One week from today
One week from today, on Wednesday, September 23, the largest 40 Days for Life campaign in history launches in 212 cities across 45 American states, 5 Canadian provinces, and Denmark.
For 40 intense days, tens of thousands of faithful volunteers will be praying, fasting, holding peaceful vigils outside abortion facilities, and spreading the pro-life message through community outreach.
Participation in 40 Days for Life is not always easy and can involve sacrifice.
So why are you and I about to do this?
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so take a moment — right now — to look at this picture:
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That’s Baby David (don’t you love his name?)
Last fall, on the third day of the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil in Sarasota, Florida, a nervous Hispanic woman went to the local Planned Parenthood abortion center with her mother and brother.
The 40 Days for Life prayer volunteers offered her literature, but she didn’t understand their English.
When a bilingual counselor arrived, she learned that the woman was in her 14th week of pregnancy and she was seeking a second-trimester abortion.
The counselor instead offered real help to get her to one of the local pregnancy resource centers.
As a result, she chose life for her baby.
When asked why she changed her mind and decided not to abort, the woman’s answer was, “Because you were here. I was looking for a sign from God.”
Throughout the remainder of her pregnancy, many volunteers helped her and her family with various needs, including spiritual and financial support.
Then, on March 25 of this year, 6-pound, 6-ounce baby David made his entrance into the world — where he was greeted by many of the dedicated volunteers and new found friends who have continued their faith journey with his mother and family.
A baby saved from abortion. A mother spared from a life of regrets.
That is why we do what we do.
This story represents just one of the 1,561 lives that have been spared from abortion due to 40 Days for Life campaigns over the last two years.
As you pray, fast, stand vigil, and conduct outreach during 40 Days for Life from September 23 through November 1, know that YOUR efforts could help to save the life of a child — like David — and could protect a mother from making a tragic abortion decision.
If you haven’t already, find the 40 Days for Life location nearest to you by visiting:
http://www.40daysforlife.com/location.cfm
Click on the link of the closest site, be sure to sign up for updates, and get involved.
Your humble, simple participation in 40 Days for Life can make a profound difference. YOU can help to change the world, one life at a time.
Yours For Life,
David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life
September 16th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
My brothers and sisters in Christ. Let’s do all we can to build a worldly culture of life. From the moment of conception to the moment of natural death, we were created to do His will for our lives and reflect His glory. Peace~
September 16th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
I can’t wait. I am going to be praying in front of the abortion clinic in Raleigh this Friday, and hopefully every week during the 40 Days for Life. Raleigh is two hours away from us, but that gives me two hours of prayer on the way there and two hours of prayer on the way home. Sometimes my dear husband goes, to support me, while I hold my “I REGRET MY ABORTION” sign. Then we have some bonding time.
Thank you, David, thank you. My grandfather’s name was David, and I named a little miscarried son David Anthony. I had a chemical abortion in 1966 when I was 17 years old. It was forced and I didn’t dare tell anyone.
I denied it for 33 years. God is so good, His truth, His love, His mercy sets us free ! ! !
Now wild horses can’t stop me from doing what I can for pro-life.
Thank you, David, for your heart for these babies and for the moms and dads, who need to know the truth in love.
All my love in the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Joan Haselman
September 16th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
GOD BLESS ALL!
This is the first time for Fairfield, Iowa, barely 10,000 population.
We can already notice blessings coming!
Thank you as we approach our kick off rally on Monday…..
Thank you for your prayers for us, us for you and all!
Mary and Jefferson County Right to Life
September 16th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
She was looking for a sign from God…..and she found it.
How many times do we miss being that sign for someone else who is in despair? I wonder.
God bless baby David and his mom and supporters! May their lives be a sign for others as a reflection of God’s love.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Valeria, Bryan and I will join 40 Days for Life campaing from Puerto Rico thru the daily pray of the holy rosary. May the Holy Spirit assist you all and many blessings during this campaing.
Sharon Santiago
San Juan, PR
September 16th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Welcome to the world Baby David.
September 16th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Thanks for all you do for pro-life and the truth of how God wants us to live and help one another. I have signed up and am receiving the 40-Days information through my email. I have been volunteering for many years now, praying at an abortion mill–a large one in my area has moved last year into a much smaller one where it is now being picketed. I try my best to get to another site and pray Saturday mornings.
I always talk to people and speak of pro-life education that young people need today before they make wrong choices and promote abstinence as the only way except for married couples. I know mentally and physically everyone would be a lot better off! As St. Paul said in the Bible he believes people can use and focus their time and energies into doing good by remaining single (and chaste) but if a couple are moved towards marraige that is ok too to bring up their children in a loving family. There is always hope for single mothers too as there is a lot of support from pro-lifers especially. Also there are couples who would love to adopt a baby. God bless us, America and may our prayers and efforts reach out to the world. Eileen M. King
September 16th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
David, you’re a whiz.
September 16th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
I have been spreading the word via facebook and you can count me in.
God Bless you all!
September 16th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Is there any way to share things like this on facebook? We have LIFE prayer every Saturday here in Kearney, but no abortion facility — and last Saturday, between 12 noon & 1 PM, my friend & I prayer walked the “Bricks” (downtown shopping area in Kearney) and prayed that God would come, and end abortion — we wore our life shirts… It has the prayer written on the back: “Jesus, I plead Your blood over my sins and the sins of my nation. God, end abortion, and send revival to America.”
Many were at bars because of the Husker game coming on at 1 PM here— & were standing outside to smoke — They were greeted by us, and although cordial in response with us, also knew what our shirt said….. The one place we went to pray, that had a poster for those needing referrals (for abortion) concerning “reproductive services” — had stripped everything from their windows, and had the windows painted with “Inventory Clearance” — and the sign on the door “Closed”…. don’t know what’s happening — except that we remain faithful in prayer, and God moves heaven & earth on behalf of those who call on Him… Cheryl
September 16th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
How appropriate that you chose this story, this baby, for your blog post! Precious little David was born on March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation – the day we commemorate the Angel Gabriel appearing to Blessed Mother Mary to announce that she would be with Child. May her Fiat be an inspiration to the many women faced with unexpected pregnancies, and may she intercede for us as we fast and pray that many, many will choose to say yes to Life just as she did.
September 16th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Yea!! I love the name too!
Dallas Texas
September 16th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Iowa is a beautiful state! I am so proud of you and your fellow pro-lifers for initiating your 40 Days for Life Campaign for the first time. It has been a real blessing here in MA. The love for one another, as we stand, out becomes very apparent ! The Holy Spirit’s presence is so prevalent as this love touches each one of our lives It is a joy to stand up for God’s TRUTH: HUMAN LIFE IS SACRED FROM CONCEPTION TO NATURAL DEATH!
September 16th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Thank you so very much. A certain level of discouragement comes with this job. It is like a ray os sunshine – hope – to see and hear of the babes like David. Vaya cone Dios, Mary
September 17th, 2009 at 12:20 am
My prayers are with all of you every day, and I know that Our Lord and Our Lady are too. Take courage and know that all is well in God’s eyes for the wee little ones.
I love baby David’s name.
God bless you David for all that all of you do for the babies.
September 17th, 2009 at 1:04 am
I went last night to promote the campaign at a Christian recovery ranch and the response I received when I shared our message was amazing. Numerous new Christians saw the truth and realized that they had been thinking wrongly about the subject. They are now ready to seek healing the for decisions they made before they knew Christ. They are on a path of healing that they may otherwise not have traveled this quickly! God is definitely giving us abundant signs that this campaign is His will, not ours!
September 17th, 2009 at 1:29 am
I am geared up and ready to go!
I know God will bless our efforts abundantly because He knows our hearts are set to “SAVE THE BABIES”.
I pray that all of the open slots on the Prayer Vigil Schedule will be filled by the kickoff day and that all of us will remain committed to our Prayer Vigil Hour during this “40 Days for Life Campaign”.
May the Holy Spirit strengthen and inspire us in our prayers; may the angels be with us to protect us; and may the Father bless the efforts of this Campaign with 1,000 saved babies!!! Amen.
September 17th, 2009 at 9:26 am
Hooray! I am scheduled to pray on the sidewalk and with God’s help, save lives. Last year was my first year participating in this most important campaign. I talked to my children, husband and sister and even had them come stand and pray with me. Although there were a few passers-by who were not happy to see us, there were many people who were. As long as we continue to tell people about God’s love for us and the unborn, we will make a difference and save lives. God bless us all and those suffering from the effects of abortion, living and dead.
September 17th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Thank you, David & Baby David!!! +Praise Lord & Thanks be to God! Indeed participation in 40 Days for Life means much sacrifice but a worthy and heroic one. And with God’s help nothing is impossible and may God hear our plea for help – to end abortion!!! Amen.
September 18th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
What a precious little boy!! God surely has great plans for him, and the others saved by 40 Days for Life prayer warriors! What a privilege to be a part of this amazing apostolate! May God continue to bless it!!
September 19th, 2009 at 1:33 am
I’m touched with this beautifull event, I can say that God have change my ways, God is mercifull and God is giving me the chance to make up for the mistakes I have done in the past.
I cant’ wait to star the campaign.
God Bless You All!
Diana.
September 20th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
I have been wanting to do this for sometime. I will be fasting and praying. I live North of Pittsburgh. Can someone please let me know where I can go to participate in the vigil? I am ready!
—
We do have a campaign in Pittsburgh … for the full list of locations, please see http://40daysforlife.com/location.cfm
–Admin
September 20th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
I have a question? Why onlhy 40 days Shouldnt we pray for abortion all year long? Someone please answer this question After the 40 days , all go home into their warm homes What a shame.
–
Actually, 40 Days for Life is an entry point to invite people who’ve never done any pro-life outreach to experience it for the first time. Many do continue their activities far beyond a mere 40 days. Local pro-life efforts are growing as a result. 40 Days for Life never ends. But it constantly extends new invitations for people who are not taking part to begin doing so. Thanks and God bless!
–Admin
September 22nd, 2009 at 1:45 am
I love what your doing. I am due in December to have a baby girl. She has filled my heart with love already. I am a young college student who found myself in a very difficult situation when i first found out. I had much support from family to help me through this! Abortion is never the answer. Babies are a blessing from god! I would love to see abortion be banned completely!
September 24th, 2009 at 3:53 am
Let God´s Holy Spirit work in a special way in this area of worst sin. I will offer this in my daily Holy Mass. Through Mother Mary´s tears of Blood Jesus has already given lot of signs. But nobody cares it. I believe in the power of Holy Eucharist. Lord jesus have Mercy on us. All Blessings and prayers for your endure.
Thanks,
Jees