John,

A peaceful 40 Days for Life vigil provides a little drama--the drama of having a real choice at the last moment before an abortion.

When you join your local vigil, you might experience the euphoria of saving a life...or the heartache of watching helplessly as a woman goes through with the abortion.

A young girl paused at the door of Planned Parenthood in Santa Maria, California. "She put her hand on the door and then her head against it," reported a vigil participant. "I could tell she didn't want to go in."

The girl waited at the door for what "seemed like forever," looking back several times at her boyfriend, who was waiting in the car. Vigil participants intensified their prayer.

Eventually, the young woman went inside the abortion facility--but not for long. She reemerged five minutes later before sitting in the car for several more minutes.

"But when they were driving out, the young man waved to me," the vigil participant said. "My heart filled with love. I pray they didn't go back and will continue to pray for them."

Alvaro Obregon City, Mexico

A couple arrived at the abortion business in Alvaro Obregon City, but they walked away when they saw the 40 Days for Life vigil.

A vigil participant offered information on pregnancy help centers. The couple answered that they were not coming for an abortion.

"But they were hesitating a lot," explained the campaign team. In the end, they accepted the pregnancy help information, thanked the volunteers, and left.

Meanwhile, another couple parked near the abortion facility and appeared to be in deep conversation. A sidewalk counselor approached the vehicle to share resources, but the driver started the car and left.

"We don't know whether there were two babies saved. But after that, the police arrived, and the staff of the abortion center hung up posters encouraging people to pray for free and safe abortions," the campaign team shared. "That might be a sign that both couples were there to have an abortion but they both left."

Tempe, Arizona

A woman leaving Planned Parenthood and her driver stopped to talk with a vigil participant.

"During the encounter, the driver requested prayers for the struggling young mother," said Jim, the local campaign leader. "The prayer warrior was able to give them information on the services provided by the [local pregnancy help center]."

Jim added that it's unclear whether the mom chose life, so prayers continue. "The experience deeply moved all present...Thank God for allowing us to participate in His lifesaving work."

Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; Before you were born, I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

— Jeremiah 1:4-5

Lord God, we confess that in You we live and move and have our being. Because You are, we are. May we find grace from You to affirm the being of every human and may we labor to make this truth known to the world around us.

See today's full devotional

For life,

Shawn Carney
President/CEO, 40 Days for Life