Deacon John,

No one grows up wanting to work in an abortion facility.

That’s why at 40 Days for Life vigils, we pray for everyone impacted – the babies, women, men – and even those who work in the abortion industry.

The pro-life movement is movement of converts … and therefore, a movement of hope.

There have been 143 abortion facility workers who have experienced conversions and left their jobs during 40 Days for Life campaigns.

Take Abby Johnson, the director of the Planned Parenthood location where 40 Days for Life first began.

When she walked into my office in 2009, Abby became the 26th abortion worker to leave during a 40 Days for Life campaign.

She has since helped hundreds of other workers leave through her ministry, And Then There Were None.

Ramona Trevino was a Planned Parenthood manager before she left during the first-ever 40 Days for Life vigil outside of her workplace.

These employees’ conversions are examples of the mercy of Christ.

We share some of the amazing stories of workers – including doctors – who have left the abortion industry in this new podcast.

If you enjoy that podcast, you can hear the impact your prayers have on abortion facility employees from another former abortion worker – Jewels Green – in this episode.

Not safe (again)

As we pray outside the abortion center, the first ones on our minds and hearts are the babies, whose lives are in imminent danger.

But the mothers’ lives can be in danger as well – despite the abortion industry’s claims that abortion is a “safe procedure.”

At least six times already during this campaign – including twice at the Planned Parenthood center in St. Louis, Missouri – ambulance crews have arrived at abortion facilities to take clients to the hospital.

Planned Parenthood in particular harps on the “safety” angle. But as Brian in St. Louis noted, “Planned Parenthood staff spent more time getting in the way of the stretcher with a large canvas versus ensuring this person was able to receive proper medical care.”

Brian said it appears that Planned Parenthood’s slogan is no longer “Care, no matter what,” but “Hide, deceive and block, no matter what.”

Brisbane, Australia

This is the tenth 40 Days for Life vigil in Brisbane … where prayer volunteers serve as a visible presence outside the Marie Stopes abortion facility. The campaign was the subject of an article in the Brisbane Catholic Leader.

“Everyone on the pro-choice side would love to not think about abortion and the damage it causes in women and society,” local coordinator Brendan Wong told the newspaper.

“By being visible and loving and prayerful, we present the option for people to bring up abortion in a healthy and respectable way.”

Brendan said attendance at the campaign’s midpoint rally was larger than in previous years. “We could always do with more people getting involved and spreading the word,” he added. “It’s a visible sign that we care.”

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.

—Psalm 139:16

Gracious God, help us to appreciate the wonder and beauty of Your creation. Help us proclaim on behalf of every one of our fellow human beings, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” May the knowledge that we are intimately known by You shape our lives and actions.

See today’s full devotional

For life,

Shawn Carney

President, 40 Days for Life

Deacon John,

If I could ask you to read only one email this campaign — it would be this one!

This is the best sight I’ve seen since being part of 40 Days for Life.

This little girl is Milagros – her name means “Miracle.”

I wrote about her in the 40 Days for Life book. Her mom Rosa had experienced a number of difficult circumstances in life … and she was now pregnant. Then on top of that, doctors told her to get an abortion because her baby was “severely handicapped.”

Reluctantly, Rosa went into one of the largest abortion facilities in Southern California … where she met volunteers from the 40 Days for Life campaign in Orange. And they went to work.

They found new doctors – some of the best (and most pro-life) specialists in the Los Angeles area. They told Rosa that yes, there was a problem with the baby’s legs. But she was a healthy child and there was no reason in the world to abort her.

With ongoing support from the local community, she had her baby … and named her Milagros. Milagros was born with no legs.

Fast forward almost six years … and Milagros and her mom came out to the 40 Days for Life rally in Orange … and signed the 40 Days for Life bus!

Milagros may not be the first child saved during a 40 Days for Life vigil to add a signature to the bus … but just like her name suggests, she may be the most miraculous.

When you are frustrated at the state of our culture — keep going. You may not see results instantly … but in time God will reveal His miracles.

This is the result of your prayers, so … keep praying!

Falls Church, Virginia

“It was great to see so many faithful volunteers out for the midpoint rally on a very cold, blustery day,” said 40 Days for Life board chair Matt Britton

Matt spoke about the role of men in society and specifically the pro-life culture and in ending abortion, emphasizing the need for men to live a life of fidelity and charity to counteract the modern culture.

“This faithful team is determined to see the closure of this last abortion facility in Falls Church,” he said, “as they did a few years back when they witnessed the closure of the Falls Church Planned Parenthood.”

Southfield, Michigan

Volunteers participating in the 19th 40 Days for Life vigil in Southfield held a memorial service for children who are victims of abortion.

The group included parishioners from a local church – including members of two families.

“The joy-filled children playing outside the abortion center after the service were a stark contrast to the staff inside, who were finishing up their deadly work at 5:30 pm on a Saturday afternoon,” said one of the Southfield team leaders.

And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

—Luke 1:41-44

Jesus, open my eyes to your presence in the life of every child. Open my heart to joy in the birth of every child, a birth that reflects the joy of your own birth in Bethlehem. As you shared life in the womb of Mary, so now send your protection upon every child still in the womb, and grant to their mothers the strength and joy that comes from welcoming the gift of life.

See today’s full devotional

Finally … just want to give you a quick heads-up that Dr. Haywood Robinson (a 40 Days for Life board member) and I will appear on EWTN next week. We’ll be on “At Home with Jim and Joy” on Monday at 2 pm Eastern.

Friends, family and colleagues are welcome to call during the live show, and we’ll try to put them on-air! Just call the live show number: 205-271-2980 or toll-free 800-221-9460.

For life,

Shawn Carney

President, 40 Days for Life