Yesterday afternoon I returned from Indiana, where I
visited the 40 Days for Life vigil in Ft. Wayne and
spoke for a Right to Life banquet in Columbia City.
Upon landing at Reagan airport in Washington, D.C., I
drove two hours down to Richmond, Virginia, to visit
the local 40 Days for Life campaign (which was the
43rd city I've visited since 40 Days for Life began
on September 24th.)
I'm home for a moment, and in a few hours our whole
family gets on a plane to head to Florida where we
will be running hard to visit every 40 Days for Life
location in the sunshine state before this fall's
campaign ends on Sunday -- just four days from now.
The excitement we have been seeing all across America
has been simply amazing.
But you don't have to travel all over the country to
get a sense of how God is moving across our land.
If you want to see more about the impact 40 Days for
Life is having -- especially on individuals -- just
search online blogs and comments. It's incredible!
"Yesterday marked my very first time ever to pray in
front of an abortion clinic," wrote a blogger in
Vallejo, California. "I have to admit that it has
been a very moving experience. It's quite different
from praying at home or at church -- since you're in
front of a place where innocent life is slaughtered."
It is a similar reaction that gets people to return
again and again, finding time in busy schedules to
pray for an end to abortion at the place where this
evil is permitted.
"It was a blessing to be there," wrote a blogger in
Washington, DC, after she and some friends went to
pray at the vigil in front of Planned Parenthood.
"God supplied us with a parking spot right in the
middle of the day. That is a feat in itself,
considering DC traffic, possible tickets and limited
parking. The hustle of the city ran about us; people
scurried before us; prayers were calm and constant as
we stood before Planned Parenthood, a place of death
and lies."
"My girlfriend and I took our bundled babies with us
as we stood out there in 23 degree temps for an
hour," wrote a blogger in Anchorage, Alaska. "We
decided today, that even after 40 Days for Life is
over, we will continue to go and pray weekly. Just
our presence is a conscience-tugger for many."
A blogger in Grand Rapids, Michigan wrote of the
discussion she had with a driver who pulled over in
front of the 40 Days for Life vigil to see what was
going on. He asked how long the people would be in
front of that building, and she responded 40 days.
The driver then asked what was in the building, and
she told him it was an abortion facility. "That's
what I thought," he responded. "What you are doing is
great. Keep at it."
"It was a simple exchange," she wrote, "but I was
struck by the fact that he stopped. Sure, people
walking by stop to ask questions, but not many
drivers. I realized then the influence we have had.
Our example, our presence has emboldened others. Many
people have drawn strength from our vigil, knowing if
we have the courage to stand against abortion, they
can have the courage to admit they are against it
too. If anything, our impact has been silent and
subtle, quietly changing hearts with our boldness."
And who knows which hearts may be changed? 40 Days
for Life is also mentioned on abortion advocacy
blogs. Many such blogs screech with anger, but some
are taking a closer look.
"I admit I am genuinely impressed by this group,"
wrote a pro-choice blogger. They have found a way to
voice their opinion without being mean, nasty and
overly graphic."
It was especially the absence of graphic posters that
showed her 40 Days for Life was different. She said
there was "not a chance" she would change her mind
about abortion, but then listed a number of things
that could be done to help women choose to keep their
children.
Not a chance? Who knows? Maybe God is at work here,
too. Keep praying!
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