40 Days for Life is a Christian movement--but your prayers touch the hearts of people of different faiths...or no faith at all!
Vigil participants in Yuba City, California, encountered a Hindu family with a baby coming to Planned Parenthood for an abortion.
Fortunately, the abortion facility was closed for the day, creating an opportunity for volunteers to explain the violence of abortion.
The family didn't really understand that abortion means killing a child when they arrived...but sidewalk counselors solved that problem. Their presence made all the difference in the world!
"We changed our minds," the child's father said. "We're not doing that!"
In fact, the family was so convinced that the father decided to participate in the vigil himself!
The Yuba City team got the family over to the local pregnancy help center for the help they need as they welcome another child into the world!
This story shows that God answers your prayers--even when the abortion facility is closed.
Who knows how God will respond when you spend part of your Sunday in front of your local abortion business?
40 Days for Life outreach director and former Planned Parenthood manager Ramona Trevino recently visited both 40 Days for Life vigils in Alaska to rally prayer warriors!
Here's her report from the road:
Anchorage, Alaska
Before speaking at a campaign rally at a local church, Ramona visited Planned Parenthood to pray. "I was able to pray with a handful of volunteers, including two young men, which is something that always makes my heart soar," she said.
An apparent first-time vigil participant no one on site had met before also appeared unexpectedly. "Someone told me this is where I can go to help end abortion," the man said. "So I came."
That evening, the rally was well attended. Attendees heard from Ramona as well as a young man named Gio, who helped start a Students for Life group at his school.
"Born at 28 weeks' gestation, Gio was shaken by the fact that babies the same age are being aborted in the state of Alaska," Ramona shared. "This stark and sobering reality spurred Gio into action, and he is working with a schoolmate to spread the pro-life message and educate others on how to defend their pro-life position."
Juneau, Alaska
Alaska's capital city is hosting its first 40 Days for Life campaign ever.
"It's hard to believe that in a city as beautiful as Juneau, the tragedy of abortion exists," Ramona reflected. "Sadly, that's the reality all over the world--even in the most breathtaking of places."
Ramona met Juneau leader Janet and her husband to pray at Planned Parenthood just after dawn on a drizzly morning, making an impression on the community.
"Our presence certainly drew lots of attention, as this is the first vigil in Juneau," Ramona noted. "The support is certainly there, which was made clear by all the waves and thumbs-up from those passing by."
While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.”
--Luke 15:20
Jesus, you have given us good pastors to lead your faithful. We thank you for their guidance and service, and we ask you to give them renewed strength. Help them to follow you with steadfast devotion. Guide their every action and give them the words to say to bring many people back to you. Amen.
