Well, the largest 40 Days for Life campaign ever is history — for now!

What an amazing 40-day journey we’ve been on, as 247 cities in nine countries prayed, fasted, stood vigil, and conducted outreach to end abortion.

Thanks to YOU for responding to the Holy Spirit this spring! These efforts have been richly blessed.

I just got home late last night from speaking at the closing event in Germantown, Maryland. Before that, I was in Los Angeles, California at a closing rally.

The L.A. rally lasted into the night. It was too dark for my video camera — but I do have the audio from that event for you.

As you listen to the audio recording, you’ll hear the incredible story about how 40 Days for Life began for me personally this spring …

… and the HUGE blessing in how it ended for me — meeting a baby saved from abortion during previous campaigns in Orange, California!

To listen to the talk online, click the arrow to start the player:

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

http://40daysforlife.s3.amazonaws.com/shawnla.mp3

I hope you get lots of encouragement as we all discern how to move forward from here!

40 Days for Life is a community-based campaign that recognizes abortion as a local problem … and you have shown the willingness to act on your faith to be the local solution.

Many cities that have conducted 40 Days for Life campaigns have asked “What’s next?”

Here are some of the things going on in just a few of the cities that just wrapped up 40 Days for Life:

—————————————————–
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA
—————————————————–

The Alexandria team recognizes that prayer at the abortion center can’t stop. The local coordinators are launching an effort to have people praying on the sidewalks at least on the days that abortions are performed. It’s a proven fact that this prayer presence can change minds.

—————————————————–
LAWRENCEVILLE, GEORGIA
—————————————————–

Local leaders in Lawrenceville have noted a decline in activity at Planned Parenthood – fewer customers obviously means fewer abortions. They know that means they can’t stop. There are also plans to network with other Georgia campaigns to increase opportunities for sidewalk counseling.

—————————————————–
BEAUMONT, TEXAS
—————————————————–

The Beaumont campaign used its closing rally to invite volunteers to keep praying at the abortion center – and more. “We are more determined than ever for the formation of a permanent group in our area for an ongoing prayer group to diligently pray daily against abortion,” said Eileen in Beaumont.

—————————————————–
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
—————————————————–

In a posting on the 40 Days for Life blog, Rae summed up this time of discernment very clearly.

“Our campaign has been marked by a growing awareness that abortion is not a problem in a vacuum, but a product of the despair and hopelessness that is a way of life where Christ is not known,” Rae wrote.

The women and men entering the abortion center all lacked hope. “We are finding ourselves more dedicated than ever to being Christ for the world, here where life and death are as palpable as on the streets of Jerusalem when Jesus carried His cross and walked through the clueless crowds towards His death.”

Rae said the group found, to their surprise, “that trying to save the babies has led us to a more intimate relationship with Christ and a thirst for helping Him in His saving mission to the world.”

And that’s exactly why we carry on. We’ll have much more to say in the weeks and months ahead, but for now we’ll take a break from daily e-mail so we, too, can refresh, recharge and renew.

Click here to read today’s devotional.

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

There’s no way I can really express the appreciation I have for everything you’ve done during this campaign — your prayers, your participation, your persistence.

You provide tremendous HOPE for our future!

Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: Any additional stories from 40 Days for Life in your community? Please respond below.

Well, here we are … the final day of the first 40 Days for Life campaign of 2011. And what an amazing campaign it has been with a record 247 locations!

But that’s not the milestone.

So far during this campaign, we are aware of …

… 483 babies who have been saved from abortion. (And reports from local teams will still be coming in for the next week or so. So we hope and pray that number will continue to grow.)

But that’s not the milestone.

Since 40 Days for Life started these coordinated campaigns in September of 2007, we now know of …

… MORE THAN FOUR THOUSAND BABIES SPARED FROM ABORTION!

And yes, THAT is the milestone! The current total is 4,082!

4,082 people is a lot of folks! If you’ve ever heard of Centerville, Tennessee or Lathrop, Missouri — those are towns whose populations are around 4,082.

Through your prayers, God has spared enough human beings to fill a whole town.

WOW!!!

I can only wonder what our Lord will do next! Today we start in Manassas, Virginia and the AMAZING witness of a mom with her three young daughters by her side.

——————————————————-
MANASSAS, VIRGINIA
——————————————————-

The abortion industry REALLY doesn’t like 40 Days for Life! Here’s what I mean.

A mom and her three daughters were praying at the vigil when the abortionist angrily approached them, cursing at them and shouting, “You’re going to hell!”

The mother was astonished. When she was able to get a word in, she responded, “YOU’RE killing babies in there!”

“Yeah?” replied the abortionist. “AND I LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT!”

After that shocking display, she took her daughters into the nearby pregnancy resource center.

This story takes the mask off “choice” and is a sobering reminder of the evil were are fighting in the abortion industry. Please keep praying!

——————————————————-
FROM THE 40 DAYS FOR LIFE BLOG
——————————————————-

Emily wrote that she and a friend had a similar experience.

While they were praying quietly, a woman came storming out of the abortion center, ran up to them and started screaming, practically in their faces.

“You can’t be here! This is illegal,” she said. “You’re breaking the law! You’re protesters! This is illegal!”

Well, obviously, it was not illegal.

When the woman finally stopped yelling and began walking back to the building, Emily’s friend said, “God bless you, ma’am.”

The woman turned around to scream once more: “He already does! And YOU work for the DEVIL!”

“This experience left me more determined than ever that our presence outside the abortion clinic is not only a good idea, but an absolute necessity,” Emily said.

Abortion centers are places of death, despair, anger and hatred — “epicenters of evil,” she called them.

“Although I don’t usually feel like I’m making a difference by being there, just because I can’t see any physical evidence,” said Emily, “I now know that by simply being present, we are helping to counter that evil with love, peace, truth and light!”

——————————————————-
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA
——————————————————-

Of course, there are many joyful things happening at 40 Days for Life vigils, too! It was a busy day at the abortion center in South Bend where volunteers pray.

As the group prayed, they watched as a young woman walked out of the facility and headed towards the cars. But then she went back inside – then came out again. The group took note, but just kept praying.

She went back inside once more — and then came out a third time. This time, however, she got in her car and drove up alongside the people praying.

In her left hand, she held a stack of money. In her right hand, she held an ultrasound image. She leaned out the window and announced, “I didn’t do it!”

“You could feel the peace and joy of God surrounding that young mother,” said Sally in South Bend. “We were all so moved. God is good!”

Yes, He is!

Click here to read today’s devotional.

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

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

Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: Any final thoughts to share about this 40 Days for Life campaign? Please leave a note below.

As we mark the second-to-last day of this 40 Days for Life campaign, I want to personally thank you for all of your sacrifices, large and small, since this effort began on March 9.

I saw a quote this week from Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver, who recently prayed at the 40 Days for Life campaign in Boulder. His words sum up the importance of EVERYTHING you’re doing.

“Nothing we do to defend the human person, no matter how small, is ever unfruitful or forgotten. Our actions touch other lives and move other hearts in ways we can never fully understand in this world,” said Archbishop Chaput. “Don’t ever underestimate the beauty and power of the witness you give in your pro-life work.”

Amen!

——————————————————-
BOULDER, COLORADO
——————————————————-

Archbishop Chaput was one of a number of clergymen who took part in a special day of prayer at the abortion center in Boulder where 40 Days for Life is currently in progress.

Members of the Boulder team say about 120 people participated, including many who were attending their first-ever pro-life event. The mood was uplifting and the responses mostly positive.

On another day recently, two volunteers were praying when a woman in her mid-20s walked out of the abortion center — in tears.

She walked over to the people praying and said, “Don’t worry. I didn’t get an abortion.”

——————————————————-
MISSOULA, MONTANA
——————————————————-

The Missoula vigil coordinator and two other 40 Days for Life volunteers were praying outside the abortion center when a car pulled up.

A couple was seated in the front, and their children were in the back. The mother spoke to the prayer volunteers in a somewhat abrupt manner. “I’m pro-choice,” she said. “Why should I be pro-life?”

The vigil participants answered, covering many points. But the woman didn’t seem convinced.

So the vigil coordinator asked her, “May I pray with you?” She answered “yes,” and they prayed.

One of the others then offered the woman information about the local pregnancy resource center, which she took.

The prayers must have had an effect.

“Choice might be fine for someone else,” the woman said. “But I’m keeping my baby.”

——————————————————-
FOREST GROVE, OREGON
——————————————————-

A young couple drove into the parking lot at the abortion center that’s the location of the 40 Days for Life vigil in Forest Grove.

They didn’t get out of their car — they just sat there. That’s often a good sign; they’re watching as people pray, and that can make it more difficult to actually set foot into the abortion center.

The couple started the car, backed out of their parking space, and drove towards the exit. As they reached the prayer volunteers, they rolled down the window with the good news.

They smiled and said they would not be having an abortion.

“There were expressions of such happiness and relief on their faces,” said one of the volunteers. “Praise God! Please keep this pair in your prayers as they now follow the path they have chosen.”

If you haven’t been to pray at a 40 Days for Life vigil yet, today’s a GREAT day! Saturday is often the busiest day of the week at abortion centers, so your prayers are especially needed TODAY!

To find the 40 Days for Life vigil 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.

To ensure that this 40 Days for Life finishes strong if there is any way you can carve out one extra hour this weekend to go pray outside the nearest abortion facility …. it could make a world of difference.

Who knows? God might even use you to help save a life!

Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: Have you prayed at an abortion facility for the first time during this 40 Days for Life campaign? If so, please share your experiences by responding below.

Darkness is responsible for the despair and hopelessness that leads women to choose abortion.

Scripture says that Jesus is “the light of the world.” Sometimes, the darker the place, the brighter the light shines.

That is certainly the case when we bring the light of Christ to the sidewalk outside abortion facilities.

Our role in this historic 40 Days for Life campaign is to be the light-bearer. We bring Jesus to a place He is desperately needed.

Here are a few examples of how the light of Christ can overcome darkness.

——————————————————-
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
——————————————————-

Ann, the local 40 Days for Life coordinator in Richmond, arrived at the prayer vigil to hear the good news that a woman had just left the abortion center, telling volunteers she was keeping her child.

After spending some time in prayer, Ann got a phone call — from a reporter at the local ABC TV station. “As much as I dislike being on camera,” she said, “I’d do it for the team.”

She sent out a quick call for as many people as possible to come provide prayer cover during the interview. The reporter called back, asking to meet at the station. “No,” Ann responded, “I need to be praying at the vigil.”

When she returned, there were eight people praying — during an hour had been completely empty on the vigil schedule.

“Thank you, God,” Ann said, “for all the many ways You bless us.”

——————————————————-
WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA
——————————————————-

The 40 Days for Life team in Winston-Salem watched as two women brought their daughters in for abortions.

A vigil participant said “good morning” to the women. One of them stepped forward and said, “I resent you being here. You are judging us!”

The vigil participant hadn’t said a word; she was simply holding a sign that said, “I regret my abortion.” It turns out that both of these women had had abortions, and they knew exactly what it was they were about to put their daughters through.

“This clearly demonstrates the generational curse that abortion is,” said the volunteer. At this point, vigil participants did the only thing they could.

They continued to pray.

I was in Winston-Salem recently, meeting and praying with 40 Days for Life team members. Here’s are a photo from my stop there:

——————————————————-
LONDON, ENGLAND
——————————————————-

It seems the 40 Days for Life vigil site in London is blessed with an occasional heckler. I say “blessed” because some of the comments lobbed at the people praying are downright entertaining.

Here are some observations from a frequent vigil participant:

“You are just wasting your time. There is no God!” shouts a passing cyclist with breath-taking and steely metaphysical certainty.

“You hypocrites, what about the millions of starving children around the world?” cries another man (I am a bit at a loss by the non-sequitur of this latter reproach).

But the most entertaining must be a young man who approached us and, with an agitated, tense voice, called out, “Why aren’t you praying for the 20,000 back-street abortions that take place in Pakistan?”

Whilst wondering if he has personally counted the number being shouted at us, I offer him one of our magazines; but he snarls: “I know all about your fabricated propaganda. I don’t need to read any more about it!”

As a last resort, we offer to pray for him. This really sends him ballistic. “I don’t NEED your prayers, thank you. I don’t believe in your evil God!”

With the onset of the warm and sunny spring weather, the heckling completely dies out. It is as if the good weather symbolizes Christ, the light of the world, who sends the evil spirits packing.

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: Have you received assurance that your efforts with 40 Days for Life have borne fruit? If so, please share your story by replying below.

There is so much momentum heading into the closing weekend of 40 Days for Life!

Tonight, I am speaking in Los Angeles at a 40 Days for Life event. Then tomorrow, I head back to the east coast for a closing event outside of a late-term abortion facility in Maryland.

With just a few days left, are you getting a little tired?

If so, please remember to pray and prepare your hearts as we enter into what Fulton Sheen called “the week that changed the world.” Next week, our commemoration of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus reassure us of victory over death.

SO … are you ready for a few more stories of the Lord’s amazing blessings? Here goes!

——————————————————-
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
——————————————————-

A young couple had arrived for an appointment at Planned Parenthood in Memphis. On their way into the building, they declined to talk. But a little while later, the man walked outside.

This time, one of the counselors was able to strike up a conversation. He confirmed that the young woman was there for an abortion. The counselor gave him information about resources that are available in Memphis. He thanked her and went back inside.

Less than ten minutes later, the couple walked out of Planned Parenthood. The young man raised his arms, smiled and exclaimed, “We’re not going to do it!”

The vigil participants waved as the couple drove off. But then they made a quick stop and circled back into the parking lot. It seems they’d gotten a phone call from Planned Parenthood. They may have called off the abortion, but they still owed $100 for the clinic visit!

That should tell you something about Planned Parenthood.

“But this did not dampen the young father’s spirits,” said Kerry in Memphis. “Before he drove off again, he gave two thumbs-up to the vigil-goers.”

——————————————————-
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA
——————————————————-

Lisa, a sidewalk counselor at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Charlotte, just got a text from a young woman who had chosen life for her child.

“Hi! How are you?” she wrote. “I’m happy I didn’t do it. I want you and the people that you were with to know that it meant the whole world to me to know that you all care about me, not even knowing me. Thanks! I hope to hear from you soon.”

Of course, Lisa got back in touch right away and scheduled some more time to talk. Anytime is fine, the young woman replied, because if it weren’t for the people praying, “I would have done a really bad thing.”

“I hope this is as encouraging to y’all as it was to me,” said Lisa.

——————————————————-
HACKENSACK, NEW JERSEY
——————————————————-

Louise writes on the 40 Days for Life blog that she went to church one morning recently and spotted several members of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal — a religious order that, among other things, is noted for its strong pro-life stand.

“Right then and there, I knew something special would happen today,” she said. The friars left church and headed to the 40 Days for Life vigil.

“We noticed a young couple approaching the building, the woman crying the man consoling her,” she wrote. “Two counselors started to speak with them. As time passed prayers, became more and more intense within all of us there. You could just feel the Holy Spirit’s presence among us.”

One family brought their baby over and the woman cried some more. An hour later, the couple went inside to cancel their appointment.

“You just had to be there to feel God’s presence all around us,” Louise said. “I don’t think anyone who witnessed that hour will ever be the same.”

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: I’m really enjoying your stories of local 40 Days for Life campaigns posted on the 40 Days for Life blog. If you have news to share, please reply below.

Are you ready to be surprised?

California has a record 29 locations taking part in 40 Days for Life right now!

This morning, I’m getting on a plane to head to the West Coast to speak at some closing events later this week.

Maybe it surprised you that there are so many local campaigns in California, but it doesn’t surprise me. California has led in locations for many of the 40 Days for Life campaigns for one reason — HOPE!

Why do we keep going? That’s easy. We have HOPE!

The first brief item in today’s report is a profound — and amazing — reflection of that hope.

——————————————————-
FROM THE 40 DAYS FOR LIFE BLOG
——————————————————-

“I am a 60-year-old woman who had four abortions when I was a young woman — spiritually and emotionally lost,” she wrote.

“Since I returned to church in 1992, I have experienced Christ’s mercy and healing more powerfully than words can express. He is my treasure. He is the meaning and purpose of my life.”

She adds that she’s praying daily — and she’s fasting from coffee!

“I cry with joy for the babies saved and the minds and hearts changed,” she wrote. “May He continue to bless the babies, mothers and others through your beautiful commitment!”

——————————————————-
UNDISCLOSED LOCATION
——————————————————-

If word about WHERE THIS IS gets out, that could have an impact. But this is some inside information from a Planned Parenthood office — thanks to a tip from a work crew!

It seems that while these workers were there, they heard Planned Parenthood employees complaining about the “anti-choice protesters” outside. A few even wondered if they could move to a location where prayer volunteers wouldn’t be able to speak to their clients as they walked in.

One evening recently, three cars of teenagers drove past and cursed at the vigil participants — but during this particular prayer shift, not a soul entered or left Planned Parenthood.

“Praise God!” said the local coordinator. “We realize Satan’s stronghold must be crumbling at this location … Jesus, we trust in you!”

Until very recently, there had been no regular prayer presence at this Planned Parenthood location.

“Our prayer is not only that they would close down shop,” said the coordinator, “but that they would not be able to reopen altogether.”

——————————————————-
CLEVELAND, OHIO
——————————————————-

“What an awesome evening we had,” said Amy in Cleveland.

40 Days for Life prayer volunteers met for prayer at a local church. “This church is located only a few blocks from the only abortion clinic in the Cleveland area that does late term abortions,” Amy said.

One of the parish priests then led the volunteers on a silent procession down the sidewalk to the abortion center for more prayer.

“We were on a very busy road,” said Amy, “and our vigil was met with many honks, thumbs up and waves. Not once did we hear the roar of Satan through a nasty yell or an unfriendly wave. We must have scared him off!”

——————————————————-
MARIETTA, GEORGIA
——————————————————-

“We have seen some miraculous things happen at the three different sites here in metro Atlanta,” said one of the local leaders in Marietta.

Several women have walked away from their appointments to have an abortion. “We don’t know yet whether they have made that a permanent decision,” said the coordinator, “but that is where our continued prayers come in.”

Some of the prayer volunteers have helped organize baby showers for the women who have chosen life for their babies — a choice they made because of the effort of the people on the sidewalk who were praying for them and their children.

The number of abortion patients appears to be dwindling, which is obviously irritating the abortionist. And folks who work in nearby offices are expressing their dismay as they learn that an abortion center is so close to their work places.

Said the local leader, “We do make a difference!”

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 small victories have you witnessed with 40 Days for Life in your city? Please share the good news by replying below.

I just returned from a first-time 40 Days for Life campaign that is having a HUGE impact!

——————————————————-
SHERMAN, TEXAS
——————————————————-

This campaign location has had its fair share of persecution — and I saw it, just as people were driving by their busy location and seeing the prayerful presence.

With just a few days left in the spring campaign, let us remember that when you get right down to it, abortion is a spiritual battle.

The idea of taking the life of an innocent human being under the guise of compassion, choice or “reproductive rights” could have only been devised by Satan himself.

We know of Christ’s love for women and their children. We also know that in the end, life wins.

Over these last few days, let us persevere — and “put on the full armor of God,” as Paul tells us — and know that victory is assured!

——————————————————-
CALGARY, ALBERTA
——————————————————-

Prayer volunteers at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Calgary watched as a couple arrived at the abortion center. The woman got out at the door. As the man parked the car, he noticed a vigil participant’s sign with information about adoption.

The man was stunned. “All my wife and I ever discussed was parenting or abortion,” he said. “We had no idea adoption is an option.”

He then told his story. He and his wife had two daughters and had found out their third child was also a girl. “I know it’s a sin,” he said, “but I just can’t have another girl. You have no idea how difficult it is to raise girls in this society!”

A volunteer asked if he would take the life of his already-born girls to solve that problem. That made him think. While vigil participants prayed, he went into the building to talk to his wife.

Fifteen minutes later he returned. Shaking his head, with despair in his eyes, he said, “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I really tried. But she won’t give her child to a stranger!” He turned around, fled to his vehicle and sped away.

“My heart still hurts when I think how close we were to saving this little girl’s life,” said one of the volunteers. “Yet God’s ways are higher than ours.”

——————————————————-
TACOMA, WASHINGTON
——————————————————-

John had been looking for signs of encouragement in Tacoma — and he finally got a BIG one. The Planned Parenthood location where the 40 Days for Life vigil is going on in Tacoma was CLOSED four days recently — including two Tuesdays, which are abortion days.

“We have seen averages of up to 40 to 50 lives lost on these days,” he said. “We have NEVER seen them close” on an abortion day.

Then on a Thursday — another abortion day — they were closed again. But the parking lot was full of staff members’ cars — and John said it looked like people from other Planned Parenthood locations were there as well.

That morning, 11 people turned out to pray — more than anyone ever expected. “The sign on the locked door said they are closed for computer upgrades,” John said. “This may be, but it is clear that God is at work here.”

Planned Parenthood was closed — in the middle of 40 Days for Life. Eleven people showed up “out of the blue” to pray. And one of them even brought flowers, which the volunteers gave to women who were surprised by the abortion center’s locked doors.

“The lesson learned was that we are engaged in a fierce spiritual battle,” he said. “God is sovereign and in control … and we can only guess and the large number of lives that were spared.”

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: If you have stories to share about the 40 Days for Life campaign in your area, please respond below.

One week to go!

With just 7 days left in the spring campaign, we are now aware of …

… 346 babies whose mothers have turned away from abortion – that we know of!

Here are just a few of the stories about those babies saved that I have received from local 40 Days for Life teams in 247 locations worldwide.

——————————————————-
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
——————————————————-

Several 40 Days for Life volunteers were praying in front of Planned Parenthood, including some children who were kneeling. After a while, a young woman came out of the building and began to speak with the mother of one of the girls kneeling in prayer.

The young woman asked what was going on, and the volunteer explained, telling her that they offer support and information to women who are thinking about abortion. After some discussion, the young woman decided to keep her baby. She and the volunteer then went straight to the nearby pregnancy resource center.

“Please pray for this young woman,” said Paula in Wilmington. “She is very poor, homeless and has very little support. She has also been mistreated by her boyfriend.”

Before she left, the young woman went up to the girls and told them the good news and said that she hoped her child would be good like them — beautiful young ladies praying for her and her baby.

“She looked so happy,” Paula said. “We assured her of our prayers. Praise God!”

——————————————————-
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
——————————————————-

40 Days for Life volunteers in Orange County spoke to a woman who had arrived at Planned Parenthood to schedule an appointment.

“She was told by her doctor that her baby has deformities,” said Alejandra in Orange County, “and due to her diabetes her best option would be to abort.”

She said that in her heart, that was not what she wanted to hear. But that’s also what she was told by a second doctor. One of the doctors even said Planned Parenthood “would do a good job on her.”

The “job,” of course, referred to abortion.

“After talking to us, she is now willing to give her baby a chance to live,” said Alejandra. The woman was taken to a pregnancy resource center and then to see a doctor in Los Angeles who specializes in high-risk pregnancies.

“What a difference,” the young mother said. “The people here are warm, caring and friendly. You are treated like a person — unlike at Planned Parenthood.”

Because she has diabetes, the specialist will continue to monitor her weekly so the baby has all the chances he or she deserves.

“Please keep her and her baby in your prayers,” said Alejandra. “Praise the Lord for the opportunity he gave us to reach to this mom!”

——————————————————-
LAKELAND, FLORIDA
——————————————————-

The Lakeland team recently had a blessing — an opportunity to actually meet a child who was spared from abortion during an earlier 40 Days for Life campaign.

Sherri says that while several volunteers were praying at the vigil, “a woman parked her car, quickly opened the back door and carried out a beautiful little girl.”

This woman had seen a 40 Days for Life vigil once before in another city.

“My daughter was scheduled to have an abortion,” she said. “We arrived and there were 40 Days for Life volunteers outside.” It was her prayer that SOMETHING would change her daughter’s mind.

As they sat in the waiting room, she said, “time was running out. She was next to go back. All of a sudden, she stood and said, ‘Let’s go, Mom. I can’t do this!’”

The woman then said, “God hears your prayers. He saved this precious little girl — my granddaughter. She is living proof!”

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: There are miracles happening every day at 40 Days for Life locations near and far. Please share your thoughts, feelings, and any good news by replying below.

40 Days for Life was first launched as national effort in the fall of 2007 — and oh, how we NEVER imagined where God would take this campaign!

Here’s what I mean. One of the 247 locations where 40 Days for Life is taking place right now is in the nation of Georgia — a place with a long, sad history regarding abortion.

Here are some of the things that Carolyn, the local coordinator, has told us about this first-time campaign … and of course, some pictures!

——————————————————-
TBILISI, GEORGIA
——————————————————-

The vigil is in Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital city, in front of Parliament, on the city’s main street.

As a former Soviet republic, Georgia is steeped in abortion. There is not only a need to turn the current generation away from abortion, but to bring healing to the many who experienced it in the past.

“We are sort of doing outreach and vigil at the same time, which probably is unusual,” Carolyn said. “But since we are not in front of an abortion clinic, everything is a little different than we expected.”

There is a school nearby. “Mothers and grandparents are rushing by, but the children are drawn to our set of fetal models and drag their mothers or guardians along to see them,” she said. “This gives us great chances to talk to them about abortion and how babies develop so early.”

While the kids are looking at the models, counselors talk to the adults. “Many adult women don’t want to stop and look — and their post-abortion pain is very visible on their faces,” she said. “We are able to speak with women about our healing program.”

Men often hurry past the display, insisting that abortion is a women’s issue. But occasionally, a man will stop. Carolyn recalls telling one man that men have a lot to do with a woman’s decision to abort. She then gave him a brochure.

“As he began to read of post-abortion hurt in men, tears came into his eyes and he began to talk,” she said. He had four sons, and insisted on an abortion when his wife became pregnant again. “He said his wife didn’t seem to suffer after abortion, but that he himself thought about it often.” He didn’t realize other men experienced things he was feeling.

“We also have many opportunities to talk with teenagers,” Carolyn added. “They know their mothers have had many abortions. So we send them home with post-abortion healing brochures.”

Many people asked if they could sign something, so the group started a petition. The first day, more than 90 people signed it. There is an Orthodox church across the street that sends people to sign the petition.

“We have also had a number of journalists come by, and I was interviewed on a major TV station,” Carolyn said. The same station scheduled an interview with a woman who has been through post-abortion healing.

“Please pray with us that many will enter our healing program,” she said, “and through this campaign, we can begin to see the culture here changed from a culture of death to a culture of life.”

The pictures show signs in the Georgian alphabet with familiar messages like “pray to end abortion” and “abortion stops a beating heart.” But the street in front of Parliament attracts many visitors — people who often know a bit of English. So at one team member’s suggestion, the group added one sign in English: “choose life.”

“I’ve talked with people from Spain, Azerbaijan, Iran, Holland, Germany and other countries,” Carolyn said. “So who knows where the message may spread!”

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: Are you a first-time participant in 40 Days for Life? If so, thanks for joining the campaign! Please share your impressions by replying below.

It’s picture day again today!

I’ve heard from many of you who say it’s the pictures that help you stay connected with the campaign as you pray and fast in solidarity with those who are physically present at the abortion centers.

Believe me – it’s the prayers of ALL OF YOU – joined together as one – that God has heard and answered!

——————————————————-
STERLING HEIGHTS, MICHIGAN
——————————————————-

This is the sixth 40 Days for Life campaign in Sterling Heights, and this time it’s had a definite family flavor.

For family-focused prayer vigils every Sunday afternoon, the team put together a prayer book with scripture reflections, pro-life meditations and songs.

“It’s been such a blessing to have many families join us in prayer,” said one Sterling Heights team member. “People drive up when they see our group … and ask us what’s going on. This gives us a great opportunity to explain our 40 Days for Life campaign and share the truth of Jesus!”

——————————————————-
CINCINNATI, OHIO
——————————————————-

Theresa sent some pictures that show the many faces of 40 Days for Life in Cincinnati.

She and her husband, Joe, got involved in 40 Days for Life three years ago. “We pray daily for conversion of those who are pro-choice,” she said, “and give thanks to our Lord for those who are defending the unborn — for those who’ve said ‘yes’ to God’s call.”

Theresa said she’s thankful for “the many blessings that the campaigns have brought to our lives — simply by offering us an opportunity to pray together as a nation — and then some! God bless all of you!”

——————————————————-
MADRID, SPAIN
——————————————————-

We also have pictures from three of the ten cities in Spain taking part in their first-ever 40 Days for Life events.

In Madrid, the prayer presence has been expanding throughout the campaign.

Often, of course, there are just a few people praying. But one day recently, more than 60 turned out “to pray for an end to abortion in Spain and around the world.”

——————————————————-
TOLEDO, SPAIN
——————————————————-

Toledo is known as a city of faith, and that faith has been visible in the homes and the streets during 40 Days for Life.

“Each day is a new adventure,” said one of the Toledo team members, noting the ever-changing weather. Passersby often come to ask questions, and some even join the prayers.

——————————————————-
VALENCIA, SPAIN
——————————————————-

In Valencia, vigil participants were surprised by the arrival of an angry man who yelled and cursed at them. The volunteers, however, just kept praying.

“This a sign that we are stirring consciences up, which is what this is about,” said Alfredo in Valencia. “They bark, and we ride on.”

——————————————————-
SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN
——————————————————-

Mike in Southfield sent a photo of a priest leading a small group in prayer.

“They look cold and miserable in the rain,” said Mike. “They weren’t deterred by the weather — and they were blessed by a passing motorist.”

This woman was so amazed to see people praying in the rain she had to stop and find out what was going on. She stayed, joined the prayers — and promised to come back with people from her church.

Another photo shows a group from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, who led prayer in front of the abortion facility.

“We have been witnessing a wonderful weekly turnout from the seminarians,” Mike said. “Praise God for the work he is doing in the hearts of our future priests!”

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 40 Days for Life changing your community? Your church? How is it changing YOU? Please reply below.