John,

Last week, 40 Days for Life participants in New Mexico met a man who had just returned from a military deployment to find...

...that his wife was pregnant with another man's baby. The unhappy homecoming prompted a difficult conversation that led the couple to the abortion facility in Santa Teresa.

The wife entered the abortion facility, but the man approached vigil participants to have a chat.

"Through this conversation, he realized that he didn't want his wife to go through the pain of an abortion and that the situation was not the baby's fault," reported Mark, who heads up the area campaigns. "He decided to man up, protect his wife, and raise this child as his own."

The man went inside the abortion facility, where the couple changed their minds and chose life together.

Abortion facility staffers were not happy. They denied the couple a refund and called the police on the husband for supposedly "harassing" his wife.

"Fortunately, no arrests were made," Mark reported. In fact, with the police present, the couple was finally able to get back the money they had put down for the abortion.

The couple then received free help from the mobile ultrasound unit operated by Mark's organization, the Southwest Coalition for Life.

"This brave husband was able to overcome his fear to protect his wife and the unexpected child he decided to raise as his own," Mark said. "This is a story that only God could write, and He did it all by working first through YOU as a peaceful witness of His hope, mercy, and love."

Watertown, New York

Flora is leading the first-ever 40 Days for Life vigil in Watertown, New York. She's already seeing an impact.

"We have witnessed cars pulling up to Planned Parenthood, young people looking at us, and driving off," she said. "The first week, Planned Parenthood was very busy...I've noticed how activity has tapered off."

One young woman went inside Planned Parenthood--but came back out after just a few minutes, asking vigil participants how she could get involved in the 40 Days for Life campaign.

West Palm Beach, Florida

Bishop Gerald Barbarito recently led approximately 100 of West Palm Beach's pro-life faithful in prayer across the street from the local abortion facility.

Carol, the local campaign leader, said Bishop Barbarito blesses her team with a visit each year. She also noted that the sacrifices of vigil participants are building momentum.

"The campaign is going very well!" Carol said. "We have many more people involved this year than last year."

Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this, in His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.

— Job 12:9-10

Thank you, Father God, for being the Creator of my life and every life. Please give me, and the society in which I live, an appreciation for Your gift of life. Please help us set aside our pride and acknowledge that we need you. Show me how I can honor You today in response to all the blessings You bestow freely.

See today's full devotional

For life,

Shawn Carney
President/CEO, 40 Days for Life