DAY 37: Major milestone — 2,000 saved
Here’s where you can see the latest short video report from the front lines of the 40 Days for Life in Charlotte, North Carolina.
During the brief video, you’ll hear from Protestants, Catholics, a maternity home director, and will get to meet Andrea — a wonderful post-abortive woman who, two years ago, helped us recognize that 40 Days for Life was supposed to be a national effort.
You will really be inspired by this one:
Now for the BIG NEWS!
In the last few hours, 40 Days for Life reached a major milestone, and I had to share it with you!
Through the grace and mercy of God — and the faithful prayers and fasting of well over 200,000 people standing vigil outside abortion facilities — an incredible miracle has taken place.
Starting with the first-ever 40 Days for Life campaign in Bryan/College Station, Texas in 2004, and continuing through the international 40 Days for Life effort that is under way this fall, we now have received cumulative reports of …
… OVER 2,000 BABIES whose lives have been saved from the tragedy of abortion!
Who knows what wonders each of these children will bring to the world!
Two thousand children would be enough to fill at least 80 classrooms. Two thousand children would be enough to make up 180 teams of little soccer players — and just as importantly, 180 teams of soccer moms — women who will enjoy watching their children run and jump and shout, blessings they would have never known if they had fallen for the lies that are so often disguised by the rhetoric of “choice.”
Here’s the story of just one of those 2,000 lives.
It was a stormy day at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Bakersfield, California. Yet people ignored the wind and rain as they stood and prayed outside the abortion center.
A young woman from outside the Bakersfield area soon arrived at the clinic for an abortion appointment. She was already stressed out; the drive across the mountains and through the storm left her in no mood to listen to the Christians on the sidewalk.
She looked at the group, shouted profanities, and told the vigil participants to leave her alone. One of the people on the sidewalk told her that if she thought the sky was dark, it was nothing compared to the darkness abortion could bring into her life.
She ignored the words and walked in.
But the “simple procedure” she had come for turned out not to be so simple — and she might not be able to have the abortion that day. She had come for the abortion pill, but the staff said she lived too far away to return to the clinic if any complications developed.
When she learned that, she became even angrier at the people praying out on the sidewalk — she even went back out to yell at them several times. Finally, after she realized there would be no abortion, she gave up and left the clinic.
But on her way out, the prayer supporters on the sidewalk offered to pray with her. As they did, the sun suddenly broke through the clouds and the sky instantly became bright.
It was like a new day.
The vigil participants explained the situation to Terri, one of the counselors, who helped arrange an appointment for an ultrasound at the pro-life pregnancy help center.
Terri could tell that the ultrasound had a significant impact on the young woman. “I knew that it was a good sign when I heard her talking to her baby,” she said.
After the ultrasound, Terri and the woman hurried back to the vigil site. Bursting with joy, the woman showed the prayer supporters the ultrasound picture of the baby she had intended to abort, exclaiming “your Jesus heard your prayers!”
Here are some of the 40 Days for Life prayer volunteers in Bakersfield — along with the young woman holding the ultrasound image of her baby:
Here’s today’s devotional from Carmen Pate, co-host of the “Point of View” radio talk show…
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DAY 37 INTENTION
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Pray that we will each submit ourselves this day as a living sacrifice to God, giving all that we have in us for those being sacrificed on the altar of convenience.
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SCRIPTURE
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I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
– Romans 12:1
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REFLECTION by Carmen Pate
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Since all things are for His glory, we are to offer ourselves for that purpose. This of course is in sharp contrast to those who are being swayed by the enemy to sacrifice their babies on the altar of convenience, rather than choosing to surrender their all, including their unborn child, to the Lord for His purposes.
A career, education goals, or even a boyfriend can unknowingly become an idol for some young women. In their minds, abortion is a convenient way to “rid themselves” of an obstacle in the way of their “worship.”
In light of the sacrifice Christ made on our behalf, and the fruit of God’s mercies on our lives, we owe God our highest form of praise and worship. Presenting our bodies as living sacrifices is therefore reasonable service.
We were made to worship God and God alone. The enemy who seeks worship for himself distorts God’s truth regarding worship, sacrifice, idols, and children.
As you have given of yourself to rescue those who are perishing — the young woman and her child — you are worshiping God in the truest sense of the word.
May your example lead an abortion minded client to turn from her idols to worship the one true God, sparing her child from the altar of convenience, and sparing herself from a lifetime of regret.
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PRAYER
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God Almighty, You alone are worthy of our praise and worship. Having accepted Your Son’s sacrifice on my behalf, I in turn present my body to you as a living sacrifice. Thank you for deeming me holy and acceptable because of Christ’s shed blood for me.
I pray that you would use me as your vessel to rescue others who are perishing. Through Christ who is Our Glory, Amen.
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PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
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To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2009day37print.pdf
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For Life,
David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life
*** SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ***
Don’t forget that Shawn Carney, our 40 Days for Life campaign director, is on international TV tonight at 6:30 PM Eastern on the EWTN network.
This episode of the Being Human series is called “What Is It?” The program dives into what many people in our nation attempt to avoid — the reality of abortion. This powerful, moving and challenging episode captures the viewer’s mind through reason and inspires the viewer’s heart through honesty.
EWTN is available on many cable and satellite TV services. The program may also be seen online at http://www.ewtn.com. At the time when the show starts, click on “television,” then on “watch live.”
October 29th, 2009 at 3:57 am
Oh that I could be with all of you!!!!
You, the mom’s and all abortion providers and advocates are constantly in my prayers. God blless all the post abortive women who are courageously taking a stand for life. I believe that as more and more of them come forward and witness to the horror of abortion’s aftermath laws will be changed.
Thank you for all the encouragement via these updates and videos!!
God, hear our prayers and accept the fastings and sacrifices af your people!
October 29th, 2009 at 4:09 am
This women is so inspiring, just to prove is the only weapon left now that our world politicians have abandoned the most vulnerable members of our society, the unborn is prayer and fasting.
Thanks for hard work that inspire the rest of us to do something.
October 29th, 2009 at 4:14 am
Many blessing for all your work and defending the unborn.
October 29th, 2009 at 6:16 am
Let us all pray for an end to abortion.
October 29th, 2009 at 6:27 am
CANNOT GET IT OUT OF MIND THE STRONG ARMED AND WONDERFUL TECHNIQUES USED BY THE QUEENS NEW YORK PROLIFERS TO PRESENT THEIR FLIERS TO PASSERBYERS. REGARDLESS OF REJECTION THEY PERSISTED IN THE QUEST TO SAVE THE BABIES. MAY WE DO THE SAME.
October 29th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Congratulations, Charlotte Pro Lifers. 405 lives. WOW. We pray for you here in Arkansas.
October 29th, 2009 at 10:10 am
I would be curious if there way any way we could find more information about the babies that were saved during the 2004 40 Days for Life in College Station. I would bet that some 40 Days For Life participants would love to go to a 5year old soccer game to witness again the beauty of what God creates. I know you want to make sure that a child that young doesn’t understand that their mother considered abortion, but they wouldn’t need to know why they are so loved, only that they are!!
October 29th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Oh, Heavenly Father, thank you for this day for I rejoice that You woke me up this morning. You woke ME, of all people!!! I am so….very much in awe at what You do everyday in this world for the just and the unjust. Your tender mercies and graces are forevermore. I am forever grateful for the Blood of the Lamb, who takes away the Sins of the world, for I know that my sins have been too numerous to count…I thank you from the bottom, top and all sides of MY HEART, for I love You with everything that I am. My God in YOU do I trust!!! I am without words to describe how I feel today when I hear that there are 2,000 more “pitter-patters of 4,000 feet running alive & freely about in this world, as I write this, because someone cared enough to pray for the end of the genocide of our beloved children. I love 40 Days for Life and I love all those that stood up and stood out in front of all the death camps around this nation. I pray that, Abba, provide the deepest desires of all the hearts & bless those that have put forth their best efforts in just being there to witness for You, in Jesus name, I pray, Amen & Amen.
October 29th, 2009 at 11:15 am
In Des Moines, Iowa the Planned Parenthood office where abortions are done sits far back from the sidewalk where we pray. We have little or no opportunity to talk with the women going in and out, but we pray that our presence and our signs will make a difference in their hearts. The good part of this is that the sidewalk is very close to the street which is 4 lanes and heavily traveled. We also pray that a seed is planted for Life with every car that goes by.
October 29th, 2009 at 11:36 am
My favorite picture by far. I look full in HIS wonderful face when I look
at the smile on that womans face holding the ultrasound picture. The
smile of true joy is reflected in the volunteers faces also. I Know first
hand the cloud of darkness this woman has avoided and I rejoice with
you one and all. My prayers never siezing for everyone involved in this
campaign. Mostly my heart is for the revealing of truth for all who joined
“the right to convience” lie and are still in that all consuming darkness,
may our Lord move in a mighty way to set the captives free.
Praise HIM, for working through you all,
Bless you, Forget not all thy benifits they are abounding in your
sacrifice of time no doubt about it! With a heart full of Love and
Hope because of following the 40 day devotion…Amber
October 29th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
If only every expectant mother considering abortion could see her baby on ultrasound, there would be more lives saved.
http://lifelinesforlove.blogspot.com/
October 29th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Magnificent news! To God be the glory, for the things He has done!
October 29th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Again I say, “to God be the glory, for the things He has done! Who would have thought that 2000 babies would be saved — what God can accomplish through us, if we let Him. Thank you Jesus!” And thank you all you fellow pro-lifers for all your prayers and sacrifice. And, thank you, David, for all your hard work and unselfish sacrifices!
October 29th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
BEST VIDEO CLIP SO FAR!! How inspiring to be there in Charlotte for 6 minutes and share the joy and excitement and awe at what God is doing through we who answer the call to pray…
I love your intro and outro music! Also, this clip has a great balance of briefly rotating through several vigil participants who clearly and concisely share how 40 Days for Life has impacted them and their city… very well done… To God be the Glory!
October 29th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
As I learned about a mother of 4 children killed by cancer, my heart was heavy, but then I read about the 2,000 babies saved and began rejoicing in what God is doing. I’m also happy that SD only has one abortion clinic, but will be much happier when there are none. I want to see the day that abortion clinics start closing because the environment in no longer conducive to that kind of activity. Praise God for all of the people who have given up their time for the cause. We cannot give up until abortion ends! I lift up a prayer for you, David, and your family and all of the pro-lifers and their families against the schemes of the enemy who would try to bring havoc in your lives.
October 30th, 2009 at 8:48 am
What wonderful miracles are being performed each day. Our Lord calls us so that praying for His help and assistance in all things is a blessing for all. May He continue His work through His people. Life is Love, Love is God.
October 30th, 2009 at 11:20 am
my daughter who is a student at u of dayton, accidentally discovered the 40 days for life abortion site in dayton last week. she prayed a rosary outside the clinic with a few other supporters. i have not been very diligent reading during the campaign about any specific news about the clinic in dayton. was there any devotional story i missed about the dayton site so i can e-mail my daughter to encourage her efforts in dayton?