Monday 28 February 2011

It can happen here!


It can happen here! We are serious about bringing an end to abortion. 40 Days for Life begins on 9th March 2011, in London for the second year running, and for the first time in Cheltenham.

We would like to see all Christians united in the cause of life

praying and fasting, joining our vigil, handing out free high-quality literature

engaging with those who have never heard the truth of the Christian faith on the sanctity of life and the evil of  abortion. 

We want to reach out in love to every pregnant mother facing a crisis pregnancy

every husband or partner who is standing on the sidelines rather than supporting the partner and unborn child

and every person who works at an abortion clinic - we want to help you find healing and the courage to walk away from the abortion industry.  

Sign-up, come to the kick-off rally, email a committee member for more info, download our free documents from our website

Start praying now so that Jesus Christ will give you and each of us the grace, courage, love, and perseverance needed. 

Saturday 26 February 2011

Photos from Wednesday night event

London Director Robert Colquhoun giving an introduction to 40 Days for Life in London. We were about 60 people.

Margaret Cuthill of ARCH was out guest speaker. Her story was amazing.
Robert and Margaret took some questions at the end of the presentation.
                                            
Organising team responding to questions, selling tickets, signing people up for outreach.


Our exclusive 'You Can Stop Injustice' magazine. 20,000 copies to be distributed for free.

The magnificent buffet which everyone enjoyed

More buffet and wines
Participants enjoying some food, chatting, sharing experiences and ideas.

Men, women, students, business people, married, single, and nuns all pledging there support to bring an end to abortion. Praise God.

Friday 25 February 2011

Leading Pro-life Leaders in the UK come out to support 40 Days for Life

I am pleased to have been invited to endorse 40 Days for Life's peaceful and prayerful campaign to end the tragedy of abortion to which liberal western democracies have unfortunately become addicted. The work of 40 Days for Life underlines the message that that the fundamental human right is the right to life from conception to its natural end and that legalised abortion is the primary fatal injustice of our times, which has no place in a civilised society. I hope that 40 Days for Life's Lenten campaign of prayer, fasting and peaceful loving witness will persuade people that there is a better way to live. 
X Philip Tartaglia, Bishop of Paisley

"Until Catholics pray and fast and give public witness to the wrong of abortion, it will not end. 40 Days for Life gives everyone the chance to participate in this in a non-confrontational way. When you live in a country where abortion is legal, it is hard not to get your hands dirty in some way, whether by a tacit acceptance of abortion or by contributing through taxes etc to its continuance. 40 Days is a real way to make reparation.                                          
Clare and Stuart McCullough, Good Counsel Network

'Without a vision the people perish'. This is a biblical truth that applies so much to the God given vision against abortion given to the founders of 40 Days for Life. I am so thankful to those here in the UK who have picked up and run with this truth and are organising the next 40 days of prayer and fasting for the lives of ALL children at threat from abortion, their parents, families and those who promote the culture of death in our society. Prayer and fasting is the powerhouse of God's inspired action plan and I would encourage you to take part, be His hands, His feet and His heart that will take us beyond where we are just now to where He wants us to be in the fight for life.                             
Margaret Cuthill, ARCH

Abortion is the social and civil rights issue of the 21st century. As such, we need a commensurate social and civil rights movement to end the tragedy and injustice of abortion. I believe that 40 Days for Life is a valuable group which effectively uses the available spiritual and material means to work for an end to abortion and for the healing of society. I wish you well for your 2011 campaign. Be assured of my prayers and solidarity.                                                         John Smeaton, National Director SPUC

Societies have traditionally been judged by others by how well they treat the weakest and least politically powerful people in their midst. We fail miserably by killing 200,000 unborn babies each year. Christ said, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine you did, you did for me." (Mth.25:40). Our value and worth is not measured by how smart we are, how much money we have, nor by worldly fame. Our value is inherent and God given because God made us in His image, from conception     (Gen 1:27 & Jer 1:5).   
 Peter Smith, Evangelical and UN Lobbyist.

I'm very happy to endorsement and support the 40 Days for Life campaign in London this coming March.  This is an excellent way of participating in Pro-Life activism and saving women and babies.   BPAS currently kills more than 60,000 babies each year and supporting the 40 Days for Life team outside the BPAS killing mill will help to protect and support women and save babies.                                                     Greg Clovis, Family Life International.

No Less Human (NLH), the pro-life group for disabled people, their families and carers is delighted to endorse the forthcoming 40 Days for Life. Disabled unborn children are sought out more than any other for detection and killing by abortion - a kind of fatal discrimination which no civilized society should countenance.                           Alison Davis, Leader, NLH

We live in a disposable society. The retention of relationships is, for an increasing number, for as long as is 'convenient'. Our Kleenex culture has the potential to further subvert an already shaky social structure when abortion is seen as no more than a 'tidying up process' for an inconveniently cluttered life. We are increasingly environmentally aware, but a nation's priorities have to be reassessed when the population deems it more trendy to 'save a tree' than to save an unborn child.  Pro-life people must never shrink from articulating this vital message and seeking to recalibrate the priorities of our politicians by respectful lobbying. What an indictment on our world when the most dangerous place to be is not a terrorist-infested city, but a baby in its mother's womb. Psalm 11 says, "When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?" Perhaps there are three things - protest, model a different lifestyle and pray.
 John Glass, General Superintendent of the Elim Pentecostal churches.

* We have the endorsements for 2011, free to download from our website, in low and high graphic. HERE

40 days for life Kick Off Rally 2011

Kick Off Rally 2011

Do come and join our kick off rally this year on March 8th - 7pm in Central London. It will be a pleasure to see you there!

40 days for life powerpoint presentation 2011

40 Days for Life London Power Point 2011

This is the powerpoint presentation for the 40 days for life London 2011 campaign. Do come and join us in the prayer vigil this year starting March 9th!

Thursday 24 February 2011

Biblical pro-life passages

Genesis 1:26
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

Genesis 4:9-10Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?"  And the LORD said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground.

Exodus 20:13"You shall not murder.

Psalms 106:38-40they poured out innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was polluted with blood. Thus they became unclean by their acts, and played the whore in their deeds. Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against his people, and he abhorred his heritage;

Psalms 127:3Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.

Psalms 139:13-16For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.  My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them.

Proverbs 24:11-12Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.  If you say, "Behold, we did not know this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?     Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?

Proverbs 31:8-9Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. 

Job 31:15
“Did not He who made me in the womb make him, And the same one fashion us in the womb?

Isaiah 44:24
Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, "I, the LORD, am the maker of all things, Stretching out the heavens by Myself, And spreading out the earth all alone.

Isaiah 49:5And now the LORD says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him--for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD, and my God has become my strength

Jeremiah 1:5"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."

Jeremiah 7:5-7"For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly execute justice one with another, if you do not oppress the sojourner, the fatherless, or the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own harm, then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers forever. 

Luke 1:39-41In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.  And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. 

Luke 18:15-18Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.  But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.  Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."

James 1:22 & 27 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.... Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.


Report on our first 40 Days for Life event

We had our 'Cast the Vision' event on Wednesday 23rd February. We were hosted in the salubrious surroundings of the London Oratory, St. Wilfrid's Hall. The organising team arrived early to set-up the hall, and the rather generous buffet. No doubt a few of us nipped into the church next door for a quick prayer: 'Lord, please may this evening go as well as you want it to.' It was a surreal experience beginning our second campaign; the first felt like it was only yesterday,and we felt the same buzz, if not more this time round. It was nice to have a brief chat with our guest speaker Margaret Cuthill before the evening commenced too.  

About 60 people attended - some in smart suits, others in jeans, and a few in nuns habits. It was good to see some familiar faces, and a chance to meet many new people who are joining us for 40 Days for Life for the first time. It is impressive to see freshers, other students, businessmen, people in the professions, those between jobs, retired, and elderly people chatting away while they waited, but ultimately, it was all sorts of people and ages united in the common cause of building a culture of life and bringing an end to the tragedy of abortion. 

Robert Colquhoun gave a 20 minute introduction to the what and why of 40 Days for Life. We were also treated to a sneak preview of the UK premiere of the film Maafa21. After that the floor was given over to Margaret, who shared her story of an affair with a married man, two abortions, the suffering that followed, and her conversion to Christianity and finding healing in Christ. Margaret now heads ARCH, helping other women come to terms with the death of their child by abortion. Robert also introduced the committee: Poppy, Helena, Beata, Graziano, and Daniel.

The utter lie that there is no such thing as post-abortion syndrome was quite clearly and convincingly refuted by Margaret. There is a massive amount of shame and secrecy surrounding abortion, and that continues afterwards because the woman is so ashamed and distraught about what she has done, that she won't tell anyway how she is feeling. It's all covered-up, suppressed, and experienced alone. That's why groups like ARCH are essential; they are experienced women who understand and care about women who are post-abortive, unlike the culture of death and lies seen in groups like Bpas and Marie Stopes. 

Margaret shared some examples of women who she has counselled and spoken to: Teens, grandparents, boyfriends, husbands, women who've had abortions at under 10 weeks, women who've had abortions later, even one at 23 weeks, and finally an 88 yr old woman who had an abortion 60 years ago. This woman had said "I've lost my peace". Abortion is for life, there is healing, but no forgetting. God forgives, but sometimes the woman cannot forgive herself. 

We had a few Q&A's, then everyone dashed in differnet directions. Some to the food and wine, others to grab bundles of flyers, magazines, introduction packs, tiny feet badges, whilst others spent time catching-up with friends. 

We're pleased so many signed-up to help with community outreach and the prayer vigil. Right now we can only go forward and build on the good response, trusting in Christ to make up for what we lack.

Watch this space for some photos of the evening!

Wednesday 23 February 2011

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Today's the day

We so very excited. This evening, Wednesday 23rd February 2011, 7.30pm and St. Wilfrid's Hall London Oratory, we have our first 40 Days for Life event.

The evening will be an introduction to 40 Days for Life
We want to share our vision
We want YOU to commit to working for an end to abortion, together with us , with God's help
We will raise out hearts to Jesus, asking for his strenght and blessing
You'll have the opportunity to hear Maragret Cuthill of ARCH speak
There will be food and drink on the house, and plenty of time to network and share plans
It is also looking like the newest edition of our exclusive magazine 'You Can Stop Injustice' will be available

See you there.

40 Days for Life London Team. 

Monday 21 February 2011

Top 11 things you can do during 40 Days for Life

1. Pray and fast, lots.

2. Make time each week to pray at the vigil outside BPAS abortion clinic

3. Tell people about 40 Days for Life, and invite them along

4. Wear a Tiny Feet badge a a sign that you're pro-life

5. Write to newspapers, magazines, websites, and blogs, telling them about 40 Days for Life and how you want an end to abortion. 

6. Give someone a copy of 'You Can Stop Injustice' magazine. You could even leave a copy on the train or bus for the next person to read. 

7. If you have Facebook, change your profile picture to the 40 Days for Life logo

8. 40 Days for Life does not receive any funding, so perhaps you could consider making a donation, whether small or large. It all goes towards the campaign.

9. Come along to one of our events, and buy a ticket for the pro-life film screening. 

10. Ask your priest or minister if you could promote 40 Days for Life in your local church

11. Tell us - you must have lots of great ideas and experience to share with us. Email the committee or leave a comment on this blog.

Saturday 19 February 2011

Cast the Vision event Wednesday 23rd February at the London Oratory

You are warmly invited to our 2011 'Cast the Vision' event. The evening will provide you with an introduction to 40 Days for Life. You will get to hear from the people who launched our first 40 Days for Life in 2010, and the stories that inspired all of us.

This event is for all those who were involved last time, all those who wanted to be involved but were unable, and all those who are learning about the 40 Days for Life experience for the first time.

This is your opportunity to save lives and inspire hearts and minds. You will learn how to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. The evening will also give you the time to meet with pro-life leaders over food and drinks, all on the house.
Our guest speaker is Margaret Cuthill.
Margaret Cuthill is a Post Abortion Trauma (PAT) counsellor and is the National Co-ordinator of ARCH. She herself has had abortion experience and struggled with PAT.

Margaret has recovered her life through receiving PAT counselling, and has since been working as a full time PAT counsellor for the past 20 years. Margaret will share her experiences with us, and her hopes for this year's 40 Days For Life. 

Save the date - Wednesday 23rd February, 7.30pm. 


Full details can be found by following this link.

We'll see you there.