DAY 24: A great day to save a life
Today I’ll be speaking at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Mobile, Alabama … where the Planned Parenthood abortion facility is across from a local pregnancy center that offers loving alternatives. We usually start the work week with some encouraging stories. Why not end it the same way?
There are challenges, obstacles and lots of sacrifices that go along with conducting a 40 Days for Life campaign. But the Lord’s abundant blessings make it all worthwhile.
Here are just a few examples.
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MADISON, WISCONSIN
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Elizabeth in Madison says it looks like Planned Parenthood is starting to get irritated. For one thing, a pregnancy help center has opened right across the street — and women are taking note.
Planned Parenthood even put up a sign that says “health center entrance” next to their driveway, suggesting that women were going to the pregnancy help center by mistake.
Planned Parenthood also called the police because one of the vigil participants, a disabled veteran, was sitting in a lawn chair in the public right-of-way. Elizabeth said it appeared that “the police were annoyed by the call and supportive of his right to be there. So praise God for the persecution!”
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DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS
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About 60 people attended a prayer service at the 40 Days for Life vigil site in Downers Grove, hearing from a local pastor as well as a representative of Silent No More, who spoke of the pain and heartbreak of abortion … and the forgiveness and healing available from God.
“We filled the time with music, prayer and scripture,” said one of the volunteers, “calling for God’s mercy and love to strengthen our resolve and soften hearts.”
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CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
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“I just got the confirmation that one of the women who left Planned Parenthood with our free pregnancy test/ultrasound coupon went to the pregnancy health center and has decided to keep her baby,” said Paulette in Chester County.
“This is the first baby of this campaign that we are definitely sure has been saved,” she said. “We are all so blessed in Chester County’s 40 Days for Life.”
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SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA
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“Our success is showing in the reaction of the clinic, which has turned their sprinklers on us, provided parking lot escorts, and even hired ‘pro-choice’ protesters,” said Chris in Shreveport. “Despite the challenges, we remain undeterred.”
Prior to the start of this campaign, the Shreveport-Bossier team started a sidewalk counseling initiative. That effort has helped encourage eight mothers to choose life for their babies.
“Some of us have been praying outside that abortion center every month for twelve years,” Chris said. “We have witnessed only a few saves in over a decade of faithful prayer. While we firmly believe that God answers our prayers mostly without us ever knowing it, now He is starting to show us and it is glorious!”
Volunteers noted one woman in particular who came to the abortion center, hesitant and unsure about even going in. She told Brittany, one of the counselors, that she was pregnant with her third child. But after talking about the abortion with Brittany, she said, “I don’t want to go through with it.”
Brittany witnessed her first save as she saw this woman get in her car and drive off without making an appointment. She said afterwards, “It’s a great day to save a life!”
Here’s the link to today’s devotional.
For Life,
Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
PS: Good news to report about your 40 Days for Life experiences? Please share it by leaving a comment below.
October 19th, 2012 at 6:27 am
Every month for years,I have had a check sent to RTL of Mich.from my checking acct.by the bank and I don’t even miss it!Evelyn Corp
October 19th, 2012 at 12:23 pm
This past Sunday morning while I was at our vigil site, a young couple approached our table and studied the banner. I asked if they had any questions. The young woman wanted to know what 40 Days is and why we are out there. I gave her the history of 40 Days and explained that we pray to end abortion and for all the women who have had abortions, for the abortionists conversion and for the closing of Planned Parenthood. She told me that she is a Christian now, but that she had multiple abortions before coming to Christ. She told me that she approached every new mother with a baby and thanks them for having their baby. She and her companion said they would be praying for 40 Days for Life. They were visiting our community and had to return to Minneapolis. Before they left me, the young man took a silver cross from his pocket and gave it to me. The words “paid in full” were inscribed on the cross. The young couple’s visit inspired me with the importance of what we are doing and I wanted to share it.
October 19th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
I read your daily news letter that spoke of the women holding a sign for free pregnancy tests and free ultrasounds. I decided it was a good idea. As a women and her boyfriend came into the abortion clinic I held up the sign- “Free Pregnancy Tests – Free Ultrasounds – Ask me or Call 352-591-5331″. They came back out and said the receptionist was completely rude to them since they were not interested in an abortion, just a pregnancy test. I guess Planned Parenthood is a misnomer. They should be called Planned Murder or Planned Abortion. They took my number and said they would call.
Shortly after, a gentleman in his vehicle pulled up to me alongside the curb. He said “It looks like you have extra time on your hands. There is a homeless shelter right down the street where the people can actually use your help.” I told him “Innocent souls need help too. So do the mothers that are damaging their lives and souls by having an abortion. But that sounds like another good place to volunteer. Thank you and God Bless You.” He smiled and drove away.
October 19th, 2012 at 4:31 pm
While at the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil site, 1000 Army Post Road in Des Moines, IA yesterday, I held a hand made pink neon sign saying, “Pregnant? I can help.” A couple driving by saw this sign and decided to turn around. After talking to them for about 5 minutes, I learned they are 3 1/2 months pregnant with their first baby and nervous. They felt lost and unsure where to find resources in this hard economic time. I gave them an InnerVisions HealthCare card and talked of other possible resources for them. They were incredibly gracious and mentioned knowing a 19 year old out of high school who just found out she is also pregnant. The 19 year old is currently still shocked and unsure of what to do, the couple said. I gave them extra InnerVisions HealthCare cards and abortion risk pamphlets to share with her. This experience was truly uplifting despite the rain, wind, and cold ~ definitely worth it!
October 19th, 2012 at 5:58 pm
Let us all pray for an end to abortion. God Bless!
October 19th, 2012 at 7:10 pm
“Rescue those being led away to death;hold back those staggering toward slaughter.If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,”Does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?Does not he who guards your life know it?Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?”Proverbs 24:11-12 (NIV)
Friday, October 19, 2012
I’ve really enjoyed reading these blogs/comments each day.
Tomorrow is a big day for us here in NJ.
We begin bright & early at our Hamilton, NJ, vigil site at 6:30 a.m. [the Woodbridge, NJ, site has prayers from 9-11 & 12-4 p.m.]. Many of us will be going to Trenton, NJ, for the National Rally for Religious Freedom on the steps of our State Capitol.
This weekend we’ll be selling raffle tix for NJ Right to Life annual fund-raising effort at 3 area parishes. Then, on Monday we continue our daily prayer vigils.
We’ve seen at least one baby saved each week during the vigil.
We give thanks to Almighty God for all the wonderful witnesses that have been shared on the 40daysforlife website.
God Bless.
A voice for the defenseless poor,
Padre Van, coordinator, Woodbridge, NJ, 40daysforlife
October 19th, 2012 at 7:42 pm
Mary, Thank you for sharing your experience. “Paid in Full” – that says it all for all of us, post-abortive or not! Thank you for this beautiful reminder.
October 20th, 2012 at 12:07 am
Praise YAHWEH for all the babies saved this fall so far! I hope that many more will be saved as we see the rest of the days unfold. Thanks be to YAHWEH!