40 Days for Life Pro-Life Campaign Saving Lives Already

Opinion   |   Shawn Carney   |   Sep 29, 2011   |   4:05PM   |   Washington, DC

It’s just the first day of the 40 Days for Life campaign … and I’ve already got great news to share! Let’s get right to it.

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI

The 40 Days for Life team in Columbia holds its vigils outside a Planned Parenthood center that is the only abortion location between St. Louis and Kansas City.

Last Thursday — less than a week before the start of the campaign — the abortionist quit!

This is not the first time this has happened. Planned Parenthood in Columbia has gone through six different abortionists during the past two and a half years — and this facility has gone months at a time with NO ABORTIONS — including times DURING 40 Days for Life campaigns.

“Praise the Lord!” said Kathy in Columbia. “We know that God will do many miracles these 40 days!”

Planned Parenthood is referring women to its facility in St. Louis, so the prayers will continue in Columbia — and in St. Louis as well.

Here’s a photo of the prayer vigil in Columbia:

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ROSARIO, ARGENTINA
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Rosario is one of two cities in Argentina taking part in 40 Days for Life for the first time.

“We have worked hard in order to adapt it to our culture,” said Gabriela in Rosario, “maintaining at the same time the core elements.”

Argentineans are enthusiastic about praying and fasting for an end to abortion, she said, “and I think this will be THE key element of our first-time campaign.”

For now, Gabriela said, the primary goal is to get the word out.

“And,” she said, “God is certainly helping us to achieve this goal!”

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SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA
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Yesterday, I mentioned 301 locations for this campaign — and the importance of another number … ONE.

Right after I wrote that message, I got a campaign update from Mary in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The subject of her 40 Days for Life e-mail? “The power of one.”

“David, when he went up against the giant Goliath, was one of the least likely ones to stand a chance,” Mary wrote. “But he had faith in God! He had five smooth stones. And with God, it only took him ONE!”

The Sioux Falls update closes with an invitation, which I now extend to YOU!

Do you want to make a difference to end abortion over these next 40 days? Then ACT!

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FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS
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The people who arrived for the 40 Days for Life kickoff event outside the abortion center in Fayetteville got a bit of a surprise — a brand-new sprinkler system, with the sprinkler heads pointed directly at the prayer volunteers.

“The owner of the business complex turned the sprinklers on as soon as we set up all our equipment,” said Tiffany in Fayetteville. “And they kept the sprinklers on for two hours.”

One co-owner spent the entire two hours “pacing and walking up and down the parking lot, yelling at us and telling the police to arrest us,” she said. “Needless to say, the police officers were polite and explained they could not arrest us.”

The prayer volunteers were then greeted with loud, obscene music from inside the building. “We sang and played worship music and lifted our voices to God,” Tiffany explained. “Our God songs drowned out the vulgar music.”

Through it all, the prayer volunteers refused to be discouraged. “The bottom line — God triumphed,” she said. “Praise the Lord!”

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TOCCOA, GEORGIA
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Bright and early on Day 1, a young woman stopped by the 40 Days for Life vigil site in Toccoa and gave Mary a great big hug.

“Please know that people are noticing what you are doing,” the woman said. With tears in her eyes, she showed Mary a picture of her son.

This young mom said she had been on her way to have an abortion when her car broke down. She had to use the money she had saved up for an abortion to get her car fixed. Soon after, she decided to keep her baby — and now was so very happy with her choice.

“She also agreed to stop back and sign up to join our campaign,” said Mary. “We are looking forward to seeing her again, and hope to be able to send more stories like this.”

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
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About 75 people came out for the 40 Days for Life kickoff in Las Vegas. “The sun was hot,” said Linda, one of the local leaders, “but many were willing to brave the heat … in support of the dignity of human life.”

The event began with music — and the sound of the shofar, the traditional ram’s horn. “Pastor Wally Smith of House of Israel Fellowship proclaimed a Bible passage and called us to bravely fight the evil of abortion that occurs here in our city nearly every day,” said Linda.

“Let’s stand ready to storm heaven with prayer,” she said, “and then humbly await God’s will.”