A car pulled up to Fred as he prayed at the 40 Days for Life 365 vigil in Cleveland.
"She wants an abortion but she is having second thoughts," said a voice from the back seat. "We want you to tell her not to have the abortion."
Fred inquired why the frightened mother wanted an abortion. "She is having triplets," replied the back-seat voice.
When Fred offered his congratulations, the mother asked, "Don't you think that is too many at once?"
"Not at all," Fred answered, assuring her the triplets are a "wonderful...beautiful gift from God" and a blessing.
The encouragement made a difference!
"Well, Fred," the mother responded. "I am going to name one of my children after you."
Fred praised God and offered the mom pregnancy help resource information, which she enthusiastically accepted.
"I hope she stops and shows me her three children after they are born," Fred said. "Especially the one she promised to name Fred."
Sign up to pray at your local vigil: 40daysforlife.com/location.
40 Days for Life kickoff events continue all week in cities around the world.
Brighton, England
After helping to close one of the busiest abortion facilities in the United Kingdom--a late-term abortion center--Sheridan has turned his attention toward Brighton's MSI abortion business.
The Brighton launch was interrupted by protesters who said pro-lifers were making abortion clients feel guilty. The protesters also said that the men praying for an end to abortion were wrong to "force [their] opinions on women."
But Sheridan had an answer.
"In response, we quoted what we heard on The 40 Days for Life Podcast," Sheridan reported. "The Supreme Court bench in the USA that decided Roe v. Wade was entirely male, and most abortionists are men. We also mentioned there is no pregnancy without male involvement."
Kissimmee, Florida
Priests for Life National Director Fr. Frank Pavone visited Kissimmee to launch the fall campaign. The community has hosted two 40 Days for Life campaigns every year since 2013.
"It matters to be physically present," Fr. Pavone told participants. "When the fire alarm rings, the firefighters don't sit around the firehouse and have a prayer service; they go to where the fire is. This is what we must do in saving the unborn."
Not only did Fr. Pavone headline the Kissimmee kickoff rally, but he also introduced the campaign team's screening of Unplanned.
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
—Matthew 6:25-26
Loving heavenly Father, help us to see the worth of all human beings by the way in which you provide for us. We would ask that you provide also the faith, grace and courage to enable us to protect that which is so precious to you.
