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John,

Abortion advocates claim to be "pro-choice."

But they ignore the reality that many women don't choose abortion of their own free will. They're pushed into it.

Nearly two-thirds of post-abortive women report being pressured to end their pregnancies.

The pro-choice movement offers nothing to women like the Florida mother who recently told 40 Days for Life participants that she was beaten for telling her husband she didn't want to abort their baby.

Your prayerful presence offers victims of coercion a choice.

Sidewalk counselors in San Diego saw a mother courageously resist pressure from her own mother to abort. "I didn't do it," the woman told the prayer warriors.

The woman's mom didn't give up, however, and vigil participants' hearts sank when the expectant mother and grandmother went back into Planned Parenthood once more.

Thankfully, they left again just 20 minutes later.

"The daughter had a contented, soft look on her face, while mother had a frown," reported John, the local leader. "[The mother] soon began yelling at her daughter."

But the pregnant woman didn't give in. She smiled and waved at the 40 Days for Life volunteers as her car drove away.

Coercion can come from many places: parents, boyfriends, husbands, and even doctors. You can counter the pressure when you sign up for your local vigil...or learn to do Sidewalk Outreach.

Abuja, Nigeria

An expectant mother in Abuja invited the local 40 Days for Life leader to talk with her husband, who was pressuring her to abort their 10-week-old baby.

The man is out of work and struggling to care for the family's three children. But Yusuf, who heads up the Abuja campaign, was able to change his mind.

"I was at their house today," Yusuf shared. "He changed his mind after my conversation with him."

Gherla, Romania

A Romanian campaign event featured a powerful testimony from a woman who became pregnant while undergoing medical treatment that would endanger her child's life.

Four different doctors advised her to have an abortion--or risk giving birth to a severely disabled baby who would not survive anyway.

Others told the woman and her husband that it would not be right to accept a special-needs child in their home and that the family would not be able to "cope" with the challenges.

But when the hospital repeatedly delayed her abortion procedure, the couple believed God was telling them, "This child must live."

They chose life and welcomed their fourth baby, who is completely healthy!

Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sin is covered. Blessed is the one to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.

--Romans 4:7-8

Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father, thank You for your amazing grace that saved a wretch like me. I come against the enemy of my soul who would have me feel cast down and dejected. Lord, keep Your children from falling prey to the accusations of the father of lies. Turn our mourning into dancing and may we bring praise to You as we give testimony of Your healing and restoration in our lives.

See today's full devotional

For life,

Shawn Carney
President/CEO, 40 Days for Life