John,

Many people who try to convince you abortion is a good thing aren't trying to convince you...

...they're trying to convince themselves. Abortion is so unnatural that it requires constant justification.

An abortion-bound woman told vigil participants in Flossmoor, Illinois that her child's father didn't want her to have the abortion--but it was her body and her choice.

Ultimately, the frightened mom couldn't convince the pro-lifers--or herself--that abortion was the right decision.

"The more she talked, the more she realized terminating her baby's life was not right for her, her body or her baby," said Rich, the local leader. "She decided to drive away--baby and conscience still intact--and work on a better future!"

Another woman approached prayer warriors to tearfully admit that earlier this year she had a botched abortion.

"She expressed great appreciation for the prayers that vigil participants were offering for expectant mothers and their babies," Rich recalled. "She was escorted to the pregnancy center next door for counseling and for possible additional medical needs."

The woman was so moved by the concern of the 40 Days for Life volunteers that she is considering joining their church!

"She returned to the group more full of hope than she had felt in a long time and on the road to healing...physically, emotionally and spiritually," Rich said.

West Palm Beach, Florida

40 Days for Life General Counsel Matt Britton recently visited the busiest abortion facility in Palm Beach County. "These folks are very faithful and dedicated," Matt reported.

"Great day!" exclaimed an attendee named Willy. "Matt spoke boldly and passionately about...protecting the unborn!"

Pro-lifers told Matt that a woman who had her abortion at the facility later had dreams of her aborted baby in Heaven--so she repented and started a pro-life pregnancy center.

One prayer warrior said such dreams are commonplace among women who have abortions at the facility.

Croatia

Campaigns are taking place at 36 vigil sites spanning 34 Croatian cities this fall.

Several hundred people joined a prayer procession in Zagreb, uniting their community in prayer. Similar processions happened in 20 other cities with more than 11,000 people participating!

This autumn is the 16th coordinated 40 Days for Life campaign in Croatia.

"The first campaign took place in Lent 2014," said Krunoslav, who helps coordinate campaigns in Croatia. "Since then, 71 unborn children (of which we know) have been saved."

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

—Psalm 127:3-5

Heavenly Father, please keep me from taking for granted the gift of children. Help us to remember this heritage that you have given us. Make us faithful stewards of these precious lives, that each generation might be raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

See today's full devotional

For life,

Shawn Carney
President/CEO, 40 Days for Life