Have I mentioned lately that this is the largest 40 Days for Life campaign ever?

With 247 locations participating the stories are coming in from around the world — literally!

Today, let’s take a look at some of the communities taking part in 40 Days for Life for the first time. It takes a lot of faith to bring this effort to a community and lead it, especially for the first time. And yet the blessings continue to pour in.

Take a look for yourself!

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COBLESKILL, NEW YORK
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A group of teens has become a regular sight on Thursday nights in Cobleskill, which is hosting its first 40 Days for Life campaign. The vigil location is near the busiest corner in town, with a popular restaurant and movie theater nearby.

“It is inspiring not only watching the teens pray for the unborn in below freezing temperatures in Upstate New York,” said Pat in Cobleskill, “but to be able to watch the impact they have on all those who drive and walk past.”

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WINDSOR, ONTARIO
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Windsor is hosting its first 40 Days for Life campaign – and has already reported that at least one baby has been spared from abortion!

From Windsor also comes one of the best letters to the editor we’ve ever seen in support of 40 Days for Life. It was written by Jim Armaly and published in the Windsor Star.

Jim called his first experience with 40 Days for Life “an eye-opener because I had not realized the venom and rudeness of the pro-abortion faction.”

While he was praying, he noted obscenities, rude gestures, drivers who passed very close to the curb.

“From all of this, therefore, I can only conclude that they are not really pro-choice at all,” he wrote. “How can they be if they don’t respect our choice to silently pray and ask others to pray?”

A young woman accused him – respectfully, he noted – of trying to force people to not abort.

“Doesn’t ‘force’ imply to most of us something physical?” he asked. “But the signs simply ask people to pray. Isn’t this definitely a non-violent request?”

For those of us who do pray, he said, “we know that prayer is a force to be reckoned with but in an entirely different sense. Makes me wonder if they somehow know that.”

Will he go out again? “I plan to. There just may be more unexpected experiences for me.”

To read the entire letter, please go to: Windsor Star

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PERTH, AUSTRALIA
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There are six campaigns in progress in Australia right now, covering the nation from coast to coast.

Brad Taylor, the local coordinator of the initial campaign in Perth, has posted a video inviting folks in Western Australia to get involved in 40 Days for Life. Some of the statistics he mentions are specific to his city, state and nation, but the message applies everywhere that abortion on demand is legally permitted.

Watch the video! You’ll be inspired to keep going for the rest of these 40 days – and beyond – by Brad’s optimistic call to action: “Let’s make abortion history!”

If you haven’t been to pray at a 40 Days for Life vigil yet, we still have 17 more days! To find the location nearest you, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/location.cfm

Click here to read today’s devotional.

Click here to download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends.

Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: Today is Terri’s Day — the 6th anniversary of the death of Terri Schiavo, who died after nutrition and hydration were cut off, against the wishes of her family. It’s a day to recall her story, and to pray that all would recognize the value and dignity of all human life. Today’s devotional certainly fits; we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made” — from the child in the womb to those nearing the end of this life — and anyone society deems inconvenient. There’s more information about Terri’s Day at:

http://www.terrisfight.org/terri-s-day-201

PPS: If you have stories of how praying during this 40 Days for Life campaign has impacted your life, I’d love to hear your comments. Post them as a reply below.

When you pray at the abortion facility you represent the last hope for the baby scheduled to be aborted …

… but you are also represent the first sign of mercy as the woman leaves the facility after the abortion.

It’s a sad fact that many of the women arriving for abortion appointments today have already been there before.

Many of these women have had one or more abortions previously. Many are still hurting. Others try to numb themselves to the pain.

Whether they’re ready to admit it or not, they need the mercy and healing hand of Christ. Fortunately, that’s the message that YOU are bringing them through 40 Days for Life.

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LAKELAND, FLORIDA
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“I know I’m going to hell,” a woman told vigil participants. “I had an abortion at this very clinic.”

Sherri, the 40 Days for Life coordinator in Lakeland, tried to reassure her that God’s grace can see us through all situations, no matter how grave.

But she wasn’t convinced. “God won’t forgive me. I had my abortion for all the wrong reasons.”

When asked if she thought that God was incapable of forgiving her, she said, “Of course not.”

“We shared with her that if we refuse to ask God for forgiveness,” said Sherri, “we are in fact denying His power to forgive.”

The woman cast her eyes to the ground. After some persuasion she agreed to take some information.

“I pray,” said Sheri, “that she has the courage to go to the feet of Jesus in order to save her own life.”

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RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA
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A smartly-dressed woman drove up in a very nice car, got out, and walked right up to the people praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil to thank them for being there.

She told of growing up in a radical pro-choice family who forced her to have an abortion when she was 19. If only there had been people outside praying, she said, she could have been swayed into going against her family’s wishes.

Today, this woman has a 19-year-old daughter of her own. Recalling her own experiences, she now wants to know how she can help spread the truth so that others won’t have to go through what she did.

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PENSACOLA, FLORIDA
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A woman driving past the 40 Days for Life vigil in Pensacola let loose with a tirade of rude words and gestures – then pulled into a parking lot and stopped.

One of the vigil participants felt an impulse to go over to ask if she was okay.

“What makes you think you can come out here and judge people and hold up your abortion posters and make people feel bad?” was the response.

When she realized that the prayer volunteer was truly concerned about her, this young woman opened up. She had an abortion when she was 17 – and does not regret it. But the way she was acting presented a different picture altogether.

“I could tell that deep down inside, she did regret her abortion,” said the volunteer, “but wasn’t ready to admit it to herself.” Why else would she be so disturbed by three women kneeling and praying, holding up a “pray for an end to abortion” sign?

“Her heart was softened by my care for her, listening, and explanation about our true sentiments and motives. It was a planted seed,” the 40 Days for Life participant said. “I will continue to pray for her.”

Click here to read today’s devotional.

Click here to download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends.

If you know someone who has experienced the pain of an
abortion, pray for them, and let them know that they
can find hope and healing.

Also, tell them about the incredibly helpful resources
available from:

• Abortion Recovery InterNational
• Rachel’s Vineyard Ministries

Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: Are you aware of any stories involving the need for post-abortion healing from your 40 Days for Life campaign? Please share news of your local community by posting a reply below.

The subject line in this message comes from my friend Elizabeth McClung in Austin, Texas.

Elizabeth has led many successful 40 Days for Life campaigns in the most pro-abortion city in the Lone Star State.

This is one of several updates that again show the tremendous power of a few humble souls gathered together in prayer in front of the places where there is such despair and destruction.

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AUSTIN, TEXAS
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Elizabeth in Austin received what she describes as “a very friendly courtesy call from the FBI.” The agent reported that Whole Woman’s Health in Austin has made several complaints about the peaceful presence of 40 Days for Life.

Her reaction? “What a blessing!”

She said the abortion center’s complaint “is just the type of confirmation that we always pray for. We now know how much of an impact we are having on their clients, their abortion numbers, and on their workers!”

Elizabeth is also aware of four women who were scheduled for abortions at that facility, but who changed their minds during this 40 Days for Life campaign.

“Thank God for the work He is doing inside of that abortion clinic,” she said. “Our presence is working!”

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OLD TOWN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
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In the Old Town section of Chicago, the 40 Days for Life vigil is going on outside a Planned Parenthood office. And it seems the people inside aren’t real comfortable with the volunteers peacefully praying outside.

According to team leaders in Old Town, “Planned Parenthood posted a sign on the outside of their building claiming that photography or audio/video recording at their facility would be punishable by a $25,000 fine or 1-5 years in jail.”

“After consulting with an attorney from the Thomas More Society Pro-Life Law Center and the police, we have decided that this sign is largely groundless,” said one of the coordinators. “We will continue to film our valiant vigil participants as we see fit.”

And they did!

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BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS
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Planned Parenthood tries to present itself as the only place in town women can go for low-cost health care. That simply isn’t correct. And the 40 Days for Life team in Bryan/College Station has been giving women the real facts on the sidewalk outside Planned Parenthood.

When a woman brought her granddaughter in for a check-up, a counselor told her there’s no doctor at Planned Parenthood, and there were other places to go that did not offer abortions.

Another young woman wanted a pregnancy test. She was guided to the Coalition for Life, where she could get the test at no cost – and would NOT be pressured into an abortion.

Finally, counselors were able to refer a third young woman to another provider for routine care – she hadn’t known of any alternatives.

“You know,” she said, “I’ve never felt entirely comfortable coming here, and now I have somewhere else to go!”

Click here to read today’s devotional.

Click here to download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends.

Yours for life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: As always, if you have an interesting story about your 40 Days for Life campaign, please share it! You may add a reply below.

I just got a note from a 40 Days for Life volunteer who was overwhelmed with joy. The message read, “I’m doing a praise dance right now!”

The reason? Another life spared from abortion!

Anyone who knows me, especially my poor wife, knows that I can’t dance. But with 178 lives saved – that we know of – during this 40 Days for Life campaign, I may have to take lessons.

We do give the praise and glory to God for these lives. In fact, here are a few stories of babies who almost didn’t make it through the weekend but will now have life — Praise God indeed!

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LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY
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Two churches teamed up recently to pray and stand vigil outside the only abortion clinic in Lexington.

“Usually, there are from 5 to 9 abortions on Thursdays,” said Jayne in Lexington. “But for some reason, there were none on that day! The only person there the whole day was the office manager. We thank and praise God for his many blessings and we thank everyone who came to spend time in prayer.”

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VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA
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“What an encouraging day,” said Marcia in Virginia Beach. “Another couple chose life for their child!”

A man and woman drove into the Planned Parenthood lot – right past people praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil. One person held a sign with the phone number of the local pregnancy resource center.

But the couple never even got out of the car. Instead, they got on the phone – and then turned around and left.

As they exited the driveway, they pointed to the sign – and said they were going to the pro-life center because they had decided to keep their baby.

“Praise God!” said Marcia.

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EVERETT, WASHINGTON
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A woman and her husband had an appointment for an abortion one morning, but upon seeing the 40 Days for Life prayer volunteers, the woman began to cry.

A counselor spent a lot of time talking with them and referred them to a pregnancy resource center. Another volunteer got a follow-up call from the woman, and she confirmed that although she faces a number of health problems, she has decided to keep her baby.

Please keep her in your prayers.

“Our prayerful presence outside Everett Planned Parenthood,” notes one 40 Days for Life team member, “was critical.”

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PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK
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“Please keep up the prayers to close the Planned Parenthood in Plattsburgh,” said Nancy. “By the looks of the numbers of customers going in, they are losing business. God IS hearing our prayers!”

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MOBILE, ALABAMA
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“A recently-divorced mother had scheduled an appointment with Planned Parenthood to obtain an abortion,” said Fred in Mobile.

“A long-time sidewalk counselor spoke with her and persuaded her to cross the street and visit with the Christian volunteers at the Women’s Resource Center. She stayed in contact with them and confirmed today that she will keep her child,” he said. “Thanks be to God!”

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MANASSAS, VIRGINIA
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“I know the prayers are having an enormous effect on those working at the abortion center,” said the director of a pregnancy help and education facility near the abortion center.

“On a Friday, no abortions took place, no abortionist entered their clinic — which never happens,” she said. “I don’t know what is going on, but I trust God and know that the evil one is not happy with our presence. Keep praying!”

Click here to read today’s devotional.

Click here to download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends.

Yours for life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: What great things are happening with the 40 Days for Life campaign in your community? Please share the good news by replying below.

My note last week about the impact of children outside abortion centers generated a lot of feedback — and more pictures!

What a joy to see children at 40 Days for Life vigils! After all, Jesus did say …

… “Let the little children come to me.” And that’s exactly what they’re doing!

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FROM THE 40 DAYS FOR LIFE BLOG
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Lisa wrote about her prayer time with her young son. She usually brings a stroller and pushes him back and forth along the sidewalk. But one day, she forgot to bring the stroller.

After a while, they sat down on the sidewalk — “a 6-foot-wide sidewalk,” she said, “not blocking anyone’s way.”

An employee came out of the abortion center to ask if she was waiting for a ride, and she said she was not. The employee then asked if she was protesting.

“No, I’m praying,” Lisa responded.

The worker then said it was illegal to sit on the sidewalk. That’s nonsense, of course. But it’s typical talk from abortion center employees who just wish we’d all go home.

It quickly became clear to Lisa that her young son “was a threat to them; no one wants to see a child. It makes you realize how amazing this life is. Sadly, you can see the anger and evil in these people who yell at us. Continue to pray and forgive them — you’ll never know if you are changing their hearts!”

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LAFAYETTE, INDIANA
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I can only imagine what people who work at Planned Parenthood in Lafayette think when they see young children praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil.

“We are working very hard praying for the babies,” said one 4-year-old, who was at the vigil with her 1-year-old sister.

“They take it quite seriously,” said their mom.

“Our older daughter doesn’t fully understand what is really going on; we’ve simply explained that the mommies, daddies and babies need our prayers so that the babies can be born ‘healthy and strong,’ which is just what we prayed for her baby sister.”

They made a sign that said, “We’re praying for you” and, on the reverse, “We love you and baby too!”

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FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS
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We have another photo of a youngster at a 40 Days for Life prayer vigil — in a stroller, holding a “pray to end abortion” sign.

He may not be able to read yet — but the people walking into Planned Parenthood can!

“He held it and waved it for at least 15 minutes without dropping!” said this young guy’s mom. “I’m proud of my little social activist.”

On another day at the vigil, a woman entered Planned Parenthood with some “choice words” for a lone volunteer who was praying near a similar sign. A while later, she left — still upset with the person praying.

The young woman took the “pray to end abortion” sign — and left. Several days later, this same woman arrived, pulled up another “pray to end abortion” sign that was staked into the ground, tossed it in her car … and drove away.

“While we don’t know what is motivating this young woman’s behavior,” said Juliet in Fayetteville, “we now have the opportunity to pray for her, that she will find healing for whatever is stirring in her heart.”

Click here to read today’s devotional.

Click here to download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends.

Yours for life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: How has your prayer experience with 40 Days for Life affected you? Please leave a comment below.

“Keep me safe, O God; in you I take refuge.”

Those words come from Psalm 16, a prayer for God’s protection.

God is clearly blessing 40 Days for Life and has protected all of us as we confront the evil of abortion …

… but we know that Satan doesn’t take our efforts lightly. Our prayers and peaceful actions are an affront to one of his strongholds — the abortion industry.

And we’ve been blessed to have more than 400,000 people participate in more than 1,300 local 40 Days for Life campaigns over the last three-and-a-half years with VERY FEW problems.

Unfortunately, there have been a few recent incidents at 40 Days for Life vigils — and I’m convinced that the Lord’s protection kept these situations from being much worse …

… but it underscores the importance of our fervent prayers for the safety and protection of EVERYONE participating in 40 Days for Life campaigns.

Here’s what happened …

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KALISPELL, MONTANA
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A passing driver threw an explosive device in a plastic bottle toward the local 40 Days for Life vigil. Fortunately no one was hurt as the device exploded on the sidewalk.

Our amazing pro-life legal team — at the Chicago-based Thomas More Society — immediately got involved after the initial police response did not measure up to the seriousness of the situation.

The elderly prayer volunteer who was nearest to the explosion said she would not let this incident keep her away from the 40 Days for Life vigil.

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MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA
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A young woman took issue with the 40 Days for Life vigil’s presence outside an abortion center and began to angrily dismantle the group’s 40 Days for Life banner.

One of the vigil participants tried to recover the banner — and the woman punched him in the stomach, knocking him down. He was more shocked than hurt, and simply asked that we all pray for the young woman and her companion.

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EVERETT, WASHINGTON
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A man with a handkerchief covering his face tried to show pornographic pictures to 40 Days for Life vigil participants, some of whom were praying with their children.

Police were called after the man mumbled something about a bomb. There was no bomb, but officers arrived and quickly got things under control.

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You may have seen reports about these events on pro-life news services or blogs, and we wanted to assure you that we are aware of these challenges — and we are continually working to ensure the ongoing safety of ALL 40 Days for Life participants.

Though these incidents are very isolated and incredibly rare, they provide an opportunity to share some basic safety considerations …

We strongly recommend that prayer teams have video cameras at the vigil site for security. People are much less likely to misbehave if they know they’re being recorded. And if they persist, there is a visual record of their actions to share with authorities.

It is also advisable to have a cell phone with you. If someone unruly shows up, or if you have any safety concerns, do not hesitate to contact the police.

Additionally, we recommend that it is always better to have at least two people present at the vigil. It’s easy to get so lost in prayer that you aren’t totally aware of circumstances going on around you.

It is not surprising that sometimes people get upset when they see us praying peacefully on the sidewalk. We regularly hear about drivers who yell obscenities and wave rude gestures at vigil participants.

Please pray for these people.

Some of them are angry because they’ve been negatively impacted by abortion themselves.

Let’s be steadfast, and remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:11-12:

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Click here to read today’s devotional.

Click here to download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends.

Yours for life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: How has 40 Days for Life in your community affected you? Please let us know by posting a response below.

Planned Parenthood is in trouble.

And they have YOU to blame.

Their federal funding (which accounts for one third of their total income) is threatened. They’re getting tons of bad publicity. AND …

… there are people right now praying outside more than 100 Planned Parenthood offices during 40 Days for Life.

I’ve always paid close attention to the nation’s largest abortion chain. The first time I prayed in front of an abortion facility, it was a Planned Parenthood location.

That same Planned Parenthood in Bryan, Texas was also the birthplace of 40 Days for Life in 2004 and the location where Abby Johnson was the director before quitting her job after witnessing an ultrasound abortion.

So here’s an update on what Planned Parenthood is saying – and doing – in response to YOUR presence outside, praying for an end to abortion.

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ST. LOUIS and COLUMBIA, MISSOURI
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These Missouri cities were visited by Planned Parenthood’s “big pink bus” recently. It’s basically a combination pep rally wagon / fundraising machine on wheels.

Of course, 40 Days for Life participants were on hand to pray for an end to abortion while Planned Parenthood supporters were praising abortion.

The bus has numbers painted on its side – numbers of cancer screenings offered, STD tests conducted, and so forth. The number that is NOT posted is 5,320,095 – the number of abortions Planned Parenthood has done since 1970.

Here are some pictures from the 40 Days for Life vigil in St. Louis:

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HOUSTON, TEXAS
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The Planned Parenthood affiliate in Houston calls the prayer vigil outside its iron gates and glass tower as “40 Days of Harassment.”

“From March 9 to April 17,” announces the Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast web site, “protesters will attempt to keep women from coming to Planned Parenthood.”

As these “protesters” allegedly stand outside and “bully clients,” Planned Parenthood is asking its friends to stand with them and “support healthcare without harassment.” It’s all just a ploy to ask for donations.

By the way, Planned Parenthood has a special name for this building, which is the largest abortion center in the Western Hemisphere – “Prevention Park.” I think they really believe that. Please keep praying for these folks!

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AUGUSTA, MAINE
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The 40 Days for Life vigil in Augusta is in progress outside Family Planning Association of Maine. It is not part of Planned Parenthood, but its director once worked for Planned Parenthood, and has adopted many of its practices.

This abortion center is lashing out against the campaign, calling it “40 Days of Lies.” Quite honestly, however, there isn’t a whole lot of truth coming out of this business.

“For the next forty days,” read an entry on FPA’s web site, “each time any of us come into or leave the building, we will be the targets of angry shouts and sign waving by anti-choice protesters.”

The truth is that the building is set far back from a lonely road, and the vigil is held on the opposite side of that road – an aerial photo posted on the Catholic Maine web site shows how far the vigil is from the front door – and how ridiculous is the allegation of harassment.

Here’s the aerial photo, courtesy of Catholic Maine:

This business is also trying to use 40 Days for Life to raise funds – they’re calling their effort “Defend the Truth.” That’s about as honest as calling an abortion megaplex “Prevention Plaza.”

Please, please pray harder!

Click here to read today’s devotional.

Click here to download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends.

Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: Even as we pray for an end to abortion, the efforts to strip Planned Parenthood (which performed 332,278 abortions in its most recent fiscal year) of its $362 MILLION in annual taxpayer funding are heating up. This week, your U.S. Representative is back home, specifically to hear from constituents. Please take one minute RIGHT NOW to call your representative’s district office, telling what you think about taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood. Learn more, look up your representative’s info, and find out what to say when you call by going to:

http://exposeplannedparenthood.net/contact-congress

PPS: If YOU have a story to share about your experiences during this 40 Days for Life, please submit it below.

Today’s devotional is about the incarnation of Christ — complete with the passage from Luke’s gospel where the angel Gabriel brings God’s message to the Virgin Mary.

Tomorrow is March 25 — a day celebrated in a number of nations, especially in South America, as the Day of the Unborn Child.

And that idea is catching on around the world!

March 25 is exactly nine months before Christmas. This date has been observed by many Christians throughout the history of the church, as it marks the day that “the Word became flesh.”

As you pray, reflect upon Jesus in the womb — and think about His children in the womb today. Through His grace, may today’s world accept both Christ AND His precious children!

Before we get to the devotional, here are some stories from 40 Days for Life campaigns.

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CANTON, OHIO
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As the world rejects Christ, it often rejects those who stand for His children. A woman in Canton found this out while praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil.

A car pulled up to the red light at the corner next to Planned Parenthood. The driver rolled his window down and unleashed all sorts of nastiness in her direction. The tirade ended only when the light turned green.

“The beauty of God’s design is, of course, that this man’s insane, obscene chanting, accompanied by his gestures, garnered the sympathy and support of Planned Parenthood clients,” she said.

Onlookers in Planned Parenthood’s parking lot were horrified at what he said, and took an interest in the volunteer’s wellbeing – and took her pro-life literature.

“One woman pulled out of Planned Parenthood and asked me to be careful,” she said. “Another witness said, ‘I’m on your side.’”

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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
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A young man joined the 40 Days for Life vigil in Milwaukee for the first time recently — and was promptly greeted by “clinic escorts” who called the police. He, of course, was doing nothing wrong.

“The fact is,” said Dan in Milwaukee, “they knew he was a fresh face here and they wanted to intimidate him into never coming back.” This is not the first time Dan has seen this.

The police arrived, talked to him, and quickly departed. “Nothing resulted from the brief visit,” Dan said, aside from the abortion center wasting taxpayers’ money on officers following up a bogus complaint.

Dan needed to cheer up the young man, so he told him about the baby who was saved the day before. “His face lit up like the sun, smiling from ear to ear.”

Speaking of Milwaukee, the 40 Days for Life team has its green smocks again – the ones that look almost exactly like the ones Planned Parenthood’s escorts wear. In fact, they even say “parenthood volunteer” with a cross-like design that resembles the style of Planned Parenthood’s logo.

Here’s a picture of green-smocked volunteers in Milwaukee:

Planned Parenthood tried to pull a fast one – they switched to orange smocks for their escorts. “They looked really pleased with themselves,” Dan said.

But his team was ready – they pulled out orange versions of THEIR OWN smocks! He’d seen one of the orange Planned Parenthood smocks earlier and sensed that something was up. So they had some orange “parenthood volunteer” smocks on hand just in case Planned Parenthood switched colors.

The vigil participants put on the orange and Dan says the smiles on the escorts’ faces “turned upside down – WAY down!”

Click here to read today’s devotional.

Click here to download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends.

Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: What’s new at 40 Days for Life in your community? Please share any blessings by replying below.

There is NEVER a dull moment during a 40 Days for Life campaign.

I am writing this message from an airport. I looked up a few moments ago and I saw someone wearing a 40 Days for Life shirt.

As he got closer, I noticed he looked familiar.

It was David Bereit, our national director!

We both just laughed when we saw each other. With 247 cities participating in 40 Days for Life right now, I guess it was only a matter of time until David and I ran into each other at an airport.

As David and I get ready to jump on planes, I wanted to share two beautiful stories about children helping save the lives of other children.

The abortion industry doesn’t like it when we talk about children — it reminds everyone what this so-called “choice” is all about.

So let’s keep talking about children!

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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA
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A small group was quietly praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Pittsburgh when a van pulled into a parking place near Planned Parenthood.

There was a little girl in the van who kept looking at the people praying, and talking to her mom. This went on for about five minutes.

The woman and her daughter finally got out of the van and headed towards a nearby business. As they passed the people praying, the little girl handed one of the volunteers a dollar.

She had mistakenly thought the volunteer’s sign said “PAY to end abortion”!

Of course, that brought smiles to everyone’s faces.

“Thank you, but you don’t have to pay us,” the volunteer told the child. “In fact, there‘s something far more important and special that you can give. You can pray to God that He will put an end to abortion.”

The mother then talked about that conversation in the van — explaining to her daughter what abortion was. Her daughter could not understand why a mother would throw away her own child.

The girl then asked if she could have the sign — the one that really says “PRAY to end abortion.”

As they drove away, one of the volunteers noted, “God is so amazing the way He uses the little children to teach us so much about child-like faith.”

Here are some pictures from the 40 Days for Life vigil in Pittsburgh:

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SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN
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Mike in Southfield also has a story involving a child — an 11-year-old who owes his life to people praying on the sidewalk in front of the abortion center.

He came along with his mother, who wanted to join the volunteers in prayer and to thank them for their witness.

“She had come to this abortion facility 11 years ago to abort her son,” Mike said. “At the time, she was fearful of being pregnant and thought of abortion as her only answer.”

When she arrived for the abortion, there were people praying on the sidewalk. One of them told her that Jesus wanted her to keep her baby – it’s better to trust in the Lord.

“Well, she got real mad at this lady for telling her these things and interfering with her plans,” said Mike, “but she did change her mind about having an abortion that day. Today, she is a living testimony to the hope that we can bring to the sidewalk during our vigils.”

Mike also thanked the clergymen from several Christian churches who’ve led hours of prayer during the 40 Days for Life vigil. “These times are always encouraging for us because there is great comfort in the support of the clergy for the work of 40 Days for Life,” he said, “and because a clergy member usually draws additional people to the sidewalk to join in the prayers.”

Click here to read today’s devotional.

Click here to download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends.

Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: Please share the good news! Stories about your own 40 Days for Life experiences are always welcome. You may post a response below.

I have an urgent prayer request below but first …

… we are seeing a huge impact this spring on the on abortion center employees.

Stories across the board continue to pour in about the peaceful vigil’s impact on abortion center employees.

In one case, someone who arrived to apply for a job … and did not realize that Planned Parenthood does abortions.

In another case, abortion centers are cutting hours.

Here’s my urgent prayer request … plus an exciting look at several locations where prayer is having a HUGE impact!

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PRAYERS NEEDED!
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I’d like to ask you to keep one particular 40 Days for Life campaign in prayer. Because of the nature of this situation, I’m not going to disclose the location.

The bottom line is that a key employee at an abortion center wants out. The 40 Days for Life vigil volunteers are helping, so please pray for this situation.

If this employee leaves, then it’s quite possible that another key person may also quit. And if THAT happens — well, the volunteer says the center might not be able to keep operating with both of them gone.

“God is working miracles through this campaign,” said the volunteer. Please pray for these employees!

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SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
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One of the vigil participants in San Antonio noticed a woman who got out of her car in the Planned Parenthood parking lot.

“She looked to be business oriented,” said the volunteer. “I called out to her and she smiled and came to the sidewalk.” The woman said she was there for a job interview.

“I asked her if she knew they performed abortions here — and she said that she did not.”

The volunteer told her about the legal situations Planned Parenthood is in right now. “I also told her how our local Coalition for Life could help her locate other clinics where she might apply for work.”

A bit later, the woman returned to her car. “She had turned down the interview and gave us a wave,” the 40 Days for Life participant said. “We are changing hearts and minds!”

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WACO, TEXAS
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As volunteers continue to pray outside a Planned Parenthood abortion center in Waco, the local team there has learned that two other regional Planned Parenthood offices have closed — at least temporarily.

“With all the bad news facing Planned Parenthood locally and nationally,” said John in Waco, “I suspect this will be a long temporary closure.”

Planned Parenthood opened these centers in the past few years with a lot of publicity and fanfare. Abortions are not done there, but they do refer women to the office in Waco where the 40 Days for Life vigil is in progress.

“We pray during 40 Days for Life,” said John, “that Planned Parenthood’s abortion facility in Waco will close.”

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LINCOLN, NEBRASKA
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40 Days for Life volunteers in Lincoln hope today sees a repeat of what happened last Tuesday.

“Tuesdays are the only day that Planned Parenthood of Lincoln does surgical abortions,” Sheila said. in a note she posted on the 40 Days for Life blog.

But last Tuesday, the abortion total was ZERO!

“We do not know why,” she said, but none were scheduled.

“We are blessed that God has chosen to reveal these fruits,” wrote Sheila.

“Truly our prayers are saving lives.”

Click here to read today’s devotional.

Click here to download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends.

Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: How is God providing blessings for the 40 Days for Life campaign in your community? Please let everyone know by posting a reply below.