When you go out to pray at a 40 Days for Life vigil, it's altogether possible you won't see anything particularly interesting happen.
But we walk by faith and not by sight. Showing up to pray at your local 40 Days for Life vigil means as many as 75% of abortion-bound women don't show up.
Oklahoma City 40 Days for Life leader Mike reported that a passerby approached his team to share news of a life saved YEARS ago--that they never knew about!
"A man drove by to tell volunteers that his preschool-aged son is alive today because they saw volunteers on the sidewalk on the day they were planning to have an abortion," Mike said. "He thanked volunteers and told them, 'Keep doing what you're doing.'"
The vigil participants who saved this man's child will probably never know on this side of Heaven the impact of THEIR prayers that day--but their trust made all the difference!
40 Days for Life outreach director and former Planned Parenthood manager Ramona Trevino recently spoke at a joint prayer rally for both the Edmond and Oklahoma City campaigns.
"Ramona had almost 150 people mesmerized," beamed Tori, the Edmond leader. "People flocked to the sign-up table. I expect my Edmond campaign to double [in size]."
Wichita, Kansas
After visiting the Sooner State, Ramona headed to Kansas, which shockingly voted NOT to protect babies from abortion after Roe v. Wade was overturned.
That means many of the women Mike and Tori encounter at their vigils are referred to Wichita. Vigil participants report a big increase in the number of out-of-state license plates.
Fortunately, the local 40 Days for Life team is up to the challenge. "God is working in a BIG way in Wichita," Ramona said.
Vigil participants have tremendous access to offer help to abortion-bound women. Ramona was even told that the abortion facility tells clients to wear headphones or earbuds so that they won't hear sidewalk counselors offering real choice.
Ramona closed a busy day by addressing more than 80 pro-lifers, including at least two members of the clergy. "I was informed that 20 new volunteers signed up for vigil hours after my talk," she said. "Praise be to God!"
Nashville, Tennessee
Dwight Artis from the 40 Days for Life Institute of Law & Justice visited the Music City to pray with vigil participants...
...and to share how the IL&J is defending their rights.
Nashville participants had expressed concern about the arrest of pro-life activists who entered an abortion facility in a nearby city.
"I was able to address their concerns and informed the Nashville campaign that 40 Days for Life does not operate in this manner [of entering private property]," Dwight said, alleviating the prayer warriors' concerns.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
--Matthew 5:7-9
Lord, in your infinite mercy, bring healing and hope to those caught in the lies of the abortion industry. Answer my prayer for forgiveness on their behalf: "Thoroughly wash away my guilt; and from my sin cleanse me."