40 Days of Prayer and Fasting - 40 Days of Constant Vigil - 40 Days of Community Outreach

Thank you all for another incredible 40 Days for Life! We could not have achieved all that we did without every single one of you. Your dedication in the face of a particularly hard year—when pro-life efforts had to be spread thin over several outreach efforts, and everyone was distracted by the upcoming election—was simply inspirational. In Seattle, we had over 300 volunteers at the vigil, and we found out that the U-District Planned Parenthood facility has ceased performing surgical abortions. Across the country, over 600 babies’ lives were spared just during the campaign this fall! We expect next year’s campaign to bring us even greater blessings and we hope to see as much energy and enthusiasm from you, Seattle’s amazing pro-life advocates.

Today is Day 39 of this 40 day venture.  I wonder what Noah was thinking after 39 days of the most intense storm he and his family had ever experienced, or what Jesus the Christ was experiencing after 39 days of fasting in the desert.  My guess is that at least one experience was of tiredness, maybe even weakness.  But don’t forget – don’t forget! – the experiences of the following day – that of transformation, rejuvenation, and grace!  On day 40, after 960 hours of prayer and fasting and preparation – it was THEN that the devil came and tempted Jesus.  One only has to look at Jesus’ response in that situation to see that the preparation (and grace!) of his spirit was able to rise above any weakness in his body. 

May we all harness the energy and freedom that God has instilled in us on this day – day 39 – and be prepared for what is given to us on day 40.  It has been an amazing sight to see so many people dedicated throughout this vigil – truly giving of themselves to others in need, truly focusing on prayer and fasting, truly allowing themselves to be open to God’s Living Word, and truly giving of their time talent and treasure.  I thank you all from the core of my being, and I hope and pray that this vigil will transform you – YOU! – to God’s will of Love, in your life and the lives of others that you are called to. 

If you are able, come and pray today or tomorrow during these last hours of the vigil.  Come and pray.  May we pray for a transformation of our own hearts, our own life paths, and a transformation of our culture to that of love for life. 

I’m sure that there will be plenty of people present on Sunday night during the last hours – I can hardly wait!  (and don’t forget about Daylight Savings Time - FALL BACK an hour!!) And I hope that you ALL will come to the FINALE RALLY on MONDAY 11/3 6:30PM at ST. MARKS: 18033 15th Pl. NE, Shoreline, WA 98155.  Come and encounter others who you have been holding vigil and praying with you.  We’ll be sharing our experiences, finding out what has been going on throughout the nation (amazing awe-filled things!), and ensuring that this momentum in our hearts does not stop.  We’ll also be having a potluck, but please if you aren’t able to bring anything, or if you weren’t able to do all that much during the 40 Days for Life – come anyway!!  I mean it – discover all that has transpired through this vigil at our Finale Rally.   Thank you all!  Thank God!