297 babies have been reported saved from abortion during this 40 Days for Life campaign thus far.

297 — Praise God!!

Here are the stories of two of those babies…

Elizabeth in Sacramento shared a report with me that is especially heartbreaking — a mother being told abortion is her best option because her baby may have medical problems.

“I am six months pregnant and am going to have an abortion due to medical reasons,” she told Elizabeth.

“I explained that her baby is precious,” said Elizabeth. But at first, the mother was not interested in listening.

“My doctor insisted that there are multiple deformities,” she said, “including spina bifida, and that this would be a ’special needs’ baby.”

“I shared how God knew from the beginning of time that He would create this special baby and that He gave special babies to special mothers,” Elizabeth told her. “This baby is truly a gift from God.”

At this point the two held hands and prayed together. “I pleaded with God to send her all the graces necessary to choose life, accept God’s will and to ultimately trust that He has the best plan for her and her baby.”

As Elizabeth finished her prayer, she asked the woman if she could kiss her baby. The thought must have come from God, because she had no idea why she would ask such a question. But the mother agreed, and Elizabeth bent down and kissed her stomach.

Immediately the mother proclaimed with joy…

“I am keeping my baby! I don’t care what the doctor or what anyone else says,” she said, “this is my baby!”

Elizabeth then watched as the young mother courageously walked away from the clinic.

Your prayers and sacrifices during this 40 Days for Life are bearing fruit!

Jennifer in Cherry Hill, New Jersey woke up the other day, heard the rain outside, and it thought it would be a good day go back to sleep — but she did not — she COULD not!

“I thought how babies are often saved when volunteers make the sacrifice to come out in the cold rain.” So off she went to join a small group in prayer.

But only a few abortion clients took their flyers, and Jennifer was discouraged at the end of her shift. “I was feeling cold and wet and wishing our sacrifices and prayers would have saved a baby.”

When Jennifer went back to the clinic later, she learned that one of the women who entered the clinic while she and the others were praying had come out shortly after Jennifer left. She had decided to keep her baby!

Her discouragement vanished in an instant.

In these remaining five days of this spring 40 Days for Life campaign, may God continue to save many more babies from abortion and protect many more women — and men — from lives of regret.

Today’s devotional is from Carmen Pate, a 40 Days for Life board member and the co-host of the nationally syndicated Point of View radio talk show…

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DAY 35 INTENTION
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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).

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SCRIPTURE
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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

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REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, Point of View
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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!

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PRAYER
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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.

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PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
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To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2009day35print.pdf

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Yours In Christ,

Shawn Carney
Spring Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

The abortion industry calls itself “pro-choice.”

But so often we see that, in reality, their stance is NO choice — and if you publicly disagree with them, they’ll call the police to try and harass you.

A 15-year-old participant in the 40 Days for Life vigil in San Francisco has found that out for himself — twice!

The California Catholic Daily shares the story of Will Campbell, a high school student who was outside a Planned Parenthood abortion center praying with seven other people, including his parents.

Will had his iPod with him and a small portable speaker. He was playing a pro-life rap song called “Happy Birthday” (yes, “pro-life rap song” may sound like a contradiction, but there are actually several tunes out there that fit this description).

“Many people walking down the street, hearing the music, gave thumbs-up and thank-yous,” he told the reporter. “People going into the clinic obviously were trying to ignore the music, but kept looking over to us praying.”

But not the clinic staff. They saw fit to call San Francisco’s finest because of what Will was doing.

“The Planned Parenthood escorts immediately started jotting down notes, making phone calls, and moving around anxiously,” said Will. The escorts seemed excited that they finally had something to complain about.

“When the police arrived they simply asked us if we were playing music to ourselves. We said yes and offered to turn it down repeatedly if we needed to, but the police officers just told us to enjoy ourselves,” he said, adding, “the two officers thought it was no big deal.”

A week later, it happened again!

“We started playing the music again, and the escorts called the police,” said Will. “But this time the officer did nothing but give me a thumbs-up.”

You know what, Will? There are many others around the country giving you a big thumbs-up too!

You can read Will’s whole story here:
http://tinyurl.com/dlhetw

Thumbs-up for the 40 Days for Life team in Charleston, South Carolina as well, who’ve had similar discussions with the police — and obstacles to overcome on the sidewalk outside the abortion facility.

Vigil participants have been falsely accused of yelling at the abortion center patrons as well as pushing, shoving and intimidating them. “Of course, none of these things are true and law enforcement knows it,” said Bob, one of the local coordinators. “Nonetheless, because of numerous complaints, we are being scrutinized.”

Abortion supporters have set up their own display — with posters of Hitler and large yellow signs in bold lettering that read, “Don’t stop. Don’t roll down your window. Don’t accept pamphlets.”

“We are there to keep the prayer vigil — and provide hope, love and referrals for mothers wanting to keep their babies. Sometimes, women come to us after the abortion, immediately feeling regret and loss in need of compassion and referral. We have been given new visibility,” Bob said. “Nothing for the Lord comes without a little persecution. We can’t wait to see what God will do!”

Today’s devotional was prepared by Rev. Ben Sheldon, president emeritus of Presbyterians Pro-life…

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DAY 34 INTENTION
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We pray for the conversion of abortionists and all abortion advocates.

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SCRIPTURE
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Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.

Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.

– Isaiah 1:16-17

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REFLECTION by Rev. Ben Sheldon
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God is just.

Inscribed around the inside of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC, are the immortal words of Thomas Jefferson: “I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just.”

If the deist, Jefferson, knew in the depths of his being that God is just, how much more ought we Christians to reflect on this profound truth?

The justice of God, like his holiness and his purity, encourages us to seek justice for all people.

It is the evil deeds and wrong, selfish attitudes of our modern society that have led to the cavalier acceptance of abortion and euthanasia.

But, as Jefferson also said, “his justice will not sleep forever.”

God is calling us today to seek justice, to encourage the oppressed, and to defend the orphans and widows of our society.

It is a noble calling! It is one which every true believer, every God-fearing man and woman, should heed with no hesitation and no reluctance.

To follow the God of justice and truth is to stand unequivocally for the right to life of everyone, especially the unborn, the physically disabled, and the terminally ill.

God’s word through the prophet Isaiah is as relevant in today’s 21st century world as it was in Isaiah’s 8th century BC world.

May God’s grace help us to defend the unborn’s right to life as well as that of the already born.

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PRAYER
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O God, our heavenly Father, give us courage and wisdom as we seek to eradicate the evil in our society.

Help us to realize that your divine Spirit alone can change hearts and minds so that all your human creatures may enjoy the fullness of life you intended for them.

I pray this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, Amen.

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PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
——————————————————

To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2009day34print.pdf

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Today begins the final week of this spring’s 40 Days for Life campaign.

Let’s pull out all the stops over these last few days, regardless of the abortion industry’s desperate efforts to silence us!

Yours In Christ,

Shawn Carney
Spring Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

I’ve heard from numerous 40 Days for Life vigil coordinators that on certain days, every one of the abortion center’s patients left without having an abortion. Every one!

How did they know for sure? Because the clinic was CLOSED! Locked tight — nobody home!

Pat in Jacksonville, Florida tells me that on a typical Saturday, there are 50 people on the sidewalk praying outside the Planned Parenthood location. “Many cars will drive in, make a U-turn — and keep going out,” she said.

Pat knows 40 Days for Life is having an effect, because on one recent Saturday, three women had appointments at Planned Parenthood, but because of “something called 40 Days for Life,” they didn’t want to drive past that crowd.

Because of the pro-life presence at Planned Parenthood, these women went someplace else — a pro-life pregnancy center — where they saw ultrasound images of their children and chose life for their babies instead of abortion.

But this story gets even better.

The next Saturday, there were 50 people out praying again. And another group of women came for their appointments. But this time, the doors were locked!

The clients were perplexed — and the people praying on the sidewalk were ecstatic. “Many of these people don’t know Jacksonville so they didn’t know to drive two miles to the next abortionist, they just went home,” Pat said.

This is giving folks in Jacksonville incentive to pack the sidewalk EVERY Saturday. “We already know we will return to honor Planned Parenthood with our presence in the fall,” she said. “They are definitely unhappy. I think their profits may be down. I know our spirits are up!”

There’s an abortion center in Austin, Texas that I’ve mentioned before. It does abortions on Sunday — which makes an incredible mockery of the Lord’s Day.

But one recent Sunday, it was closed. And then on the following Sunday, it was closed AGAIN!

“With the clinic not opening its gates for clients at all last Sunday,” said Elizabeth, the local 40 Days for Life coordinator, “that makes two Sundays that the clinic did not harm women and abort children! Even though we do not need to see the fruits of our labor to know we are doing what God wants, it sure is unbelievably encouraging to so clearly see the Holy Spirit working through us. Amen!”

Elizabeth said more than 450 Christians are taking part in Austin’s 40 Days for Life campaign. “Four hundred and fifty! What momentum 40 Days for Life has gained here in Austin!”

I know I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again and again: being there makes a difference — a BIG difference.

Being there on a regular basis makes a bigger difference.

Being there on a regular basis in large numbers makes an incredible difference.

Thanks again to all of you who are helping to make an incredible difference!

Today’s devotional was prepared for you by Fr. Frank Pavone, the national director of Priests for Life…

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DAY 33 INTENTION
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Let us affirm the unborn children by our language.

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SCRIPTURE
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Anyone who says to his brother, “Raca,” is answerable to the Sanhedrin… anyone who says, “You fool!” will be in danger of the fire of hell.

– Matthew 5:22

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REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life
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Before the schoolyard bully beats up his victim, he calls him names. This is a way to dehumanize the victim, and therefore make it easier to justify attacking him.

In this verse from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says that using dehumanizing language is sinful. “Raca” was an Aramaic term of contempt.

The respect and love we are called to have for other human lives is not limited to action alone; it also has to manifest itself in language.

Professor William Brennan, in his book “Dehumanizing the Vulnerable: When Word Games Take Lives,” traces the dehumanizing language used to oppress various groups of people in history, such as our African-American brothers and sisters, or our Jewish brothers and sisters in the Holocaust.

He then shows that the same kind of dehumanizing language is used against the unborn, who have been called “parasites,” “tissue,” and “medical waste,” among other things.

What are we to do instead? We are to affirm one another, including the unborn, with ennobling language that inspires respect and love.

The unborn are precious children, they are our brothers and sisters, they are the image of God. Let us multiply the language of affirmation, as we hasten to the day of their protection!

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PRAYER
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Lord, we ask your forgiveness for any times our words have dehumanized our brothers and sisters.

We also ask you to send your grace to those who speak and write in degrading terms about the children in the womb. Convert those who do not see the dignity of these children.

Loosen the tongues of those who do not know how to acknowledge the humanity and sacredness of these tiny lives.

Keep us all aware of the power of language, and help us to use it rightly in the cause of life and justice. We pray through Christ our Lord, Amen.

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PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
——————————————————

To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2009day33print.pdf

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Yours In Christ,

Shawn Carney
Spring Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

If your pastor or other church leader has participated in 40 Days for Life events in your community — or in a nearby community — please be sure to say “thanks!”

It’s a major boost when a pastor joins members of the congregation — at the abortion facility — to pray for an end to abortion.

“My own pastor signed up for two days,” said Schola in Everett, Washington, “and that was a big deal because it was his very first time.”

Anne in nearby Tacoma, Washington noted, “At one shift I observed two Catholic priests and one Evangelical pastor among the group.”

This is great news — and it seems to be a growing trend, as more and more pastors are getting personally involved in this mission.

In Austin, Texas, Bishop Gregory Aymond led prayer at the 40 Days for Life midpoint rally. “He encouraged everyone in persevering in their pro-life activism,” said Elizabeth. “His words touched the hearts of every person attending. We then had a candlelight prayer vigil while the band Soundwaves led us in praise and worship. Those 100 candles in the dark city were definitely a light to all who witnessed it.”

The 40 Days for Life team in Sacramento sent a photo with Bishop Jaime Soto, who joined vigil participants for prayer outside a Planned Parenthood facility.

In Bakersfield, California, Pastor Jim went to pray at the clinic. He walked back and forth, reading his Bible and not really watching where he was going. He stepped into a hole in the pavement and fell.

“When I got up I noticed I had two bleeding wounds on my hands,” he said. “The first thing I thought about was that Jesus also had two bleeding wounds on his hands. I thanked the Father that he has sent Jesus to save me. He also sent Jesus to save those aborted babies and to save those mothers who truly believe in His name. Please God, stop abortion in my lifetime.”

Thank you, Pastor Jim, for your faithfulness!

In Colorado Springs, Colorado, Bishop Michael Sheridan offered Mass at the site of the 40 Days for Life vigil — on the sidewalk outside the Planned Parenthood facility.

Michele in Colorado Springs said, “I don’t know if any other bishops have done this,” she said, “but it was such a blessing that I encourage other bishops to do the same.”

Many people tell me how they wish more pastors and members of the clergy would get personally involved with 40 Days for Life and bring the Word of God to the streets in front of the abortion centers.

The best way to make that happen?

It’s pretty simple. Invite them!

If you haven’t seen your pastor or church leader at a 40 Days for Life vigil yet, maybe it’s because nobody has asked them yet.

Why not mention it after church this weekend?

Then, if they come out and participate in 40 Days for Life, send us the story and a photo so we can share it with others!

Today’s devotional was prepared for you by Rev. Paul Stallsworth of the United Methodist Church, president of Lifewatch…

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DAY 32 INTENTION
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May we come to know that divine life, in relationship, creates human life.

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SCRIPTURE
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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.

All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

– John 1:1-3

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REFLECTION by Rev. Paul Stallsworth, Lifewatch
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“In the beginning” was God.

Always, before all times, there was God.

This particular God — the God of the Bible, the God of St. John’s Gospel — is different from all other gods. This God is alive and full of life.

This God is not the picture of deadness and death, aloneness and isolation.

This God is the picture of life, relationship, and unity. For within this God, within this one God, there are three divine persons who live, who love, and who work — together. This is the glorious mystery of the Trinity.

The Trinity means divine life. The Trinity means three, living Persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — who relate to each other. The Trinity means mutual love and service among three Persons.

The Word was always with God the Father. This Word was, is, and will be the Trinity’s second person. The Word is also the Son of God or, as revealed in time, Jesus Christ.

God the Father and God the Son live, love, and work for each other. As one, they create “all things” together: the Father creates all things, including all human life, through the Son.

So the Father, through the Son, creates all human lives. The little one swimming in his mother’s womb, the infant smiling in his father’s arms, the child crying in pain in a hospital bed, the energetic teen running another mile, the old man gasping for his last breath — all were created, at their beginning, by the Father through the Son.

No exceptions. Divine life creates human life.

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PRAYER
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O God, may we always be quick to call you Father. And when we call you father, let your Spirit remind us that we, and all people, from their beginning to their last day, are your children.

We praise you, Father, that you sent your Son to reveal to the world that all people are His brothers and sisters, that all people are your children. Through Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

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PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
——————————————————

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

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2009day32print.pdf

——————————————————

Yours In Christ,

Shawn Carney
Spring Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

When the end of a task is in sight, there’s usually great rejoicing…

…But in the case of 40 Days for Life the feeling is often: “What do you mean it’s almost over? We’re just getting started!”

I won’t tell you where — because if I did it could tip off the abortion center staff — but one of the local 40 Days for Life teams has a surprise in store for Planned Parenthood.

“They cannot wait for us to leave and stop the 40 days,” said this group’s local coordinator. “They are looking forward to April 5 when we will no longer be there. I guess we are really getting people’s consciences riled up!”

So this specific 24-hour a day campaign is not going to stop!

“We are going to make a new sign that says, ‘40 + and we are still praying. It has only just begun!’ We are going to try to start a daily presence in front of Planned Parenthood.”

The coordinator continued, “Our community does not want this to end — and the people have said they are willing to keep on coming out! Praise God!”

Yvonne is seeing the same sentiment in San Gabriel Valley, California. “Prayers warriors are already asking if we will be continuing after the 40 days,” she said.

“Many are making commitments to continue. Many want to attend sidewalk counseling training. Many have made a commitment to participate at an additional abortion facility in Rosemead that performs up to 60 abortions on Sundays.”

Another coordinator reports that some of the local 40 Days for Life team members met with other interested people to discuss the group’s future direction. They’re even thinking of starting a new non-profit pro-life organization for the area.

“More details will be put forth at the victory rally,” he said, “when we hope to have many more participants in on this important step to continue the advances made with 40 Days for Life.”

“I would say at least half if not more of our volunteers had never prayed in front of an abortion facility before this vigil,” said Karen, the local coordinator in Riverside, California.

“Many of them are young and that so blesses me. They have been so moved by 40 Days for Life that they just keep coming back out and don’t want to stop.”

Simply put, people are seeing that this peaceful, prayerful presence — outside the very walls of the places where abortions are taking place — is something that works.

And they don’t want to stop!

It’s Day 31, but not too soon to think about Day 41 and beyond.

40 Days for Life is, after all, only a beginning.

Today’s devotional was prepared for you by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life board member and co-host of the nationally syndicated Point of View radio talk show…

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DAY 31 INTENTION
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Pray for opportunities to share with an abortion-minded woman that the newness of life she is seeking is found only in Christ.

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SCRIPTURE
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If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.

– 2 Corinthians 5:17

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REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, Point of View
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An unexpected pregnancy is perceived by many young women as the end of their life as they know it. News of an unexpected pregnancy pulls the rug from under her well laid plans.

Sadly, these women may choose abortion as a matter of self-preservation, believing that an abortion will help return life to normal and give them opportunity to start anew.

They don’t see abortion as killing a child, but rather as saving their own life. Of course, abortion will not bring the newness of life they are seeking, but instead will bring death to their child, lifelong regret, and unexpected — possibly devastating — consequences to their own life.

Abortion will be the choice made if we don’t meet them at the crossroad between life and death with a better way.

Almost without exception, these young women are looking for love, acceptance, and to be valued.

In their efforts to have those needs met, they have become promiscuous. Most, if honest, will admit the needs were only met momentarily, if at all, during their brief encounter, and afterward the needs returned unmet.

The truth is, only Christ loves them unconditionally with an everlasting love. Only Christ will accept them as they are, and only Christ sees them for their true value in Him.

He has a perfect plan for each woman and her child if only she will allow Christ to transform her life as she surrenders to Him.

No, an unexpected pregnancy is not the end of life, but rather can be the beginning of two beautiful lives if God’s plan for them is given opportunity to unfold.

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PRAYER
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Heavenly Father, you give us a new song, a new purpose, a new direction, a new perspective.

You remind us that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Christ came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly.

Give us boldness to share this Good News with those at the crossroads. May they choose life for their children and enjoy newness of life in You. Because of Christ we pray, Amen.

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PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
——————————————————

To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2009day31print.pdf

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Yours In Christ,

Shawn Carney
Spring Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

People often tell me the devil doesn’t like 40 Days for Life.

Based on the stories I get by e-mail and when visiting 40 Days for Life locations — I believe it!

My friend Elizabeth, who is leading the 40 Days for Life in Austin, Texas, has seen all sorts of negativity aimed at the people praying in front of a local abortion center during 40 Days for Life.

“We have been cussed at and yelled at,” Elizabeth said. “One lady riding a bicycle past us gave us a huge raspberry for a good 15 solid seconds.” Someone even threw a full drink cup at one the volunteers. Thankfully, this volunteer was holding a sign and the drink hit the sign — and not her.

“Satan is trying his darnedest — and probably throwing a hissy fit — about the light we are shedding into his darkness,” said Elizabeth, “but he can’t keep us down! As we near the end of these 40 days, Austin is as on fire and energized as on Day 1!”

Amy in San Antonio, Texas reports the 40 Days for Life vigil there was picketed. “These atheists stood mocking our prayer and holding pro-choice signs stating the old standby line, ‘my body, my choice,’” she said. “But this actually is a terrific sign that our work of peaceful prayer is making a difference!”

Amy says it’s apparent that Planned Parenthood’s chosen weapon is intimidation. “Right now, Planned Parenthood has noticed a big change in their pocketbook,” she said. “Abortion numbers are rapidly declining and they’ve discovered that we’re not going away. We will continue until there is a ‘for sale’ sign on their property!”

Students (many of them members of the Knights of Columbus) are handling the overnight shift at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Champaign, Illinois. Michael, the coordinator, said they’re seeing a little bit of everything. Cars slow down, people roll down the windows — some people are even cursing at them.

A student on a moped drives by every day, tossing vile language and rude gestures. One night, students on apartment balconies near Planned Parenthood screamed at Michael. Later, inebriated students passed by the clinic, “cursing and throwing tantrums,” he said.

But they have also been shown great kindness. “I personally met two women who bought us tea and coffee on a very cold Friday night. I have heard of other volunteers being delivered warm drinks by women on the colder days,” Michael added. “We have been blessed with anonymous benefactors of great mercy!”

Jesus Himself told us to expect opposition — but that He would acknowledge our faithfulness. “Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me,” He tells us in Matthew’s gospel. “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

Knowing that Christ is blessing you is tremendously reassuring! The idea of Satan having a “hissy fit” because of your prayerful witness is just a nice added bonus.

Today’s devotional was prepared for you by Rev. Clenard Childress of LEARN, the Life Education and Resource Network…

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DAY 30 INTENTION
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Let us pray that pastors may not be distracted from the priority of caring for human lives.

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SCRIPTURE
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In those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

– Acts 6:1

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REFLECTION
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More folks learning left some yearning.

It is the dawning of a new day. There is much excitement in Jerusalem. Many who dedicated themselves to the faith became disciples (the word disciple means “learner”).

The unprecedented church growth was miraculous and undoubtedly brought much satisfaction to the new leadership. The apostles, however, were about to experience growing pains in their master plan of evangelism.

Projects that engage the community, especially those that are evangelistic in nature, are high on the list of priorities for every duty-bound pastor.

Church attendance is a constant concern for every pastor and often his or her worth is measured by it. Unfortunately, just as the original twelve pastors in Acts, they can be so focused on getting people in that they inadvertently end up pushing some people out.

Murmuring is a deplorable deterrent to a harmonious fellowship, yet God used it to get the disciples attention. Those that needed daily attention due to their age and social status were being neglected.

This neglect of the Hellenist widows during the daily distribution of food was causing undue grief and needed to be corrected by the leadership. By God’s grace the problem was dealt with, but the lesson remains.

And during these 40 days, let us pray that today’s church not make the same mistake of forgetting the contributions of our seniors, or the needs of the weakest among us, the unborn.

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PRAYER
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Father, in the Church’s desire to engage our communities with the Gospel let her not disengage from those who need their care and company the most.

Let us gain wisdom from those who have gone before us and cherish their experiences and perspectives. Help us to appreciate every soul in the body of Christ and minister properly to everybody. Amen.

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PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
——————————————————

To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2009day30print.pdf

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Yours In Christ,

Shawn Carney
Spring Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

Sarah shared the exciting news from the 40 Days for Life in Lexington, Kentucky…

A young woman’s doctor “advised to abort her child due to some potential health problems she may have during pregnancy,” Sarah said.

Once this woman had checked in for her abortion appointment, she was kept waiting… and waiting.

“Lately, the usual abortionist has not been coming at the typical 10 AM hour,” Sarah explained. “Instead, another person has shown up and she arrived later.”

The abortionist finally showed up — but the woman had cancelled her appointment! “She walked over to the 40 Days for Life friends who were praying and asked them to pray for her,” Sarah said. “She had chosen life!”

This is just one story — but one that has now been repeated…

237 times!!

…during this spring’s 40 Days for Life campaign!

Here are more stories of God’s amazing blessings:

Elizabeth was staying later than usual during her prayer shift at a 40 Days for Life vigil site in Indianapolis, Indiana. The extra prayers are certainly needed at this particular abortion center.

According to Eileen, the local coordinator in Indianapolis, “the owner of this center is Dr. Martin Haskell of Ohio,” she said. “Dr. Haskell is the inventor of partial-birth abortion and is proud of the quick turn-around time” at this location.

But Elizabeth had seen a woman walk into the facility — and leave a short time later. She was so greatly relieved when the woman walked up to her and said, “I changed my mind.”

Those same words were also heard recently at the 40 Days for Life vigil in St. Louis, Missouri.

Maria tells me a woman brought her pregnant daughter to Planned Parenthood. But while they were inside, they got a surprise. “She found out she was pregnant with twins,” she said. They left Planned Parenthood, and told the volunteers praying on the sidewalk she was keeping her babies.

A short time later, another pair arrived at the same Planned Parenthood — a woman and her daughter-in-law.

The mother-in-law was against the abortion, but the younger woman was insistent. A bit later, though, the mother-in-law’s face was beaming. “They told us she was keeping the baby,” Maria said.

“I told her she had saved herself a lifetime of regret. Her mother-in-law told us then that she herself knew what it was like — and had told the young mom the exact same thing.”

While we’re so thankful to God for the 237 babies we know about who have been saved from abortion, we also thank Him for the many others we are certain He has spared — but we’ll never know about.

In St. Louis alone, countless women have simply not shown up for their appointments. Mary has been praying outside the Planned Parenthood center in St. Louis for years, and she says it’s obvious that the overall number of abortions has gone way down during 40 Days for Life. “This parking lot has never been so empty!”

Praise God!

Today’s devotional was prepared for you by Fr. Frank Pavone, the national director of Priests for Life…

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DAY 29 INTENTION
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We pray for the grace to be strong when others ridicule or oppose us.

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SCRIPTURE
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Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

–Luke 14:27

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REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life
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To stand up for what is right means we stand against what is wrong, and that means that those who love what is wrong will oppose us, just as they opposed Christ. Taking up the cross means we continue speaking and standing for the right even when that opposition comes.

We experience this, in particular, when we are out on the streets, where people are not expecting the pro-life message and where they did not go to hear it. We must remember to never take the opposition personally.

When people ridicule or yell at us, we might get a guilty feeling or be tempted to think we did something wrong. We did not.

The insults are not being hurled at us personally, but rather at the truth of what we are standing for, and at the demands of the moral law.

There are many who are trying to run away from those demands, or who have managed to tuck the abortion problem away into a distant corner of their minds where it can no longer disturb them.

By standing publicly for the cause of life, we have short-circuited that denial and frustrated those efforts to ignore the issue. Therefore, some will be angry, perhaps not fully realizing why.

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PRAYER
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Lord, thank you for the grace of being pro-life, and of standing strong when others may ridicule or oppose me.

During this 40 Day campaign, may your peace fill my soul, especially when I may endure the opposition of others, and may I become more like your crucified and risen Son. Amen.

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PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
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To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2009day29print.pdf

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Today, March 25, is exactly nine months before the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas. Some Christian churches recognize today as the Feast of the Annunciation — the revelation to Mary by the angel Gabriel that she would conceive a child who would be the Son of God.

On this special day, let’s give thanks for Mary’s response to the angel when she learned about her unexpected pregnancy: “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.”

Yours In Christ,

Shawn Carney
Spring Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

I have never met a woman who had an abortion because she was “pro-choice.” Women usually make abortion appointments because they feel they have NO choice.

Thanks to people just like YOU, who are praying outside abortion facilities during these 40 Days for Life, more and more troubled young women are coming to understand the truth and understand it in love.

In Thousand Oaks, California, Molly arrived at the 40 Days for Life vigil and saw two girls sitting in a car — crying. She made eye contact with them, and one of the girls motioned her to come over.

“We started talking,” Molly said, “and it turned out that the younger girl was about six weeks pregnant. She was being pressured into having an abortion.”

Molly had a fetal development chart. “I showed her what her baby looked like and gave her some facts about where she is in her pregnancy. I let her know that no one can pressure her into doing something that she doesn’t want to, and that there are many people in the area that would help her,” she said.

“I told her that having an abortion would dramatically affect her life — that God loved her and had a plan for her and her baby.”

The girl and her friend then drove away. “She decided that she wanted to keep her baby and could not have an abortion,” said Molly. “About 40 minutes later they drove by waving and honking at me — and smiling.”

As people prayed at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Memphis, a young woman was pacing outside the building that houses the abortion facility. “She walked back and forth a few times and was crying. Finally she got back into her car and left,” said one volunteer.

The young woman decided not to keep her appointment. “Her boyfriend did not appear to be happy,” the volunteer added. “We need to pray for them.”

At the same clinic in Memphis, a mother and daughter arrived who also felt like they had no choice — but they spotted people with signs reading “pray to end abortion” as they were walking up to the door.

They did not go in. They stopped and talked to the people praying with the 40 Days for Life group. The mother said, “I really don’t want my daughter to have an abortion. She does not want to have an abortion either. Is there another option?”

The volunteers told her about the local pregnancy resource center. She thanked them and went back to her daughter. The two talked for a while, then left. They had found their answer, and it was NOT abortion.

If you have not yet had the opportunity to pray at the 40 Days for Life location nearest you, please check:
http://40daysforlife.com/location.cfm

Just being there makes a difference!

Today’s devotional was prepared for you by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life board member and co-host of the nationally syndicated Point of View radio talk show…

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DAY 28 INTENTION
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Pray that those standing in peaceful vigil will extend mercy and grace to others as they remember that Christ did not treat us as our sins deserve.

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SCRIPTURE
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You have heard it was said, “you shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.

– Matthew 5:43-44

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REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, Point of View
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Perhaps it is obvious by now that not everyone thinks this campaign is a great idea! In fact, those on the front lines standing in peaceful vigil are perhaps being cursed and hated for what God has called you to do.

Because we are all fallen creatures, our natural response may not be as Christ-like as we would hope it would be.

So, how do we keep our natural response in check, while allowing the Holy Spirit to empower us to love, bless, do good, and pray for those who hate us or would do us harm?

Consider first the Holiness of God.

It seems that sin has clouded our ability to think clearly about God’s nature. We simply don’t have a clue of how outraged God is by our sin, what an insult sin is to His person, or how sin fires the flames of His wrath.

Praise God that He didn’t leave us in our depravity destined for His divine wrath!

Ephesians 2:4-5 says, “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in sin, made us alive together with Christ; by grace you have been saved.”

Because of God’s mercy and grace towards us, we who receive Him receive eternal Hope.

Those who curse you, hate you, spitefully mistreat you and persecute you need that same Hope.

That is the only way we can ever expect them to behave differently.

Ask the Holy Spirit to love them — through you — so they are drawn to the Hope that is in you, that is Christ Jesus.

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PRAYER
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Heavenly Father, may we reflect your character of grace and kindness to those who hate us and curse us.

Guard our hearts and our tongues as we respond in love to words and actions meant to rile us or cause us harm.

Let others see the Hope that is Christ in all we say and do. In His precious name we pray, Amen.

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PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
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To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2009day28print.pdf

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Yours In Christ,

Shawn Carney
Spring Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

40 Days for Life is clearly having an effect on abortion facilities across the country.

The abortion center in Augusta, Maine has certainly taken notice of the 40 Days for Life vigil taking place outside. And it must be having an effect, because they’ve stolen a page from Planned Parenthood’s playbook by starting a “Pledge-a-Picketer” campaign.

The Family Planning Association of Maine abortion facility has a big notice on its web page where their CEO bemoans, “Every day as I drive into work and see their signs I become increasingly frustrated.” He then asks supporters to make a donation if they’re “tired of the anti-choice movement offending you with graphic inflammatory signs.”

What’s really ironic is that the web site posts actual photos of the peaceful, prayerful people at the vigil and their alleged “graphic inflammatory signs.”

Take a look for yourself:
http://tinyurl.com/dj65tu

(If the abortion business takes the pictures down when they get wind of this message, just know that the only signs read “Pray to End Abortion” and “Choose Life.”)

Not exactly graphic and inflammatory…

The photos also show a few faithful 40 Days for Life participants — and a whole lot of snow.

Now that’s dedication!

In College Station, Texas, the Planned Parenthood abortion facility was shocked to learn that they’re getting a new neighbor: the Coalition for Life — the pro-life organization that started 40 Days for Life back in 2004.

(And yes, that’s the organization that Shawn Carney — the spring campaign director of 40 Days for Life — leads in his hometown.)

The coalition just bought a building practically next door to the Planned Parenthood abortion center where a 40 Days for Life vigil is currently under way.

The close proximity to the abortion facility will better enable the coalition to maintain its regular presence, deliver effective counseling, and offer women better alternatives than Planned Parenthood.

The local CBS affiliate in Bryan/College Station interviewed Shawn about this development, and you can see the video here:
http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/41268957.html

Due to the consistent and focused efforts of the Coalition for Life since the first 40 Days for Life, the people of Bryan/College Station — including the news outlet reporting this story — no longer think in terms of “IF” Planned Parenthood closes, but “WHEN” Planned Parenthood closes!

Can you imagine the profound impact that will be felt in YOUR town through ongoing, focused efforts during, and after, a 40 Days for Life campaign?

Today’s devotional is by Rev. Ben Sheldon, the president emeritus of Presbyterians Pro-life…

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DAY 27 INTENTION
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We pray for the gift of openness to children.

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SCRIPTURE
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God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.”

– Genesis 1:27-28

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REFLECTION by Rev. Ben Sheldon, Presbyterians Pro-Life
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God’s intention is that we multiply and fill the earth.

One of the most pernicious lies that sociologists have foisted off on the public is that the earth is becoming overpopulated. What kind of a sadistic god would create the earth and human creatures on it, only to have them literally reproduce themselves into oblivion? The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our divine Creator, has commanded us to multiply and fill the earth and far from letting the population get out of control, He has, in fact given his human creatures a dominical role over all the lesser creatures. The “birth control” movement, which had its beginnings with Margaret Sanger in the early years of the last century, has led, in many parts of the world, to a birthrate that is drastically below the normal replacement rate.

God’s Word assures us that children are a blessing, that they are a reward of faithfully trusting and serving God and that they are the crown of their parents’ old age. The spread of the contraception mentality that has so permeated our culture is, undoubtedly, a factor in the ready acceptance of abortion. God’s commandment to multiply and fill the earth has never been withdrawn. May He help us to accept the gift of children and give him thanks for every baby who is born into the world.

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PRAYER
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Father of mercy and grace, we thank you for the gift of our children. Grant that every fiber of our being may rejoice when a new baby, our own or any else’s, is born into the world. Help us to welcome them as we would welcome you, for whenever a new baby is conceived, another life to bear your image and another voice to praise and worship you, is beginning. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

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PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
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To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2009day27print.pdf

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Yours For Life,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life

I had to smile when I got an e-mail from Maggie in South Carolina. There’s a bill under consideration in the state legislature that would require a 24-hour waiting period for women seeking an abortion.

The meeting room at the state capitol in Columbia was packed for a hearing. Some of the bill’s opponents were chatting when Maggie overheard one of them say, “Gee, why don’t we have a 40 Days for Choice?”

“Apparently,” said Maggie, “they are aware something remarkable is going on.”

Something remarkable IS going on!

But don’t expect to really see a “40 Days for Choice” in response. It would be impossible for abortion advocates to match the courage, stamina and dedication that people like YOU are bringing to 40 Days for Life.

I mention stamina because that’s certainly been necessary at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Edmonton Alberta. This week’s issue of the Western Catholic Reporter notes that “People on fire for an important cause have not been driven away by freezing temperatures.”

You can read the whole article at:
http://www.wcr.ab.ca/news/2009/0323/vigil032309.shtml

“‘We decided to just bundle up,’ said Monica Williams, red-faced and shivering in the cold as she paced the pavement across from an Edmonton abortion clinic.” Her family had never taken part in any pro-life activity before — until 40 Days for Life. “We wanted to show our kids: We hear about abortion, but that it’s real people it’s affecting,” she said, noting the sadness in the faces of women who were leaving the clinic.

Indeed, something remarkable is going on!

Dave came across another example of pro-life determination on a cold, rainy day at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Little Rock. Dave arrived for his hour of prayer and found a grandmother standing in the rain, holding a sign.

“We talked for a while,” he said, “and then she left — but she said if it started to rain hard she would return. She also knew that I had to leave at noon to get back to work.”

About 20 minutes later, it really started to pour. “Well, I ran over to my truck and got my umbrella,” Dave explained, “but the rain and wind was getting me soaked.”

At just about time he had to leave, Dave looked up. “Here she comes — back out in the rain — with umbrella and all. I had to leave, so I thanked her for returning. As I got back to my truck, I saw the other lady who was supposed to relieve me at noon, crossing the street with her sign and umbrella — standing out in the rain.”

Dave thought to himself, “How does a tough guy leave that kind of determination?”

He was convinced then and there “that indeed we will overcome. I just didn’t know what to say — I was blown away. I KNOW we will prevail!”

Today’s devotional was prepared for you by Fr. Frank Pavone, the national director of Priests for Life.

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DAY 26 INTENTION
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Pray that we fully recognize in the unborn child our brother, our sister, and we recommit ourselves to care for them.

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SCRIPTURE
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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.”

– Genesis 4:8-10

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REFLECTION
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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 in its Roe v. Wade ruling, “We need not resolve the difficult question of when life begins.”

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

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.

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.

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PRAYER
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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, that Jesus Christ is Lord! Amen.

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PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
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To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2009day26print.pdf

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Have a blessed Sunday!

Yours In Christ,

Shawn Carney
Spring Campaign Director
40 Days for Life