Day 5: There’s an Empty Hour Waiting for Your Yes

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Friend,

Today marks Day 5 of 40 Days for Life and our first Sunday of the campaign.

As I looked at our vigil schedule, I noticed something that I haven't been able to stop thinking about:

the empty hours.

There are hours already filled by people who have made the decision to show up and pray. And then there are spaces where we're still waiting for someone to say yes.

Maybe one of those hours is yours.

Today, on the Lord's Day, I keep returning to the words Jesus spoke to His disciples in Gethsemane:

“So, could you not watch with me one hour?” — Matthew 26:40

One hour.

Jesus knew what was coming. He knew the suffering before Him. And in that moment, He asked those closest to Him to remain near and keep watch.

There is something about that question that feels especially meaningful today.

Could you give God one hour?

One hour to step away from the noise of everyday life.

One hour to pray for the mother who feels afraid.

One hour for the woman who believes abortion is her only option.

One hour for the father who doesn't know what to do.

One hour for the child whose life may depend upon someone choosing another way.

One hour for those who disagree with us.

One hour for those who may someday work inside this facility.

One hour for our community.

Scripture reminds us:

“Pray without ceasing.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:17

That is what we are trying to live out during these 40 days—an unbroken chain of prayer, carried from one person to another, hour after hour.

And there will be moments when we wonder whether our prayers are making a difference.

We may stand outside and see nothing change.

We may pray for a woman whose name we will never know.

We may never hear the story of the child whose life was spared.

We may never see what happened in someone's heart.

But Scripture also reminds us:

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7

Our faithfulness cannot depend upon seeing the outcome.

Sometimes God simply asks us to show up, trust Him, and pray.

Right now, there are still hours on our vigil calendar waiting for someone

Maybe you've been meaning to sign up.

Maybe you've been praying from home.

Maybe you've been waiting for the right day.

Perhaps today is simply the day to say:

“Here I am, send me!” — Isaiah 6:8

Choose an hour.

Bring your Bible. Bring your Rosary. Bring your spouse, your children, your church family, or a friend.

Or come alone.

You don't need eloquent prayers. You don't need to know exactly what to say.

Remember what Jesus taught us:

“Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” — Matthew 6:8

Just come.

Be present.

And pray.

SIGN UP FOR ONE HOUR

Forty days may sound like a long time, but throughout Scripture, 40 is repeatedly associated with seasons of testing, preparation, repentance, and transformation.

Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai.

Israel journeyed 40 years through the wilderness.

Nineveh was given 40 days to repent.

Jesus fasted and prayed for 40 days in the wilderness before beginning His public ministry.

And now, during these 40 days, we are asking God to transform hearts in our own community.

We cannot know what He will do with these prayers.

But we can choose to be faithful.

One person.
One yes.
One hour at a time.

And perhaps this Sunday, one of those empty hours is waiting for your yes.

Gratefully in Christ,

Jessica Sifuentes
President & CEO
Southwest Coalition, Inc.

📅 Friday, October 2
🕕 Movie begins at 6:00 PM
📍 Location: 1330 Gardner Ave., Las Cruces, NM