Heartbeats

Last week, while prayers continued, a mom went into Planned Parenthood for an abortion. During her pre-procedure examination, Planned Parenthood told her that she was going to have twins. When she asked to hear the heartbeats, they told her, "Oh, you don't want to hear that." So she left! After getting information from sidewalk counselors, she went to a pregnancy resource center. They confirmed the twins, and she decided to keep her babies! Woohoo!!! #PrayerWorks

Please There's still time for YOU to experience the miraculous.  Sign up to prayer here: www.40daysforlife.com/dallas. The babies need you!

Thanks to all who joined us at the UNITED Rally Saturday night. The big blue bus rolling in was a site to see! Don't miss our final gathering on November 6 -- the Victory Celebration at St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Dallas.

Saving lives, healing hearts

Thank you all for your prayers and thank you to those who were able to come out to the site and pray.  We’ve had six moms choose life!  And those are the ones we know about.  

The days we witness lives saved are incredible, but some days we are reminded why it is so important to be there for the suffering in the aftermath.

We were reminded of that when a young woman having seen our "Pray to End Abortion" sign pulled up in a pickup truck.  She jumped out of the truck and hurried over to us saying, “Is that a petition against this place?  I’ll sign it.”  We explained why we were there and about 40 Days for Life, giving her some information. 

“This place is awful,” she said, wiping away tears.  “They lie to women.  I was in the Marines and got pregnant.  I was going to be a single mom, but I would never have had an abortion.  My little girl is in the car, and she is such a blessing to me.” 

As God intended in this moment, the director of the local Healing after Abortion Ministry happened to be at the vigil site and could give this woman information about Rachel’s Vineyard in case she had any friends who might need help and healing.  After promising to pray for us, the woman and her daughter drove off.  

So much of what we do on the sidewalk is witnessing to life.  We never know how many people pass by whose hearts may be moved by the Holy Spirit, and the light of truth dawn for them.

Morning hugs at the Vigil

Richard comes to pray whenever he can.  Sunday morning, he was at the vigil at 6am, when the day was cool and still dark.  His relief showed up at 7am, but he decided to stay longer and pray with them.  He checked on the prayer coverage for the afternoon.  There was a gap at 1pm, so Richard decided he could come back to fill that.  He had ushered at the vigil mass the night before, so his Sunday was free.  And what better way to spend the Lord’s day than to pray and witness for life?

As the neighborhood began to stir, a young woman walking down the street crossed over to the vigil site and headed toward two prayer volunteers.  As she got closer, she threw open her arms and gave each of them big hugs.  “I always hug the Hispanic guy who comes out here,” she said.  “He’s always here praying for the babies.” 

“Yes, we know him.  He’s a wonderful man.  God bless you, ma’am.”

“God protect you today while you’re out here.”  And with a big smile and a wave, she went on.

Responding to God's call

It was my church's adopted day at the vigil.  The weather was wonderfully chilly.  As in years past, the coordinator of our church's presence at the vigil stayed the whole 12 hours. There were some surprises (i.e. not the usual suspects) who came to pray. Several people from other churches / organizations strolled to the vigil box to sign in and then quietly went to places to pray.  (I love these "40 Days" vigils... the constant trickle of those responding to God's call on any given day to "go pray".)

One of those "trickles" caught my attention.   She arrived in a wheel chair, dropped off by a fellow church member.  She is battling cancer (again)... or rather is in the pain management stage... a different kind of battle. Courage.  She had never been outside an abortion facility to pray before.  Our church coordinator met her at the car and pushed the wheel chair down the sidewalk while heavy traffic seemed to (perhaps) even slow a little.  She was lightly wrapped in a soft silver scarf which covered her head and gently drapped over her shoulders. The setting sun created a backlit golden halo-like effect. Her skin seemed to almost glow. The pallor of numerous cancer treatments seemed to all but disappear during the short time she was praying with us...  She looked so very much like a very young girl. Beautiful.

It was a 40 Days for Life day.... May God continue to be glorified and Jesus' Holy Name proclaimed in all things and in all ways in heaven and on earth.

 

Have you responded to the call? 
There's still time! Sign up to pray here.

All life has inestimable value

Even the weakest and most vulnerable,

the sick, the old, the unborn and the poor,

are masterpieces of God's creation,

made in His own image, destined to live forever,

and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect.

 — Pope Francis' Day for Life greeting - 2013

 By 40 Days for Life-Dallas Team Member

 

 

 

I know it's making a difference

Unfortunately, in all the years I’ve been participating in 40 Days for Life I have never witnessed an actual life being saved, or even so much as a pregnant mother (or father) positively acknowledging our efforts. 

However, I always look forward to being able to participate in this event.  The prayerful, peaceful witness does my heart good, because I know that even if I don’t see the actual results, I know it is making a difference.  How could it not? 

 

Prayer is the most powerful weapon we have, and God is using us to reach those most in need of his mercy.  We know that it works when we read the stories of how many babies have been saved!  Although I haven’t been blessed to witness that, I feel my prayers are answered, nonetheless.

By Vigil Volunteer

3 churches and long distances

I arrived with my 17-year-old son last night at about midnight. Another man from my church was already there. The three of us prayed and talked until 2 a.m., at which time another two men from a different church relieved us.  One had driven in all the way from Mansfield, and both were intending to stay until 4 a.m., when more people from our church would arrive. 

There was also another couple and their high school daughter who prayed with us the first half hour. They had come from Keller and were members of yet another church.  I am so impressed by these people who come so far!

It was a beautiful night and we prayed one long Joyful Mysteries rosary, with lots of readings from the first chapter of St. Luke's gospel.

So, we kept up the vigil. Praise the Lord!  May many hearts be turned inward to consider the beauty of life, from the moment of conception, and God's abundant grace for all!

By vigil volunteer

A sweet smile and big brown eyes

Richard turned one year old in August.  He’s a handsome little boy with a sweet smile and big brown eyes.  

Two years ago, his mother was planning to abort him.  

We found this out when she stopped by at this year’s  vigil after seeing all the prayer volunteers.  

We are blessed to have well-trained sidewalk counselors at the abortion facilities during killing hours, and she told her story to them.  They had already helped her two years ago when she was pregnant.  She wanted us to know how grateful she is ... how Richard has turned her life around.  He is her heart.