John,

Many Christians today complain about cowardice among clergy and men when it comes to defending life and the family.

Sadly, many of these complaints are well founded as we see some clergy steering away from addressing abortion (or encouraging it) and men abandoning responsibility. We need strong men and strong clerics to challenge those men--and today we have a great example.

Recently, I spoke at a 40 Days for Life rally in Phoenix alongside a longtime participant and supporter of 40 Days for Life: Bishop Thomas Olmsted of the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix.

Photo: The Catholic Sun

Bishop Olmsted has consistently challenged men and is well-known for his exhortation, Into the Breach, which is a must-read for all Christian men.

This 40 Days for Life campaign will likely be Bishop Olmsted's last as head of the Diocese of Phoenix as he recently reached retirement age. But he will undoubtedly continue his prayers for an end to abortion.

Thank you, Bishop Olmsted and all clergy, for your fidelity to Jesus Christ--and for always standing up for the least of God's children.

The biggest winners in abortion are bad men, selfish men, irresponsible men who use women for their own enjoyment and then abandon them to the abortion industry.

Fortunately, there are many GOOD men joining Bishop Olmsted in protecting women and children through their local 40 Days for Life campaigns.

Charlottesville, Virginia

First-time 40 Days for Life leader Brad said that he paid for an abortion when he was a young man. He explained that after being "healed by the power of God and the Blood of the Lamb," God called him to get involved.

When Brad and his wife saw the Gosnell movie and Unplanned, they knew they had to speak up. "I can’t stay silent anymore," Brad's wife said. "I must go to the sidewalk."

Brad joined her and ultimately became the leader of the Charlottesville vigil. His experience as a post-abortive father has given him compassion toward "the mommies and daddies, the staff, and, yes, even the abortionist."

Richmond, Virginia

Barbara, the 40 Days for Life leader in Richmond, reported more men praying at her vigil.

Those men were able to minister to a troubled passerby. "A man crossed the street to talk," Barbara explained. "The man told us the heartache of his sons' heroin addictions. Initially, he was hostile, [questioning], 'Where was God when his mother died? When children are [abused]?'"

But the male prayer warriors came to the aid of their brother in distress, praying with him, listening to him, and comforting him as he cried.

"I was thankful there were men with us to care for this man as he poured his heart out and wept," Barbara added.

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