Many of us have been touched in some way by the recent string of natural disasters – earthquakes in Mexico, hurricanes in Texas, Florida and the Caribbean.

I live in Houston … and the water from Hurricane Harvey came within just a few feet of our home. Many of our neighbors and friends were not so fortunate. These powerful forces of nature are reminders of how precious – and fragile – human life can be.

But on the other hand, there’s a Texas abortion center operator, who, in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, stepped forward to offer “free abortion care” to “women affected by the storm.”

She said, “it ‘s the right thing to do.” She went on to say that abortion is “essential to our ability to function in society with true equality.”

Sadly, this is the empty mentality required in the cold and sterile abortion industry. They survive on despair and make money from forcing their will on the most vulnerable in our society.

Not long after Harvey hit, I went out to the largest abortion facility in the Western Hemisphere — the Planned Parenthood mega-center in Houston. There, just after the hurricane, I saw hope.

The medical bus operated by the Houston Coalition for Life was parked outside Planned Parenthood, offering women ultrasounds and positive options — despite the organization ‘s office being flooded!

The Houston Coalition for Life sponsors 40 Days for Life in their community, showing that neither natural disasters nor an industry that offers free abortions can deter the love of life and love of God.

Flint, Michigan

“Despite record-breaking 93 degree heat for our kickoff, the entire event was such a blessing,” said Tina in Flint. “God provided shade with the trees … and a steady wind kept us cool.”

A young woman named Kristen shared her story with those in attendance, telling how she had made an appointment for an abortion at Planned Parenthood seven years ago.

A Planned Parenthood worker told her there would be people “protesting” outside – but to ignore them. “Just knowing that people would be there made her change her mind and choose life for her daughter,” Tina said. Kristen ‘s daughter is now 6 years old.

“Being physically present here makes a big difference,” Kristen said.

“I just really want to impress upon you all that being here can … help people understand this is not just a split decision,” she said. “We are a community and that’s why we are here!”

Subotica, Serbia

“In the early morning hours, we started our third 40 Days for Life campaign in Subotica, Serbia,” said one of the enthusiastic volunteers.

Those who assembled for the beginning of the vigil received a blessing and were encouraged to have a fruitful and happy campaign.

Along with the blessing, the local pastor invited the volunteers to deeper prayer and sacrifice on behalf of the unborn.

“If anyone wants to be a part of this initiative,” said one of the team members, “all they have to do is come and pray with us!”

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

—Matthew 6:25-26

Loving heavenly Father, help us to see the worth of all human beings by the way in which you provide for us. We would ask that you provide also the faith, grace and courage to enable us to protect that which is so precious to you.

See today’s full devotional

Find a 40 Days for Life location and join the vigil nearest you!

There are 375 from coast to coast in North America and around the world!

Shawn D. Carney

President, 40 Days for Life

PS: Just a quick note — I will be on Moody Radio today at 1 pm Eastern / noon Central. Please listen if you have a chance!

Of the 375+ locations where peaceful 40 Days for Life prayer vigils are under way … more than 150 are outside Planned Parenthood offices.

But Planned Parenthood is closing facilities at a record pace … and at least in part, they have YOU to blame for that.

Former Planned Parenthood directors report that the “no-show” rate for abortion appointments goes as high as 75% when people are out in front praying!

That is detrimental to any business — but it’s important to know that when Planned Parenthood’s business goes down, it means that lives are saved from abortion.

It’s that simple. Now is the time to show up … and pray like never before.

Planned Parenthood is still America’s abortion giant … and they’re still responsible for more than 300,000 abortions every year.

But whether it’s a Planned Parenthood office in your community – or an independent abortion facility or a hospital – join the closest 40 Days for Life campaign!

White Plains, New York

White Plains is hosting its eleventh 40 Days for Life campaign … with volunteers praying outside a Planned Parenthood abortion center that is open six days a week.

This is one of the 150+ Planned Parenthood businesses where vigils are currently in progress.

At the White Plains kickoff event, a man told his story of how he came to understand what was going on at the abortion facility – that babies are dying inside that building … and they don ‘t have a “choice.”

He added that making the sacrifice to simply show up and stand on the sidewalk outside Planned Parenthood, praying for the mothers and the babies, provides an important witness to all concerned.

Atlanta, Georgia

The 40 Days for Life team in Atlanta kicked off its campaign with several events … including a prayer service, a rally and a baby shower.

Katharine O’Brien, 40 Days for Life’s director of youth and Hispanic outreach (third from the left in the photo above), spoke to the group, giving an update on the campaign and the mission’s newest initiatives.

Margarita, the local coordinator, offered “a big thank you to First Alliance Church and Ready to Go Ministries and all who participated in tons of great food, gifts and prayer” at the baby shower.

“I sensed a nudge from the Lord,” she said, “that He desires to use our public prayer vigil — and the prayers and fasting of all who join us from home — to pour out His mercy and grace” on all who are caught up in the abortion agenda.

In those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

— Acts 6:1

Father, in the Church’s desire to engage our communities with the gospel, let us gain wisdom from those who have gone before us and cherish their experiences and perspectives. Help us to appreciate every soul in the body of Christ and minister properly to everybody.

See today’s full devotional

For life,

Shawn D. Carney

President, 40 Days for Life