What is it like to pray at a 40 Days for Life vigil?
Tammy in Tacoma, Washington, recently logged a typical week at the 40 Days for Life vigil she leads. Her volunteers noted:
- Positive conversations with numerous passersby--including some who stayed to pray with vigil volunteers and at least one who requested information;
- Witnessing the medical waste truck arrive--presumably to remove the bodies of aborted babies;
- Fruitful conversations about the crisis of abortion;
- Moving prayers for healing with a man who shared how his girlfriend aborted their baby at five months' gestation;
- Positive honks and praise...and some insults.
As is the case at any 40 Days for Life vigil, there were moments of joy, moments of sorrow, and bountiful opportunities to witness to the dignity of every human life.
"What a wonderful week of contact and caring that you provided for all those who God put in your path," Tammy exhorted her team members. "You are so good and so faithful."
If you're nervous about heading out for your first hour, why not go pray today?
Most abortion facilities are closed (and often a little sleepy) on Sundays--but they still need to be covered in prayer. Sign up now:
Everett, Washington
Everett was one of the 89 cities that hosted the first-ever nationally coordinated 40 Days for Life campaign back in 2007--and the team is still at it...
...because prayers are being answered. The facility used to be open six days a week. Eighteen years later, that's down to four days a week.
Everett's 40 Days for Life vigil has been subject to pro-abortion protests and kept at a distance by police barricades, but no obstacle will keep the faithful prayer warriors from serving God and neighbor out in the streets.
"Over the years we have experienced at least 16 saves," wrote Ed. "May the grace of God continue to bless our humble Everett 40 Days for Life efforts."
Ciudad Juarez, Mexico
A young expectant mother in Mexico was facing pressure from her family to have an abortion.
Without support at home, she looked to the internet, found the local 40 Days for Life campaign's Facebook page, and contacted the leader, who encouraged her to resist the pressure to abort.
"Our leader referred her to a pregnancy help center, where she said 'yes' to life," said 40 Days for Life director of Latin American campaigns Lourdes Varela. "Now she regrets having thought about having an abortion!"
A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink."
--John 4:7
Heavenly Father, we pray in a special way for all women who have experienced an abortion. We ask that you draw these women close to your healing heart. Help us all to recognize our deep thirst for the living water that only you can offer, and give us the courage to invite others to the well of your forgiveness. Amen.
