DAY 35: “God showed us His grace”
At the end of this week, 46 cities will be completing their first-ever 40 Days for Life campaigns. But whether a city is conducting its first campaign or its tenth, there are profound effects on the people praying … the people they’re praying for … and the entire community.
Prayers are being answered! Here are some examples.
—————————————————–
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA
—————————————————–
“So far, we’ve been very blessed with eight babies saved,” the Baton Rouge team reported. There also seems to be less activity inside the abortion center since the 40 Days for Life vigil has been under way.
“The Delta abortion facility has only seen patients two times each week for the last two weeks, which is a big change,” said Charlotte in Baton Rouge. “The new abortionist had been, at times, coming up to four times per week.”
She also shared the good news that a pro-life pregnancy center is opening next door to the abortion facility, “hopefully with an ultrasound machine in place very soon.”
This is the second 40 Days for Life campaign in Baton Rouge. Charlotte said people are boldly stepping forward in ways the community has never seen before.
—————————————————–
DUBUQUE, IOWA
—————————————————–
Tina, the local 40 Days for Life coordinator in Dubuque, became worried about the people at the vigil when a huge rainstorm broke out, so she drove by to check on the volunteers outside Planned Parenthood to see if they should take shelter.
But no one wanted to leave. “They had umbrellas,” she said, “and they were soaked. But despite that, they had great big smiles on their faces.”
A bit later, one of the soaking wet volunteers stopped off at the local right to life office to drop off a donation — the profits from a garage sale she had held the previous weekend.
“The prayer at the clinic has been such a great blessing, not just on those going into the clinic, but also to those on the front line and those passing by us on the street,” Tina said. “We are so grateful to have this wonderful event in our city and by God’s grace, we are praying for the clinic to close quickly.”
—————————————————–
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
—————————————————–
Ed in Birmingham says this city’s ninth 40 Days for Life campaign has seen “some very interesting days.”
As always, there are days where just a few people are praying at any one time — but there was one day when a local church adopted every hour and the sidewalk was full.
This was a day when Planned Parenthood expected a high number of clients for their pre-abortion visit. “Alabama has a 24-hour waiting period,” Ed explained, “and before 8:00 am, they began to arrive. But on this day, God showed us His grace.”
It seems a number of the women were willing to talk to the pro-life volunteers — and even to accompany them to the nearby pregnancy help center.
“Before lunch, we delivered six women away from Planned Parenthood and to a chance at choosing life. When the day was done, four of those women chose life for their child,” he said. “Thanks be to God!”
Here’s the link to today’s devotional.
For Life,
Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
PS: Has your community changed during this 40 Days for Life campaign? Please share your stories by posting a comment below.
October 30th, 2012 at 5:23 am
Let us pray for the people suffering in the path of hurricane Sandy and for an end to abortion. God Bless!
October 30th, 2012 at 6:55 am
Here in Southampton UK we are praying for all the people affected by Sandy, from The Carribean upwards. This is our first 40 Days For Life and up to this week there has been huge resistance to having this vigil, even from people who claim to be prolife, but yesterday three wonderful people turned up from way outside of town and prayed for over two hours in the rain. Today we have a priest coming from Salisbury, Fr Tom Dubois, with a group who have been praying for the last five weeks, and having Eucharistic Adoration every Sunday for a change of heart towards the innocent unborn in the UK.
When people searching on the Internet now for “abortion Southampton UK” the also get “40 Days For Life Southampton as well as Childline telling them its just like a heavy period!
Very small steps towards the way of The Lord…
October 30th, 2012 at 7:38 am
Wow!! 520 precious little lives saved… PRAISE TO OUR LOVING, ALMIGHTY GOD…!! And all who have contributed in 40 days for Life.
Thoughts and prayers going to all in America who are affected by this terrible Hurricane “Sandy” and those who have loved ones who are experiencing hardship….. Please God protect and comfort these your precious children here in the 11 states in America that are effected by the power of this “Freak” storm combination…Please minimise the damage to life, homes, liveihoods…as only You can. GOD BE WITH EACH ONE.
Sue
Melbourne, Australia
October 30th, 2012 at 7:44 am
Thank you Carmen for the beautiful devotional. I am always so blessed and encouraged by your comments and prayers.
God is so gracious and gentle in the way He heals the brokenness of abortion. May He use us to help bring the truth of His healing and forgiveness not only to post abortive women but to our nation as well.
God Bless you for all that you do!
October 30th, 2012 at 8:22 am
Because of the hurricane 1000s of babies were saved praying for all those in her path may Gods love surround us,mary t
October 30th, 2012 at 10:29 am
God Bless you.
I have been praying a daily rosary to end abortion and for those who have had abortions. I am not in a good enough medical condition where I can actually physically help, but will pray and donate as much as I can.
Just think how happily God will receive you into His kingdome for all you have done!
God Bless You All!!!!!!
Mitch
South Windsor Ct
October 30th, 2012 at 10:46 am
Thank you Carmen for the encouraging comments and prayers – your words reflect directly the face of God’s saving Grace at work.
Our community has changed during the 40-days for Life Campaign and God has showed His Grace here in Boston during Hurricane Sandy at the 20th Anniversary Celebration of A Woman’s Concern Pregnancy Resource Center on Sunday, October 28th, despite the dismal weather forecast and increasingly dangerous travel conditions. In a rejuvenating keynote speech to a diverse audience of AWC supporters, which included men, women, teenagers, and various clergy members from a range of Christian and non-Christian denominations, AWC Founder Rev. John Ensor, recounted the blessings God has bestowed on pregnancy help efforts through the very brokenness we all suffer from rampant abortion.
God bless you for all that you do! Sheila, Needham, MA
October 30th, 2012 at 1:24 pm
Dear friends,
My girls and I usually participate in the 40 Days for Life by putting up a sign in our yard and then driving at least once to Duluth. We were not able to attend the Duluth vigil this fall due to the care of and funeral for my father. When I went to the Social Security Administration at Alexandria, MN, it was on the same street as the Forty Days for Life and my girls marched while I did the sad work of notification of my dad’s passing away. When I came out, the girls had new friends, new prayers and smiles on their faces (and candy in their mouths). Thanks friends for helping us through this hard time with good memories and pictures from past years when Dad, Gene Taplin, joined you in your prayers for life.
October 30th, 2012 at 1:50 pm
I went to Clarke College in Dubuque, IA. Thanks Tina and all those who are praying at the abortion clinic ( even in the pouring rain ). Wish I could see a photo.
October 30th, 2012 at 2:27 pm
Thank you for todays prayer and devotional. God hears each and every prayer and praise we send up to him. I really appreciate the resources and inspiration you provide that we might share with others.
We are seeing a continued change in the hearts of many young women and men in our community regarding abortion. More and more are turning from approval and support of abortion. The daily commitment to pray in front of our one abortion clinic is a powerful testimony to all who drive by.
God Bless to each one of you,
Pam Agather
October 30th, 2012 at 7:49 pm
Thank God from Whom all blessings flow. Carmen, your words are encouraging and Spirit filled….we have a God who forgives all but need to be reminded that His forgiveness is complete and is for all! Thank you for your wisdom and your sharing.
Pauline
October 31st, 2012 at 12:53 am
I pray that the lie of abortion will be exposed. Most women I know do not choose abortion; rather, it is often chosen for them, resulting in a life of pain and grief. So, stand in front of those clinics and provide support and truth to not only the women, but the many who push them there … boyfriends/partners, parents, school staff, and the culture as a whole. Do the work of God and save not only he children yet unborn but all God’s children, including the women who carry those infants. May God be with you.