John,

What's the point of standing vigil on Sunday when the abortion facility is most likely closed?

No prayer is ever in vain. So when you join your local 40 Days for Life vigil outside business hours, you can trust that God will find a way to answer your prayer.

A furious woman in Marietta, Georgia, sped into the parking lot, yelling at 40 Days for Life participants as they prayed in front of Planned Parenthood on a Sunday afternoon.

Kelley stepped aside to talk with her one-on-one and saw deep pain in her eyes. "She shared about losing her son in an accident and being forced into an abortion at 14," Kelley explained. "My heart broke for her."

The woman blamed herself and "the universe" for her pain, but Kelley assured her that God is above the universe, that He loves her, and that He longs to heal her shame and guilt.

Kelley prayed with the woman and exhorted her to remember that the Holy Spirit was pursuing her.

"I know," the woman replied. "I could see a light around you."

Perhaps the Marietta team's decision to pray in front of a closed Planned Parenthood will prove to be the first step in this woman's journey to the Lord's healing.

"Only God could turn such hostility into a spirit-filled encounter of respect, love, and hope," Kelley said. "We pray [she] returns, and when she does, we'll welcome her with open arms."

Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Who needs Maui or Paris when you can honeymoon at a 40 Days for Life vigil?

Michael in Glenwood Springs said a young couple approached and asked to join his team in prayer.

"They were from Oklahoma, had been married a few days earlier, and were in Glenwood for their honeymoon," Michael explained. "Jesus was central to their relationship. ... What a model the couple is for all of us in this troubled world!"

A few days later, a young man approached the vigil to thank prayer warriors for their presence and made a point to shake every vigil participant's hand.

"The encouragement illustrated by these examples is, I believe, God's way of letting us know He's at work and is using our sidewalk presence for His purposes," Michael said.

Lutherville, Maryland

It's been two years since Lutherville, Maryland, 40 Days for Life leader Jay Walton died at just 41 years old. He once prayed at his vigil for 300 hours--in a single campaign!

While Jay is gone, his legacy lives on. Lindsay, his successor, held a candlelight vigil to end abortion in honor of Jay, whose wife was in attendance.

Another vigil volunteer joined the event at 40 weeks pregnant!

"We felt [her baby] kick and move," Lindsay said. "Made my year!"

Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and he said to him, "All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.”

--Matthew 4:8-9

Lord, help each of us overcome the temptation of discouragement. Give us the perseverance to follow your will and remember that you hear our prayers even when we don’t see the results. If it is your will, use us to save more lives than we will know in this lifetime. Amen.

For life,

Shawn Carney

President & CEO, 40 Days for Life