Day One: Great Start!

Following an exciting kickoff rally (see report below), 40 Days for Life Alexandria is off to a great start with 20 prayer volunteers signed up for Day One and many more appearing at the site to cover every single hour of the day, including a group of students from Bishop Ireton High School! With such a community of prayer, we can feel the spiritual excitement and "synergy" radiating as we support one another in loving witness to life. Local workers and residents showed mixed reactions, but already God has shown his blessing on our efforts!

The day began with torrents of rain, thunder and lightning as if the Evil One groaned in protest while 301 cities around the world began praying, fasting, and standing watch for an end to abortion. Later, there were several reports of angry reactions from passers-by, to which I am proud to relate that prayer volunteers responded calmly and with love. These negative reactions were more than balanced by many positive ones: honks of approval, thumbs-up signs, and positive conversation. One couple was surprised and saddened to learn their OB-GYN was an abortionist, and took information gratefully about other life-affirming options.

We must understand that, while 40 Days for Life is "birthed from love and wrapped in peace," as our team leader Jonathan puts it, "all truth, regardless of the manner it is presented, offends those who would rather believe a lie (cf. Jn. 3:19)... Social tension is the natural child of what we are doing during 40 Days for Life," and constructive social tension will help bring about the end of abortion.

At the vigil site on Duke Street and while handing out material during outreach, we must always have a peaceful demeanor, despite any spoken opposition. As stated on our local website, this involves "showing compassion, and reflecting Christ's love to all." Team leader Keith adds, "We do not respond to anger with anger... If an abortion supporter is angry, and we face him or her with compassion, we will win an important public relations victory... and we may win over another pro-lifer by showing kindness, not fire."

So our campaign is off to a good note, with Day One already completed in excellent form! We look forward to standing, praying, and, as national director David Bereit puts it, "seeing God's miracles" along with you during these next 40 Days for Life!