On last week’s “THE NEXT LEVEL” teleconference and webcast, we announced that an incredibly generous donor made a matching challenge that would double all gifts made to 40 Days for Life within 72 hours of the call — up to $50,000.
We had hoped to double that $50,000 in 72 hours, but instead you helped to nearly TRIPLE it!
The grand total after the match came to…
…$148,035!!
All this while the economy is taking a beating.
Clearly God wants this work to expand this summer and into the fall!
We are now rapidly moving forward with the plans for the fall 40 Days for Life campaign and the new “Ending Abortion” initiative that will educate, equip, and empower pro-lifers in cities across North America — and around the globe.
(If you didn’t have a chance to contribute last week but still wish to make a gift to 40 Days for Life, just visit: http://www.40daysforlife.com/donate.cfm )
Here’s my solemn promise: every penny that has been given to 40 Days for Life will be used in the most effective and efficient way possible to save the maximum number of innocent lives from abortion.
Thank you. We are so blessed to have your prayers and help!
Before giving you the latest update of where we stand on the matching challenge, I want you to look at this INCREDIBLE picture:
That’s me on the left with baby Jakai in the middle.
His mother, who is holding him, was walking in to have an abortion at the abortion center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania when Karen — pictured on the right — was standing outside for her first time after getting involved with 40 Days for Life.
Karen, a post-abortive woman herself, was holding a sign that said, “My Abortion Hurt Me.” She reached out, offering compassionate help…
…And the mom stopped in her tracks, deciding not to go through with the abortion.
They say that a picture’s worth a thousand words.
Well, this photograph documents just one of the 1,561 babies who have been saved by 40 Days for Life — and the faithfulness of one of the 215,000 volunteers who have participated in this effort across 240 cities.
And Jakai has a very special significance to me, because he is the first (and only) baby I have personally met who is alive due to 40 Days for Life.
After visiting more than 150 of the 40 Days for Life sites over the last 21 months, I had not been blessed to meet a baby who was saved as a result of 40 Days for Life efforts…
…Until April 2 — three days before the end of this spring’s 40 Days for Life.
God is so good!
If you haven’t already, I pray that one day soon you can also have the experience of meeting a child who is alive because of YOUR faithful participation in these efforts. It makes every challenge worth it!!
OK, I promised to let you know how we’re doing with the matching challenge. As I am writing this, 336 generous people have helped to raise ** $41,605 ** toward the $50,000 matching challenge!
Some gifts are still coming in the mail, so I’m sure the total is a bit higher than that, but I knew you’d want to know just HOW CLOSE we are.
We’re trying to catch up with the big wave of new donations, so if you’ve already made your gift to 40 Days for Life, THANK YOU!!
If you haven’t yet, the deadline for your donation to be instantly DOUBLED is tonight (Friday) at midnight if you’re giving online by credit card, or it must be postmarked by today if you’re mailing it in.
If you prefer to mail your gift — postmarked by today so it can be DOUBLED — send it to:
40 Days for Life
3515-B Longmire #316
College Station, TX 77845
This is simply AMAZING — you are on the verge of helping 40 Days for Life raise close to $100,000 in just 72 hours…
…Just think how this will accelerate our unified efforts to end abortion!
Thank you SO MUCH, and keep praying!!
In Christ,
David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life
P.S.- Want to see what influential leaders across every part of the pro-life movement are saying about the importance of expanding the work of 40 Days for Life? Watch this brand-new 11-minute video:
From February 25 to April 5, the spring 40 Days for Life campaign mobilized more than 41,000 people of faith and conscience across 137 cities in 43 states, 4 Canadian provinces, Australia, and Northern Ireland.
The results wildly exceeded expectations!
As a special SURPRISE, here is where you can watch the brand-new 7-minute video we just posted with the final results of the spring campaign and pictures from many of the cities that participated:
(There may be a few-second pause before the video starts. Please be patient — it’s worth the wait!)
At the conclusion of this spring’s 40 Days for Life campaign, 4,612 people filled out detailed surveys which provided clear insights on where this effort needs to go from here.
After weeks of praying, reviewing the surveys, and mapping out focused strategic plans to build on this momentum, the national 40 Days for Life team has locked in the steps to take this nationwide effort to “THE NEXT LEVEL”…
…And we’re finally ready to reveal these important new breakthroughs with you!
To discover the exciting plans for the rest of 2009 — and to learn how YOU can make a life-saving impact — you are cordially invited to attend a LIVE one-time-only teleconference event next Tuesday night…
With the BIG plans that will be revealed during the event, we believe that the rest of this year could be the most exciting time the pro-life movement has seen in many years…
…But we’ll also be totally transparent with you about the significant challenges that must be overcome if this effort is to realize its full potential…
…And how YOU can help make a life-saving impact during the remainder of this crucial year.
Get all the details and register to join this important conference call event that could take the pro-life movement to THE NEXT LEVEL. Go to:
I can’t wait to share the breaking news with you next Tuesday night!
Yours For Life,
David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life
P.S.- Please spread the word and let other pro-life people across America know about this teleconference and webcast so they can join in on this exciting discussion! Simply forward this email encouraging them to learn more and register at:
P.P.S.- After the last e-mail I sent, I was surprised — and humbled — by the number of responses from people eager to make a donation to 40 Days for Life. THANK YOU! On the call, there will be an opportunity to help save lives by financially investing in this effort, should you feel called to contribute.
Following an amazing 40 Days for Life campaign, here are two quick things before turning off my computer and cell phone for a much-needed break!
****************************************************** 1.) INSPIRING VIDEO: 40 DAYS FOR LIFE CONCLUSION ******************************************************
While I was in St. Louis, Missouri to wrap-up the spring 40 Days for Life campaign, David Bereit was in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for their concluding rally.
In this talk, David covered some things he’s never shared publicly before, including:
The connection between Ronald Reagan, the Berlin Wall, and 40 Days for Life
The first baby David has been able to meet who was saved in connection to 40 Days for Life
What needs to happen following this campaign
You will be deeply inspired by this video!
****************************************************** 2.) HOPE FOR LIFE CONFERENCE THIS WEEK!
******************************************************
There is limited space still available for the Hope for Life conference in Atlanta, Georgia this Thursday and Friday.
This will be an exciting opportunity to personally meet some of the top pro-life leaders and hear the latest news about what is happening on every front of the pro-life movement.
Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life board member and co-host of the nationally syndicated “Point of View” radio show, will be attending the conference and speaking on behalf of 40 Days for Life.
They will be taking registrations up to the time of the conference and you can even register at the door.
To learn more, look over the awesome line-up of speakers, and register to attend, visit:
On a final note, we now have received confirmed reports of 431 lives saved as a result of this spring’s 40 Days for Life campaign. Amazing!
Thank you for all your prayers and faithful efforts that have produced such abundant fruit.
Now I’m turning off my computer and cell phone for the next few days to focus attention on my family (who have sacrificed much during this campaign as I’ve been running from coast-to-coast.)
Upon our return, David Bereit and I will have some VERY exciting news to share with you about how — together — we can move forward and build on the powerful momentum from this 40 Days for Life campaign!
Yours In Christ,
Shawn Carney
Spring Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
This Sunday, we celebrate Christ’s resurrection. Of course, there would not have been an Easter Sunday had there not first been a Good Friday.
In order to defeat death, Jesus had to die. And the gospels chronicle the extreme suffering He had to endure because of our sins.
What does that have to do with 40 Days for Life?
Everything!
Many have referred to abortion clinics as the modern-day Calvary — the place where the innocent suffer terrible deaths for the sins of others.
Many of the people who’ve participated in 40 Days for Life are Christians who commemorate Lent — the 40 day season of repentance and penitence that precedes Easter. They see a very clear parallel between the innocence of Christ and the innocence of babies in the womb — and the suffering that both had to endure.
There are quite a few 40 Days for Life teams who will be meeting on Good Friday for prayer and reflection. Here are just a few of them…
INDIANAPOLIS, IN: Good Friday is, tragically, an abortion day at Planned Parenthood in Indianapolis. The local team will hold a prayer vigil outside the clinic from noon to 3 PM, led by local coordinators from the Silent No More Awareness Campaign.
EVERETT, WA: This local team will host a special prayer vigil on Good Friday at 3 PM.
SACRAMENTO, CA: Local coordinator Wynette Sills says this campaign’s formal closing event is set for Good Friday at 5 PM. “Everyone from all seven local Sacramento vigil sites will gather together,” she said. “We are planning for several hundred, including 400 white crosses for people to hold.”
ALBUQUERQUE, NM: “Our prayer campaign actually ends this Good Friday,” said local coordinator Phil Sevilla. “We had 400 people participate last year. Good Friday represents our ending rally. We have a Jericho Walk, seven times around Planned Parenthood. The prayer vigil lasts three hours.”
RICHMOND, VA: Many of the local team members will attend services at 3 PM at St. Benedict Church, followed by prayer at the clinic, which is about four blocks from the church. Fr. James Kaufmann, pastor of St. Benedict, will lead the prayer vigil.
A prayer service familiar to many Christians is the Stations of the Cross — a reflection on Christ’s passion and what it means in our own lives. This service has been held several times during the spring 40 Days for Life campaign in Richmond.
40 Days for Life’s communications director, David Brandao, was present for one of these services recently and offers a short, profound, and inspiring audio report on the Stations of the Cross — as well as Richmond’s spring 40 Days for Life campaign.
Listen to the Audio Online (click “Play” button to start):
Download MP3 (right-click to save file to your computer):
In addition, Richmond is inviting its 40 Days for Life team to pray at the clinic on Easter Sunday.
That reminds me of one of the devotionals from the campaign that just ended.
It seems appropriate on Good Friday to take a second look at this poignant reflection (originally sent on day 21) from Fr. Frank Pavone, the national director of Priests for Life…
——————————————————
GOOD FRIDAY INTENTION
——————————————————
Pray that we become vessels of hope to all around us, especially to those who minister in the pro-life movement.
——————————————————
SCRIPTURE
——————————————————
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!”
– Luke 24:1-5
——————————————————
REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life
——————————————————
This meditation, based on a sermon I once heard, is adapted for pro-life concerns.
It’s Friday. Jesus is on the cross. He has been killed by his enemies; he is off the scene.
But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’!
It’s Friday. Abortionists continue their work 3,300 times a day, tearing off the arms and legs of little babies and crushing their heads.
But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’!
It’s Friday. Pro-abortion groups receive blood money from billionaires who are as deceived as they are.
But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’!
It’s Friday. Liars attempt to speak for all women and hide the pain of abortion, and ignore the evidence of how it harms women, and call abortion a blessing.
But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’!
It’s Friday. People of hardened hearts guard the clinics and usher desperate women in to have their abortions, while keeping them from the pro-life people who want to give them hope.
But that’s because it’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’!
Hope does not mean that we ignore or minimize the evils around us. It means, rather, that we see the whole picture, which is that evil is conquered because of what happened one Sunday morning.
We are called to proclaim, celebrate, and serve that victory, waiting in joyful hope for Christ’s return and the full flowering of the Culture of Life!
Indeed, Sunday’s comin’!
——————————————————
PRAYER
——————————————————
Lord, fill your people with new hope. Make us vessels of hope to all around us, especially to those who minister in the pro-life movement, that as we engage in the difficult work ahead, we may experience the peace and joy that come only from you and that nobody can take away from us. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.
——————————————————
May you and your family have a very blessed and Holy Easter.
We continue to be overwhelmed by success stories from the spring 40 Days for Life campaign. Praise God!
Alejandra in Orange County, California passed along this amazing report of how one little girl’s faith helped to save the life of a baby.
“Tim came to me with his daughter and told me that his little girl (about 4 years old) told him before he went to Planned Parenthood, ‘take this plate of cookies and give it to a Mommy. Tell her to keep them so that she can give them to her baby when he is born.’”
“When Tim approached one of the women that he talked to last Saturday morning, he told her the message of his little daughter. The woman broke into tears and the thought of not being able to give her baby the plate of cookies that Tim’s daughter sent her made her decide to keep her baby!”
Here’s a look at the 40 Days for Life closing event in Orange County — outside the Planned Parenthood that just had $292,000 in tax funding stripped away by a unanimous vote of the local board of supervisors during this 40 Days for Life:
Shawn Carney, who coordinated this spring campaign, is finally home from the road. His last stop on day 40 was in St. Louis, where he encouraged 40 Days for Life participants to ask God what they should be doing next — now that this campaign has come to an end.
Shawn’s inspirational talk was recorded, and here is the audio for you to listen…
Listen to the Audio Online (click “Play” button to start):
Download MP3 (right-click to save file to your computer):
Gabriela in El Paso, Texas is one of the many volunteers eager to keep the spirit of 40 Days for Life going. She notes that today is really Day 44.
“Our work doesn’t end at 40,” she wrote. “God needs us to continue! The fight for the end of abortion doesn’t end there! There are abortions every day, and here is the challenge: to continue praying and doing prayer vigils at the abortion clinics. The babies, mothers and fathers too need our constant presence at the abortion clinics.”
She added, “They need Christ’s love, and we are the ones who need to offer that to these mothers and fathers. That is why I challenge you to continue your shift at the abortion clinic, to continue going the same days and times you are used to going. Remember, this isn’t our battle, it’s God’s battle, and he has chosen us to fight with prayer and presence to end abortion.”
I’m anticipating quite a response in El Paso after an enthusiastic call like that!
Rita in Burlington, Vermont is hearing that same call to continue. “Burlington is quite small compared to some of the cities that have been involved in 40 Days for Life,” she wrote, “but the momentum is certainly building and we look forward to the next campaign. In fact, as has been the case with so many other vigil sites, people do not want to stop, some of us will continue to stand vigil in front of Planned Parenthood in Burlington. I have decided to stand vigil on Wednesdays, abortion day.”
Rita also explained how so many of the cold-weather cities were able to sustain a faithful presence despite snow and wind chill readings that were far below zero. “Despite the cold, chilling to the bone cold, and the harassment from those passing by, when your time praying came to an end, this sense that you did your Father’s work came over you and left you feeling all warm, despite some of the frigid Vermont temperatures,” she said. “Doing the Father’s work does leave one feeling joyful!”
Let’s ensure that the spirit of 40 Days for Life never ends, even though one specific campaign has finished.
The reports keep flooding in from the 135 cities that have just concluded the spring 40 Days for Life — and there are still more we’ll be getting over the next few days — but I just had to let you know that the confirmed number of lives saved from abortion during this campaign has now reached…
421!!
There are many other things to report to you as well, just as soon as we finish compiling these reports. But here are just a few of the comments from some of the participating cities:
GREENVILLE, SC: “We are truly humbled at the response and dedication. What we saw during the 40 Days for Life was God’s hand at work.”
AUGUSTA, ME: “People have come from all over Maine. Prayer volunteers have come from a distance of 180 miles.”
OCALA, FL: “More than 350 individuals prayed at the vigil. One couple, between them, totaled 70 hours.”
RIVERSIDE, CA: “Clinic security guards said we have opened their eyes about some things and one is quitting. She doesn’t want to work there any longer.”
CHARLOTTE, NC: “During this 40 Days for Life campaign, there were 41 babies saved from abortion.”
LITTLE ROCK, AR: “We plan to offer training and build a sidewalk counseling team. We also plan to maintain our public presence at Planned Parenthood.”
TOCCOA, GA: “People learned the truth by reading information, by listening to post-abortive women and by standing in the gap in silent prayer for the unborn.”
EVERETT, WA: “There is no question of continuing our involvement in fall 2009 40 Days for Life campaign. We are motivated!”
ALBUQUERQUE, NM: “We are encouraging our supporters to continue to work in pro-life ministry throughout the year. There’s plenty of work for everyone.”
STERLING HEIGHTS, MI: “This is our second campaign and we have doubled in size. We have determined, faith-filled men, women, teens and children who will not give up.”
PROVIDENCE, RI: “One mother stopped, on her way out of the abortion clinic, to tell us that she had decided against her scheduled abortion.”
ABILENE, TX: “Since the 40 Days of Life campaign started we have had many more abortion-minded girls coming to our pregnancy center.”
SAN FRANCISCO, CA: “We had a woman and what appeared to be her boyfriend walk up to the Planned Parenthood, look at us, and then walk away.”
SAN MATEO, CA: “One clinic worker said to a vigil volunteer: ‘Why don’t you pray at your homes? You’re making our work here difficult!’”
And that’s a perfect note to end on.
It’s clear that being present in prayer at abortion facilities makes a world of difference — for the mothers, for the babies, for the abortion workers.
Please look within your heart and pray about this as we approach Easter Sunday — how will you continue to answer Christ’s call to stand up for the least of His brothers and sisters?
Thanks again for all you do to be their voices!
In Christ Who Is Life,
David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life
P.S.- On day 39 of this campaign, Shawn Carney was traveling across Canada visiting 40 Days for Life sites, and was able to record a quick audio interview with George, the local campaign leader in Montreal, about the impact of 40 Days for Life. Here’s the recording for you to listen (including part in French):
Listen to the Audio Online (click “Play” button to start):
Download MP3 (right-click to save file to your computer):
Clearly, this particular coordinated campaign has come to an end. But people in city after city have come to see that the ongoing needs are great.
There is much work to be done — and much willingness to dive in!
Here are just a very few of the Day 41+ efforts that are already beginning…
ABILENE, TEXAS: Vigil participants are making plans to establish the West Texas Coalition for Life. The Abilene News Reporter quoted local 40 Days for Life campaign coordinator Paula Matchen, who said momentum from the spring campaign has been the catalyst for this new project. “The goal is to bring an end to abortion,” she said, “and do whatever we can to help bring that about.”
RENO, NEVADA: 40 Days for Life vigil participants are saying, “We’re not stopping!” One volunteer senses that “something has changed in the pro-life effort, and that there is speculation that the prayer component of 40 Days for Life has shifted the balance of the entire debate.”
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA: This city is already making plans for the fall 40 Days for Life campaign (the dates are September 23 - November 1). To maintain momentum, they’re organizing at least two days of prayer each week at the abortion facility. During this 40 Days for Life campaign, Virginia’s governor signed legislation authorizing “choose life” license plates that will help fund pregnancy resource centers.
AUGUSTA, MAINE: Participants in this community’s first 40 Days for Life campaign have made a commitment to continue the effort by holding a weekly prayer vigil outside the abortion facility.
CHERRY HILL, NEW JERSEY: The campaign’s results have encouraged efforts to solidify an increased regular presence at the abortion center. The number of abortion patients appeared to drop by more than half, and the clinic began closing early. It’s clear that prayer works — and it simply cannot stop!
There are many other communities with big plans that can’t be revealed yet; but they are all showing faithfulness to God’s call — and the local abortion businesses are going to be in for some big surprises in the not-too-distant future!
Please prayerfully discern how God can use YOU and your community in these ongoing efforts — and when He reveals His plans, be willing to say, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!”
As a final thought, we are constantly reminded that through 40 Days for Life, God does much more in addition to saving babies.
He saves souls!
Again during this campaign, even with all these big plans that local groups are contemplating, the biggest, most lasting effects are often profoundly spiritual and profoundly individual.
Of all the letters I’ve received, perhaps none is quite as touching as one from Anne, who wrote about the excitement of getting ready to go pray in front of a Planned Parenthood abortion center for the first time ever.
“I can hardly wait to experience what you’ve been talking about,” she said, “that special feeling of doing something to stop this legalized killing that goes on behind those closed doors. I can feel God smiling down on me.”
She said that answering God’s call “is a lasting feeling — saving lives and changing hearts.”
Praying outside Planned Parenthood is not the only change in Anne’s life.
Anne has also returned to church — for the first time in 50 years!
Praise and glory to our wondrous God, who makes all things new!
As a special “end of campaign bonus” here is one final devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life…
——————————————————
DAY 41+ INTENTION
——————————————————
Pray that the witness of 40 Days for Life bears abundant fruit, and that we begin again each day to storm the gates of hell until God welcomes us into the gates of heaven.
——————————————————
SCRIPTURE
——————————————————
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. On this rock I will build my church; the gates of hell will not prevail against it.
– Matthew 16:18
——————————————————
REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life
——————————————————
When we read this verse, we usually think that the Lord is promising that the church, which is His Body, will withstand all the attacks launched against it.
Of course, that is true. But when we think about it more carefully, we realize that in a battle, the gates do not run out into the battlefield to attack the enemy. Rather, they stand still to defend the city from the enemy attacking it.
So when the Lord says that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church, who is doing the attacking?
It is the church storming the gates!
The church, all of God’s people in Christ, is called to take the offensive, to run into enemy territory, and to gain ground for Jesus Christ.
We do not wait for an invitation; we already have a command.
We prepare, but we do not wait for circumstances to be perfect; we already have one who has gone before us.
During these 40 days, we have stormed the gates. We have taken the offensive. We have pushed forward the boundaries of the kingdom. And we must keep doing so, in numerous ways.
Indeed, the gates of hell will not prevail. The gates of falsehood will flee in the presence of truth. The gates of sin will melt in the presence of grace. The gates of death will fall in the presence of the church, the People of Life!
——————————————————
PRAYER
——————————————————
Father, we praise you. We have heard the voice of your Son, and therefore we can make our voices heard.
We have done battle with the power of evil, and therefore we can have compassion on those still within its grip. We have been freed from the kingdom of darkness, and therefore we can bear witness to your Kingdom of Light.
May the witness of all your people through these 40 Days for Life bear abundant fruit, and may we begin again each day to storm the gates of hell until You welcome us into the gates of heaven.
We pray in the victorious name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
As David Bereit and I return home from our final spring 40 Days for Life travels, we can’t tell you enough how much we have appreciated your prayers and your participation in this campaign.
You provide tremendous HOPE for our nation’s future!
Shawn Carney
Spring Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
I want to personally thank you for your prayers and participation in this spring 40 Days for Life.
You are truly a hero. Really!
Everyone who has prayed, fasted, stood vigil, or engaged in community outreach is a hero — for responding to God’s call to speak up for the most helpless who we will most likely never see or meet.
Standing witness outside abortion facilities — even when it is tough and unpopular — is always worth it. Just ask the 368 children whose lives have been saved from abortion during this spring 40 Days for Life.
Yes, reports keep pouring in and the number is now up to 368 lives saved. Praise God!
There is much to celebrate on Day 40 of this 40 Days for Life. Here are just three examples among many…
To say that it snowed a lot during this “spring” campaign in Kalispell, Montana is an understatement.
But Kalispell, which is in a county of about 85,000 people, has maintained a 24-hour vigil since February 25 despite the waves of wintry weather.
Their sacrificial efforts just gained front page news coverage in their local paper…
When the vigil at Planned Parenthood began, the Kalispell clinic was open five days a week. The facility has now cut back to three days a week.
In addition, the area’s other abortion center has cut back from six days a week to five. “So they have begun to downsize,” said Sandra Bois, a local coordinator. “A beginning!”
Other true heroes are the men and women who’ve shared the message that Christ’s healing is available in the wake of abortion. They’ve stepped forward during 40 Days for Life to tell the world, “I regret my abortion” or “I regret lost fatherhood.”
Frances Wilkinson spoke up after an angry abortion supporter’s letter to the editor appeared in the Ottawa Citizen. The writer said she was “increasingly outraged” at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Canada’s capital city and encouraged others to follow her example of donating to a pro-abortion fund.
Frances answered — and the paper printed her response and a photo of her holding her “I regret my abortion” sign at the 40 Days for Life vigil.
Frances said she wants to help other women “so they will not make the worst mistake they will ever make, for themselves and their child, and anyone else affected by the abortion.” She added, “No one has the right to kill another human being.”
There are true heroes in Toccoa, Georgia as well. Toccoa is in a county with a population of around 25,000. But this town has served as an amazing example of a community coming together to take a stand.
A Christian businessman offered his parking lot on a busy highway as the vigil site. The coordinators set up a tent and invited people to pray.
“The response from the road traffic was fantastic!” said Andrea Sosebee, one of the coordinators. “People honking horns, thumbs up, hollering positive words of encouragement to all — it was awesome!”
She added, “We may not have had an abortion clinic to stand in front of, but our community has truly been awakened to the issue of abortion and the need for change and healing. This has been such an exciting campaign!”
An awakening. Just what this culture needs, don’t you think? And it’s all thanks to the grace of God — and the faithful response to His call by people just like you in 135 cities across 43 states, Canada, Northern Ireland, and Australia.
Once again, THANK YOU! A remarkable effort is ending — but it’s really only just beginning.
Today’s devotional is from Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life…
——————————————————
DAY 40 INTENTION
——————————————————
Let us keep our eyes fixed on the New Jerusalem, where death will be no more.
——————————————————
SCRIPTURE
——————————————————
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”
– Revelation 21:4-5
——————————————————
REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life
——————————————————
Every activity we undertake in defense of the sanctity of life is prophetic, inasmuch as it points to the day when “death will be no more.”
Every victory we have when an act of abortion is prevented is prophetic of that day when death itself will be definitively conquered.
Every triumph of grace in this world, whereby someone is brought to see the value of life and given the strength to welcome it, is a breaking into our history of that definitive future in which the old order of things will have passed, and all things will be made new.
As pro-life warriors, we must keep our eyes fixed on heaven, and our hearts secure in the hope that the day is coming when all evil will be conquered.
It is the future that shapes the present; it is victory that informs the battle; it is the destination that determines the journey.
Daily, we are called to reflect on heaven.
When we weep, we are to think of the day when every tear will be wiped away.
When we face the destructive power of death, we are to think of the day when death is swallowed up in victory.
When we labor against abortion, we are to think of the day when we will have the rest and peace of the final triumph of life.
Heaven is as real as earth, and its joys will be as real as our present sorrows.
——————————————————
PRAYER
——————————————————
Father, you are the God of hope. Your word fills us with the vision of the world to come, when every tear will be wiped away, and death will be no more.
Father, how we need that hope, how we are strengthened by that vision! Keep our hearts focused on heaven, and diligent in the labors of earth.
As we struggle against the culture of death, root our souls in the assurance of victory. We pray through Christ our Lord, Amen.
As 40 Days for Life comes to a close the opposition is getting more vocal — but it’s wonderful to see YOU responding in a Christ-like manner!
Thank you!!
“The Planned Parenthood people are getting more and more upset at our presence as time goes on,” said Terese in Napa, California. “They have been taking pictures of people, trying to make it look like we are approaching the women going into the clinic and calling the police because we are loitering.”
One man kept demanding to know when the pointless “protesting” would end. “He told us abortion will never end,” said Terese. “He doesn’t know this, but because of him we began to pray even harder.”
People are praying even harder — in spite of the weather. While it’s starting to get warmer in the South, and many areas been drenched in rain over the last few days, a wave of blizzards has created challenges in other regions.
David in Kalispell, Montana said he was inspired by praying with a local pastor, late at night, during a snowstorm. “The Planned Parenthood folks are undoubtedly hoping to simply outlast us,” he said, “but I for one am ready to commit to keeping on.”
He added, “I feel certain that we are close to our goal if we but persevere in faithfulness until another ‘for rent’ sign appears.”
I also hear from many people who bring their children to the 40 Days for Life vigil — and not just infants and toddlers, but children who are old enough to understand what’s going on — and old enough to beg God to make it stop.
Jenna in St. Louis writes that this was her first time taking part in 40 Days for Life. Once she got to the clinic, “I couldn’t stop crying for two straight hours,” she said. “I was so saddened when I realized what was going on in the facility.”
After that first day, she went back again with her husband and children. She said her youngest, Joel, prays from his heart: “Lord, please let the ladies know these babies are a blessing from you!”
A picture can say a lot, and that’s certainly the case with the picture of Joel that Jenna sent me.
I have to believe the Lord undoubtedly hears the prayers of children like this!”Thank you all for your hard work,” Jenna added. “I have truly been blessed!”
Speaking of the prayers of children — I told you yesterday about the young people I met in Mobile, Alabama. Here’s an opportunity for you to hear their amazing story firsthand. I recorded a quick audio interview with these young prayer warriors, who are praying very hard for an end to abortion:
Listen to the Audio Online (click arrow-shaped “Play” button to start):
Download MP3 (right-click to save file to your computer):
Today’s devotional is from Carmen Pate, a 40 Days for Life board member and the co-host of the nationally broadcast Point of View radio talk show…
——————————————————
DAY 39 INTENTION
——————————————————
Pray that volunteers will replace exhaustion or discouragement with rejoicing over the miracles we have seen thus far, and enthusiastic service as God takes us on to victory!
——————————————————
SCRIPTURE
——————————————————
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
– 1 Peter 1:6-7
——————————————————
REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, Point of View
——————————————————
We have reason to rejoice when we consider the many babies whose lives have been saved during the 40 Days for Life campaign.
Add to those lives, the women and men who have been spared from a devastating decision and now have opportunity to make a plan for their baby that is both life affirming and God honoring.
Whether directly, or indirectly, you have contributed to these testimonies of praise with your sacrificial service.
Perhaps you have been grieved by various trials during your commitment to 40 days.
The attacks of the enemy come in many forms — difficulties in relationships, finances, health.
Or maybe you are physically and mentally exhausted and have been marking off the days on your calendar, eagerly waiting for April 5.
Consider these trials in light of God’s plan for you.
The Apostle Paul understood the big picture when he said in Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
This is our Hope and our victory. Let us rejoice in the opportunity to give that Hope to others in our path.
——————————————————
PRAYER
——————————————————
Dear Heavenly Father, we sing to You a new song, for You have done marvelous things. Forgive us when we allow circumstances to defeat us. You give power to the faint and You increase strength in those who have no might.
We rest in You, dear Lord, and ask You to empower us again for Your service as You work out Your plan for us and through us.
May You receive glory through our victory in Christ, in whose name we pray, Amen.
Today — Saturday — is typically the busiest day of the week for abortions in many locations.
To ensure that this 40 Days for Life finishes strong, if there is any way you can carve out one extra hour this weekend to go pray outside the nearest abortion facility (even if it isn’t an official 40 Days for Life location) it could make a world of difference.
Who knows — God might even use you to help save a life!
Yours In Christ,
Shawn Carney
Spring Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
