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!