John,

"What are they going to do?" Ruth asked. "Kill me?"

The question wasn't rhetorical. Ruth grew up in Saudi Arabia, risking her life to practice her Christian faith. Social ostracization and heckling weren't going to keep her from standing up for unborn children.

On this week's episode of The 40 Days for Life Podcast, we talk with Ruth about:

• The fortitude required to live out the Christian faith amidst the threat of violent persecution
  
  
• How she experienced the culture shock of returning to the West where Christians can live out their faith...but choose not to
  
  
• The government's absurd response to Ruth's successful 40 Days for Life vigil

To listen in, visit:

40daysforlife.com/faith-vs-persecution

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Abortion is illegal in the Dominican Republic, and Santo Domingo 40 Days for Life participants are praying it stays that way.

Their vigil in front of the National Congress attracted the attention of green-clad abortion supporters, who noisily protested the vigil.

The move completely backfired.

An employee of the National Congress was upset by the pro-abortion disturbance and invited 40 Days for Life volunteers to hold vigil in a much more visible location. The 40 Days for Life campaign was then featured on a television news broadcast!

Boston, Massachusetts

A young couple shouted obscenities in the faces of Boston vigil participants and attempted to block their pro-life signs.

A call to the police quelled the disturbance...temporarily. But agitators returned again just two days later.

Rita, the longtime campaign leader in Boston, worked with the police department to ensure a timely response so that vigil participants can continue to exercise their First Amendment rights peacefully.

And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

—Luke 1:41-44

Jesus, open my eyes to your presence in the life of every child. Open my heart to joy in the birth of every child, a birth that reflects the joy of your own birth in Bethlehem. As you shared life in the womb of Mary, so now send your protection upon every child still in the womb, and grant to their mothers the strength and joy that comes from welcoming the gift of life.

See today's full devotional

For life,

Shawn Carney
President/CEO, 40 Days for Life