Some of the angriest opponents of 40 Days for Life become our biggest advocates.
A high school student in Croatia cursed at 40 Days for Life participants praying in front of a local hospital. "She yelled that we are aggressive and that we hate women," wrote the local campaign leadership team.
But when that young woman found herself facing a crisis pregnancy, she knew where to turn.
The woman contacted the 40 Days for Life team, visited the campaign's life center, and decided to keep her baby.
"She couldn't believe she would get so much love, patience, hugs, and financial help from complete strangers," Croatian 40 Days for Life leaders reported. "She expected condemnation, and she got love."
The leaders said patience, forgiveness, and love are the keys to dealing with angry abortion supporters.
"This is why we should never judge," explained the campaign team. "We don't know what is going on with people who are aggressive toward us. They just long for love."
Croatia is hosting 39 40 Days for Life vigils spanning 37 cities across the country this Lent.
Fullerton, Maryland
The Fullerton abortion facility is set back on the property of a shopping plaza--keeping vigil participants a significant distance from abortion-bound women.
That makes it difficult for 40 Days for Life volunteers to confirm that babies are saved. But it also presents an opportunity: The shopping plaza is located on a busy thoroughfare, meaning the potential for public witness and community outreach is massive.
"We know how important our presence there is," wrote the Fullerton leadership team. "We know we need to physically be there praying because we don’t know who will see us. And we know God will hear us no matter where we are."
Cleveland, Ohio
Fred prayed at the Cleveland 40 Days for Life vigil with a cold, driving rain pouring down. It proved worth the sacrifice.
A car approached Fred. "I am going to keep my baby!" yelled a woman from the vehicle.
"Praise God! Praise God! Praise God!" exclaimed John, the longtime leader of the Cleveland campaign.
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
--Genesis 2:7
Lord, we are yours. Thank you for breathing into us the breath of life. Thank you for claiming us as your own. May our words and actions in defense of human life proclaim to all the world that you alone are Lord of life and death, Lord of our freedom and of our choices.
