John,

Abortion is so polarizing that it's tempting to doubt whether we can change hearts and minds.

But women aren't having abortions because they're zealots eager to exercise their right to choose. Many abortion-bound mothers and fathers are very open to changing their minds...provided somebody is there to have a conversation.

Vigil volunteers in Santa Maria, California, met a couple headed for an abortion. When they asked the man his thoughts on abortion, he gave a noncommittal response about "respecting different opinions."

But when a prayer warrior asked him, "What is abortion?" the conversation changed.

"Murder," the young man responded.

"He went back to the car, spoke with the girl in the passenger seat, and told me, 'We're going to keep it,'" said Hilda, the campaign leader.

Conversations like this take place at 40 Days for Life vigils every day! Ask God to use YOU to save a life by signing up to pray at:

40daysforlife.com/location

The Santa Maria team had a sobering experience when Planned Parenthood staff brought a refrigerated container out of the building with a sign that read, "Free. Take me."

"It’s heartbreaking to think about what might have been stored inside," Hilda said.

She and her team can take comfort in knowing that they saved at least one baby from being sent to a lab or thrown away with medical waste.

Tuluá, Colombia

This spring, a woman in Tuluá chose life in response to the local 40 Days for Life campaign...

...and the interaction ultimately resulted in TWO lives being saved.

The neighbor of the woman who chose life this spring became pregnant and decided to abort. The first mother persuaded her to talk with 40 Days for Life participants first.

Those participants took the expectant mother for a free ultrasound. "Upon hearing her baby's heartbeat, she said 'yes' to life!" said 40 Days for Life director of Latin American campaigns Lourdes Varela.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

"We are so excited to share that the first baby has been saved at our vigil!" exclaimed Monique, the City of Brotherly Love's longtime campaign leader.

An expectant mother exited Planned Parenthood and told volunteers twice, "I am keeping my baby!"

Monique said the mother does not need assistance but exhorted her volunteers, "Please do cover her with your prayers!"

Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?”

--John 3:11-12

Creator of all things, we praise you for your magnificent creation. We seek the truth in science because we cannot help but wonder at your works. Inspire our medical and scientific leaders to pursue the truth, proclaiming the existence of life in the womb and defending it until natural death.

For life,

Shawn Carney

President & CEO, 40 Days for Life