John,

Some people don't understand why you sacrifice your time to pray in front of an abortion facility all day, every day for 40 straight days...

...until abortion or a crisis pregnancy touches their lives personally.

A young woman walked up to the vigil in Buffalo and gave every 40 Days for Life participant a hug. "I finally understand why you're all out here," she said.

A mother of three children, the woman found herself pregnant again--this time while facing financial and housing concerns. She didn't think she could care for another baby and searched for an abortion facility.

In the process, she found a pregnancy help center that provided the encouragement she needed to keep her daughter.

"Would you like to meet her?" the mother asked before introducing an adorable little girl who never stopped smiling.

Vigil participants were thrilled to meet the baby, who nearly became a statistic. "They were ecstatic," said Stan, who leads the Buffalo campaign.

A lot of women regret their abortions, but nobody regrets choosing life.

"A year ago, she said she never would have thought things could get better," Stan reported. "But she is so grateful now to have her new child and thankful for the vigil participants being there."

Providence, Rhode Island

Years ago, a recent immigrant found herself pregnant and decided to have an abortion.

She made it as far as the operating table, but when the doctor walked in, the mom suddenly decided not to go through with it, got dressed, and left.

She gave birth to a baby boy who--34 years later--participates in the 40 Days for Life vigil.

"Many people are coming out to pray and worship," said Lydia with the Providence campaign team. "We have named Fridays 'Worship on the Sidewalk,' where we have a time of worship. We are seeing many more young people than in prior years."

Murrieta, California

40 Days for Life director of medical affairs and education and former abortionist Dr. Haywood Robinson captivated rally attendees in Murrieta so much that Noelle had to cut off the question-and-answer session because it was time for the church to close!

Both Haywood and Noelle noted the presence and passion of young people--a phenomenon that has become a nationwide trend this campaign.

"His books were nabbed up quickly," Noelle noted. "I loved how he kept bringing the Lord into the talk."

And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice.

--Luke 17:15

Dear Lord, thank you for the innumerable babies and mothers who have been saved from abortion through 40 Days for Life. And thank you in advance for the lives that will be changed through this campaign. Work in our own hearts so that we might see every circumstance as a chance to grow closer to you and to express our thanksgiving for your faithfulness. Amen.

For life,

Shawn Carney

President & CEO, 40 Days for Life