From 40 Days For Life: DAY 39: Sad Saturdays

Deacon John, It's Saturday -- the day when many abortions are done. Today is the day to go to your nearest 40 Days for Life vigil and pray. It is needed ... more than any other day.

It can be difficult ... but you are united with others in 340 cities in 30 countries As we close out the largest spring 40 days for Life campaign ever, make a difference by going out to pray -- and be inspired by this 40 Days for Life podcast episode, "You are not alone." When you go to pray ... remember there are people joining you from all around the world. Here are a few examples.

Frankfurt, Germany Robert Colquhoun, 40 Days for Life's international campaign director, said the team in Frankfurt has faced a number of challenges during this campaign. "They have been attacked by feminists and Satanists," he said after a visit to Frankfurt, "but have built a strong community feeling around the campaign and also a sense of solidarity. God has provided them with plenty of results -- an amazing number of people who have come to pray." Robert said that Tomislav, the local leader, has run a good campaign in Frankfurt with the Croatian community in the city. "They are praying outside Profamilia -- a referral centre for abortions," he said. "Abortion counselling is mandatory in Germany. The prayers are clearly having an impact at the vigil, and their presence has generated a huge response."

Sydney, Australia "It's not always just about the turnarounds," said Paul, the 40 Days for Life leader in Sydney. "The Christian witness in the public domain makes a bigger impact on many people than we may realise," he said. For instance, the number of women entering the abortion facility has been "noticeably lower during this 40 Days for Life." There have been vigils in Sydney before, but this is the first at this location. "We haven't found out about or seen any turnarounds so far in this campaign," Paul said, "however, there have been some amazing about-face moments from passersby and neighbours." He cited the example of a couple of "regulars who would abuse us and mock us almost every occasion, who have, during 40 Days for Life, stopped and spoken to me …. and are now coming up regularly and speaking in friendly terms, including shaking hands. How many lives and more importantly, souls, have been saved? Only Almighty God knows the answer."

Abuja, Nigeria The strongest aspect of the 40 Days for Life campaign in Abuja is the community outreach effort -- particularly in the schools. It's a key element in helping to encourage an even stronger culture of life in Nigeria. "It was our second visit to one school," said Kelechi, the local coordinator, "and when we asked the students again the reasons they should abstain from sex until marriage, many hands went up and they answered correctly and confidently … which gladdened our hearts that our first visit to them is not forgotten." Kelechi said the students and teachers "greatly appreciated our visit, as you can see from their pictures." She was able to deliver donated books that will support weekly group study sessions on morality education … and students were encouraged to follow the suggestions in a publication on the top ten reasons to wait until marriage.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. — 1 Peter 1:6-7 Dear Heavenly Father, we sing to You a new song, for You have done marvelous things. Forgive us when we allow circumstances to defeat us. You give power to the faint and You increase strength in those who have no might. We rest in You dear Lord, and ask You to empower us again for Your service as You work out Your plan for us and through us. See today's full devotional

For life,

Shawn Carney President, 40 Days for Life

40 Days for Life 4112 E 29th St. Bryan, Texas 77802 United States (888) LIFE-316