John,

The United Kingdom prides itself as the "cradle of free speech"...

...but Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon recently went on the BBC to say that she "will do everything [she] can to resist" her fellow citizens from speaking freely on abortion at a peaceful 40 Days for Life vigil.

There's no "except for controversial topics" exception when it comes to freedom of speech. Controversial topics are the reason we cherish freedom of speech.

The Scottish first minister is bullying her own people simply because she has the power to do so. I expose her bigotry on this video excerpt:

To watch the video, click the image, or visit:

youtube.com/watch?v=bnlHDvid1Pw

If freedom of speech falls in the United Kingdom, it can fall anywhere.

Just as the U.K. exported freedom of speech around the world, it can also export the silencing of dissenting voices to other countries--including America.

The best way to keep your rights is to use your rights. Peacefully exercise your freedom of speech by signing up to pray and witness at your local 40 Days for Life vigil: 40daysforlife.com/locations.

Photo: Mark Story

Washington, D.C.

Professor Michael New recently hosted the most well attended 40 Days for Life rally he's ever seen in the nation's capital.

Priests for Life National Director Fr. Frank Pavone reminded attendees that--as the first post-Roe 40 Days for Life campaign--this autumn's vigil is the most critical one yet.

"Abortion facilities in states where abortion is legal will probably be seeing more women coming in from out of state," Dr. New explained. "That is why it is more important than ever to maintain a prayerful presence in front of these abortion facilities."

Lutherville, Maryland

Professor New wasn't done. After hosting the Washington rally, he spoke at the Lutherville, Maryland, vigil.

Lutherville leader Jay brought a 40 Days for Life campaign to town after he and his Owings Mills campaign team convinced the abortionist's landlord to give the abortion business the boot.

Dr. New shared how, years ago, his students volunteered him to lead a 40 Days for Life campaign at the University of Alabama, where he taught.

"I was annoyed at first," Dr. New admitted. "But that campaign went well. As it turns out, the students were wiser than their professor that day."

Dr. New added that when he arrived in Washington, there wasn't a lot of public pro-life prayer or sidewalk counseling in the city, but that launching a 40 Days for Life campaign "has been an effective tool for publicizing and promoting our street-level activism."

The message was just what prayer warriors needed to get fired up to head into spiritual battle.

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

--Genesis 2:7

Lord, we are yours. Thank you for breathing into us the breath of life. Thank you for claiming us as your own. May our words and actions in defense of human life proclaim to all the world that you alone are Lord of life and death, Lord of our freedom and of our choices.

See today's full devotional

For life,

Shawn Carney
President/CEO, 40 Days for Life