Dear Deacon John,

It’s the final Saturday of the campaign! If you haven’t had a chance to take part yet, please don’t think it’s too late. We have all day today and all day tomorrow … and your prayers are needed.

If one of the 307 vigil locations is near you … today’s your day!

God continues to use 40 Days for Life worldwide. Today we have reports from four continents … including a video from two of the newest campaigns in Africa.

Cameroon

Robert Colquhoun, the international outreach director for 40 Days for Life, had a chance to meet with the people behind the first two campaigns in Cameroon.

Abortion is illegal there … but outside influences are trying to convince people to change that. As Robert’s video report shows … that isn’t working! Faith remains strong, and people are committed.

To see the video, click on the image above … or to go:

https://40daysforlife.com/2015/10/31/cameroon-2/

Bogota, Colombia

The first 40 Days for Life effort in Colombia’s capital of Bogota has been a leap of faith. The planners wanted to do a 24-hour vigil … and people have responded by coming out to pray.

“The campaign in Colombia has had great success,” said Margarita, who is helping with the project. “Frankly, I didn’t think that so many volunteers would participate and I did not anticipate one of the most beautiful things” – priests leading prayer at the vigil location.

She said processions through the neighborhood surrounding the abortion centers have also had a huge impact. “We walk through the neighborhood just praying or singing and we stop in front of some of the abortion centers to pray in front of them. It is giving a beautiful testimony to the community.”

Leeds, England

Robert also visited the campaign in Leeds and called Chris “a valiant leader” who is running the campaign very well. “He brings in materials every morning from the outskirts of town and has made large personal sacrifices to make the campaign a reality.”

Chris recalled one morning outside the Marie Stopes abortion facility when two volunteers were praying. “They noticed a car driving out and a lady in the front with the most beaming smile giving them the thumbs-up sign.”

The woman told the vigil participants, “Today we are taking our baby home with us.”

“Marie Stopes have reduced the opening hours down to three days a week,” Chris said. “The team have had many positive interactions with the public … there have been few negative reactions to the vigil.”

Azcapotzalco, Mexico

The first 40 Days for Life vigil in Azcapotzalco is outside a Marie Stopes abortion facility in Mexico’s federal district. The campaign is joining several others in the metropolitan Mexico City area.

“New volunteers are still joining the vigil … even during this final week,” noted one of the team members. “There is nothing more important than defending life.”

A sign above the Marie Stopes center reads, “Hijos por eleccion, no por azar.” It’s a talking point from the London-based abortion chain that sounds more like their tired old slogan in English: Children by choice, not by chance. “Since when is life a ‘chance’?” asked one of the local leaders.

One volunteer noted that a post on Azcapotzalco’s Facebook page had a number of “likes.” She responded by saying, “It’s not enough to click ‘like.’You have to attend!”

Today’s devotional is from Carmen Pate of Alliance Ministries.
 
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 from Carmen Pate

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 Day 40.

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.

Printable devotional

To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share:

http://40daysforlife.com/media/day39.pdf

For life,

SHAWN CARNEY Campaign Director 40 Days for Life www.40daysforlife.com

Dear Deacon John,

Lives are saved from abortion when we pray – and work – together.

40 Days for Life campaigns have seen this at the local level, as we work closely with pregnancy help centers that offer free medical services and materials to those considering abortion.

Being ready with that information outside the abortion facility can make all the difference when women and men realize they do have a choice other than abortion.

It doesn’t hurt that pregnancy centers outnumber abortion providers 5 to 1!

We are thankful for all of them, as we have seen God use them to save babies who were scheduled to be aborted.

Cincinnati, Ohio

One of the prayer volunteers called out to a woman who was walking towards the Planned Parenthood abortion facility in Cincinnati. “Please don’t go in there!” she pleaded, and invited the woman over to talk.

She stopped … and turned around. She told the volunteer that she was there for a “consultation” appointment prior to an abortion.

After she and the volunteer talked for a while, the woman agreed to go to the pregnancy help center – it’s only a few blocks away.

As she continued to talk, the 40 Days for Life participants learned that she was a student … and afraid of how her parents would react to her pregnancy. She thought she was about 17 weeks pregnant.

When the pregnancy center completed the ultrasound … it turns out she was more like 31 weeks pregnant. At that stage, Planned Parenthood would not have done an abortion – but they would have likely referred her to another center that might.

But after counselors explained things – and showed her the ultrasound image – she changed her mind.

She then told her parents and her boyfriend – and they’re all being very supportive.

“Our advocate is in contact with the young woman and has already gathered clothing and other materials for her,” said Mary, the 40 Days for Life coordinator in Cincinnati. “When the baby is born, I’m hoping we’ll get to see a picture of him!”

Sarasota, Florida

40 Days for Life volunteers outside Planned Parenthood in Sarasota spoke with a woman who said she had prayed that her daughter would not get an abortion … but still, she accompanied the young woman inside.

When they came out a short time later, however, the daughter was holding an ultrasound image … telling the vigil participants she had changed her mind about having an abortion.

One week later, another woman who was leaving Planned Parenthood stopped and talked to one of the volunteers, who asked her why she was there.

This woman told a very similar story. She was going to have an abortion … butchanged her mind when she saw the ultrasound image of her baby.

Grand Rapids, Michigan

The culture describes abortion as a “women’s issue.” But certainly, men often have an important role to play … even if they have no legal standing whatsoever when it comes to “choice.”

While a young woman was inside the abortion center, 40 Days for Life vigil participants in Grand Rapids spoke to her husband outside. It didn’t take them long to learn that he desperately wanted to protect his wife and child. It was on the sidewalk that he received just the sort of encouragement he needed.

After speaking with the counselor, he went straight into the abortion center – and came back out with his wife and their unborn child. “God is so good!” said one volunteer.

Today’s devotional is from Carmen Pate of Alliance Ministries.

Day 38 intention

Pray that those standing in peaceful vigil will extend mercy and grace to others as they remember that Christ did not treat us as our sins deserve.

Scripture

“You have heard it was said, ‘you shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”

— Matthew 5:43-44

Reflection from Carmen Pate

Perhaps it is obvious by now that not everyone thinks this campaign is a great idea! In fact, those on the front lines standing in peaceful vigil are perhaps being cursed and hated for what God has called you to do.

Because we are all fallen creatures, our natural response may not be as Christ-like as we would hope it would be.

So, how do we keep our natural response in check, while allowing the Holy Spirit to empower us to love, bless, do good, and pray for those who hate us or would do us harm?

Consider first the Holiness of God.

It seems that sin has clouded our ability to think clearly about God’s nature. We simply don’t have a clue of how outraged God is by our sin, what an insult sin is to His person, or how sin fires the flames of His wrath.

Praise God that He didn’t leave us in our depravity destined for His divine wrath!

Ephesians 2:4-5 says, “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in sin, made us alive together with Christ; by grace you have been saved.”

Because of God’s mercy and grace towards us, we who receive Him receive eternal Hope.

Those who curse you, hate you, spitefully mistreat you and persecute you need that same Hope.

That is the only way we can ever expect them to behave differently.

Ask the Holy Spirit to love them — through you — so they are drawn to the Hope that is in you, that is Christ Jesus.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, may we reflect your character of grace and kindness to those who hate us and curse us.

Guard our hearts and our tongues as we respond in love to words and actions meant to rile us or cause us harm.

Let others see the Hope that is Christ in all we say and do. In His precious name we pray, Amen.

Printable devotional

To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share:

http://40daysforlife.com/media/day38.pdf

For life,

SHAWN CARNEY Campaign Director 40 Days for Life www.40daysforlife.com