Commentary by David Bereit, National Coordinator, 40 Days for Life

March 15, 2010 (40daysforLife) - Every day, we update a number on the top of the 40 Days for Life web page. Every day, that number gets larger and larger. Every day, I am humbled and amazed at what God is doing during this campaign of prayer and fasting.

As of today, that number has grown to ... 298 babies, and their mothers, spared from abortion—that we know of!

People praying at a 40 Days for Life vigil outside an abortion center in Mission Hills, California watched as a woman arrived for an abortion appointment. Volunteers spoke to her briefly as she walked toward the building.

"The woman seemed upset with what she was about to do," said Patti, "but went in anyway."

When she came out a bit later, a pro-life counselor asked if she had changed her mind. "No," she said. "I forgot my Medicare card at home and I have to go get it.

The counselor responded, "You know, that's just God telling you that you're not supposed to be here.

"The woman acknowledged the comment," Patti said, "and left crying. She did not return!"

"A young lady came up to ask what I thought about abortion," said Shannon, who coordinates the 40 Days for Life campaign in Memphis, Tennessee. Shannon asked if she was pregnant, and she said "yes."  The woman then asked Shannon how long she would be out on the sidewalk. "I told her as long as she needed me to be there."

The young woman went into the facility ... and later walked back out.

Shannon then gave her information about pro-life options. She said she had nowhere to go. "She actually seemed relieved," Shannon said, "like a big weight was taken off of her to know there was another alternative."

"Part of our community outreach this campaign is focusing on getting the word out about the disproportionate amount of abortions performed on minority women," said Jeanie, one of the leaders of the 40 Days for Life effort in Syracuse, New York.

She was able to speak to a couple of women who were on their way into the Planned Parenthood abortion center.

"I explained that abortion is the leading cause of death for African-Americans," said Jeanie. "They were obviously surprised by this information and readily decided to seek the help offered at the crisis pregnancy center next door."

One of them walked by a little while later and simply said "thank you" as a big smile came across her face.

"Yes, there is help and hope," Jeanie said, "and we can offer this hope to women in very desperate situations."

Thank you for everything you're doing to support this outreach of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion. It's working—one life at a time.

This article reprinted with permission from http://www.40daysforlife.com/