DAY 40: God uses 40 days
It’s Day 40 – you made it!
As we close the largest 40 Days for Life campaign in history … the following things can be said about what God can do in just 40 days:
40 days ago …
… there were children scheduled to be aborted who are alive today — 465 that we know of!
40 days ago …
… women were making abortion appointments — but now,
they’re preparing their lives to welcome a new baby boy or baby girl.
40 days ago …
… cold hearts that were annoyed at your peaceful presence at the abortion facility are now open to joining you in prayer.
40 days ago …
… you may have doubted what God could accomplish; and yet through your prayer, fasting and vigil … YOU have been spiritually blessed.
Babies … women … workers … hearts … minds — these are all impacted when we pray and bring light into the darkness!
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ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND
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Lynn writes that a taxi driver pulled up in front of Planned Parenthood while she was praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil. She was carrying a sign reading, “we choose life.”
“The cab driver got out, said that he supported my effort, but asked me what was going on HERE that I should be standing HERE,” she said. “I told him I was praying for the end of abortion out in front of the Planned Parenthood offices here where abortions are done and pointed to the windows of the waiting room.”
He said he was aware of the evil of abortion because he knew that more than 50 million babies have died since Roe v. Wade, but he had no idea that abortions were done in that building.
“He was rather shocked,” said Lynn, “and then he thanked me for my witness.”
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SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK
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“Prior to 40 Days for Life,” said Diane, “I wanted to get involved in prolife work but didn’t know how or thought I didn’t have the time to do so. The Lord changed that for me and opened a big door so that I am now able to be involved in 40 Days for Life and pro-life work.”
Through these 40 days, Diane has experienced changes in her life. “I’m willing to stand up for my faith and to be a witness,” she said. “I’m willing to take a risk and share my ideas with people. I have the opportunity to pray with people on the street who need God’s love and healing. I have new prayer partners and have made new friends.”
Diane’s 40 Days for Life campaign is certainly finishing strong. “Thank you for all of your prayers,” she said. “As you can see, they are working.”
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ON THE ROAD WITH DAVID BEREIT
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Speaking of finishing strong — David Bereit, the national director of 40 Days for Life, left his home in the Washington, DC area and drove to FIVE different 40 Days for Life vigil sites in eastern New York, spending 17 hours in the car driving between vigil sites in one day!
Also, over these final few days of this campaign, he visited 40 Days for Life locations in Virginia, North Carolina and Illinois.
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COBLESKILL, NEW YORK
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SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK
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ALBANY, NEW YORK
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POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK
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GOSHEN, NEW YORK
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
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RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA
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DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS
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Here’s today’s the link to today’s devotional:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2011day40print.pdf
For Life,
Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
PS: If you have good news to share from YOUR 40 Days for Life campaign, please leave a comment below.
November 6th, 2011 at 5:58 am
Let us all pray for an end to abortion.
November 6th, 2011 at 6:39 am
As day 40 arrives, I am both relieved and hopeful. I admit that I am relieved in such a selfish way that my 2 hrs a week is done until the Spring campaign, wanting to forget this darkness. But I cannot forget the darkness of abortion, I must not forget it. My vigil will continue with prayers for the unborn and for our sinful world that allows murdering babies and justifies this evil. I am hopeful that my very small sacrifice, added to all the sacrifices of the faithful warriors for life, will be heard by God and he has mercy on us. Be not afraid!
November 6th, 2011 at 6:48 am
I love the sign “Only God Plans Parenthood”!
Isaiah 44: 24
“This is what the LORD says—
Your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
…
Yes! We serve an extreme God, who made us in His image.
Taking the life of an innocent human being should not be a matter of religion, politics, or personal choice. Taking the life of an innocent unborn human being should be a matter of law. As a religion it should be: unthinkable; politically- incorrect; as a choice- ILLEGAL.
Thank you David and Shawn for leading us these forty days. To God be all the glory for the things He has done!
November 6th, 2011 at 7:33 am
THANK YOU. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS IN ALL WAYS, ALWAYS. THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY BEFORE NATURE, BEFORE MAN, BEFORE GOD
TO DO THE RIGHT THING. THANK YOUR FOR YOUR LOVING, GENEROUS, LEADERSHIP.
November 6th, 2011 at 7:50 am
My daughter and I participated at 40daysforlife Oakville Ontario Canada site which is at the front driveway of the hospital. There was a young man smoking a cigarette and in a hospital green outfit- he was clearly on a break from work. When he finished his cigarette he came up to us and said he really agreed with our posters and with our stance of supporting life. We thanked him for his comments, and then he said that he was speaking from experience because his girlfriend got pregnant- the baby is due in May- and even though they arent married and he isnt finished school (he was an intern at the hospital) they are going to have the baby- and at first it was not an easy decision! He thanked us for our witness and said he didnt know that there were abortions being performed in the hospital- even though he was an intern working there. Overall, our experience was very positive as many people in cars driving by us into and out of the hospital gave us positive thumbs out.. that too surprised us that many other people also support life was a great encouragement. Maybe some of them will be part of the 40daysforlife campaign next time!
November 6th, 2011 at 7:53 am
WE MUST KEEP ON PRAYING……
November 6th, 2011 at 8:26 am
Today, we are ending our 40 Days with great joy in our hearts. One baby was saved this campaign that we know of and our county is become more of a pro-life haven for the unborn and their mothers. Our “free” pregnancy test/ultra sounds coupons are showing up across town at the sister Chester County Women Services Crisis Pregnancy Center in Coatesville. Both Planned Parenthoods in our area are refereeing some women to the pregnancy centers for pregnancy tests. We don’t know the reasons why but we are giving thanks to God that these women will be offered help and guidance to make an informed decision.
Jewels Green will be our guest speaker and she is going to share her story and tell us what it is really like to work in an abortion facility. She is also going to make a plea that 40 Days does not stop on day 40 as the babies will be dying again come Tuesday in our community. We are continually praying for year round coverage so no more women cry and no more babies die as Shawn so eloquently stresses.
Thank you and God bless everyone one across the globe that stood with us at their own abortion mill as we stood at ours together as one in prayers.
November 6th, 2011 at 8:42 am
I noticed there was no one scheduled for early morning on FRiday Nov. 4th so I hurried there. Two people tried to harass me with their negative comments and ordinarily I would focus insid eof myself of the hurt I was feeling but this time GOD changed me and I found myself praying and lifting these hurting people up to the LORD so that he might console them. The one young lady, angrily kicked our sign out into the street and continued on her way. As I continued praying I I could picture her at the foot of the Cross with Jesus and was assured that He would handle her pain as only He can. It was blessed time indeed.
November 6th, 2011 at 9:01 am
Although I could not attend the vigils (the closest being about an hour-and-a-half away), I joined with your campaign in my prayers & sacrifices. Even so, I have also been blessed in the strengthening of my Faith. I would like to obtain some more information as to how to become involved more actively in the spring campaign. I have always felt that defending life was a calling I had, but other than supporting the pro-life groups monetarily, I could never get actively involved before, because I was raising my own family of seven children, as well as working.
My children are all grown now, and I have been freed of the obligation to work because of a minor disability. Finally, I have the opportunity to do what has always been in my heart to do! Participating spiritually in this campaign has shown me a way. Thanks be to God.
November 6th, 2011 at 9:06 am
Thank you so much for your leadership and perseverance over the last several years. This was my first actual participation in the vigil and it is such a blessing. I will definitely sign up in the spring and continue praying until then. An interesting personal note, I joined the final day gathering at the location here in West Palm Beach, FL at which there were more than 100 vigil participants gathered, and later in the afternoon received a text from my son in Colorado Springs that he and his very pregnant wife were at the hospital in active labor! My newest grandchild decided to punctuate the 40 Days Vigil with a mighty AMEN arriving November 6 230A!!
November 6th, 2011 at 9:17 am
Wow!! Dear David and Shawn Thank you both, David what a marathon, 17 hours, I am sure God who sees everything and who takes delight in His children, LOVINGLY thanks you both… as do all who have come to meet you both in person. For your faithfulness and yours and your families sacrifices. Beautiful pictures and praise God for the life of each little babe saved… 465 and maybe more…Alleluia Wonderful responses from so many faithful, loving pro-life people and especially those who continue to be prayful witnesses throughout the year. GOD BLESS YOU ALL ALWAYS.
Sue from Melbourne, Australia
November 6th, 2011 at 11:09 am
I normally dont eat until after I leave Planned Parenthood but yesterday A couple brought their 2 small children and a picnic basket. My friends wife just announced she is pregnant yesterday and we had our lunch. I bet the devil flipped out when he looked over and saw the people of God having a picnic at what he considers his very own sronghold. Praise God! Gives me goosebumps just thinking of it.
Tomorrow is going to be day # 41 of our 40 day prayer vigil. Tuesday will be day # 42 of our 40 day prayer vigil…….
November 6th, 2011 at 12:48 pm
40 days ago I did not know about a pregnant mom who was lonely and afraid. Today, eight of my friends and me are determined to help this mom get what she needs for her baby due in February. If we were not out on the streets in front of the abortion mill then we would not have met her. Chilling to think. Thank you for spearheading this movement and encouraging us pro-lifers to “be not afraid” to proclaim the truth, that life is sacred!
November 6th, 2011 at 1:27 pm
Thank you GOD for all your blessings.
I prayed with fellow parishioners from Sacred Heart Cathedral in Raleigh and St. Mary’s in Garner, NC outside the Abortion Facility on Drake Circle in Raleigh for the first time. We prayed a decade of the rosary for Life on Saturday, day 39 at 12 noon.
I was so grateful to be there, that day, that hour, that moment in prayer.
GOD I know that you are all loving and all powerful.
Please help them to feel LIFE, hear LIFE, touch LIFE, taste and see LIFE, know LIFE and be PRO LIFE for all LIFE. AMEN.
November 6th, 2011 at 2:43 pm
PRAISEALUYAH for the graciousness of our Lord who died that we may LIVE!
November 6th, 2011 at 2:52 pm
My prayers for an end to abortion are joined with all pro-life supporters.
Recently, I co-operated in sending out post cards to those whom I thought would contribute to the pro-life purposes of CWA, but am very disappointed not to have received any responses. I hope they did send contributions directly to CWA.
Meanwhile, since our little community is not close to any big city Abortion Centers..the closest being…Omaha, NE..we have concentrated our efforts through prayer vigils within the surrounding communities.
On Friday, November 11th, the first annual Central Nebraska Respect Life Banquet will be held in Greeley, Ne, hosted by the director of the Bishops’ Pro Life Office, Greg Schleppenbach, featuring Kimberly Hahn as the keynote speaker and music by Ellen Soukup..and of course led in prayer by Bishop Dendinger of the Grand Island Diocese..with an update on the Spirit Catholic Radio KVSS, a part of the EWTN network…one of the blessings shared in our little area. All of us continue to pray for RESPECT FOR LIFE from conception to God’s appointed end as we know it on this earth, through repeals of current laws that push for the culture of death. THANK YOU FOR SHARING ALL THE EFFORTS, COURAGE AND RESULTS OF THESE PAST 40 DAYS OF PRAYERS..MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS EACH OF YOU AND ALL WHO SUPPORT THE RETURN TO RESPECT FOR LIFE…
November 6th, 2011 at 3:11 pm
Dear David:I can feel the forces of “prolife” coalescing into a movement. I feel part of one myself and want to expand it, a little place of heaven on earth, where there is no longer danger to the foetus. Ted Kershaw
November 6th, 2011 at 5:16 pm
As we kneeled to pray in this cold and windy night, I looked at the most dedicated group of people, who for 40 days had been praying in the rain, and the cold. And I thought how amazing God is, for He chose people, who had different gifts, but the same goal. I know that after these 40DaysforLife, our lives will never be the same, for God touched our lives, our hearts, our souls.
November 6th, 2011 at 5:25 pm
The abortion mill was closed the first time I Prayed there, (10 to midnight
Day 30). Day 32, We had a Huge Picture of Divine Mercy on a stand
across the St. from the Albany Surgical Center,( abortion clinic (F.P.A.).
We Prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet from Noon to 2:00 P.M. It is extremely
difficult to Counsel Women in Chicago, as we have to work outside a Bubble zone and they also use clinic escorts to get the women into the
abortion mill.We need lots of Prayer that the bubble law will be
overturned.
In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary
Philip J. Corridon
November 6th, 2011 at 5:32 pm
To Him whose power now at work in us can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine – to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations, world without end. Amen. (Eph. 3:20-21)
November 6th, 2011 at 6:07 pm
Thank you everyone, I’m so moved. I want our community to start the vigils next spring. And, Lord willing, I’m willing to help get it going
November 6th, 2011 at 7:44 pm
Tears come to my eyes and I am overwhelmed to see our God working on behalf of His people. Thank you all for your prayers, faithfulness and courage and thanks be to the Spirit for showering us with the life-giving compassion of Christ for these souls-hurting people who need to see Jesus.
This aspect of outreach has never been right on before the 40 days for life outreach. We used to focus on the evil and injustice and now we focus like Father Frank said on the fact that”Sunday’s coming” and we don’t have to live fearful anymore. The same Jesus who defeated hell death and the grave is coming back to end the pain and sting of death once and for all and wipe away every tear!!!
I was recently able to take part in my first experience praying on site in GreenBay, WI. I live a few hours away and was visiting for a shopping trip, so I wasn’t able to stay long, but what a blessing to feel God’s presence and know even though I had never met these other people in my life, I would never forget that moment. If you want to make your time useful-use it to touch lives for eternity. God bless and thank you all for your beautiful hearts and usefulness for His kingdom. Keep loving the unloving and remember the cross and what has already been conquered for us!
November 6th, 2011 at 9:52 pm
What a difference this campaign has been for me personally in being part of the vigil prayer outside a Planned Parenthood location. Sometimes I was the only one there, to yesterday, Nov. 6th – praying with 10 lovely girls and one other woman – singing hymns and saying the rosary- what a powerful witness. This has inspired me to continue praying there on a regular basis until the spring campaign!
November 7th, 2011 at 12:37 am
We will NEVER stop until abortion ends and is unthinkable!!! Thanks for another great campaign!
November 7th, 2011 at 10:05 am
I participated in the Tucson 40 days for life this year. I live an hour away from the site so the only days I could come were on Saturday. The particular clinic our vigil was at was closed on Saturday. Yet, I made a commitment to be there every Saturday.
It seemed that our volunteer efforts seemed to diminish thoughout the campaign somewhere though I know there were still a few faithful ones. The first day I was out there, there were several of us. It was awesome to be with fellow believers who wanted to spead God’s love and truth. I thought that the next few weeks would be the same. I was wrong. Nothing particularly bad happened it’s just the following weeks when I arrived no one was there. It was somewhat discouraging. Also I had such a hard time focusing while I was praying. My mind kept wandering and thinking of everything else I had to do. I pressed through though and determined that I would continue to pray and continue to come out even if I was the only one. Some days were incredible hot and I would be sweating but I knew I had made a commitment. I had to be there. I don’t know who saw my sign. I don’t know what they thought of it but I know that God is in the business of changing lives. Who knows, how my simple sign has effected the people who were driving by.
This last Saturday, my friend joined me and I expected it to be just me and her. I was excited for the company and I knew it would be an awesome prayer time. That girl can really pray. When I got there though another one of the volunteers was out there too. I got my guitar out and played some worship songs as the prayed. Every once in awhile I would pause my music and we prayed together. You could really feel the presence of the Lord there. It was so incredible. As we were leaving the other volunteer asked if my friend and I prayed for healing because he was experience bad acid reflux. Not only did we have the oportunity to be a witness for life but my friend and I were also able to minister into the fellow believer and were able to pray for him. It was such an awesome way to end the vigil for me. God was so strong there and I pray that the peace that was there on that day will remain there and that it will continue to change lives.
November 7th, 2011 at 10:10 am
What a safe campaign we had here in Indiana , we stood for Life on the sidewalk of PPH….our prayers were answered many times and we prayed for the employees there that they would turn around their ignorance of what they were standing for …..Thank you God for giving us endurance in the cold and rainy days ….Peace be with each one of you !!
November 7th, 2011 at 10:32 am
The 40 Days for Life IN San Angelo, TX is growing each year. This year was our best response ever! I wanted to share a story one of my parishioners, from Sacred Heart Cathedral, shared on our first day in front of Planned Parenthood on Friday, Spetmber 30th.
Some leaders, for 40 Days for Life, had posted some signs with a stake in front of Planned Parenthood where there is a grassy area. Planned Parenthood had called the police because they said the signs could hurt their sprinklers in this grassy area. (I never saw any sprinkler heads.)
The police officer asked her to please remove the signs from the ground. She told the police officer, “Sir, I am sorry but I am here by myslef. I do not have enough strength to pull these signs out of the ground. Can you help me?” He agreed to do that.
Then she had an idea. She said, “Sir, do you think it would be a problem if I attached three of these signs around this tree with clamps?” The police officer did not see any problem with that. She again asked him to help her with the project which he agreed.
After they were done, she told the officer, “Sir, I really appreciate your help. I know you are just doing your job.” He thanked her for her kind words and walked over to the Planned Parenthood office and told them what they did and left.
There were many other stories we caould share with you about the 40 day experience but I felt you needed to hear that one. We in San Angelo, TX are ready to make it even bigger in the spring campaign. May God bless all of you!
November 7th, 2011 at 10:55 am
Dear friends,
It is wonderful to see so many involved in the campaign. I have been a member of our vigil group for 14 years now in Perth Western Australia, and we are always looking for ways to make a difference. I noticed a sign at Cobleskill NY with the slogan “Real men protect life” Could someone email me a copy of that sign please? Do you have a database of all the artwork so that we can share the signs world-wide?
Here’s something for those who were apprehensive about joining a prayer group. I don’t know why, but early in my vigil days, I devised a daily prayer in which I re-consecrate myself to the hearts of Jesus and Mary, finishing with “Use me as you will”. Now that was a scary thing to do first time, but as Our Lord said, “My yoke is easy and my burden light.” I call it my blank-check prayer.
I could tell lots of stories about the happenings over the years. Signs stolen, damaged or spray-painted, threats of violence, but we are still there and some of our saved babies are teenagers now. When people abuse or threaten you, hit them with a blessing!
November 7th, 2011 at 5:03 pm
Thank you for 40 Days for Life. I am 70 yrs and had 3 abortions in my younger years. Thank God for the witness of Pro-Lifers and most of all God’s forgiveness. Rom 8:1 “The is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Christ Jesus”. Blessings and Love to all, Roberta