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When you and I were baptized into Christ, we were given a share in His threefold mission as priest, prophet and king. Done anything prophetic lately? You can live out your baptismal call by participating in the current "40 Days for Life" campaign.

Join us for the remaining weeks, until Oct. 31, in prayer and fasting outside of Planned Parenthood clinics in Schenectady or Albany, to reach out in love to women who are contemplating abortion.

"Oh no, I can't do that," I can imagine some of you are saying. Unless you are reading this from a prison cell or hospital bed, you may need to rephrase that statement to; "No, I won't do that." In truth, you can do it. You just don't know it yet.

I once thought I couldn't. How could I do something as radical as hold a pro-life sign on the street and pray publicly? God had the answer. He used other people, who served as examples of public witnesses on behalf of the unborn.

For years, these folks have braved the elements and the taunts of those who think abortion is a woman's right. Not only have they endured it, but they are actually happy and peaceful in their efforts.

I finally understood some years ago that there was no good reason for me not to join them. Thus, God began to remove the obstacles to my doing His will as I prayed and demonstrated my desire to do His will.

A campaign that has taken root in five countries and in 238 cities in the United States, 40 Days for Life is the largest international pro-life mobilization ever.

It's based on the simple premise that one effective way to save the lives of the unborn is to maintain a disciplined, peaceful prayer vigil outside of the places where the killing takes place. Back this up with fasting and a loving approach and God will work in the hearts of those contemplating abortion. Thus, "as ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us," (2 Cor. 5:20), women and men will choose life. In the past three years, leaders of the 40 Days campaign report that 2,811 lives have been saved.

Last spring, the first local 40 Days for Life campaign was conducted outside the Planned Parenthood clinics in Schenec-tady and Albany. Then, as now, prayer vigil shifts were 7 a.m.-7 p.m., seven days a week. More than 100 people gave anywhere from an hour of their time to well over 30 hours over the course of the campaign. Some of these folks were first-timers.

One retired couple from Schenectady had regularly participated in holy hours for life at their parish, St. Anthony's. They had never stood up and prayed outside of a killing center. This past spring, they came out for thirty-eight out of the 40 days.

Joanne Buff, prayer vigil coordinator for the local campaign prays once a week at the events. She reports that, as a result of her participation, she has "grown spiritually, and [feels] closer to Jesus."

On the street, I have never seen one participant manifest anger, or even a negative attitude toward anyone. Instead, what I continue to see is luminous faith, heartfelt prayer, and sincere compassion toward all, even toward those who work for Planned Parenthood. It is, to be sure, Christ-like love that I see.

For the sake of the unborn and their parents, come out on the street and help us build the "culture of life." Join us and be a voice for our brothers and sisters in the womb who have no voice. Be a prophetic witness and help save lives.

With God's help, you will replace "I can't" or "I won't" with "I can and I will."

(Glenn Smith lives in Rotterdam. To learn more call 355-4843 or see www.40Days ForLife. com/Schenectady.) [[In-content Ad]]

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