John,

The United Kingdom has long been known as the cradle of free speech...

...but sadly, those days are over.

The ironic reality is that in 2023, you have more freedom of speech in Berlin than in London. Why?

Because Germany doesn't want to go back to its dark history, while England unleashes thought police.

A draconian buffer zone law requires vigil participants to stay hundreds of yards away from the abortion center in London's Ealing borough.

But Sarah and the Ealing 40 Days for Life team find a way to educate the community on the tragedy of abortion. At last year's vigil, campaign volunteers engaged as many as 50 passersby an hour, handing out materials and engaging in conversation.

That relentless drive explains why dozens of babies have been saved during a decade's worth of 40 Days for Life vigils. No wonder anti-free-speech authorities want to keep the vigil as far away from the abortion center as possible!

Freedom of speech isn't the only area in which Sarah and her vigil participants are looking to reclaim lost ground.

The abortion facility in Ealing used to be a Christian house of healing--but now, it kills about 8,000 babies a year. One client died after her abortion.

More than 120 faithful pro-lifers recently participated in the Ealing campaign kickoff event. They're looking to build upon the momentum created in 2022.

"Two women who chose life shared their testimonies--one with her 11-year-old son in attendance," reported 40 Days for Life director of international campaigns Robert Colquhoun. "And the number of turnarounds always seems to go up when 40 Days for Life takes place!"

Richmond, Virginia

Rain couldn't keep 50 pro-lifers from joining Richmond's 40 Days for Life kickoff vigil.

The event demonstrated the pro-life movement's Christian unity, as six members of the clergy participated in the event, including an Orthodox priest, three Presbyterian ministers, a Baptist minister, and a Catholic priest.

Greenville, South Carolina

Carolyn has been praying in front of the Gamecock State's busiest abortion facility for more than two decades--but she's leading her first 40 Days for Life campaign.

She's off to a fast start, as 55 pro-lifers joined her kickoff rally at the pro-life pregnancy center across the street from the abortion center.

"Lisa, [the speaker], made the point that the prayer warriors, positioned in the right of way between the two facilities, are literally in the middle of the spiritual battle between darkness and light," Carolyn said.

Jos, Nigeria

Maureen in Jos holds her campaign near a university where her team can do outreach to a particularly abortion-vulnerable demographic.

Maureen said the public witness over a number of years is winning hearts. "It seemed like people were not only expecting us, but were happy with what we are doing, saying 'no' to abortion," she said. "We look forward to a successful campaign--not only to save lives of babies and their mothers, but to make abortion unthinkable."

The King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.”

--Matthew 25:31-46

Gracious and merciful Father, we renew our dedication to defending the unborn and all whose right to life is compromised by our godless society’s selfish lack of concern. Free us from our own failures and sins so that we will be truly pro-life in every area of our lives.

See today's full devotional

For life,

Shawn Carney
President/CEO, 40 Days for Life