Dear John,

We're now a month into both Lent and this spring's 40 Days for Life campaign.

Whether your Lent has gone well or not so well, don't start counting down the days until it's finally over just yet.

The remaining time between now and Easter provides an important opportunity to repent and believe in the Gospel.

On this week's episode of The 40 Days for Life Podcast, we provide you with 8 Steps to Finish Lent Strong:

To watch or listen, click the image or visit:

40daysforlife.com/finish-lent-strong

We cover:

• What to do if you've stumbled in your Lenten resolutions;
  
  
• How focusing your prayers can renew your strength as you fast;
  
  
• Why remembering that we shall return to dust helps us keep our eyes on the prize.

And in case you missed it, check out our podcast from the beginning of Lent--5 Lenten Resolutions...and 5 Ways to Mess Them Up--for even more tips on maximizing your spiritual growth during this holy season.

Rochester, Minnesota

Clergy and faith leaders are continuing to support their local 40 Days for Life vigils.

Bishop Robert Barron recently brought future clergy out to Planned Parenthood to do the same, as he led about 70 pro-lifers--including many Catholic seminarians--in prayer for an end to abortion.

"Bishop Barron [told] the seminarians that when he was a seminarian and prayed on the sidewalk to end abortion, he wasn't sure whether Roe v. Wade would ever be reversed," reported Margaret, who leads the 40 Days for Life vigil in Rochester, Minnesota. "He told all of us to persevere in prayer."

Normally, Planned Parenthood would have been closed in the evening, but some sort of event meant that workers and others witnessed the vigil--and were prayed for by those in attendance. "God is so faithful," Margaret reflected.

Everett, Washington

A Planned Parenthood client approached Niki and Ray as they stood vigil and accepted the pro-life literature they offered her.

"She said she was just going in to have her birth control removed so she and her husband could start a family," Niki shared. "She allowed us to pray over her and for her family, so she made our day."

Tuluá, Colombia

The Tuluá campaign airs radio advertisements--and they work!

"A girl heard the ad and called the contact number to ask for help for her friend who wanted to have an abortion," reported 40 Days for Life director of Latin American campaigns Lourdes Varela. "With her help, the volunteers contacted the young mother, who accepted an invitation to get an ultrasound.

After seeing her baby, she chose life!

And that good news was not an isolated incident. The ad saved ANOTHER baby when an abortion-minded mother's family called the hotline to help provide her with the support she needed to feel confident choosing life.

And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. … See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”

--Matthew 18:5, 10

Lord, keep every child free from harm. Especially in moments of despair, help them to sense the presence of your angels watching over them. Provide a loving home for every child in need, and strengthen and sustain adoptive and foster parents to imitate your fatherly care. Amen.

For life,

Shawn Carney

President/CEO, 40 Days for Life