Abortion calls the Christian to be a witness — a witness to the abortion-minded women who are going in for an abortion.

In those moments when we feel our prayer efforts are having no impact, that’s usually when our witness of God’s love is entering the most unexpected hearts.

When you’re praying at a 40 Days for Life vigil, the women going in see you — and they know why you’re there. Your prayers and witness are powerful … so be ready when abortion minded-women respond.

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CANTON, OHIO
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Bryan in Canton re-emphasized the need for men to answer God’s call. He attended a men’s conference recently where that was the theme.

“We spoke about our call as men, as husbands, as fathers — a call to protect and defend,” he said. “It was quite powerful as we considered how God is calling us to live our lives.”

One thing in particular reminded him of a situation that 40 Days for Life volunteers face quite often — the pro-abortion taunt that men who oppose abortion hate women.

“Obviously, we know that is not true,” Bryan said.

At the conference, one of the speakers recalled a saying — “I’m a lover not a fighter.” And he pointed out the problems with that slogan.

“We are fighters precisely because we love,” Bryan explained. “We fight for the things we love. And in the case of 40 Days for Life … we care about women and girls, and we care about families. And that is why we fight. How will you answer the call today?”

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BEAUMONT, TEXAS
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Eileen in Beaumont recently witnessed some men who answered the call on what was otherwise a typical day on the job.

A truck from a heating and air conditioning contractor pulled up in front of the abortion center where the 40 Days for Life vigil is in progress. A couple of guys got out and saw the signs: “Pray to end abortion.”

“Do they do abortions in there?” asked one of the men. The volunteers responded, “Yes, they do!”

This man had not been aware of that. “We don’t do work for people who do abortions,” he said sharply, “and we will tell them so!”

With that, the two men went inside the abortion facility, came right back out, got in their truck and left.

“We want to encourage all businesses to be as brave as those folks,” Eileen said of the men who put principle above money. “Our world would be different if everyone took such a strong stand.”

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ST. CLOUD, MINNESOTA
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One of the 40 Days for Life team members in St. Cloud shared a note from a woman who learned of 40 Days for Life for the first time right before the campaign started.

“I knew immediately that God was calling me to fast and pray for these 40 days,” she wrote. “I am very well known for my indulgence in chocolate and baked goods, and I knew God was challenging me.”

She found information on the 40 Days for Life web site about fasting being a form of physical prayer, and that gave her the words she needed to tell others about what she was doing.

She’s been offered goodies at family and work events – a salesman even brought in a cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory – but she has kept her fast. “God has given me the grace to explain to people that no, I’m not dieting. I’m participating in the 40 Days for Life campaign.”

Even someone who’s usually argumentative about abortion has accepted her explanation. “I rejoice,” she said, “knowing that I’m planting a seed of God’s love during this time by my witnessing through prayer and fasting.”

Click here to read today’s devotional.

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Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: How have you been personally — and spiritually — affected by 40 Days for Life? Please reply below if you have a story to share.

As I’ve traveled to 40 Days for Life vigils this spring I’ve seen more and more priests, pastors and clergy than ever before!

It is VERY encouraging to see our clergy leading by example — especially when it can be unpopular.

I want to thank all the pastors who’ve taken the time to encourage their congregations to pray for an end to abortion — and even gone out to the abortion centers themselves.

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HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA
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The Knights of Columbus in Alabama sent along a photo of the 40 Days for Life vigil in Huntsville.

The picture shows Bishop David Foley leading the prayers – in the pouring rain – as he and other participants huddled under their umbrellas. Bishop Foley said he’d be back to pray again … and the Knights are praying for better weather next time.

“Let’s keep the momentum going,” said Jim, on behalf of the Knights of Columbus in Alabama, “and continue to support our clergy as they lead us in peaceful prayer to save the lives of the most innocent among us — the babes in their mothers’ wombs — and help save the mother from the trauma of abortion!”

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NORTH SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
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The 40 Days for Life team in North Seattle had some company recently – a couple of young men with a sign that said “Honk 4 Freedom.” One of the guys was wearing an American flag as a cape.

Patriots? Well, not exactly.

“These men are apparently trying to wrap their message about the ‘freedom’ to choose abortion in the good freedoms of America,” said Della, the 40 Days for Life coordinator. “Many who honked probably did so out of love of country, not even knowing the men were seeking support for abortion.”

Periodically, after a loud series of honks, they would yell, “Haven’t you heard enough? Go home, losers!”

“It seems they think our pro-life beliefs are based on what everyone else thinks,” Della said. “They call us losers because they think we lost the popularity contest.”

Still, she said, the prayer team’s efforts are noticed and appreciated. A man arrived at the vigil with a jug of hot coffee and a dozen pastries. “He said he’d been seeing us there day after day,” Della said. “He said he could not do what we do, but he was thankful we are there and wanted to encourage us.”

“Our vigil in North Seattle brings Bible-believing people of many faiths and religious practices together to pray at one sad site where abortions occur,” said Della. “We are individuals from many faiths, including Calvary Fellowship, Mars Hill, Presbyterian, Foursquare, Lutheran, Baptist and Catholic churches.”

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MANASSAS, VIRGINIA
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I recently had an opportunity to pray with the 40 Days for Life team at their vigil site in Manassas, Virginia.

While we were praying, we were visited by a news team from the Christian Broadcasting Network, and they produced a short feature on the campaign for The 700 Club and other CBN programs.

(There’s a written version of the story on the CBN News web site.)

Since some media reports haven’t presented an accurate representation of what 40 Days for Life is all about, this coverage was most welcome indeed!

Click here to read today’s devotional.

Click here to download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends.

Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: What’s new with 40 Days for Life in your community? Please share your story by replying below.

In many communities, abortion is “out of sight, out of mind.” People just DON’T KNOW what’s going on in their own towns, in their own neighborhoods.

Do people in YOUR TOWN know? Here are a couple of examples of campaigns that are getting the word out.

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OAKVILLE, ONTARIO
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The 40 Days for Life vigil in front of Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital is the first for this Canadian community.

“Many people didn’t think that abortions occur at this hospital,” said Louise, the local coordinator. But that fact “has been confirmed by many people who have had an abortion (or multiple abortions) at this hospital.”

Louise says the campaign has been very rewarding. “Several women have told us that they regret their abortion and others have expressed their gratitude that they did not have an abortion because they have a beautiful child today.”

The Oakville campaign has been featured twice in the local newspaper. “Both coverages reflected positively on us,” she said.

Here’s a link to one of the news articles about 40 Days for Life in Oakville:

http://tinyurl.com/4ypvjzw

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ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
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Community outreach is an important part of the 40 Days for Life effort in Anchorage.

“We had several teams canvassing the neighborhoods and commercial buildings near the abortion facilities,” said Haylee, the local coordinator in Anchorage.

“We would love to be able to spread out our efforts and be able to make more people aware of the 40 Days for Life campaign going on right now,” she added.

Haylee was interviewed by the local CBS affiliate. It wasn’t in their plan, she said, but it worked out.

In typical fashion, Planned Parenthood complained that its clients were being harassed by protesters.

While Planned Parenthood was allowed its say in the interview, the TV news report simply shows a quiet prayer vigil and no evidence of any “harassment” whatsoever.

Here’s the video from KTVA in Anchorage:

Haylee asked for prayer for the Planned Parenthood executive who appears in that news video. “She has an office across the street and may be able to see us out of her window. We need to be there for her.”

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FROM THE 40 DAYS FOR LIFE BLOG
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Another one of the blessings of this campaign is that people simply going out to pray at their local abortion center – whether it’s “officially” part of 40 Days for Life or not.

Here’s one such story from the 40 Days for Life blog.

Five people went to pray outside an abortion facility – and were permitted to see a miracle.

A young woman had arrived for an abortion appointment. She was pretty angry when she arrived. Her boyfriend wanted to keep the baby, but she had three children already and said that was enough.

As she walked in, she was starting to have second thoughts. She would look at an ultrasound, and then make up her mind. As is often the case, one look was all it took. “I was going to do it,” she said, “but I decided not to.”

“God is so good,” said one of the prayer volunteers.

Yes, He is!

And you know we’re going to do this again in September, right? If you’re in one of these cities where people are starting to pray at the abortion centers more often … who knows? Maybe the Lord is calling YOU to help bring 40 Days for Life to your city!

Click here to read today’s devotional.

Click here to download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends.

Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: What’s new with 40 Days for Life in your city? Please share the good news by leaving a comment below.

Today I’m going to the 40 Days for Life campaigns in Winston-Salem and Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Upon hearing of my visit in Chapel Hill, the Planned Parenthood spokesperson labeled the campaign “40 days of harassment.”

When we pray at abortion facilities, our first goal is to extend God’s grace and mercy to others as we stand in vigil.

Some will ignore us. Some will be inspired. Others will say it’s “harassment.” I’m reminded of Mother Teresa’s assertion that Christ doesn’t call us to be successful; He calls us to be faithful.

We usually don’t see immediate results. But be assured, you are planting seeds. The rest is up to the Holy Spirit. We just have to press on in faith — and faith can remove the blinders that convince people that love is “harassment.”

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CALGARY, ALBERTA
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The 40 Days for Life team in Calgary has to deal with a court order — a longstanding ruling that forbids vigil participants from speaking to anyone unless that person approaches them first. It’s quite a hurdle.

The prayer team could only watch as a young couple walked out of the abortion center and got in their truck. “She cried and cried while he held and hugged her,” said one volunteer, “and she could see our signs.”

The signs’ message: “Hurting after abortion?” They offered local contact information for finding help. It was clear that the young man was reading the signs.

“Oh, our hearts were breaking for them,” said the vigil participant. “We hope and pray they will find help to grieve and face their loss … and find forgiveness.”

The court order makes things difficult. “But we will continue,” said the volunteer. “It’s worth the two-and-a-half hour drive that it takes us to get to the clinic every time. May God have mercy on our nation!”

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ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
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A woman who prays often at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Adelaide offered some perspectives about persisting in faith.

“One never knows what effect God might have, through us, on those who see us there,” she wrote. “I’m always mindful of presenting a friendly face.”

Recently, she was able to share information with a young woman about the development of the child in the womb. “She seemed very appreciative of our conversation and thanked me.” But she also kept her appointment at the clinic.

The volunteer then offered the same material to a woman who was in her 13th week of pregnancy.

“Where she was originally very disinterested in any contact with me,” the vigil participant said, “by the time we had finished talking she seemed far more at ease, thanked me for the info and words of encouragement, and left with a smile and a wave.”

Did either of these women change their minds? Right now, no one knows. But this faithful volunteer hopes “our peaceful, caring, non-judgemental, gentle presence might bring about a change of heart and allow another little one in imminent danger to live the life God intended.”

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GLENDALE, ARIZONA
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While people were praying at the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil outside Planned Parenthood, a car with a young man and woman inside stopped. The man asked the volunteers what he could do.

“The Holy Spirit guided me to say, ‘You can pray with us,’” said one of the volunteers.

He responded, “I guess I can do that,” and parked his car.

He then joined the prayer vigil on the sidewalk. He said his girlfriend’s family is pressuring her to abort his little daughter — and he does not want that to happen.

“I don’t know the results of our prayer,” said the volunteer.

But hopefully, seeds were planted. Please keep praying!

Click here to read today’s devotional.

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Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: What’s new with the 40 Days for Life campaign in your home town? Please share your updates by replying below.

It’s Monday!

Mondays are the BEST days during the campaign. Monday means that it’s time to report the number of saves.

So here’s some good news to start your week!

Thus far in the current 40 Days for Life campaign, there have been …

… 253 babies saved from abortion — that we know of!

It’s the “that we know of” part that gives me the greatest hope.

Who knows but the Lord Himself how many lives have been saved because Planned Parenthood can’t find an abortionist in Columbia, Missouri, where a 40 Days for Life vigil is going on?

Abortions have not taken place there since January!

Who knows how many lives have been spared because Golden Gate Health Care closed its abortion centers in San Francisco and San Mateo, where 40 Days for Life vigils have been held?

They locked the doors right before this campaign began – and have thus far not been able to re-open!

The bottom line is that PRAYER WORKS! Thank you for all your prayers — and thanks to our all-merciful God for these glorious blessings!

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SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
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A couple had been struggling with their decision regarding their unplanned pregnancy, and after discussing it for a few weeks had decided to have the abortion.

“They actually walked past the abortion center at first because they didn’t know exactly where it was,” said Patti. But because of that, they also walked past the four people who were praying outside as part of the 40 Days for Life vigil.

They eventually found the entrance and went it.

But they walked out a short time later and had a message for the people praying: “We didn’t do it!”

They said the sight of people praying was the sign they were looking for to help them decide to keep their baby.

“This baby was saved just because of a peaceful and prayerful presence,” said Patti. “Praise God!”

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SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN
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Michigan is taking an abortion center owner to court — the owner of the facility where the 40 Days for Life team in Southfield is holding its vigil.

According to media reports, the owner has been accused of operating without the proper license. The state says the center still performs abortions, even though its license expired last summer.

It’s not clear yet what the state will do. So please keep the Southfield team in your prayers as their vigil outside Womancare of Southfield continues.

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PENSACOLA, FLORIDA
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“We must praise God at all times,” said Ernie in Pensacola.

One day recently, several 40 Days for Life vigil participants reported that eight moms left the American Family Planning abortion facility — on an abortion day — without having abortions.

“We don’t know exactly what was going on to make all these parents leave the facility at one time and not go through with the abortion,” he said, “but we must all now pray that they may choose life for their babies and not return.”

Above all, Ernie said, “we know that God is working marvelous deeds among the staff and clients of the two abortion facilities here in Pensacola, and we know that it is your persistent, peaceful, prayerful presence in front of these two places of death that is making all the difference!”

The same goes for every other 40 Days for Life vigil location as well — in nine different countries, all around the world!

Click here to read today’s devotional.

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Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: Have you witnessed any lives saved from abortion at the 40 Days for Life vigil in your community? If you have, please do share your story by responding below.

Abortion pierces the heart like no other issue — especially when a rape is involved.

I have more reports from around the globe; but before that, I want to share with you one of the most touching notes I’ve ever received regarding a rape case.

This Sunday, give thanks for the love of God, which is penetrating the most desperate situations and bringing hope where the world often claims there is no hope.

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FROM THE 40 DAYS FOR LIFE BLOG
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“I want to thank my mother, who did not succumb to the pressure to abort me after being raped 30 years ago,” said this 40 Days for Life participant. “Today, she chokes up with emotion whenever she tells me how special and important I am to her life! Praise God!”

I simply cannot imagine what that pressure would have been like. This is one of the so-called hard cases where abortion is somehow deemed acceptable. But as this woman’s life shows, this is not about statistics or “difficult choices.” It’s about human beings.

“I am not perfect. But because I was given the chance to live, I can and do strive for holiness,” she wrote. “Thank you, pro-lifers, for recognizing AND reminding me that I am beautifully and wonderfully made in God’s image.”

Abortion supporters, she said, “will have people like me think that we are monsters who must be punished for the crime of our father. I know what he did was wrong; but I pray for him and hope to see him in heaven as a repentant sinner.”

I tell you, her story inspires ME. But for her part, she humbly says that she is inspired by … YOU!

“Reading all of these responses makes me so enthusiastic about going back to pray … to save more lives,” she said. “God bless you all and keep up the good work!”

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LONDON, ENGLAND
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One of the 40 Days for Life team members in London was interviewed on the radio recently. The reporter for City University Radio asked Dan Blackman about the vigil and about the campaign, of course.

But she also asked about some of those “hard cases” where some people say abortion can be justified — yes, including cases were the pregnancy occurs as the result of an assault.

Dan answered the reporter’s questions calmly, directly — and accurately.

To listen to the interview online, click the arrow to start the player:

Download MP3 (right-click to save file to your computer):

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/audio/london.mp3

Here’s a photo of the 40 Days for Life vigil in London:

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ITHACA, NEW YORK
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Every Saturday, Mary Anne in Ithaca keeps seeing two people standing on the porch at Planned Parenthood wearing escort vests.

“We continue to pray for these two escorts,” she said, “that one day they will be escorted out of that place and be free.”

Mary Anne says 40 Days for Life is having a definite impact. “We received some comments from those walking by us, saying we are doing the right thing.” Those people are always invited to join the vigil.

“Praise God for all His graces and mercy,” she said. “We should never underestimate the power of prayer. The Lord is touching hearts.”

Here are some of the children who were praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Ithaca:

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Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: Are there special people in your town who are making a difference with your 40 Days for Life campaign? Please share the good news by replying below.

Obedience is easy when life is going well.

It’s a hindrance when it goes against what we want or when all comfort is removed. Still nothing is more freeing or liberating than obedience because it always points us to God’s love.

Today’s prayer intention is, “That God will bless us with His gift of strength as we respond in obedience to His call.”

As the final two weeks of this 40 Days for Life campaign approach, I wanted to share stories about a couple of people, who despite the obstacles, are responding to God’s call.

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THE BRONX, NEW YORK
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Please keep our friend Chris Slattery in your prayers. In addition to coordinating 40 Days for Life in New York City, Chris directs the EMC Frontline chain of pro-life pregnancy resource centers.

Recently, burglars broke into EMC’s South Bronx clinic — a center that’s right across the street from a Planned Parenthood office. Chris says the EMC clinic was virtually destroyed.

“The rampage of these heartless criminals shattered windows, stole all of our audio visual equipment, destroyed displays and supplies, tore up the ceiling, doors, and floor,” Chris told Life Site News. “They even broke into our supply closet and stole our Pampers.” He suspects the burglars were drug addicts looking for quick cash.

Meanwhile, the work goes on. One of the EMC Frontline bloggers wrote about taking part in 40 Days for Life for the first time.

“The opportunity for prayer is astounding in helping the effectiveness of my work throughout the rest of my week,” she wrote.” It fuels the passion and the drive necessary to reach the women I work with every day. Community outreach has truly been the most visibly fruitful.”

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LA PUENTE, CALIFORNIA
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While a 40 Days for Life volunteer was praying with her daughter at the vigil in La Puente, a young mom came by “with the most gorgeous baby,” said one volunteer.

The volunteer asked the mother if this was her first child. At first, she didn’t answer. She just started to cry.

Prior to this child’s arrival, she said, she had an abortion. “It took me eight years wanting another child. But I wasn’t able to conceive. Then one day, I passed by the abortion clinic and noticed the 40 Days for Life campaign. I told my elder sons, ‘We’re going to pray.’ A few months later, I was expecting my third child.”

The young mom’s family would tell her, “Be quiet! You can never talk about your abortion!” But now, she says, “After eight years I will no longer keep quiet. Although I didn’t save my baby, I can help save the lives of babies to come.”

Here are a couple of pictures from 40 Days for Life in La Puente:

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PORTLAND, OREGON
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I know I’ve mentioned families praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil a couple of times already during this campaign. But every time I do, I get e-mail affirming the great blessings that children bring to the sidewalk, and I get pictures of families in action outside the abortion centers.

Therese in Portland sent this great photo of a family that prays together often at their vigil. There are nine children in the family. Not all of them are able to come on every family visit, but Therese says there are usually at least seven, all carrying their custom-made signs. She describes them as “a family of love.”

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Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: How has your community been blessed during 40 Days for Life? Please let me know! You may share your reply by responding below.

We all want signs from God. It’s part of our human nature.

Throughout the scriptures, there are countless examples of God’s people asking Him to give them a sign. We pray for discernment, but often only settle for a tangible sign.

Throughout this 40 Days for Life campaign, YOU have been the sign to people who least expect it. Sometimes the sign is an actual sign — the poster you’re holding.

Other times — as Francis of Assisi noted — you simply preach the gospel … and use words only when necessary.

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA
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“Thank you,” said the e-mail message one of the Charlotte coordinators received. “You saved my baby today!”

A young woman arriving for an appointment noticed the 40 Days for Life signs in front of the abortion center, but she didn’t really pay much attention.

That wouldn’t come until later. At this point, she had other things on her mind.

For one thing, the child’s father had to stay in the abortion center’s waiting room, and she didn’t care for that policy. “They don’t let your family or friends be part of this,” she said, which “should be a creepy tip-off.”

Next, the staff told her the cost of the abortion would be double the amount they had mentioned on the phone.

But then, something happened. “I saw my baby on the ultrasound,” she said, “and that changed the whole world. I stormed out.”

On her way back through the waiting room on her way out the door, “I told the girls there is still time and I will have them in my prayers.”

On leaving the building, she saw the 40 Days for Life signs again. She went home, Googled the name, found the Charlotte campaign’s Facebook page — and wrote to the local coordinators.

The local team connected her with pro-life prenatal resources. They report the young woman is very happy — her child is safe from abortion — and they will continue to help her.

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TEMPE, ARIZONA
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Charlotte had been trying to get to the 40 Days for Life vigil in Tempe since it started. But with two small children, she said, “life gets busy.”

But finally, she just decided to go. She took her older child to preschool and went to pray at the vigil with her 8-month-old daughter — who was still in her pajamas.

“When we first got there,” she wrote in the 40 Days for Life blog, “it was just two young men peacefully holding their signs.”

Charlotte didn’t bring a sign. “So at first I just stood there silently and prayed, baby girl in hand. Within 10 minutes, more volunteers came with signs.”

She didn’t know anyone, but they all prayed as one. Still, she said, she felt odd being the only one who didn’t have a sign.

“Passersby started smiling and waving,” she said. “I looked down to kiss the very active 8-month-old in my arms and realized my daughter had learned to wave!” And not just a little wave — an energetic, both-hands-and-both-arms wave.

“That’s when it hit me that my 8-month-old was smiling, waving, laughing and ministering to every person who looked at her,” wrote Charlotte. “My baby said more than any sign could have. She is proof of God’s amazing work. She may not understand it yet, but she could have saved lives.”

At this point, Charlotte realized, “I had the best sign!”

Click here to read today’s devotional.

Click here to download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends.

Yours for Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: So how has 40 Days for Life affected you and your community these past few weeks? Please share the good news by replying below.