John,

When you pray at your local 40 Days for Life vigil, you don't just save lives--you also prevent broken hearts.

A man stopped by the Waterbury, Connecticut, vigil and shared that years ago, loved ones encouraged him and his fiancée to have an abortion so they could enjoy their wedding without a baby.

After dropping the fiancée off at Planned Parenthood, the man drove off...and then suddenly had a dramatic change of heart. "This is so wrong! I have to stop this!" he said.

The man sped back to Planned Parenthood to save his child and his bride, but Planned Parenthood denied him entry. He recalled that the staff became hostile and belligerent when he began to cry.

The two are now married and have two children...

...but the abortion continues to haunt them. The man said his wife doesn't believe he has forgiven her for aborting their baby.

Waterbury 40 Days for Life leader Katherine said that volunteers prayed with the man and directed him to post-abortion healing.

"This is why we pray, dear team," she exhorted her participants. "Abortion not only destroys the unborn and the generations that would have followed them, but causes untold harm and grief to the moms and dads and siblings and grandparents." 

If the tragedy of abortion weighs heavily on your heart as we near the end of this fall's 40 Days for Life campaign, check out this episode from The 40 Days for Life Podcast archives on managing the emotional toll of praying at an abortion facility:

40daysforlife.com/emotional-impact-praying-abortion

Fort Pierce, Florida

Let's follow a sad story with a joyful one!

Earlier this campaign, I spoke at a 40 Days for Life rally in southeast Florida and reminded attendees that when vigil participants show up, abortion clients don't.

"This proved true today," wrote Jim. "An exuberant young woman exclaimed how she loved us because it was because of us that she didn't have an abortion."

Last year, the mom decided to continue her pregnancy when she saw pro-lifers were standing outside Planned Parenthood.

"She showed us several photos of her handsome son," Jim continued. "She had so much joy."

Anchorage, Alaska

A teenage girl approached Sherry and Dan as they stood vigil holding an "I Regret My Abortion" sign and thanked them for being there.

"She told us her mother wanted an abortion, but a friend of hers had convinced her to keep the baby," the girl said.

The girl was that nearly aborted baby! 

"The weather was cold, windy, and rainy, but God is good," Sherry reflected. "So thankful for this ministry opportunity."

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Abortion is largely illegal in Indiana, but pro-lifers continue to stand vigil to pray for and reach out to women tempted to leave the state for abortion.

Laura and a pro-life group including members of two area churches stood vigil in front of Planned Parenthood, witnessing to many passing motorists during rush hour.

For one of Laura's friends, this was his first experience at a 40 Days for Life vigil. "He was encouraged that we received far more positive feedback than negative," Laura said. "We were very happy to represent 40 Days for Life and be a positive presence praying!"

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son."

--John 19:26

Most loving God, please help the victims of abuse, trafficking, and broken relationships. Provide them with immediate and permanent safety from danger. In your loving arms, heal them from injuries--physical, psychological, and spiritual. Lead them to the best sources of support and healing. Bring comfort to all victims of abuse, and help children conceived in abusive situations to know they are loved by you. Amen.

For life,

Shawn Carney

President & CEO, 40 Days for Life