In just a moment, you’ll get to hear more great  40 Days for Life success reports from around the country…

…But first, I want to acknowledge the many people, churches, and organizations that helped make this 40 Days for Life possible.

I would personally like to thank:

1. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior
2. My beloved wife, Margaret
3. Our sweet children, Claire and Patrick
4. The 40 Days for Life national board of directors: Jim Olson, Carmen Pate, Shawn Carney, and Amber Dolle
5. David Brandao, the hardest-working volunteer I know, who was able to single-handedly deal with with web site issues, multimedia, email, communications, and much, much more
6. Fr. Frank Pavone, and the entire Priests for Life team for tireless help and support
7. The small handful of dear friends and their families who sacrificially funded the entire national 40 Days for Life campaign, providing exactly what was needed when it was needed (we ended this spring campaign with just $361 left in our account — God is faithful!)
8. The local 40 Days for Life leaders and teams who regularly inspire us with their amazing faith, dedication, and compassion
9. The many pro-life & pro-family organizations, news outlets, and churches who helped to spread the word about 40 Days for Life, and the leaders and clergy who wrote the daily devotionals for this campaign
10. YOU and everyone else who prayed, fasted, participated, helped to spread the word, and celebrated God’s accomplishments throughout this 40 Days for Life     

Today, you get to hear more wonderful success reports from around the country straight from the source — the local 40 Days for Life leaders.

On this 16-minute recording you will hear from:

• Teresa in MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
• Bill in WOODBRIDGE, NEW JERSEY 
• Debbie in DAYTON, OHIO
• Susan in SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA
• Sue in KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN
• Phil in ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO
• Jennifer in CHERRY HILL, NEW JERSEY
• Michele in COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO
• Gabriela in EL PASO, TEXAS
• Anita in PHOENIX, ARIZONA 
• Mary Ann in GREAT FALLS, MONTANA

You will be blessed by this audio!

Listen Online (click “Play” button to start audio):

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

http://www.40daysforlife.com/blog/audio/results2.mp3

Praise the Lord for all the amazing victories He has accomplished through His people!

In closing, as Christians throughout the world prepare for this most holy season of the year, I would like to wish you and your family a very blessed Easter!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…” — 1 Peter 1:3

Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

P.S.- Pro-lifers across America are holding prayer vigils on Good Friday at “the Calvary of our day” — abortion facilities where innocent lives are still being sacrificed. Please prayerfully consider spending an hour in prayer outside an abortion center tomorrow while reflecting on the price Jesus paid on the cross for each of us.

There is no possible way to share all of the great news from 40 Days for Life campaigns around the country in just one day — there are just too many great reports! (That’s a good problem to have! )

So we’ll share share some of the remarkable reports with you today, and more tomorrow.

Here are excerpts from a few written reports…

Joan in PHILLIPSBURG, NEW JERSEY:

We all feel blessed for having the opportunity to take part in the 40 Days for Life effort! In Phillipsburg, we had a limited vigil schedule since we felt prudence was necessary in a somewhat rough neighborhood. However, we are excited to say we had 392 prayer hours! Imagine at first we were afraid no one would come!

Families came to pray, the elderly, people from 15 different Churches including Catholics and Evangelical Christians, people with serious handicaps still came out to pray for an hour, men and women who carry the pain of a past abortion joined us, and so did women who were past clients of the local pro-life pregnancy center. We had priests, local Pastors and Bishop Edward Hughes led us in prayer at the vigil site.

During the 40 days the local pro-life pregnancy center, Life Choices, saw an increase number of abortion minded women — and they all choose life! Life Choices also saw a great increase in donations. Our outreach effort brought us to hundreds of local doorsteps and we were blessed to find the vast majority of people promised to join us by praying and fasting.

What a wonderful experience. We want to continue with this unified powerful prayer effort!

Tim in BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA:

At least 500 different people participated in 40 Days for Life here. At the closing event, I called nineteen children up to the stage, and then announced to the crowd that this is the number of local children who were saved from abortion during these 40 days. I told the crowd this represents the size of a typical kindergarten class.

(We are very careful in how we document the babies saved here; the actual numbers are 18 women changing their minds, with one having a twin pregnancy; in addition, there were also 9 additional “possible turnarounds” that seemed to be people who changed their minds but we’re not sure. Of course there likely were others saved that we don’t know about.)

For me the most important part of 40 Days for Life was personal, though. I had not wanted to do the 40 Days for Life this time even though I knew it would be effective, because I knew that I would end up spending long hours praying on the sidewalk while important things I needed to do were left undone. But my wife Terri convinced me that we needed to do this.

Well, I was right about the fact that I would need to spend long hours on the sidewalk praying while leaving important things undone. But as I prayed I began to realize that because of all the important things we are facing God needed me to spend more time in prayer. If we hadn’t done the 40 days, I wouldn’t have taken much time to pray. I would have been “too busy.” But God needed time to help me see some of His strategies for the days ahead.

Ruth in SPOKANE, WASHINGTON:

There are now over 200 people on our contact lists, many participating in the prayer vigil, many praying daily at church and at home, and many spreading the word among friends and at their churches. Some people without signing up for the vigil, would often stop and pray in front of Planned Parenthood whenever they had the time.

Whether one person alone, or a group of 5, 10, or 25, prayers of repentance, forgiveness and healing have been offered on a daily basis throughout these 40 days at the Planned Parenthood location.

There have been at least 7 special prayer services and Masses for Life, which many have attended. Often after the church services, people would gather at Planned Parenthood together to pray. Over 30 people participated in a Spokane rally with Shawn Carney, one of the national leaders, with less that 24 hours to get the word out.

Many vigil participants reported being transformed by their time in prayer outside the abortion facility. Many reported an apparent drop in business many days, many Saturdays when they didn’t even open, and we can also be thanking God for a baby’s life saved from abortion and a mother saved from a lifetime of regret, the last Friday of the event!

Now you get to hear audio reports from twelve more of the local campaign leaders.

During this rousing 17-minute audio recording, you’ll hear from:

• Carol Marie in RENO/TAHOE, NEVADA
• Brian in KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN
• Jenny in LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
• Fr. Van in WOODBRIDGE, NEW JERSEY
• Victoria in MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
• Randy in PORTLAND, OREGON
• Peggy in TACOMA, WASHINGTON
• Paul in WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
• Andrea in CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA
• Mike in CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
• Annie in LAKELAND, FLORIDA
• Georgia in NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK

You’re going to love this!  

Listen Online (click “Play” button to start audio):

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

http://www.40daysforlife.com/blog/audio/results1.mp3

Tomorrow we’ll have even more stirring reports to share with you.

As you read and listen to how God has blessed this effort across America, keep in mind that your prayers and faithfulness were a major factor contributing to the success of this 40 Days for Life campaign.

Thank you.

Your Brother in Christ,

David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

P.S.- My e-mail inbox is about to explode with messages from people saying “we can’t stop now!” Though I haven’t been able to respond to every message personally, rest assured we are in fervent prayer about where God wants this effort to go from here. I really believe that we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg, and that far bigger and better things are just around the corner! We’ll keep you posted…

Our family is back home in Virginia, and amazing success reports continue to flood my e-mail inbox and voicemail.

We stand completely in awe of all that God has done through this 40 Days for Life effort.

Tomorrow I will send you a summary of the many accomplishments (and you are going to be deeply moved by these reports!)

But today, our family wanted to recognize what YOU have done to make this campaign such a success.

Margaret, Claire, Patrick, and I just filmed a 6-minute video on our front porch to say “THANK YOU” for your prayers and your faithfulness.

I hope you enjoy it:

Today’s “bonus” devotional is written for you by Father Frank Pavone, the national director of Priests for Life…

DAY 41+ 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:

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. On this rock I will build my church; 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.

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 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.

Thank you again, and I hope you like the video we made for you!

Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

Today is the final day of this 40 Days for Life campaign.

Reports are pouring in from around the country about the amazing miracles God has accomplished in cities conducting 40 Days for Life.

We will share a concise summary of these reports with you over the next few days (before I take a much-needed break from e-mail.)

However, let’s take a moment to look at the “big picture” of just SOME of the important pro-life developments that have occurred due to the power of prayer since this campaign began on February 6.

DURING THESE 40 DAYS…

1. Ohio revoked the license of the facility operated by late-term abortionist Martin Haskell. Even though Haskell cut a deal with the state and the clinic is still open, this fresh investigation of a notorious abortion operation has been a major sign of encouragement.
2. Numerous states, including Georgia and Colorado, conducted courageous “personhood” legislative initiatives, recognizing the humanity of every person from the moment of conception.
3. South Dakota kicked off a new effort to ban abortion, launching a petition drive to collect enough signatures to put the abortion ban on the ballot this November.
4. Evidence of Planned Parenthood’s racist agenda gained widespread media attention over the past few weeks, due to the undercover investigations conducted by a UCLA student magazine editor.
5. In Kansas, an important hearing date was set to address the 107 criminal charges filed against Planned Parenthood by heroic District Attorney Phill Kline.
6. In Southfield, Michigan, an abortion center (where 40 Days for Life is being conducted) was exposed for callously disposing the dismembered bodies of aborted babies in a dumpster, an apparent violation of health and environmental regulations — but more clearly, an indication of the abortion industry’s disdain for human life. This shocking revelation made headlines across the Detroit area.
7. In California, a lawsuit from a former Planned Parenthood Vice President came to light, accusing the abortion organization of overbilling taxpayers by $180 million, and identifying many troubling accounting irregularities at America’s largest abortion chain.
8. One day after 40 Days for Life broadcast the story about Eileen Smith’s daughter who was killed by an abortionist in Massachusetts, that abortionist lost his license, never to practice medicine again in any state.
9. A multi-year legal battle against Planned Parenthood in Charlottesville, Virginia — begun after the organization violated numerous zoning laws to open an abortion facility down the road from a local school — culminated in a decisive court hearing on March 14 that could result in the closure of the abortion facility.
10. While attorney general of New York, Eliot Spitzer launched a furious investigation of the state’s pro-life pregnancy care centers — specifically targeting fall 40 Days for Life leader Chris Slattery — threatening legal action against them, at the request of NARAL. Then as governor, Spitzer introduced a bill to loosen abortion restrictions and order religious medical centers to violate tenets of faith. But he was caught in a major scandal that forced him to resign in disgrace. The news that led to the end of his political career broke shortly before he was scheduled to speak to his supporters at a conference sponsored by Planned Parenthood — during these 40 days.

Is it mere coincidence that these developments all occurred during the 40 days when you — and tens of thousands of other people — were praying and fasting for an end to abortion?

Perhaps…

…But I don’t think so.

I believe that we are witnessing the beginning of the end of abortion, and for everything, God gets  all the credit and the glory!

But this IS just a beginning.

This work must continue until no more women cry and no more children die.

Today’s devotional is by Father Frank Pavone, the national director of Priests for Life…

DAY 40 INTENTION:

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

SCRIPTURE:

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

– Revelation 21:4-5

REFLECTION:

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

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

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

As pro-life warriors, we must keep our eyes fixed on heaven, and our hearts secure in the hope that the day is coming when all evil will be conquered.

It is the future that shapes the present; it is victory that informs the battle; it is the destination that determines the journey.

Daily, we are called to reflect on heaven.

When we weep, we are to think of the day when every tear will be wiped away.

When we face the destructive power of death, we are to think of the day when death is swallowed up in victory.

When we labor against abortion, we are to think of the day when we will have the rest and peace of the final triumph of life.

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

PRAYER:

Father, you are the God of hope. Your word fills us with the vision of the world to come, when every tear will be wiped away, and death will be no more.

Father, how we need that hope, how we are strengthened by that vision! Keep our hearts focused on heaven, and diligent in the labors of earth.

As we struggle against the culture of death, root our souls in the assurance of victory. We pray through Christ our Lord, Amen.

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

Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

Several days back, Carmen Pate — member of the national 40 Days for Life team — was scheduled to visit the 40 Days for Life locations in Oregon. Unfortunately, a freak snowstorm in Texas canceled all flights and prevented Carmen from coming.

She was very disappointed, and as a small way of saying “thank you” to the people of Oregon for their efforts during this campaign, Carmen just recorded a 3-minute audio especially for the faithful Oregon 40 Days for Life participants.

Here it is…

Listen online (click “Play” button):

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

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

Blessings,

David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

“Keep up the good fight, finish the race.”

Those words of encouragement are from J.D., who posted his comments on the 40 Days for Life blog to remind us of a truth those of us involved in this fight cannot forget: “God is the victor.”

God has indeed won the battle; but we, His instruments, must still carry out His plan.

“Prayer and fasting, belief in action, continuing our effort with the Lord, is the answer,” said J.D. “I pray continuously for everyone involved in the 40 Days for Life.”

40 Days for Life is a call to action. However, 40 Days for Life is a means to an end, not an end in itself.

We’ve frequently used the phrase “the beginning of the end of abortion.” Not the end, but a good, solid, faithful, effective beginning of the effort that will — with God’s help — end abortion.

Marie also responded to 40 Days for Life, pointing out what’s at stake — both for our individual communities and the nation as a whole.

“Our children are being taught, through abortion, that life has no value,” she wrote. “Are we to blame for not uniting and standing up to keep God in everything our country stands for and terminate forever the evil acts of killing a helpless unborn child through abortion?”

She adds, “We need to keep this united effort growing, especially with the election this year. Let’s grow in numbers and make our voices known!”

Jane’s testimony shows that with a toll of almost 50 million dead since 1973, abortion is, for many people, something very personal.

“Several times a week,” she wrote, “my husband and I stand prayerfully in front of the local Planned Parenthood where the grandchild we will never know (in this life) died nine years ago.”

Abortion often hits close to home. Too close, in this case. But thanks to the efforts of people like you who’ve answered the call to sacrifice embodied in 40 Days for Life, there is once again new light — and new hope.

“Through the influence of the heroic leadership and participation of men and women and children all over the world in these 40 Days for Life,” wrote Jane, “we are living and praying with a new conviction and commitment that other little ones will get their rightful chance to live. Thank you for this powerful and inspired campaign and for the opportunity for us to experience our own conversions on many levels.”

Finally, Eileen reminds us, “With God, nothing is impossible.” She also repeats a comment we hear often, but it’s always music to the ears: “I love each and every single one of the participants in the 40 Days for Life. God bless you!”

Today’s devotional was prepared for you by Carmen Pate, co-host of the nationally syndicated “Point of View” talk show…

DAY 39 INTENTION:

Pray that volunteers will replace exhaustion or discouragement with rejoicing over the miracles we have seen thus far, and enthusiastic service as God takes us on to victory!

SCRIPTURE:

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

– 1 Peter 1:6-7

REFLECTION:

We have reason to rejoice when we consider the many babies whose lives have been saved during the 40 Days for Life campaign.

Add to those lives, the women and men who have been spared from a devastating decision and now have opportunity to make a plan for their baby that is both life affirming and God honoring.

Whether directly, or indirectly, you have contributed to these testimonies of praise with your sacrificial service.

Perhaps you have been grieved by various trials during your commitment to 40 days.

The attacks of the enemy come in many forms — difficulties in relationships, finances, health.

Or maybe you are physically and mentally exhausted and have been marking off the days on your calendar, eagerly waiting for March 16.

Consider these trials in light of God’s plan for you.

The Apostle Paul understood the big picture when he said in Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

This is our Hope and our victory. Let us rejoice in the opportunity to give that Hope to others in our path.

PRAYER:

Dear Heavenly Father, we sing to You a new song, for You have done marvelous things. Forgive us when we allow circumstances to defeat us. You give power to the faint and You increase strength in those who have no might.

We rest in You, dear Lord, and ask You to empower us again for Your service as You work out Your plan for us and through us.

May You receive glory through our victory in Christ, in whose name we pray, Amen.

Tomorrow — Sunday, March 16 — is the last day of this 40 Days for Life. But this is not the end. It is merely a new beginning!

Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

P.S.- Thanks for your prayers for the court hearing in Charlottesville, Virginia yesterday that could result in the closure of the local Planned Parenthood abortion facility. While my family was praying outside Planned Parenthood with 40 Days for Life volunteers, others were attending the hearing. They told me that the judge did not issue his ruling yet, but indicated he would not take long to do so. It sounds like things went well. Keep praying, and we’ll keep you posted!

“God changes hearts. Amen!”

That note from Denise in Raleigh, North Carolina, sums up the fruits of 40 Days for Life.

Despite a weather forecast that called for thunderstorms — and a tornado watch — Denise and her 8-year-old son went to pray at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Raleigh. He insisted!

As they prayer, “the wind blew harder and harder and my son was afraid but although he looked worried, he stayed strong.”

Eventually, as they prayed, Denise and her son watched as a couple left the clinic. As they walked away, the man put his arms around the woman.

“We didn’t know the reason for their visit, but we only hope that we can go back to the clinic and pray, rain or shine, tornadoes or thunderstorms, wind or calm.”

A strong, consistent prayer presence outside the abortion center was rewarded recently in San Fernando Valley, California.

Patti arrived to see quite a number of people in prayer, with extremely positive feedback from passers by on the sidewalk and in their cars. “I don’t know about anyone else but I truly felt God’s presence all morning,” she said.

One woman came rushing up to her from the group with news she had to share immediately. “We’ve just had a save,” she said, “and it was incredible!”

A young woman left the clinic, trembling and on the verge of tears. She told the sidewalk counselors she was inside the clinic, prepared for her abortion, but suddenly decided against it and left the building.

As for why she changed her mind, the woman broke down and cried and said she had no idea. Patti, however, said the reason was clear. It was the group of people outside united in prayer.

That same day, at that same clinic, counselors met a couple as they were driving into the parking lot. They talked for quite some time, and the woman said she had been hoping for some kind of sign from God to tell her the right thing to do.

“When she saw everyone praying on the corner, she knew abortion was not the answer,” Patti said. “Praise God again, and again, and again!”

She added, “I wonder what incredible plans God has in store for the two babies saved today, and the hundreds saved around the country because of the amazing efforts of people like all of you!”

She also asked, “Do you ever wonder if this generation of almost-aborted babies will become the generation that saves civilization as we know it? This is the generation of babies saved by the power of God, so it’s not too far-fetched to think that this will be the generation that saves humanity.”

Thank you again for your faithfulness and your sacrifice throughout this 40 Days for Life campaign!

Today’s devotional was prepared for you by Rev. J. Kirk van der Swaagh of the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference…

DAY 38 INTENTION:

We pray for the conversion of all those who refuse to acknowledge that human life belongs only to God.

SCRIPTURE:

Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

– Jeremiah 1:4-5

REFLECTION:

To be or not to be?

There is no question!

The question of “being” is something philosophers have long pondered.

What is the meaning of being and what is the source? In the passage before us, we have our answer.

We have being because we are known by God.

For God to declare that he knows and sets apart the prophet Jeremiah even before he is conceived indicates that our being rests in God’s own being.

Because He is and because He wills we, therefore, are and do.

The Apostle Paul says as much when he declares before the philosophers of his day, “In Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).

One of the tragedies of the abortion culture is that life in the womb has been so heartbreakingly devalued.

To embrace the arguments of the “pro-choice” crowd one must conclude that the child in the womb doesn’t exist, isn’t there, has no being.

But nothing could be further from the truth.

That child is known by God and, as such, has being.

PRAYER:

Lord God, we confess that in You we live and move and have our being.

Because You are, we are.

May we find grace from You to affirm the being of every human and may we labor to make this truth known to the world around us. Amen.

What a wonderful day! Our family started off early yesterday morning in mountainous Franklin, North Carolina where the local 40 Days for Life is being held in front of the county courthouse since the town is fortunate to not have a nearby abortion facility. Their response has been wonderful!

Then it was a four-hour drive to Charlotte where we joined an enthusiastic group of prayer warriors who are conducting their THIRD 40 Days for Life!

We ended the evening in Salisbury, North Carolina, where I spoke for a pregnancy center fundraiser.

Early this morning we go on to Raleigh, North Carolina, and then to Charlottesville, Virginia.

In Charlottesville, we will join the 40 Days for Life folks and other faithful believers who will be praying outside the local Planned Parenthood abortion center beginning at 1:00 PM — right before a major court hearing that is being held to determine if that Planned Parenthood facility violated the law and should be shut down. (I don’t think it’s a coincidence that this hearing is being held right before 40 Days for Life ends!)

PLEASE keep this hearing, the judge, and the attorney, Mike Sharman, in your prayers. This could be the hearing that closes down Planned Parenthood’s Central Virginia abortion facility!

Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

P.S.- Many people were deeply touched by the audio recording of Anita Usher talking about overcoming big challenges. If you want to personally express your appreciation to Anita, her e-mail is: anita_usher333@hotmail.com

If you didn’t hear the recording yet, it is posted online at: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=88

There are many heroes involved in 40 Days for Life — ordinary people with extraordinary faith who are overcoming daunting challenges so they can make a life-saving impact.

Here are just a few examples…

Maria prays at the vigil outside Planned Parenthood in Monterey, California twice a week, even though she is 80 years old and sometimes has difficulty walking.

Maria is from Poland and has seen the difficulties brought by war and years of Communist oppression; yet “she is still on fire for God and life,” said Teresa, who helps coordinate the local 40 Days for Life effort in Monterey.

“Maria challenges each of us to really question how much are we willing to put ourselves on the line,” Teresa said. “How far are we willing to go to defend life? How important is this effort to us?” Maria shows no fear in standing up for the unborn.

At one abortion clinic, the staff members have been sent out to take pictures of any vigil participants who appear to be of Hispanic heritage.

The implied threat is that the clinic will turn the photos over to immigration officials.

Such an effort could potentially create difficulty and generate red tape — even for U.S. citizens and others who are living in this country legally.

“They have just accepted this persecution as an attempt by the evil one to discourage and frighten them, and they keep on praying,” reports a local 40 Days for Life vigil leader. “Hopefully their example will encourage any procrastinators to come out and pray.”

And here is one of the most amazing stories of overcoming challenges…

Anita Usher signed up to lead a 40 Days for Life campaign in the Phoenix Metro Area. Instead of focusing their prayer vigil on just one abortion facility, Anita’s team decided to cover 12 Planned Parenthood offices across the city!

That by itself is an amazing feat, but right in the midst of this enormous 40 Days for Life campaign, Anita and her family LOST THEIR HOUSE due to a devastating financial downturn.

But that didn’t stop Anita.

Throughout it all, she has refused to quit on 40 Days for Life. Her determination has galvanized their local campaign, inspired countless others, and saved many lives.

You will be amazed when you hear Anita’s real-life story of overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Her determination is more motivating than any movie like “Rocky” or “Rudy.”

I was fortunate enough to be able to spend a few minutes on the phone with Anita, and she gave me permission to record the entire discussion and share it with you.

Be sure to have a box of Kleenex nearby and listen to Anita’s powerful 28-minute audio report. You’ll be so glad you did!

Listen online (click “Play” button):

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

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

Today’s devotional is by Father Frank Pavone, the national director of Priests for Life…

DAY 37 INTENTION:

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

SCRIPTURE:

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

– 2 Corinthians 3:17

REFLECTION:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PRAYER:

Come, Holy Spirit. You are the Spirit of freedom, the source of all that is good, the power to do what is right.

Fill us, and fill those who are in bondage today, feeling doomed to do what is wrong.

Set them free, and help us to hasten them on the road to freedom, where your grace overcomes every temptation.

We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Let’s strive to live up to the amazing example that Anita has set for us by overcoming whatever obstacles stand in the way of doing God’s will!

Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

“I would like to give you all a big hug and a huge thank you for the work that you do.”

Those words — and the big hug — come to you from Judy in Magnolia, Texas, who wrote to say, “What an inspiration all of you are.”

Judy asks that we all pray that the huge 78,000 square-foot Planned Parenthood abortion facility planned for construction near the University of Houston — the largest abortion facility in the entire Western hemisphere — will never open.

“Even though my participation is small I do lift you guys every day,” she said, “no matter where you may be. I do know that God is in complete control of all life.”

(I guess that by day 36 a lot of us looked like we really needed a hug!)

There are many others who would love to be at the 40 Days for Life vigils, but for many reasons cannot. Rest assured that these people are offering their spiritual support.

Anna Mae, for instance, is unable to visit the clinics because she must care for her disabled husband; “but my prayers go with all of you and may God continue to bless the wonderful life-saving work that you are doing.”

As we near the conclusion of this 40 Days for Life campaign, hopefully these words of appreciation will encourage you to finish strong — and prepare for whatever happens next in your community.

Even if God were to bring abortion to an end today, there is still plenty of work to be done to repair the damage left in the wake of 35 years of unfettered abortion.

Patti writes of the many women wounded by abortion in our communities across the country. “I say this through experience,” she said. “I had an abortion 11 years ago. I know the pains a woman goes through — the physical pain, the emotional pain, the spiritual pain.”

Patti says she knows God has forgiven her, and she is confident the child she lost to abortion is in heaven and has forgiven her. “However, I am having a hard time forgiving myself.”

Please keep Patti in your prayers — and the millions of other Americans who are in exactly the same situation. We must continue supporting all of them in their search for the healing that only Christ can bring.

Also know that everything you are doing as part of the 40 Days for Life effort brings great hope to people in all parts of this nation.

Estelle writes to say, “Maybe this year all of our prayers will be answered” and abortion will begin to end. “Thank you for all you are doing to end this horrible crime against humanity.”

Today’s devotional was prepared for you by Vera Faith Lord, the director of Alpha Omega Life Ministry, who serves as a representative of the Orthodox Church to the National Pro-life Religious Council…

DAY 36 INTENTION:

Pray that those who have forgotten their purpose may discover it in God and therefore have the courage to choose life.

SCRIPTURE:

These all wait for you, that you may give them their food in due season, what you give them they gather in; you open your hand they are filled with good. You hide your face, they are troubled; you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. You send forth your Spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the earth.

– Psalm 104:27-30

REFLECTION:

“I am a feather on the breath of God.”

As the quote above portrays, we are upheld by the power and purpose of God.

Our very existence on earth, from our body’s first breath to its last, when we leave it to return home, is our Father’s choice and happens only by His willing to do so.

He who created the universe also created that which is “me.” I do not “have” a soul – I AM a soul, as well as a body.

My entire purpose in this life is to find my way back to my Creator.

PRAYER:

Beloved Father, remind us today that there is no truth but you.

Do not let us fall prey to the evil one’s lie that we may choose death.

Remind us right now that you, who created all life, are in control of all life, and let us know right now that you who created all life, are in control of all life, and let us choose life always.

Father, please let us hear your voice more today than yesterday.

Keep lighting the pathway home, for us and for all who participate in this 40 Days for Life campaign.

Father, we’re on our way. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Margaret, Claire, Patrick, and I just left the Louisville, Kentucky 40 Days for Life candlelight vigil which was attended by over 120 people.

It was very encouraging to see so many faithful believers praying and sharing encouragement with one another on the very doorstep of a downtown abortion facility.

When a 92-year-old Catholic nun — who has been faithfully praying in front of that abortion center for years — asked everyone to sing, the crowd began singing “Amazing Grace” and the music filled the whole block. It was heavenly!

With the momentum continuing to build in cities and towns across America, I can’t wait to see what God has in store for the last few days of this 40 Days for Life — and beyond!

Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

We continue to be amazed at the testimonies about the power of 40 Days for Life that bloggers across the country are posting online.

These people have been so deeply touched by what’s going on in their communities that they can’t wait to tell the world.

Debra in Bellingham, Washington writes that while she was praying in front of Planned Parenthood, she met a young man who was a student at the local college — and an abortion survivor. “His mother was on the way to getting an abortion when her pastor talked her out of it,” she said.

Some 20 years later, this young man is a member of the track team who engages in regular Bible study with teammates — and offers encouragement to the people taking part in the 40 Days for Life vigil.

“He busts all stereotypes Planned Parenthood attempts to create to make us believe unplanned babies are unwanted babies and a scourge on society,” Debra wrote. “He is living proof of God’s Truth.”

Another blogger was afraid the best efforts of the people praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Austin, Texas would be for naught.

“Cars would pull in and I became more saddened as they completely ignored us and entered the facilities,” he wrote. “I could tell my friends were also becoming dismayed. After having spent an hour I left.”

But it was only the next day, when he met a friend who had remained at the clinic, that this man learned the rest of the story.

“It wasn’t until after I left that a couple who had previously gone into the clinic came back out after a short period of time,” he wrote. The man gave them a thumbs-up as they got into their car.

“They stopped next to the sidewalk counselor in our group and told her that they had decided to keep the baby.”

Another blogger reports that at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Beaverton, Oregon, many people stopped to express their appreciation to the participants.

“One lady came by with the cutest baby in a stroller and thanked us for being out there,” she said. “She mentioned she had a few abortions and it still haunted her.”

Shortly afterward, another woman arrived with a similar story of past abortions. She asked for brochures on post-abortion healing.

“She encouraged us to reach out and help women so they did not have to go through abortion,” the blogger wrote.

Finally, there’s the testimony of a California blogger who notes that if you are able to regularly spend time in prayer outside an abortion center, God will occasionally provide moments of blessing when it’s clear His hand is at work.

“There is nothing better than those moments to see God answer our prayers,” she wrote, “encouraging us to keep fighting the good fight.”

Today’s devotional was prepared for you by Carmen Pate, co-host of the nationally syndicated “Point of View” radio talk show…

DAY 35 INTENTION:

Pray that all believers participating in this 40 Days for Life campaign will make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3).

SCRIPTURE:

And the glory which You gave Me, I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

– John 17:22-23

REFLECTION:

Christ prayed that all those who would believe in Him would be united in single purpose and spirit, just as He and the Father were united.

I find it convicting to consider that those who would run to Jesus with their sins, seeking forgiveness, and falling in love with the Savior, often run from Christians today.

Is it because they see division and dissension instead of unity and peace?

No doubt Christ is pleased to see the body unified and praying together during these 40 days.

This is exactly what we see when we read about the beginnings of the church. Both the unity and the prayer are conspicuous, along with the results of unified prayer.

Acts 2:46-47 tells us, “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

No doubt the enemy is disheartened to see the unity in prayer, fasting and peaceful vigil, and he will continuously try to disrupt the bond of peace among brothers and sisters in Christ.

Let us guard our hearts and minds, exhibiting the love of Christ that He so graciously gives us, so that those watching will see the love among us and know that He must love them too!

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, give us grace in every situation to work toward unity. With humility, gentleness, and patience, may we endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There are hurting men and women Lord at the crossroads of life and death who are looking for love and peace in their lives.

May they see Christ in us and be drawn to the abundant life that only He can give. It is in Christ’s precious name that we pray, Amen.

Several hours ago our family joined an exciting 40 Days for Life rally in Dayton, Ohio — outside the late-term abortion facility run by the notorious abortionist Martin Haskell who “pioneered” the partial-birth abortion procedure.

Over 100 people were gathered in the public right-of-way, and — except for the abortion worker who intentionally swerved her car at me as I spoke to the crowd, coming within a foot of where I stood and spraying me with snow and slush — the event was a big success.

(Jesus did warn us that persecution was part of the deal — Matthew 5:11)

Read the story about the event from the Dayton Daily News: http://snipurl.com/21h0q

In a few hours we head on to Louisville, Kentucky to join another 40 Days for Life effort.

We are so blessed to observe first-hand how God is moving mightily across America right now!

Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life