John,

The FBI raid of 40 Days for Life participant Mark Houck continues to pose questions, including:

• What prompted the raid?
• Why is the federal government going after Mark when local prosecutors dropped all charges months ago?
• Is it still safe to participate in a 40 Days for Life campaign?

We answer those questions, look at the Scottish government's attempt to ban 40 Days for Life, and explain why it is safe to join your local 40 Days for Life vigil--on this week's episode of The 40 Days for Life Podcast:

40daysforlife.com/government-bullies

The abortion industry and its allies in the federal government were caught unprepared for the overturning of Roe v. Wade, so they're abusing their power.

But this one-in-a-billion scenario does not mean it's time to cower or go away. We have your back.

Join one million other volunteers and sign up to pray at your local 40 Days for Life vigil:

40daysforlife.com/location

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Chapel Hill leader Kathy noticed a gap on her vigil schedule, so she went to Planned Parenthood to pray...

...but when she arrived, she found a young man she didn't know praying intently at the vigil site.

"I was passing through Chapel Hill and felt called by God to sign up for an hour," Joe told her. "This was my first time praying, and boy was I intimidated! I prayed God would send me support, and she arrived within minutes of my beginning to pray..."

Kathy and Joe both needed someone at the vigil site--and God used each of them to meet the other's needs.

"His prayerful presence was a huge gift for me after a long day," Kathy said.

"I've never felt more truth in His Word than [being] there in public taking a stand," Joe added.

Photo: Julio Barrios

Palmdale, California

Palmdale and Lancaster, California, 40 Days for Life volunteers had reason to celebrate at their campaigns' joint kickoff event.

Before the campaign even began, Christina brought a friend--who had never before participated--out to Planned Parenthood. They prayed, walked, played worship music, and asked God for opportunities to soften women's hearts.

"Some mocked us, and others just ignored us," Christina said.

But not everybody. Just before the two were about to leave, Christina was able to offer help to an abortion-bound mother.

The Planned Parenthood receptionist saw that Christina had endangered the sale of the abortion and called the expectant mother in for her appointment...

...but it was too late! With tears in her eyes, the mom chose life and left Planned Parenthood.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.

--Luke 4:18-19

Lord, send us to the poorest, the most broken, the most captive, the most blind and the most oppressed in the world, the innocent pre-born children in their mothers' wombs that are scheduled for destruction. Help us to bring them healing, liberty, sight, and justice through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

See today's full devotional

For life,

Shawn Carney
President/CEO, 40 Days for Life