John,

Most women don't have abortions because they're progressive feminists eager to destroy the patriarchy.

It's much more likely that they're on the fence and struggling with the decision...which means your encouraging witness can be the difference between life and death.

As a pair of women left the Cleveland, Ohio, abortion facility, 40 Days for Life participants called out to offer help: "Hey, ladies, how about a free backpack filled with goodies for your baby?"

One of the women gladly accepted. "I'll take one."

Prayer warriors talked with her, shared a snack and a resource guide for expectant mothers in need of support, and then parted ways.

But as the ladies pulled out of the parking lot, the second woman caught vigil participants by surprise.

"Hey, can I have one of those backpacks?" she asked. "I'm the one who is pregnant!"

The 40 Days for Life team assumed that the woman who accepted the backpack was pregnant--but she was taking the gift for her already-born baby back home.

Nevertheless, the second woman was moved by the volunteers' love. "I wasn't sure…but I've decided to keep my baby!" she announced, as the sidewalk erupted with smiles.

"A prayer warrior commented that she has been coming for years, and [this] is the first time she heard a mother change her mind," said John, the Cleveland campaign leader.

Allentown, Pennsylvania

Fourteen 40 Days for Life participants from three different churches packed the sidewalk one recent abortion day.

Maryanne reported that Planned Parenthood was busy. But thankfully, at least one of the abortion-bound moms decided not to go through with the abortion.

"A young mom entered [Planned Parenthood and] then came out crying," Maryanne said.

"Thanks for being here and changing my mind!" the expectant mother told the prayer warriors.

Barranca del Muerto, Mexico City, Mexico

A couple saw two volunteers praying outside the abortion facility as they entered. They soon re-emerged to ask the vigil participants what they were doing.

"The couple shared that they wanted to have their baby but lacked resources and medical care," said Leticia, who leads the 40 Days for Life campaign in Barranca del Muerto.

Thankfully, a referral to a local pregnancy help center equipped them with everything they needed to turn away from the abortion facility and keep their baby!

But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.

--Matthew 6:17-18

Heavenly Father, we ask for humility in our prayer and fasting. Help us to place you at the center of our lives so that others will come to know you through our words and deeds. As we continue through these 40 days, help us to listen to your voice, act in accord with your will, and trust in the power of prayer even when we don’t always see the fruits on earth. Amen.

For life,

Shawn Carney

President & CEO, 40 Days for Life