful action to bring about a conversion of our nation. Here in the capitol of a very liberal, abortion-supporting state, secular news reporters have described the facts of fetal development, the pain felt by post-abortive men and women, and questioned what happens to the “medical waste” that is produced at these life-ending facilities. Over 1,000 people have participated in our continuous prayer vigil, many coming to the sidewalk in front of Planned Parenthood in prayer for the very first time. Our lives will never be the same here, due to these “40 Days for Life”. We give all thanks, praise, and glory to God.

WACO, TEXAS:

We had several hundred who signed commitment cards to pray and fast. Many local churches have advertised the 40 Days, formed prayer groups and distributed prayer cards to their congregations. Thousands pass by our 40 Days billboard in downtown Waco each day. Our local radio ads reach all the way to Dallas with the message to pray for an end to abortion. The opinion editor of the Waco Tribune-Herald wrote an editorial which put down pro-lifers, but inadvertently advertised the 40 Days for Life to thousands. Several hundred have been receiving daily emails with prayer intentions, news, and encouragement during the 40 days.
�
A local prison minister reported 39 women in a state jail pray the rosary to end abortion each Tuesday, and will continue. A ministry in a youth correction facility has been praying each week with the youth to end abortion. The national 40 Days for Life has been the impetus that our local pro-life group needed to recruit new individuals to become involved in pro-life work in the community and to become educated on the abortion issue and begin to speak out and educate others.

Planned Parenthood is the local abortion clinic which performs between 15 and 20 abortions each Thursday morning. RU 486 is dispensed every day. In addition to the sidewalk counselors who stand and pray on Thursday mornings, 75 individuals have committed to pray for at least one hour each week, during the 44 hours Planned Parenthood is open. Many more have dropped by to stand and pray. We have provided 40 Days t-shirts and bumper stickers to advertise and promote the 40 Days. A pro-life group at Baylor University, Bears for Life, have become re-activated and stood and prayed each Wednesday.

Realizing the importance of standing and praying for life in front of the Planned Parenthood abortion clinic, we hope to encourage people to continue to do so. Whether it is on Thursday mornings when abortions are performed or during their hours of operation when RU 486 and the morning after pills are dispensed, or even when they are closed, we will encourage others to continue to stand and pray for life.

**********

Watch for more incredible reports tomorrow!

DAY 40

Thank you.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you!!

Your prayers, combined with those of people throughout America — and around the globe — have made a world of difference over these 40 Days for Life.

Margaret, Claire, Patrick, and I just got home from the concluding events in Falls Church, Virginia. When I logged onto my computer and began to read the hundreds of e-mail messages reporting victories from across the nation, a wave of emotions swept over me: joy, relief, excitement, peace, thanksgiving.

Together we have witnessed God accomplishing amazing miracles through His people.

There are so many victories to bask in that I decided to split these up over the next several days, after which time I will be taking a much-needed break from posting on this blog.

As you read these, remember the words of Matthew 19:26 — “With God all things are possible.”

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE:

We have been blessed with an amazing campaign. Area pregnancy help centers reported that from the onset of the campaign, there were immediate increases in the daily number of women being seen — as many as three times the average number for an given day! We have verified stories of women, sitting in their cars in the parking lot of abortion mills, deciding at the last moment to give life to their child instead. The solidarity that has grown in the Knoxville believing community has been astounding and has produced a momentum that will continue past the 40 Days with a whole new cadre of pro-life workers. This campaign has saved lives, transformed hearts, created a solidarity of effort for the Gospel of life previously not seen and blessed us with a renewed prophet mission to promote the culture of life.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK:

The Queens side-by-side abortion mills begged us to end our campaign last week. One lady manager said “I thought this 40 Days thing was over already. YOU ARE KILLING OUR BUSINESS! We have high rent to pay upstairs.” The 2nd mill’s manager came out, the same day, carrying a page of newspaper abortion ads, and pointing to the many other abortion mill ads besides their own, she said “Why don’t you pick on one of these other places for a change!” This is the best testimony I can send you, and the highest compliments we have received. God has blessed us with many new helpers, and some crosses too, but he has blessed us most with many real lives and souls saved in the NYC 40 Days for Life.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA:

During 40 Days for Life here in Indianapolis our local state-of-the-art Planned Parenthood abortion facility closed on at least two of their busiest abortion Saturdays. Sidewalk counselors believe that the number of abortion decreased from an average of 20 a day to as few as 5 a day. We have had a number of saves, and are still counting. We have had people stop and ask us why we are there which gives us the chance to share our Christian witness. We have mobilized new warriors as well as reactivated others. We have brought together different pro-life groups in our community, Catholic and Protestant and hope to continue fostering these relationship.

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA:

In all my years of ministering at the prisons and in front of the abortion clinic I have never encountered an event like this. It has been a great honor to serve Yahweh for the last 40 days. The greatest blessings was having the walls that divide denominations and races torn down to be unified as the body of Christ Jesus for one cause. Charleston is rooted deeply in its traditions. Now there is a renewal to the body of Christ. Yahweh has saved 65 babies during this campaign that we were able to count. Only He knows just how many were saved. So to Yahweh and His son Jesus be given all the glory and the honor that is due.

ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA:

About 225 people joined us at the site. Praying from 8am to 8pm = 480 hours of prayer. About 23 churches got involved. The most important thing that 40 Days has done is to SAVE a Life. On the first Wednesday, while three women prayed, one gray Jeep Cherokee drove in to Planned Parenthood. A young woman was driving. She sat in her car in front of PP, the escort walked up to her car and then stopped. The woman put her head down and just sat there. She would look up at the building and then look down. She did this for about 15 minutes. The women prayed hard for her to change her mind. When they finished their prayer the young woman started up her car and drove away. She paused in the driveway to smile at the women praying. I can only wonder 9 months from now when that mother looks at her little baby and smiles will she also think of the smile she gave the women praying for her. Its all worth it — just for that one life.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON:

We’ve seen greater unity and growth within the local pro-life community. Many have told us their hearts where moved by our presence. Bridges are being built between communities that have never communicated before for the purpose of building the greater pro-life community!

BUFFALO, NEW YORK:

Our biggest blessing has been the 300 plus people who came out to the clinic to pray, the relationships that have formed and the dozens of babies who were saved, those we know about and those we don’t. Our last night we were finally able to go round the clock… that was hard! Every day was a new lesson. It was exciting that Father Pavone and Randall Terry both came to our vigil. It was fantastic for me to do this for my first Pro-life activity. (Really) The national team was indispensable and I always felt like I could do anything with their help.

SALEM/KEIZER, OREGON:

The best things that happened at 40 Days for Life were:

• A woman who had been forced to have 2 abortions as a teen by her parents who kept placing her in the hands of a rapist, came to our site by accident looking for a beauty parlor and found healing through the prayers of the vigil volunteers
• We also had two articles in two different newspapers, one Catholic and one secular 
• We had our Bishop come pray and 50 lay people showed up to join with him in prayer at the Planned Parenthood site in Salem
• We are still small in numbers, but big in hope and faith
• We had a closing Mass on Sunday and a Jericho walk

NORWICH, CONNECTICUT:

The greatest blessings were the documented save of a baby and woman, the women who have personally told me they will be returning to the Sacraments or felt a new found freedom after hearing my witness (all due to the Holy Spirit’s promptings), the priests that allowed me to speak every weekend at the Masses during the 40 days, the hundreds of prayer vigil participants that prayed outside Planned Parenthood with us over the past 40 days — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (amazing!), the many newcomers to pro-life ministry that have never participated in a prayer vigil like this before, the movie Bella coming to southeast CT during the 40 days that touched many lives, and the women who put their testimonies in writing for the first time. We have much to be thankful for and will continue the good fight on the Thursdays and Saturdays that PP performs abortions on an ongoing basis. We’d also like to move the 40 days effort to other dioceses in CT. With God’s guidance and future blessings, more will unfold. We pray we do HIS will here in CT!!!

COLUMBUS, OHIO:

Greater unity and exchange with some people of various churches. I think another blessing is that despite weakened people from the sacrifices of prayer and fasting, people are encouraged by this heroic effort because it helps assure us that the beginning of the turning point is probably really at hand.

AMARILLO, TEXAS:

The biggest blessing for us is simply this… The people who never joined us on the sidewalk for prayers once a week on Saturday mornings, are:
�
NOW — joining us everyday! They want to know why we have to stop at 40 days! It has been an event of a life time because …
�
NOW — they understand what we’ve been telling them all along for years.
�
NOW — they want to help save lives,
�
NOW — they are thinking of creative ways to help the mothers experiencing an unplanned pregnancy.
�
NOW — they are coming forward to talk about how abortion touched their lives.
�
This 40 days campaign has brought healing to us in ways I never imagined. I know in my heart we not only helped heal each other but others who saw us on the sidewalk too! God is so good! Praise His Holy Name!

TOLEDO, OHIO:

Blessings…how do you qualify them? To have the opportunity to use my skills to serve the Lord; meeting so many other like-minded people; being able to evangelize to others not only about the abortion issue but about God as well. Those are some personal blessings. For our 40 Days in general, knowing that at least 3 women chose life for their babies; having over 300 people participate in our prayer outside the abortion center — many for the first time; friendships formed and a spirit of hope renewed within the pro-life movement; just holding a 40 Days for Life in Toledo when so many said it couldn’t be done — these we would count among our biggest blessings.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA:

One of the key victories of the 40 days for Life in Charlotte occurred throughout the day today and continued through 12:01 am, the 40th day. There were more new people that came out to pray today than any other day throughout the vigil. Mostly young people, they came from different denominations, backgrounds, and ministries yet they all had one common goal — to pray to the Lord for an end to abortion. Our hope had been for many to flood the grounds today. About 2:00pm they began to come until finally at 11:30 pm the grounds were covered. As we all sang and prayed the Lord’s Prayer in a circle holding hands, we remembered our prayer as leaders for the Charlotte vigil: “Unity and Harmony.” Early this morning, as the 40th day began, this was answered. We stand in awe of what the Lord accomplished during this 40 days in Charlotte, North Carolina.

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE:

Just received news of another save at the clinic yesterday (Saturday) a.m. — a Hispanic couple “parked their car, talked, and left,” telling the vigil keepers they had decided to keep their baby. Another Hispanic couple decided to keep their baby after receiving materials in Spanish. Who knows how many other babies and mothers were spared the tragedy of abortion during these 40 days? The many people who faithfully prayed outside the clinic in fair and foul weather was a testament to the grace of God touching so many people’s hearts.

GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA:

150 people participated in our ending Candlelight Vigil. At least 5 women did not go through with an abortion. We had people that stopped by talking about their past experience with abortion. They talked about how they regret their choice. Two abortion workers expressed interest in finding another job and a doctor at our local hospital said he would look at their resumes. Our community is rallied and committed to continuing until the doors of our abortion clinic are closed. We who prayed outside the abortion clinic have been forever changed. God be praised.

WEST CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA:

Our blessings include: two known babies saved, plus over 300 people who came out to pray at Planned Parenthood — many for the first time and for some it was the first pro-life activity they ever did. But I was most amazed at the number of people who just came with out actually committing to a schedule.

EVERETT, WASHINGTON:

In the very first week of our campaign, we saw 3 women turn from having an abortion, and the first one happened within the first 2 Planned Parenthood business hours on the first day of the campaign! These were the only known turnarounds, but we believe this was God’s way of showing us that His hand was on this campaign so that we would have the encouragement needed to endure the rest of the campaign, even when we couldn’t see the impact we were having. God also gave us plenty of opportunities to share our faith and directly refer women to pregnancy help resources and post abortion counseling. The best blessing of all is the transformation that is taking place within the hearts of the 40 Days for Life participants, a renewed commitment to ending abortion, and all of the new people God has brought together, who are not going to stop until we end abortion. We plan to continue to hold vigil, train new sidewalk counselors, and help out our local pregnancy centers to be able to meet the needs of women troubled with their pregnancies. And we believe that we are on the verge of uniting several pro-life ministries (some existing, some new) to work hand in hand. We believe this has been orchestrated by God, and 40 Days for Life was the key to unlocking the door to what God has in store for Everett, WA.

AKRON, OHIO:

40 Days for Life was exactly the kick-start that our community needed to get motivated to pray at the abortion clinics. Many more people are now involved and do not want to stop with day 40! At our closing rally, attendees signed up to pray at least one hour per month. And to our great joy and encouragement, there were at least 2 lives saved that we know of. Praise God!

********** 

All of these victories — and many more you will read about over the next few days — have been impacted by YOUR faithful prayers. Thank you.

And here’s your final daily devotional for 40 Days for Life by Fr. Frank Pavone…

INTENTION:

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.

SCRIPTURE:

“On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” — Matthew 16:18

REFLECTION:

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.

The pro-life effort is “a matter of the heart.” To end abortion, our hearts must be broken.

This evil cannot simply be something we know about or debate. We have to allow it to grieve us, to bring us to tears, to bring us to our knees.

“Blessed are those who mourn,” for only when our hearts are broken can they open wide enough to receive the grace and strength to storm the gates.

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!

PRAYER:

Father, we praise you.

We have heard the voice of your Son,
And therefore we can make our voices heard.

We have been justified in the blood of your Son,
And therefore we can oppose every form of injustice.

We have repented of our sins,
And therefore we can lead the sinner to repentance.

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.

DAY 39

Today, record numbers of believers across our nation are taking to the streets and sidewalks of their towns, holding coordinated prayer vigils outside of Planned Parenthood centers and other abortion facilities.

Tomorrow, the 40 Days for Life campaign draws to a close, with events and celebrations in many cities.

So where do we go from here?

The abortion industry believes that we are going to simply fade away. They fully expect us to settle back into complacency, leaving them free to continue their deadly business without hindrance.

After all of the miracles we’ve seen God accomplish throughout 40 Days for Life, are we going to allow that to happen?

Last night I spoke to a large gathering of enthusiastic 40 Days for Life participants from across the state of Washington in their capital, Olympia, and I addressed that exact question.

The intensity in the room was electrifying.

I want you to take a few minutes — right now, or before 40 Days for Life ends tomorrow — to listen to the audio recording of that event:

Listen online (click “Play” button):

 

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

http://www.40daysforlife.com/blog/audio/washington.mp3

You’ll hear inspiring stories of some of the local heroes of 40 Days for Life…

…You’ll learn about many of the amazing victories God has accomplished during this initiative — including some that have never been publicly shared before…

…And you’ll have an opportunity to prayerfully discern how God can use YOU to make a lifesaving impact on days 41 and beyond.

Even if you’ve never done anything else I’ve ever asked, please listen to this recording as a personal favor for me today.

Many, many pro-life leaders around the country have shared with me their belief that 40 Days for Life is just the tip of the iceberg, and that America is about to experience a revolutionary breakthrough for life.

I completely agree.

I have never been more hopeful about the future than I am today, and I truly believe the seeds that have been planted during 40 Days for Life will lead to tremendous revival across our land.

And I am deeply honored — and humbled — to be working side-by-side with you in this vital cause.

Thank you for taking this amazing journey with me.

Here’s your daily devotional by Fr. Frank Pavone…

INTENTION:

Pray for those who work in the abortion industry, and for those who have repented of committing abortions and have resolved to defend life.

SCRIPTURE:

Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. — Luke 23:46-48

REFLECTION:

“The Centurion who stood at the foot of the cross of Christ suddenly became horrified at the crucifixion he was ordered to carry out. When Christ died, this Centurion dropped his sword and fell to his knees exclaiming, ‘Surely, this was an innocent man!’

“Those of us who have participated in the killing of unborn children are the Centurions of today. We have dropped our swords against the unborn child. Now we must recognize the depth of our guilt and deal with the ramifications…To revitalize our humanity we need to forgive and be forgiven, to reconcile and be healed.”

These words come from a brochure of the “Society of Centurions,” an organization for former abortion providers. These words convey in a beautiful and moving way what is happening across the nation as hundreds of abortionists and their staff experience repentance, conversion, and healing.

The former abortionists you may already know -– like Bernard Nathanson, Carol Everett, and Tony Levatino –- are only the “tip of the iceberg.” There are so many others, and more continue to come to the light of Christ each day.

Priests for Life, which operates the world’s largest abortion recovery program, Rachel’s Vineyard, likewise assists former abortionists in their journey of repentance.

I (Fr. Frank) will never forget sitting with a group of these men and women for a period of several days one Holy Week, and listening to them resolve that when they got back home, they would attempt to contact every woman on whom they had ever performed an abortion, and apologize to her.

I also heard them tell of how, after their conversion, they would dedicate each passing day to another of the children they had killed. They would name those children, write them letters, and pray a profound prayer of apology.

How does this conversion begin?

My experience confirms what Dr. Philip Ney has also found. He writes, “The factors that changed their opinion on performing abortions, in the following order of frequency, were: evidence of the infant’s humanity, a spiritual experience, personal distress, evidence of the mother’s distress, scientific articles, being accepted as a person, a personal relationship with a pro-lifer, pro-life pickets. For most…there was more than one factor” (The Centurion’s Pathway, p. 77).

The journey is not easy. There is so much pain and guilt to deal with and so many rationalizations to undo that the Centurion will be tempted to say, “Everything is OK now; Jesus has healed me, and I’m just going to forget the past.”

But the Jesus who heals us calls us to face the truth of what we’ve done, make restitution where possible, and engage in the hard work of mending relationships.

Let’s pray for the Centurions, and may their numbers increase!

PRAYER:

Lord, we thank you for those who have repented of committing abortions and have resolved to defend life.

We too repent and resolve.

We repent of every instance in which fear has made us silent when we should have spoken.

We repent of the ongoing bloodshed in our land, and for thinking that we can deprive the unborn of protection but keep it for ourselves.

We resolve that we will work more generously to advance your Kingdom.

We resolve that we will advance the cause of righteous candidates for public office, and that we will be more afraid of offending you by our silence than of offending others by our speech.

We resolve that we will serve you faithfully in the pro-life cause all the days of our lives, and proclaim your name to the nations, through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN.

DAY 38

Early this morning, I joined the faithful prayer volunteers shivering in the 29-degree weather at the Everett, Washington, 40 Days for Life vigil outside a Planned Parenthood abortion facility.

Clinic workers came out to protest our presence and tried to intimidate people by taking numerous photos of the 40 Days for Life volunteers (I actually think that Planned Parenthood now has a better photo album of my family than we do… )

Then it was down to the Seattle vigil where a big group of prayer warriors was gathered. We prayed together, fielded questions from passers-by, and the local people shared the many blessings they have experienced during 40 Days for Life.

Again, Planned Parenthood had organized a protest of 40 Days for Life, wearing bright orange shirts and trying to get people to honk in support of their abortion business.

After that, it was off to Tacoma. Upon arrival, more than 75 pro-lifers were gathered in peaceful prayer and song, despite the taunts, jeers, and yelling of just over a dozen Planned Parenthood workers trying to disrupt the vigil.

In every case, the pro-lifers did not respond to the protests. They simply prayed harder — for the lives of the children at risk of abortion, for their mothers and fathers, and yes, for those people who have been misled and advocate for abortion.

I’m on my way now to join the 40 Days for Life efforts in Olympia, and am looking forward to hearing many more success stories.

The blessings and victories continue to add up all across America. Here are just a couple more:

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA:

We had approximately 50 people join us this morning between 5 – 7:30 AM. This was our largest crowd to date! We had much success too. Two turn-arounds! We had one husband who motioned for me to step to his truck. I did and he wanted to tell me that his wife has decided to keep her baby because of our group gathered in prayer. Hallelujah! I asked if they needed any assistance. He said thank you, but we’ll do just fine. We can make a difference! I really think it was the children that touched this woman’s heart. They were singing, “Jesus Loves the Little Babies. All the Babies of the World.” It was beautiful!

OMAHA, NEBRASKA / COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA:

A week ago this Thursday, we had four verified saved mom’s and babies. One of the mom’s went directly to the Woman’s Touch CPC for and ultra sound and was amazed to meet her child. On the all Hallows Eve, a 7PM candle light prayer service in front of the same facility, a car drove by and saw the service, circled around and came back. The man said, “Thank you for being here. Seven months ago my woman and I came by to have an abortion several times, but you people and a priest were always there, so we never did the deed.  We are so happy with our son, thanks, again.”

Since September 26, I have been blessed to join in the 40 Days for Life efforts in 34 of the participating cities, and I have been inspired by the incredible impact of faithful people who selflessly go to the street and lovingly “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.”

It’s not always easy — and yes, some people may oppose us – but it is worth it!

As we gather in record numbers for the final two days of 40 Days for Life — including the nationwide “Unity Vigil” being held Saturday outside of every Planned Parenthood facility and abortion center possible –  let’s ask God to continue blessing and multiplying these efforts!

Here’s the link to the press release with details about tomorrow’s events:

http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/866024662.html

And here’s your daily devotional by Fr. Frank Pavone…

INTENTION:

Pray that we fully recognize in the unborn child our brother, our sister, and we recommit ourselves to care for them.

SCRIPTURE:

“Now Cain said to his brother Abel, ‘Let’s go out to the field.’ And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is your brother Abel?’

‘I don’t know,’ he replied. ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’

The LORD said, ‘What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.” — Genesis 4:8-11

REFLECTION:

After Cain committed the first murder in human history, God asked him, “Where is your brother?” He replied by saying, “I don’t know.”

In 1973, the Supreme Court was asked the same question, and gave the same answer.

Unable to admit that the unborn children are our brothers and sisters, the Supreme Court said, “We need not resolve the difficult question of when life begins. When those trained in the respective disciplines of medicine, philosophy, and theology are unable to arrive at any consensus, the judiciary, at this point in the development of man’s knowledge, is not in a position to speculate as to the answer”(Roe vs. Wade, 410 U.S. 113, 159).

Boil all that down to three words, and it’s, “I don’t know.”

The question of when life begins, of course, is not difficult to answer at all. The difficulty comes in accepting the responsibility for our brother, our sister, whose life has begun.

The same question, “Where is your brother?”, is asked of each of us today. By participating in the 40 Days for Life, we have been answering that question each day, going to where our brothers and sisters are killed, and proclaiming that we have a responsibility to them.

By all the pro-life work we will continue to do, we likewise answer that question which reaches from one end of human history to the other.

The question, “Where is your brother?”, will be asked at the final judgment. Each person will answer it and be judged by it.

May we be judged to have recognized and loved all our brothers and sisters, born and unborn.

PRAYER:

Father, today we hear your voice, and we respond to the question you ask each of us: “Where is your brother?”

We recognize in the unborn child our brother, our sister, and we recommit ourselves today to care for them. Yes, Father, you have entrusted us to the care of one another. We rejoice that you have given us the grace to respond.

As we work to renew our culture, we look forward to the great day of the coming of your Son, when every eye will see him, even of those who pierced him, and every knee shall bend, and every tongue confess, to the glory of God the Father, JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! Amen.

DAY 37

I’m writing to you from Battle Ground, Washington (great name for a place to visit during 40 Days for Life, isn’t it?)

Tonight I will be speaking at a banquet for a wonderful pregnancy center that has a strategic location in a shopping center next door to Planned Parenthood, and they share a wall with the abortion facility.

As we prayed with the staff next to that wall this afternoon, I got a deep sense of conviction that Planned Parenthood’s days are numbered.

Then when I checked my e-mail shortly afterward, I received the THIRD national e-mail sent out by Planned Parenthood about 40 Days for Life since September 26.

Here’s an excerpt:

“We’re coming to the end of a pretty amazing period at Planned Parenthood. As you know, in early October, I started sharing how I and other Planned Parenthood employees live and work with the picketers outside our clinics during their 40-day protest. Since my first blog post, a whole lot has happened.

I’ve encountered more than 400 protesters, most of them trying their hardest to make it impossible for women to access health care.

One hardliner U.S. senator specifically named Planned Parenthood in an amendment that would have limited funding for health centers like ours.

A particularly venomous district attorney in Kansas filed 107 baseless charges — including more than 20 felony counts — against Planned Parenthood in court.

An anti-birth control radical was put in charge of U.S. family planning policy.”

Once again, the message goes on to ask for more money — since apparently the $305.3 million they took from American taxpayers last year just wasn’t enough.

To me, the most amusing words in that message: “We’re coming to the end…”

After all of the miracles God has accomplished around the country since September 26, they really think we’re all going to just “go away.”

That’s OK, we’ll let them think that…

We won’t tell Planned Parenthood that when I was in Sacramento, California, yesterday, I learned that the 900+ local pro-lifers involved there in the 40 Days for Life vigil outside Planned Parenthood’s newly erected fence are making plans to press on.

Here’s a short video I filmed of some of the dedicated volunteers in Sacramento — including an interview with 81-year-old “Energizer” Bunny Collins who covers the 2 – 4 AM shift everyday:

 We also won’t tell Planned Parenthood about the flood of e-mails that came in from all over the country yesterday, including these:

“We must continue our prayers, sacrifices and devotion to the unborn.”

“Yes, I believe we should keep the momentum going.  This 40 Days has been great. Much work to do!! All for the glory of God.”

“The only way to win this battle is to not stop, to not give in or give up. LET’S KEEP GOING UNTIL WE WIN!” 

“During this 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting, the Lord is inspiring us to continue on. We have momentum and can ‘feel it in the air.’”

“I don’t think we should stop. I plan to continue and urge everyone I know to continue as well. I know that the only way to overcome hate is with love-the pure compassion of Christ. When we smile and offer a warm and trusting hand out to the women and workers of these clinics, the light of Jesus will penetrate the darkness slowly but surely. All glory to God.”

“With God guiding us, we won’t stop until everyone lives.”

But before we all get ahead of ourselves, let’s make sure to FINISH STRONG at the conclusion of this 40 Days for Life.

Read the national press release that went out just a few hours ago:

http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/866024662.html

Feel free to forward that release to friends, family members, co-workers, fellow believers, and media contacts in your community.

First let’s make sure that Saturday, November 3, is the biggest day of unified pro-life activity in history…

…And THEN we’ll let Planned Parenthood and the rest of the abortion industry know what’s in store for them on days 41 and beyond!

Here’s today’s devotional by Fr. Frank Pavone…

INTENTION:

Pray that we may find true freedom by humbly submitting all our choices to God, and leading others by word and example to do the same.

SCRIPTURE:

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” — Genesis 3:1-4

REFLECTION:

St. John in his first letter sums up the mission of Jesus by saying, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8).

What “works of the devil” does Jesus destroy? Jesus Himself tells us that the devil “was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks in character, because he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).

In one and the same breath, Our Lord calls the devil a liar and a murderer. Lies and murder go together. The only way abortion can continue on such a horrible scale is for it to be covered in lies, sugarcoated with denials and distortions of truth.

Jesus has come to destroy the works of the devil. “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6). He is the way to salvation precisely because He is the Truth, shattering the devil’s lies, and because He is the Life, undoing the devil’s work of death.

We see the devil act in in character with lies and murder from the first pages of the Bible. Adam and Eve had been told they could eat of any tree in the garden except “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”

“In the day that you eat of it,” God warned them, “you shall die” (Gen 2:17). What is wrong with knowing good from evil? Aren’t we supposed to know the difference between good and evil? Why, then, is this the one tree of which our first parents were not to eat?

The answer lies in the fact that the “knowledge of good and evil” here does not simply mean “knowing.” It means that Adam and Eve would think they could decide the difference between good and evil, that they would be the ones to determine what was right and wrong, that they would be the norm of morality.

This is the original temptation. “What’s right and wrong for me is up to me… What’s right and wrong for you is up to you… Do not impose your morality on me… I will create my own values… I am accountable to nobody but myself.”

In other words, it’s all up to my own personal choice. The original sin is to put choice above goodness and truth, to abuse freedom by trying to create what is right rather than submit to it.

Jesus showed us the way of submission to the Father, of obedience even unto death on a cross. That is why he was highly exalted. Following his example, and living in the power of the Spirit, we lead our culture from the self-exaltation of “choice” that leads to death to the self-sacrifice of obedience that leads to life.

PRAYER:

Father, save us from the lies of Satan. Save us from the thought that we can be like you by becoming our own source of morality. Free us from the desire to exalt ourselves. Give us the Spirit of your Son, who humbled himself and was therefore highly exalted by you.

May we find our true freedom by submitting all our choices to you, and lead others by word and example to do the same.

We pray in Jesus’ name, AMEN.