What if There Were 1,000 Fewer Abortions in Your City? That Happened in Jacksonville, Florida

State   |   Shawn Carney   |   Oct 15, 2013   |   9:37AM   |   Jacksonville, FL

The second half of this 40 Days for Life campaign starts today!

How would your city change if there were 1,000 fewer abortions every year? What about 2,000 fewer abortions every year? That’s what has happened in Jacksonville, Florida since they did their first 40 Days for Life campaign back in 2007.

—————————————————–

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

—————————————————–

One thing had to be overcome for those numbers to become a reality in Jacksonville: FEAR.

When we are challenged to pray at an abortion center, fear certainly comes to mind. Fear is normal, because the vigil can be hard — especially the first time. But this fear also offers an opportunity to stretch us … and increase our faith. And faith in God will always overcome fear.

As we enter the second half of this 40 Days for Life campaign, here’s a short video I made in Jacksonville earlier this year that illustrates this.

Now … find one of the 306 campaign locations near you … and remember that it was our Lord himself who told us to “be not afraid.”

—————————————————–

BEAUMONT, TEXAS

—————————————————–

Eileen in Beaumont is also reaching out with words of encouragement to invite people to take part in the 40 Days for Life vigil.

“Please remember, all of us who come on a regular basis were once newcomers,” she said. “Yes, we too, had our jitters the first couple of times. But like everything in life, we soon overcame our fears with the grounded truth that Jesus Christ is present with us. He protects us, guides us, consoles us.”

Eileen said some people are nervous about what sort of sign to bring to the vigil. However, she said the primary sign each participant brings is “the love in your heart.”

—————————————————–

POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK

—————————————————–

40 Days for Life participants in Poughkeepsie are stepping out in faith with not only their vigil at Planned Parenthood but other community outreach activities as well.

Pamela writes that the prayers are being answered. “Last Wednesday, the day when surgical abortions are performed,” she said, “eight prayer volunteers were present.”

They watched as a couple left Planned Parenthood – and had a long discussion in their car. “They hugged each other and then left the facility smiling,” she said. They departed without having the abortion.

LifeNews.com Note: Shawn Carney is the campaign director for the 40 Days for Life pro-life prayer campaign against abortion.