A Glimpse at “40 Days For Life”

40 Days for Life changes lives. We have seen it firsthand. Children have been saved, hearts have been repaired and the presence of God has filled cities, clinics and sidewalks all over the country during this nationwide movement.

Started in 2004, the campaign echoes Biblical history, where God used 40-day periods to transform and chance lives. From Noah and the 40 day flood to Moses on the mountain to the Disciples after Christ’s resurrection –40 days, we believe, holds a very special meaning. During these few weeks, people from all walks of life gather together to pray, fast, hold vigils and take part in community outreach –all with one goal in mind –to protect life.

Each year, right here in Cherry Hill, we have dedicated men and women who stand outside the Cherry Hill Women’s Center day in and day out, in rain, sunshine or cold, to pray and talk with women who are on their way in to end their child’s life.

Each year local people get to see real children spared by Gods grace.

“Today we had a turnaround!” Mary Ann, a member of St. Joan of Arc’s Parish said joyfully on the morning of October 12. Just this week a five month pregnant mother was inside Walgreens next to the clinic when her friend walked up to the team of Helpers standing outside praying. She told Mary Ann and a few others, that her friend needed help –she did not want to have an abortion –but she did not have any money, no place to stay and the father was refusing to help. The team quickly called Helpers founding member Teri, who came to the clinic and began working on finding the woman housing and meeting her other needs.

Earlier in the campaign, we saw another outpouring of God’s mercy. A young couple was about to walk into the clinic a particular morning when Helpers asked them to come over and talk with them. After a short conversation the couple still decided to go in for their appointment—A half hour later though they walked out of the clinic and right to the Helpers who stood there, and told them they had changed their mind. They could not go through with the abortion and thanked the Helpers for their prayers and words.

These situations are not unique – this plays out year after year during 40 Days for Life.

Last year, members from the St. Joan of Arc Parish got to witness the turnaround of Baby Chance’s mother (Read the story HERE). And the year before Baby Lawrence was saved! Time after time, our Helpers are able to save babies from abortion by simply showing love and concern for these mothers and petitioning the Lord for his intervention. It can simply be one conversation or one gesture of love to change someone’s mind.

There are still several days left in the campaign! We invite you to pick a day and time when you would like to join us so you will be able to say that you helped save a life as you put your faith into action.

Remember friends, Jesus calls us to be doers! James 2:14-17 says “What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.”

We would like to recognize our other wonderful prayer warriors that have stood outside the clinic in spite of their fears or reservations to bless the lives of these women and children: Mary Ann and Tom, Sandy, Trish, Janet, Betty and Joe, Charlotte and other members from the St. Joan of Arc’s Parish and our leading Helpers Claire and Teri.