Outreach/Vigil Report: Please Join Us Saturday!

We had a great outreach effort on Saturday despite the rain, the sleet, and the snow. Beginning around 9:30am and ending around 4:30pm, we managed to distribute pro-life literature to around 750 homes. For only 3 all-day walkers and considering the weather, it was pretty good work (see photo below)! We will need lots of people to finish the job on our last day -- please join Paul and Jonathan this final Saturday at 9:30am at the vigil site! Email Paul at paul.40days@gmail.com for more info.

There are two empty vigil hours remaining: Thursday, 2-3pm, and Saturday, 3-4pm. Email Mary Ellen at maryellen.40days@verizon.net if you can help fill these or some other shift needing additional coverage this week. Come and pray for life one last time before the end of our campaign!

We have so many reasons to pray for greater respect for human life these days: poor economic situations, lack of religion and faith in God, immoral attitudes regarding human sexuality and the family, as well as utilitarian ways of life that reduce people to nothing more than objects. So much suffering, and so many problems in the world for people, can cause a loving soul great distress. However, St. Paul reminds us to present all our petitions to the Lord, thereby maintaining a joyful and peaceable spirit.  He writes,

We have our citizenship in heaven; it is from there that we eagerly await the coming of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ... Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it again. Rejoice!... The Lord is near. Dismiss all anxiety from your minds. Present your needs to God in every form of prayer and in petitions full of gratitude. Then God's own peace, which is beyond all understanding, will stand guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:20-4:7)

In addition, we must speak about what we have seen and heard, sharing the good news of the Gospel with others. In his Explanation of the Psalms, Ambrose writes,

We must always meditate on God's wisdom, keeping it in our hearts and on our lips... Let us then speak of the Lord Jesus, for he is wisdom, he is the word, the Word indeed of God.

Let's resolve to be very active in pro-life efforts these last few days of our campaign. We are united in prayer with hundreds, even thousands of others around the world, and our witness is a sign for a darkened society of the strength and love of the Lord. Let's continue to share that love for life!

Photo: Joe, Jacinta, and Jonathan on outreach duty Saturday.

Day 32: Press Forward to What Lies Ahead

We enter the last full week of our prayer vigil with excitement and enthusiasm: so far, almost ALL the vigil hours on our last week of the campaign are covered! See the calendar for the few remaining open hours -- today from 4-6pm, Thursday from 2-3pm and next Saturday from 2-4pm -- and let us know when you can come out and join us!

Our outreach team will be walking all day today beginning at 9:30am -- our goal is to hit 3,000 doors! If you can participate at any time during the day call Jacinta at 540-692-0480, and remember to dress warmly!

Don't forget to RSVP for our Victory Celebration Dinner to Sara Dina at jandsdina@cox.net. Let her know how many are in your party as well as the dish you plan on bringing. That will greatly help our preparation efforts!

If you are feeling sad that our vigil is coming to an end, and would like to continue, never fear! We will be coordinating an ongoing prayer vigil during abortion hours (note: this will cover fewer hours than the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil), and you are welcome to participate! Please see a detailed report on this soon!

As we journey on towards Day 40, let us keep in mind the words of St. Paul (Philippians 3:10-14):

I wish to know Christ and the power flowing from his resurrection; likewise to know how to share in his sufferings by being formed into the pattern of his death... It is not that I have reached it yet, or have already finished my course... I give no thought to what lies behind but push on to what is ahead. My entire attention is on the finish line as I run toward the prize to which God calls me -- life on high in Christ Jesus.

Also we read from Gregory of Nyssa, in his Homily on Ecclesiastes:

We shall be blessed with clear vision if we keep our eyes fixed on Christ, for he, as Paul teaches, is our head, and there is in him no shadow of evil.

Keep the faith and let's continue together in faith, hope, and love. We're looking forward to seeing you on Day 40!

Administrative Note

Due to an administrative error your Thursday report wasn't sent out as originally planned -- sorry about that! However, it is now published below so you can catch up with your local campaign news and information.

You will note at the very top of the report there is an appeal for help to fill vigil hours, many of which are still needed. However, prayer volunteers have been so generous and committed that some of these hours have already been filled!

Please consider when YOU would like to come and pray during the last week of our campaign, or join in our door-to-door outreach this Saturday. We're ending strong with a great team of pro-lifers!

Day 29: Vigil Help Needed

We have only ten days left in our journey of prayer and witness for life, and I invite you to sign up now for one or more of the vigil hours that are still available to help fill our schedule and maintain a solid and continuous prayer presence at the site. As of the latest tally, 13.5 hours as yet remain uncovered, and 60 more need one more person. Surely we can fill these as a team! When are you available to come and pray for the unborn during this last week of our campaign?

Photo: Sherri, Jennifer, Kerri, Jacinta, Kelly, and Nancy
last Sunday at the vigil site. Come on out and join us!

Also, we're gearing up for a fun-tastic door-to-door outreach effort this Saturday, from 9:30am to 4:30pm in the city of Alexandria. Our target literature drop total is 3,000, and we are nearing that goal with confirmed walkers already. Let me know when you can join us!

We are in the midst of the Nine Days of Prayer for Clergy (October 22-30), in which Christians are invited to pray the following prayer, which has been adapted for inter-denominational use. For more information visit www.prayercampaign.org.

Father, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to be our High Priest, and you continue his saving work among us to this day. Bless our clergy and ministers, and give us more of them. Make them holy. Strengthen them to proclaim the Gospel of Life, and to defend the rights of all, especially the unborn. Bring us, your ministers and people, to the life that never ends. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The early Church Father Irenaeus wrote in Against Heresies, "The Word of God became man, the Son of God became the Son of Man, in order to unite man with himself and make him, by adoption, a son of God." We are adopted children of God through our Christian Baptism. It is up to us, therefore, to act in accordance with that sonship, and, as St. Paul writes, conduct ourselves "in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ... It is your special privilege to take Christ's part -- not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him... Never act out of rivalry or conceit; rather, let all parties think humbly of others as superior to themselves" (Philippians 1:27-2:3).

As we join in prayer with others including those of different Christian denominations, and place ourselves in positions where we may be ridiculed or criticized, let us remember that we are sons and daughters of the Lord, and humbly view all, including friends and those who disagree with us, as truly superior to ourselves. By doing so we lay the path to true peace and charity which is the foundation of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Day 27: Help Your Local Pregnancy Centers!

As we look ahead to our concluding dinner on November 6, I invite you to take a moment to review the attached Local CPC Wish List, and prayerfully consider whether you would like to bring any of these needed resources for our local crisis pregnancy centers with you to our November 6 celebration. I have also printed the list below for your convenience. Thank you for your support!

Fall 2011 Local CPC Wish List

MaRiH Center – www.marih.org

• Baby clothes in new condition, 0-3 and 3-6 months (especially onesies)
• Baby towels, washcloths & receiving blankets
• Bibs
• Diaper bags
• Baby wash
• Newborn pacifiers, rattles & toys for under 2 years old
• No equipment, please!

Paul Stefan Home – www.paulstefanhome.org
Clinical Director: Martha Spigener – 703-462-9600

• Regular Laundry Soap
• Paper Towels
• Toilet Paper
• Swiffer Sweeper Refills
• Liquid Dish Detergent
• Bottle Brushes
• Diapers, size 2, 3, 4, and 5
• Bankers Boxes (to store donated baby clothes)

Instructions: Bring your donations to the 40 Days for Life Concluding Potluck Dinner and Social on Sunday, November 6 from 3‐5pm at Queen of Apostles Church. For more information contact Sara Dina at jandsdina@cox.net, or visit our website, www.40daysforlife.com/alexandria.

Campaign Update

Photo: Lenieva from Christ Church
of Arlington at the vigil site

So many stories have come in about people at our Alexandria vigil discovering truth, hope, and love through our faithful prayer volunteers that I must admit they are beginning to seem a bit commonplace.

When we reflect on the ease with which Christ works in the hearts of his children through the very imperfect ministry of his disciples, we must give all praise and glory to God, who has won the great victory.

Bonaventure writes, "Take thought now, redeemed man, and consider how great and worthy is he who hangs on the cross for you. His death brings the dead to life" (Opusculum 3, Lignum vitae, 29-30. 47: Opera omnia 8, 79). Saved through Christian hope (cf. Romans 8:24), we confidently expect God to continue bringing the dead to life in our time.

Indeed, as we keep striving, however imperfectly, to work for the Lord, we must put all results in His hands, both perceived failures as well as successes.

We can say with St. Paul, "I firmly trust and anticipate that I shall never be put to shame for my hopes; I have full confidence that now as always Christ will be exalted through me, whether I live or die" (Philippians 1:20).

Let's keep working for the Lord, for life!

Come to our Victory Celebration!

Thank you for all your support this fall as we pray and witness for life! In appreciation for all you have done and to rejoice in God's victories together, I am pleased to invite you to our closing victory celebration:

WHAT: 40 Days for Life Concluding Pot-Luck Dinner and Social
PLACE: Queen of Apostles Church Hall
ADDRESS: 4329 Sano Street, Alexandria
TIME: Arrival, 3pm; Dinner Served, 3:30-4:30pm.
CONTACT: Sara Dina, Event Coordinator (jandsdina@cox.net)
Facebook Event Page (optional RSVP): www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=235570859832514

Feel free to bring friends and family, as well as those who may be new to the campaign. All are invited and welcome to attend! Please email your dinner contributions to Sara at jandsdina@cox.net so that she can coordinate the menu efficiently. We will also be collecting donations for our local pregnancy resource centers (more details to follow), so start saving your baby blankets now!

Fall 2010 Victory Celebration Dinner Attendees

Campaign Update

With 361 reported saves so far during this campaign, as well as many stories of blessings around the world and here in Alexandria, we are truly thankful to the Lord as we continue our prayer, fasting, and witness for life. Let's remember the words of St. Paul as we complete our campaign, mindful of the Lord's guidance through all our efforts, "He who has begun the good work in you will carry it through to completion, right up to the day of Christ Jesus" (Phillipians 1:6).

This good work of prayer, vigil, and witness continues the work of Christ for which He came into the world. St. Thomas Aquinas writes, "When he took our flesh he dedicated the whole of its substance to our salvation. He offered his body to God the Father on the altar of the cross as a sacrifice for our reconciliation. He shed his blood for our ransom and purification, so that we might be redeemed from our wretched state of bondage and cleansed from all sin" (Opusculum 57, in festo Corporis Christi). While we cannot compare ourselves to Christ our Lord, we must fulfill His commandment of love for the weakest among us, by physically helping others to find life and healing despite personal inconvenience and discomfort.

Note to All Vigil Participants: As discussed earlier, we request that you limit yourself to the sidewalk when praying at the vigil, and do not stand or walk on the grass. Also, a reminder that we are a team of peace and prayer, and must respond to all comments with true Christian charity and kindness. Our battle is not against flesh and blood but against "spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). Our first and most powerful action is always prayer.

Day 23: 328 Babies Saved!

40 Days for Life at St. Thomas More
Cathedral in Arlington, VA.

As we continue our 40-day journey together in faith, hope, and love for the unborn, allow me to share some recent blessings with you!

 

Last Saturday I attended Mass at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More, where Arlington Bishop Paul Loverde offered his monthly Respect Life Mass for our campaign. As I arrived at the Cathedral I noticed a 40 Days for Life campaign sign prominently displayed, and couldn't resist taking a quick snapshot for you (see right). What a joy to pray and worship with fellow pro-life Christians for this intention, and to hear the Bishop's words of support and encouragement for our work!

 

In addition, several reports have come in over the past few days of God's blessings at the vigil:

• One Alexandria prayer volunteer writes about an experience she had a couple of weeks ago, which made a deep impression on her. While standing at the vigil site, she saw a lady drive by, then stop as they were entering the lot. The lady asked, "Where can I get an abortion?" Rather than answering this question, the volunteer invited the lady to consider having the baby. The lady said she had four children already, and didn't want anymore. When the volunteer suggested adoption, the lady pointed to her stomach and said "I just want it out of me." Undeterred, the prayer volunteer told her that God wanted her to keep the baby, and that other options were available. The lady did not want to discuss other options, but after driving around the parking lot a few times, she left with a wave of the hand. "Over and over I hope and pray that she didn't follow through with the abortion," the prayer volunteer wrote. "But she didn't get one that afternoon... So maybe this is a '+1' for your numbers." 
  
• Another prayer volunteer, Maria, writes about her vigil experience last Monday evening. As a group of five young men walked by, she gave them a flyer containing local pregnancy resources including Project Rachel information. One man calmly stated to his friends, "My girl had an abortion." Maria writes, "I pray that the guy whose girl had an abortion reads and responds to the Project Rachel information on the flyer."
  
• Finally, Matt reports on his Wednesday afternoon shift. He writes, "It was the most positive experience so far." Rather than irate drivers and shouting atheists, he continues, "I had a guy walking his dog who thanked me for being there, and several people in cars either waved or honked their horns." 

I am so grateful for Maria, Matt, and everyone who is helping to maintain a witness for life outside the abortion clinics on Duke Street. As Bishop Loverde remarked, and these reports indicate, our prayerful presence encourages many to choose life, and brings a renewed sense of hope to our community. With God's grace we will continue to stand together as a sign of His mercy, love, and peace!

 

Action Items:

1. Please remember to email your stories, comments, and suggestions to me for inclusion in our team updates (jacinta.40days@gmail.com).
   
2. In addition, there are still many empty or thin hours in the remainder of our campaign. Please check the vigil calendar for upcoming needs, and consider spending an hour or more of your time in prayerful witness for the unborn.
   
3. Finally, don't forget to mark your calendars for our closing Victory Banquet, to be held Sunday, November 6 at 3pm, in Queen of Apostles church hall. More details will come shortly, but we definitely want to see you there!

Day 21: Halfway Rally Report

The pro-life community mourns the tragic deaths of Kortney Blythe Gordon, her unborn child Sophy, and fellow Students for Life worker Jon Scharfenberger following an auto accident October 8. Kortney and Jon were two young heroes in the pro-life movement, and they will be dearly missed. Please join me in prayer for their families and the ongoing work they leave behind.

Photos courtesy of John Meyering,
www.archispherix.com. Thank you John!

Our campaign midpoint was celebrated at the vigil site with pink and blue balloons all around, joyful songs led by Bob and Miranda, testimonials and stories of God's blessings, as well as a simple prayer agenda. 

Around 20 people attended the event including core team leaders and vigil participants. The rally began shortly after 3pm with the opening songs, "Praise to the Lord" and "Come, Holy Ghost," and an opening prayer. Campaign leader Jacinta welcomed everyone and noted that to date the number of children saved through 40 Days for Life this fall is 205 [now 302!]. She related a story of a woman in Manassas, VA, who kept coming to the clinic for an abortion but couldn't bring herself to go in when 40 Days for Life prayer volunteers were praying on the sidewalk last spring, and finally decided to give her baby up for adoption.

Vigil participants at our halfway rally Sunday afternoon.

Several team leaders and prayer volunteers offered remarks. Keith related several personal details showing how adoption can indeed be a wonderful and life-affirming choice. Tracie related how she has been able to minister to several people during her scheduled vigil times, and Tom read some positive reports from participants in the vigil log. Matt asked for prayers for longtime sidewalk counselor Dick Retta, who is facing a Department of Justice lawsuit.

An appeal was made for help to fill the schedule. The latest tallies indicated 45 hours still completely empty, and 101 hours with only 1 person signed up (the preference is to have at least 2 people scheduled at all times). With 434 hours already spoken for by at least one person, vigil coverage has been wonderfully inspiring so far this fall, but everyone was invited to bring another person on board, and to help finish stronger than we began!

Vigil participants at our rally Sunday afternoon.

The rally concluded with the Lord's Prayer and the hymn, "Be Thou My Vision." Attendees had the opportunity to pick up pro-life signs for home or vigil use, as well as pro-life flyers and hoodies. The rally ended around 3:45pm.

May the Lord and his holy angels accompany our efforts during this second half of our campaign, as we renew our commitment to the unborn through prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil, and community outreach. Please take a moment to sign up for a few additional hours this week on our vigil calendar, and consider coming out for door-to-door outreach this Saturday. 

Mark your Calendars for our final celebration potluck dinner, to be held in Queen of Apostles Church hall at 3pm on Sunday, November 6. More details to be announced soon! We look forward to seeing you there!

Day 20: Help Fill Vigil Calendar!

I'm sorry to tell you I'm a bit disappointed -- and I'm sure the fault is at least partially my own.

The fact is -- we've seen two days -- Sunday and Monday -- where our vigil schedule has seen an hour that is completely and totally BLANK.

It's hard to believe there isn't SOMEONE who could have filled those two hours, and perhaps it could have been me. But the fact is, those hours weren't filled, and what is more, there are another 40 hours coming up fast with the same situation -- completely and totally blank!

I know you are with me in our goal of securing a continuous and solid presence during our 40 Days of prayer and fasting for the unborn.

I know you understand the value of having a real, loving person out there on the sidewalk, particularly when the ladies are arriving for their abortion procedures (visit www.40daysforlife.com for so many stories of God's grace).

I know you understand that we can do this together, if we all do our part.

And that's why I'm asking you to pray and consider signing up right now for an extra few hours during the remainder of this fall 2011 40 Days for Life campaign.

(For signup instructions visit our website, or email Mary Ellen McElfresh at maryellen.40days@verizon.net.)

I know some of you have been praying and fasting for an end to abortion already during this campaign.

Some of you have already sacrificed many hours out on the sidewalk.

Some of you have been holding signs, going door-to-door, and talking with neighbors in our community.

But the fact is, our campaign isn't over until we hit Day 40 -- and there are still 40 or so hours on the calendar that remain unfilled! I know we can do better than that -- myself included!

So please prayerfully consider signing up, and put your name on the schedule for at least ONE of the open hours during the second half of our campaign, to help ensure a solid and continuous vigil presence.

Maybe we are tired and worn out from the past 20 days of prayer and witness. Maybe we are thinking that someone ELSE will step forward -- that we have already done ENOUGH.

As we can see in Sacred Scripture, the Lord understands what it means to feel tired and to reach the limits of one's strength. He spent 40 Days in the wilderness, fasting and praying, and after these, he was HUNGRY.

Is the Lord calling us to rest and take things easy at this time? Is the Lord calling us to give up and sit on the sidelines halfway through our own 40 Days?

We can't sit back and wait for things to happen on their own. We can't expect others to fill in the blanks for us. We must get involved to help change things for the better. As they say, God helps those who help themselves, and maybe Our Lord is asking us for a little more SACRIFICE during this second half of the campaign.

As we pray and advocate for the sanctity of all human life, let us remember that even ONE life can make a difference -- and that life may be your own! I invite you to pray and consider, is the Lord asking you to step forward onto that sidewalk in faith? 

Let's fill that calendar through Day 40, and end strong both in spirit and in fact!

PS. Tuesday, October 18, is Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity, a day of memory for so many who have been killed or wounded through abortion. This 2011 Day of Silent Solidarity is dedicated to pro-life hero Kortney Blythe Gordon and her preborn daughter Sophy, who were killed in a tragic car accident on October 8. Please pray for Kortney's husband and family. For more information visit www.silentday.org.

Day 17: Rally This Sunday!

"“Let the little children come to me
and do not hinder them,
for to such belongs the
kingdom of heaven." (Mt. 19:14)

We are almost halfway through our 40 Days together this fall, and already we have many stories of God's blessings to share!  

Come to Halfway Rally Sunday!

Join other 40 Days for Life prayer volunteers this Sunday, October 16, at 3pm, for brief prayer and reflection at the vigil site (2839 Duke Street, Alexandria). Come to share campaign stories, pray, and sing together! We will have pro-life signs and flyers you can take -- and remaining vigil hours that are still empty! The rally should last around half an hour to forty-five minutes.

Here are a few reports and comments from prayer volunteers:

• "One lady in car with daughter (who was driving) said I should not be there because I was a man and did not know what it was like. I said several times that we love both mother and child.. That did no good, so I simply said 'peace be with you,' smiled, and they drove away. I understand they came back around but I was consecrating on the prayers and did not notice them. I saw more than several people who looked disturbed by our presence (in cars), and others trying not to 'notice' us at all. I look forward to going back tomorrow!" -- Rev. Robert
  
• "A man yelled as he drove by, 'Stop worrying about others.' A mailman stopped his truck and said, 'The peace of the Lord be with you.' A policeman on a motorcycle called out, 'Thank you!' as he drove past. Some waved and smiled as they passed." -- Mary Ellen
  
• "I've really enjoyed the vigil. I was there many hours on Friday, but I didn't want to leave. I think when I left my last shift, there must have been like 8-10 people praying there." -- Marie
  
• "The time was filled with prayer and contemplation, with several positive affirmations from passersby. I departed at 1300, turning over all to Maria. Another group arrived as I was leaving." -- Marty
  
• "All was quiet and our youngest had at least 30 smiles and thumbs-ups and passersby were cordial and positive." -- Maria

As we can see, the vigil is a place of spiritual challenge as well as blessings and peace in a place that dearly needs it. I invite you, if possible, to help fill remaining hours on our vigil calendar by contacting Mary Ellen (703-780-2922, maryellen.40days@verizon.net), or visiting www.vigilcalendar.com/alexandria. Many thanks for all your prayers and support! 

One matter of housekeeping: It has come to our attention that several prayer volunteers have received complaints about standing or placing materials on the grass next to the sidewalk. Our leadership team has discussed this, and would like to request as a matter of course, please limit yourself to the sidewalk when praying at the vigil. We do not want to cause undue tension with the local business owners. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! 

As I meet so many committed prayer volunteers at the vigil site, and get reports of people signing up, showing up, and volunteering to help in this life-saving effort, I am grateful and appreciative for all your prayer and support. Your witness for life is an inspiration both to me and to others! I'm looking forward to seeing you Sunday!

Day Ten: One Quarter There!

We are now one quarter of the way through our 40 Days journey together. I hope you have been richly blessed during these first ten days as I have been through prayer, vigil and witness for life! Please allow me to share a few blessings with you:

1. Prayer
One of the biggest blessings I have witnessed so far during this campaign is that so many people are joining together to pray for life. Even compared to the last campaign, there is a new atmosphere of prayer that is very inspiring. When I go out to the vigil site, I see prayer volunteers praying, praying, and praying more. When I speak on the phone to prayer volunteers that cannot make it to the vigil, they tell me they are supporting us spiritually in prayer. When I am standing on the street corner with a clipboard, inviting others to join us in prayer, I hear people tell me that what we are doing is very important. And our prayers join with those of many, many others around the world for the same intentions.

Whether silently or aloud, with knees bent or hands upraised, together with others or alone in the privacy of our homes, we are sending up a storm of intercessory prayer before the throne of God -- and we know He cannot fail to hear and answer our petitions.

The proof -- 95 babies given a second chance for life (www.40daysforlife.com)!

2. Vigil
Take a look at the daily vigil schedule (www.vigilcalendar.com/alexandria), and you will notice one thing: over the past ten days -- and the next few upcoming -- are there any red (empty) gaps? Never! And as far as I know, this has never happened before in all the history of peaceful prayer vigils here in Alexandria. So many, many prayer volunteers have committed to regular weekly times, others are watching the schedule to fill in daily needs, and -- on top of this -- there are many more who don't sign up but just come to pray, boosting our presence and visibility! This overflowing support is a sign of growth among those who are pro-life and willing to stand up in peaceful prayerful witness for the unborn. Keep it up, team!

Prayer volunteers L. to R.: Bernard, Rev. Lange from Our
Lady of Lourdes Church, and church coordinator Keith Bea

3. Outreach
The outreach team has taken on a life of its own, with Paul and Jonathan leading the charge in Old Town Alexandria and throughout the city. Join them Saturday from 9:30am-4pm (paul.40days@gmail.com), or say a quick prayer for their efforts!

Also Gretchen Crowe, of the Arlington Catholic Herald, has put together an article on four local campaigns, with quotes and pictures from those involved! Check it out at

www.catholicherald.com/stories/Witnesses-stand-up-for-life,16913

As you can see, the good Lord has really sent His mercy on our efforts so far, both here in our local efforts, and abroad with reports of nearly 100 children saved from abortion! These blessings inspire us and give us new courage, as we renew our determination to persevere through the upcoming days of our campaign.

If you have not signed up to receive national updates and devotionals at www.40daysforlife.com, I highly recommend that you do so. I plan to print the daily devotionals for use at the vigil site, but you may want these reflections plus stories from our neighboring campaign teams sent to your daily inbox.

We will be holding our halfway prayer rally at the vigil site on Sunday, October 16, from 3-4pm. Join us for this hour of encouragement and spiritual rejuvenation as we mark our 40 Day midpoint. More details will be forthcoming, but mark your calendar now and invite others to attend!

Day Five and Six: Growth

40 Days for Life is comprised of three basic elements: prayer, vigil, and outreach. We seek God's favor through prayer and fasting, represent His love and mercy through peaceful presence, and take His message of life to our community through community outreach. Last Saturday our core outreach leaders kicked off their local efforts with a few brave volunteers. Here is their report:

Paul -- "We handed out a ton of flyers at the Ireton football game, got several signups, and were able to get exposure. We handed out quite a lot of info at the Giant shopping center as well... On Sunday... we hit the big apartment building behind the clinics (directly behind the Bank of America). We handed out 250 flyers there hitting every unit. Afterwards, we went to the Life Chain."

Jonathan -- "I was passing out fliers in the [Giant] parking lot... A couple sat smoking in their car, glaring at me, but I didn't recognize them.  Later they came out and approached me... [I recognized them as] clinic escorts from Eaton Place in Fairfax!  At first they laughed... But after a while they began to show a real interest in why I was doing this, and peppered me with questions about abortion, euthanasia, the breast cancer link, homosexuality, Christianity, etc. We actually got along really well for the better part of an hour. Though they insist I shall not alter their viewpoint on abortion, I finally had the opportunity to walk them through pro-life logic, which clearly got them thinking deeply... Please pray extra hard for these two and everyone who works at that clinic."

To join this plucky team, contact Paul at paul.40days@gmail.com. Scheduled outreach is each Saturday from 9:30am-4pm, but your core leaders are eager and ready to go out with you on Sundays or weekdays as well!

If you are able, please help fill our vigil schedule completely green by signing up for red (empty) or yellow (thin) hours. We have an unprecedented high level of hours already spoken for, but we need more signups in order to have two people scheduled at every hour. This will help secure a consistent and solid prayer presence at the vigil site.

During this intense, coordinated 40-day period, let's continue our prayers and fasting for conversion of hearts from a culture of death to a culture of life. We join fellow Christians in a special way during this 19th International Week of Prayer and Fasting for a conversion of nations, for peace throughout the world, and for a culture of life. As St. Paul writes to the Ephesians, "There is one body and one Spirit... one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all" (Eph. 4:4-6). May that unity be ours as well.

Day Three and Four: Long-Term Fun!

Day Three dawned bright and clear. Marie our prayer coordinator and Mary Beth prayed with me as the sun rose into the sky. Here they are welcoming everyone to our vigil:

We were blessed by the presence of those from St. Raymond Church on Friday and Saturday, thanks to the help of coordinator Liz. Below you can catch a glimpse of Bob getting Friday off to a good start!

All your prayers and sacrifices are really having a good effect. The national tally of babies saved has reached 23! Yesterday an Alexandria prayer volunteer talked about faith with Kendall, who said he was pro-choice, but then changed his position to pro-life after the discussion. Also at our vigil a woman parked her car and approached a prayer volunteer, asking how we could say that abortion hurts women when she had an abortion and didn't hurt at all. The prayer volunteer spoke with this lady for 40 minutes, and gave her information about Project Rachel. Thanks to those who keep track of God's blessings by sending stories for our encouragement! We are all on this 40-day journey together in faith, hope, and love.

We are also blessed to have many churches and ecclesial communities coming together to pray for life through our Alexandria 40 Days for Life campaign. Supportive churches so far include St. Mary, St. Louis, St. Lawrence, St. Rita, Queen of Apostles, Good Shepherd, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Joseph, St. Raymond, Franconia Baptist, St. John Lutheran, Sunset Hills Baptist, Faith Evangelical Presbyterian, Franconia Alliance Church, Immanuel Lutheran, Christ the King Anglican, Good News Baptist, Lighthouse Baptist, Alexandria Presbyterian, and Church of St. Margaret and St. Andrew of Scotland Anglican. If I have forgotten to mention any church please let me know and I can add it to the list. We're hoping to see everyone at our victory celebration dinner on Sunday, November 6, at Queen of Apostles church -- mark your calendars now!

Vigil time is a great opportunity to meet new friends, and also to do something wonderful with old friends. If you have some free time Sunday please take a look at the vigil calendar, and help to cover any red or yellow hours (as those are the times we need more people!). While our first few days have been exciting, let's remember that this is a 40 Day campaign, and we need peaceful, prayerful presence all the way through November 6. Let's stick together for life!