As many in the US advocate to deny healthcare to a baby girl who survives an abortion, Catholics, Protestants, Evangelicals, and Orthodox Christians unify to end abortion.
It's also true at the global level that the vigil has united pro-lifers in countries around the world. Christians in Seoul are holding South Korea's first-ever campaign. It's off to a strong start.
"On the first day, 75 volunteers participated," said Joonil, who helps lead the campaign. "We never expected this large number of people."
The Seoul team is bound by pandemic restrictions that prevent public gatherings...but they've gotten creative to keep their vigil law-abiding.
"One volunteer prays in front of [our big sign]," Joonil reported. "The others pray, keeping their distance, standing or walking around the place focusing prayer for an end to abortion."
Vigil participants display a picture of an unborn baby, and enthusiasm is high. "Some volunteers thanked us for inviting this great campaign," Joonil shared.
Stockport, England
Joonil isn't the only campaign leader to see greater-than-expected turnout early in the vigil.
Steve in Stockport said finding vigil participants is difficult. Some people even deliberately avoid him to dodge his recruitment efforts!
But Steve isn't deterred. He continues building his campaign--one prospective participant at a time. 50 people attended his launch event last week.
"All in all, a great job!" commented 40 Days for Life Director of International Campaigns Robert Colquhoun.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
The Ann Arbor campaign hosted a Jericho March, joined by more than 125 people of all ages.
"It was such a blessing to be led by Lutheran and Presbyterian pastors and Catholic clergy!" said Ann Arbor leader Sandie. "The pro-life movement brings us all together in such a powerful way."
Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So, too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.
—Luke 10:30-34
Father, we are moved by the lesson of the Good Samaritan, who allowed compassion to influence him more than fear. Give us the same heart. Grant that we may never count the cost of standing up and speaking out for the unborn.
