Today our national director, David Bereit, and I leave home at 4 a.m. to fly to Iowa, where not one but TWO Planned Parenthood sites are CLOSING after one or more 40 Days for Life campaigns!
Their last day of business is TODAY and — all of the 40 Days for Life locations invited us to speak at the celebration events.
(Look for the exciting details about these closures and more from our trip in an e-mail in the days ahead.)
We often talk about heroes. To be a hero, you don’t have to do a big thing, or a great thing, or even something that gets a lot of attention. You just have to do the RIGHT thing.
And today, we have examples of 40 Days for Life heroes.
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ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
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Connie in Orange County shared the story of a man who lives about 10 miles from the 40 Days for Life vigil site outside of Planned Parenthood. He rides his bicycle to the vigil — every day — and remains in silent prayer for 4 to 5 hours.
“What impressed me the most was that he comes on his old bicycle that is giving him problems and sometimes he has to stop several times to check on it,” she said. “And he does this every day!”
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SPRING VALLEY, NEW YORK
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At the 40 Days for Life vigil in Spring Valley, volunteers are faithfully praying across from a Planned Parenthood facility in weather that has been cold and windy (”freezing for life,” said one of the vigil participants).
A man approached one of the prayer volunteers, wanting to know why they were there. She told him it was their calling to pray and be present for those in difficult situations — crisis pregnancies. The man thanked her for what she was doing.
Another passer-by then asked for directions to a medical office — and also wanted to know what they were doing. He was given the same answer — and invited to join the vigil for an hour.
“We are called to be a voice for the most innocent among us,” Eileen said. “For 40 days, we will be hope for those who feel they have no choice. For nothing is impossible with God!”
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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO
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A man, perhaps in his 70s, came to the sidewalk to join the prayer vigil in Colorado Springs. One of the other volunteers watched as he walked slowly back and forth along the sidewalk, praying silently.
Finally, the volunteer asked how long he’s been doing this. He said he’s been coming for an hour every day so far — and will be back for an hour every day each of these 40 days.
“I told him he was a hero,” the volunteer said, “and the man started to cry.” He simply responded, “I believe in this,” as he turned and continued to walk and pray. “I prayed,” the volunteer said, “Lord, give us men like this!”
LifeNews.com Note: Shawn Carney is the campaign director for the 40 Days for Life pro-life prayer campaign against abortion. He is the director of the Coalition for Life.
