Monthly Archives: September 2018

I love food–pretty much every kind.

The premise of a 40 Days for Life campaign is simple: 40 days of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion.

But as easy as that sounds, prayer and fasting can be easier said than done.

After all, how do you pray for an entire hour? And what’s the point of fasting anyway? To answer those questions, we’ve released two episodes of the 40 Days for Life Podcast that will help draw you into prayer and deepen your spiritual life on the sidewalk this campaign:

• Episode 139: How to Hear the Voice of God with Fr. Drew Olson
• Episode 140: Practical Tips for Fasting

Listen…and then share these podcast episodes on social media…

…and speaking of social media, the 40 Days for Life campaign is a GREAT time to get breaking news about saved babies, converted workers, and closed abortion facilities around the world by following 40 Days for Life on social media:

• 40 Days for Life on Facebook
• 40 Days for Life on Twitter
• 40 Days for Life on YouTube
• 40 Days for Life on Pinterest
• 40 Days for Life on Instagram

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Sandie in Ann Arbor reported a beautiful fall day as more than 75 participants joined an Interfaith Jericho March (modeled after the march around Jericho described in Scripture) outside of Planned Parenthood. A Catholic priest and a Lutheran pastor led the group in prayer.

“Our speakers were INSPIRATIONAL as were our spiritual leaders,” Sandie said. “Join us in praying for the most innocent among us, their moms and dads, and abortion workers.”

The Ann Arbor campaign team has consistently achieved FULL vigil coverage, which has helped dramatically decrease the number of abortions performed in Washtenaw County since the city’s first 40 Days for Life campaign in 2007.

Columbia, Missouri

The campaign in Columbia also held a Jericho March.

Abortion supporters from the “Guild of Silly Heathens” (yes–that’s the name they chose) attempted to disrupt the event with a “parade of filth.” It didn’t go well.

The 15 prayer volunteers were just a fraction of those on hand–the rest were marching. Eventually, a dozen or so “Silly Heathens” arrived, but they cut short the stunt when neighbors “expressed their disapproval of the entire spectacle.”

The King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.”

—Matthew 25:31-46

Gracious and merciful Father, we renew our dedication to defending the unborn and all whose right to life is compromised by our godless society’s selfish lack of concern. Free us from our own failures and sins so that we will be truly pro-life in every area of our lives.

See today’s full devotional

For life,

Shawn Carney
President/CEO, 40 Days for Life

Each 40 Days for Life campaign, I look forward to getting that first report of a baby saved from abortion.

I didn’t have to wait long. The first saved baby report came from Nashville, Tennessee, where a prayer volunteer received an unforgettable note:

“Just wanted you to know that you made a difference in my daughter’s decision today. The sign on your truck was the 3rd message from God about this. Thank you! God Bless you!”

It doesn’t get any better than this. Praise God for this life saved and mother spared. And thank you to Jeff and his team in Nashville for answering God’s call.

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Colorado Springs is hosting its 20th 40 Days for Life campaign this fall. But even after more than a decade of pro-life prayer vigils, the momentum continues to build.

“There are more people signed up than there ever have been!” said Colorado Springs leader, Michele. “Lots of new people too!”

One vigil participant got an early start on the campaign, praying at the sidewalk the day before the 40 Days for Life vigil began. A young man approached her and asked, “Are you pro-choice or pro-life?”

She said they were there to help women and that she was pro-life. The man replied that his girlfriend was pregnant, and ultrasounds were so expensive. She told him about the pregnancy center, just a few blocks away. He left, happy that they had somewhere to go to get help for their pre-born baby.

Jos, Nigeria

While abortion is largely illegal in Nigeria, underground abortion facilities exist throughout the country. Meanwhile, Western governments apply tremendous pressure to liberalize abortion laws.

That means education is essential. The 40 Days for Life team in Jos launched its campaign with a day-long kickoff event, featuring training on the harmful effects of abortion on women, how to promote purity and chastity, and the power of prayer.

“We are now prepared for the campaign,” said Maureen, the local leader.

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 Carney
President/CEO, 40 Days for Life