The devil is so predictable.
By now you would think I would recognize his sneaky, but pathetic attempts to discourage me.
It happens every . single . time…right about this time. A few weeks before a 40 Days for Life campaign begins, a vague sense of discouragement starts creeping into my mind. I wonder if I am foolish for continuing 40 Days for Life. It seems to me that everything has moved on and I am left behind. I am too old…someone younger needs to take over. There are so many more urgent tragedies happening around the world right now, with the wars going on and the terrible human suffering happening in the middle east and Ukraine. Compared to the enormity of that, who really cares about 40 Days for Life anymore? It is passe’. The time for 40 Days for Life has come and gone. Like bell-bottom pants and typewriters. Obsolete.
Surprisingly, I was actually starting to listen to that insidious message that the devil was whispering in my ear…
That is until two days ago, when I was talking with another pro-life leader here in Pittsburgh who told me that he is beginning to feel as if he is not doing enough, and thinks that he needs to quit, to make room for someone else who can do more. That is when the lightbulb went off, and I realized that it was simply that time again. We are three weeks away from kick-off. Of course we are under attack!
This was actually the encouragement that I needed. It must mean that the devil still fears 40 Days for Life! Could it be that he is afraid that it will spark repentance and revival in our land…which would be our nation’s salvation?
It is true that there are major tragedies and suffering all around our world...but other than praying and fasting for them, there is very little that we can do from where we are. But the victims of abortion are tiny and hidden, so it is important to stand up for them. The world knows about those who are suffering from war, but they are unaware of those suffering from abortion. It is our job to make sure they are not forgotten.
This is a job for all of us…EVERYONE CAN DO SOMETHING!
SIGN UP TO PRAY AT THE VIGIL
If you are physically able to come to the vigil and let your prayerful witness touch hearts and minds…PLEASE SIGN UP! A weekly commitment is very helpful, but we are grateful for whatever you can do. Go to www.40daysforlife.com/pittsburgh to add yourself to the schedule.
If you are not able to stand you can bring a chair.
Or, another way you could support those who are there praying is to stop by with some flowers for us to hand to passersby and to those entering the doors….to hopefully soften hearts!
SIGN UP TO FAST ON CERTAIN DAYS
Our goal is to have three people fasting each day during the 40 days. Fast and pray for the safety of our vigil participants and that lives and souls will be saved from abortion. Fast and pray that abortion workers will be converted. Sign up to fast here: Spring 2025 Pray & Fast 40 Days — Signup Sheet | SignUp.com
Plan to join in one (or both) of our Kick-off Events, and spread the word to others!
Spread the word at your church and help us to gather the Body of Christ as we kick-off these 40 days! Use our bulletin announcement and flyers in your church bulletin:
Lent_2025_Kick_-_off_Events_Flyer.pdf
CLICK_HERE_FOR_LENTEN_CAMPAIGN_FLYER-2.pdf
BULLETIN_ANNOUNCEMENT_40_DAYS_LENT_2025.pdf
You can also take a look at what our 40 Days for Life looks like by watching this brief video: CLICK HERE
Thank you for all you do for 40 Days for Life! The devil may be predictable…but Christ is unstoppable! And we are with HIM!
Nikki
Thank you Nikki for never giving up. You are an awesome leader and I love your encouraging blogs. God Bless you.
Nikki, thank you for this post. You are right —there are many tragedies happening in the world. But the most formidable tragedy is the total lack of respect for life. It all starts with the babies—from preventing the conception of life to the all out murder of the the innocents. The enemy will not discourage you! We will pray for you and the 40 Days for Life! I will be there!
Your picture of the devil is certainly fierce, Nikki.
Also fierce is the bitter wind that seems always to howl as we witness in front of the abortuary.
And you, Nikki, and our Pro-Life leaders are also fierce.
At the heart of our fierceness is our God.
“I will be for them an encircling wall of fire, says the Lord, and I will be the glory in their midst.”
(Cf. Zec 2:9) Quoted in February 2025 Magnificat.
Fierce love is a good thing.
Thank you, Nikki
Thanks Nikki, I checked all the boxes for your doubts and added a few of my own. I appreciate your discernment process and the encouragement to continue in the fight. My daughters and Daughter-in-law have experienced five miscarriages in the last fourteen Months. After reading the research that Students for Life and others have done on the abortion pill, I believe the effect it has on our drinking water played a part in those losses. The fight is more personal to me now. Our efforts include saving the lives of the babies and Woman who come to PP from harm but also stopping the residual effects for those open to life. See you on the sidewalk.
Oh my goodness Ken! I am so sorry to hear this! It’s horrible to think that the chemicals in the drinking water from all the medication abortions that are happening could be contributing to miscarriages! My prayers and condolences are with you and your family!