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The Beginning of the End of Abortion: 40 Inspiring Stories of God Changing Hearts and Saving Lives
Abortion is ending.....where you live. Author Shawn Carney takes you on a heartfelt journey to the darkest corners of our culture to share what many don't see -- hope . These 40 powerful stories The Right Wrong Number. A young pregnant woman in Texas tried to call Planned Parenthood to schedule an abortion but what unfolded saved her baby's life. Faith Stronger Than Cancer. How a deacon saved lives and ended abortion in his community while fighting for his own. It's Not Pie in the Sky. A prayer volunteer in a wheelchair was spat on and ridiculed only to trust God s plan and inspire a couple to choose life for their baby. Almost Aborted. A woman who has helped save hundreds of lives from abortion discovers later in life that she was almost aborted. Music Through the Wall. An abortion doctor who heard prayers and singing in the pregnancy center next door to his abortion facility ends up never doing another abortion. And many more. The Beginning of the End of Abortion is a fast-paced journey through forty true stories that demonstrate how prayer saves lives, changes hearts, and transforms communities ... and nations. The escalating results of 40 Days for Life s peaceful prayer vigils held around the globe are in your neighborhood saving lives, closing abortion facilities, and inspiring abortion workers to leave their jobs. The Beginning of the End of Abortion can serve as your devotional guide, with one story, scripture and devotional thought every day for forty days. Abortion is ending.....and God can use you in what He is doing.
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First published September 12, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 15, 2019
‘God shows us that working through the efforts of so many people, each responding to God’s call, great things can be accomplished. Some are called to lead a campaign, others to be weekly prayer warriors, others to be side walk counselors or run a pregnancy center. We might even be called to step back a bit at times and play our parts just for a season. … This is truly God’s work through many, many hands. Light always conquers darkness.’ p.228
When I first saw the title of this book, I thought of that famous quote by Winston Churchill, the one that goes, “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”
But Shawn Carney, the author of this book, is actually claiming that he is seeing more than the end of the beginning out there on the front-lines of the Abortion War. He is seeing The Beginning of the End. After reading this book, I’m inclined to agree with him.
My only regret in reading this book is that I didn’t read his first book, 40 Days for Life: Discover What God Has Done...Imagine What He Can Do before this one. However, as this was such an upbeat book, I can hardly be sorry for very long.
In the ups and downs of the Life-Abortion Debate, there are many exciting things happening. There are new laws being passed every day, famous personages speaking out in favor of life, pro-Life movies being made which do very well at the box office despite every effort on the part of the liberal media and Hollywood to suppress and ignore them. Yes, the other side is fighting back for all its worth and the fighting is getting uglier, but that seems more a sign of desperation and fear of defeat, than confidence in their own success.
And as the author points out, you don’t see people going from pro-Life to pro-Abortion, but you DO see people coming from Abortion centers, Planned Parenthood and from being staunch supporters of abortion to the realization that every life is precious. You see people who believed in abortion, who had abortions, even performed thousands of abortions, recognizing the truth about Life.
In The Beginning of the End, Shawn Carney shows how prayer and one-on-one contact with real people is changing lives. That is what 40 Days for Life does and this book gives example after example. There are stories about: converted abortion doctors; how it’s never too early nor too late to get involved; the importance of mercy; how a single picture was worth a 1000 prayers; how the movement has spread overseas; the difference fasting makes; specific campaigns and their leaders; failures turned into success; vigils springing up in the most unlikely places, and of course, individual mothers, fathers, grandparents and babies saved from abortion. For honesty sake, Shawn also shared stories of heartache and loss as well, but very often, brave souls turned their sorrows into good for others.
This is one of the most upbeat books I have read in a long time. As such, my review doesn’t begin to do it justice, but I have to make an effort at least. Dear husband and I pray the Rosary for Life every day, not on the front lines, in our home. Sometimes I wish I was out there praying next to our city’s Abortion clinic. It’s on the other side of town, so we support the effort in other ways. Shawn talks about that in the book too. There are many ways to support Life, to help bring an end to Abortion. We are all called to do our part. If nothing else, read this or 40 Days for Life! You won’t be sorry!
When I first saw the title of this book, I thought of that famous quote by Winston Churchill, the one that goes, “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”
But Shawn Carney, the author of this book, is actually claiming that he is seeing more than the end of the beginning out there on the front-lines of the Abortion War. He is seeing The Beginning of the End. After reading this book, I’m inclined to agree with him.
My only regret in reading this book is that I didn’t read his first book, 40 Days for Life: Discover What God Has Done...Imagine What He Can Do before this one. However, as this was such an upbeat book, I can hardly be sorry for very long.
In the ups and downs of the Life-Abortion Debate, there are many exciting things happening. There are new laws being passed every day, famous personages speaking out in favor of life, pro-Life movies being made which do very well at the box office despite every effort on the part of the liberal media and Hollywood to suppress and ignore them. Yes, the other side is fighting back for all its worth and the fighting is getting uglier, but that seems more a sign of desperation and fear of defeat, than confidence in their own success.
And as the author points out, you don’t see people going from pro-Life to pro-Abortion, but you DO see people coming from Abortion centers, Planned Parenthood and from being staunch supporters of abortion to the realization that every life is precious. You see people who believed in abortion, who had abortions, even performed thousands of abortions, recognizing the truth about Life.
In The Beginning of the End, Shawn Carney shows how prayer and one-on-one contact with real people is changing lives. That is what 40 Days for Life does and this book gives example after example. There are stories about: converted abortion doctors; how it’s never too early nor too late to get involved; the importance of mercy; how a single picture was worth a 1000 prayers; how the movement has spread overseas; the difference fasting makes; specific campaigns and their leaders; failures turned into success; vigils springing up in the most unlikely places, and of course, individual mothers, fathers, grandparents and babies saved from abortion. For honesty sake, Shawn also shared stories of heartache and loss as well, but very often, brave souls turned their sorrows into good for others.
This is one of the most upbeat books I have read in a long time. As such, my review doesn’t begin to do it justice, but I have to make an effort at least. Dear husband and I pray the Rosary for Life every day, not on the front lines, in our home. Sometimes I wish I was out there praying next to our city’s Abortion clinic. It’s on the other side of town, so we support the effort in other ways. Shawn talks about that in the book too. There are many ways to support Life, to help bring an end to Abortion. We are all called to do our part. If nothing else, read this or 40 Days for Life! You won’t be sorry!
February 20, 2021
This book is written in the format of 40 days worth of true stories.
The author, Shawn Carney is the cofounder, CEO, and president of 40 Days for Life. As a volunteer in the pro-life movement while still in college, he helped lead the first-ever local 40 Days for Life campaign. After graduation, Shawn was asked to serve as executive director of Coalition for Life, a local pro-life organization in Texas made up of more than sixty churches. From its beginning, Shawn has been instrumental in growing 40 Days for Life first nationally and then internationally.
Shawn has shared his 40 stories. Most end in life happily ever after: abortion has been repudiated; the decision to not abort has brought infinite joy. But Shawn also has at least one story where the new parents have ignored the child; not happy or a story book ending at all. I am glad that he is willing to share this type of story too. Although very sad, it still does not justify abortion.
I am glad that I read the book. At the very least, learned more about the great organization, 40 Days for Life.
4 stars
The author, Shawn Carney is the cofounder, CEO, and president of 40 Days for Life. As a volunteer in the pro-life movement while still in college, he helped lead the first-ever local 40 Days for Life campaign. After graduation, Shawn was asked to serve as executive director of Coalition for Life, a local pro-life organization in Texas made up of more than sixty churches. From its beginning, Shawn has been instrumental in growing 40 Days for Life first nationally and then internationally.
Shawn has shared his 40 stories. Most end in life happily ever after: abortion has been repudiated; the decision to not abort has brought infinite joy. But Shawn also has at least one story where the new parents have ignored the child; not happy or a story book ending at all. I am glad that he is willing to share this type of story too. Although very sad, it still does not justify abortion.
I am glad that I read the book. At the very least, learned more about the great organization, 40 Days for Life.
4 stars
October 22, 2022
Just okay. It very well could inspire more Christians to get personally involved in prolife activities.
For a variety of reasons, though, I couldn't give it 5 stars.
Some of these stories are very moving, but I felt many would have been more impactful without the author's commentary after each one - to simply trust that readers have brains and that God can communicate through His Holy Spirit.
Even though this only contains 40 stories, each one was too long and they (and the commentary) became rather repetitive. The book could have used much harsher editing.
I was happy that Carney began by pointing to Jesus as the answer to the world's problems, including abortion; but toward the end, his arguments devolved and pointed to the nuclear family as the solution.
"The family is where we place our hope to end abortion." (p 295)
Mmm... Nope, Jesus is our hope.
He states that "real heroes" are "raising their children," insinuating that all heroes have children… (p 294)
And he has questionable ideas about marriage and family.
"... getting married to have more children is a great way to change the culture." (p 185)
I don't think that having children is the best reason to get married. God doesn't promise us children.
"Abortion is first and foremost an attack on the beauty of the family." (p 293)
I would argue that it is more an attack on the sovereignty of God. Like Adam and Eve, after Satan, we want to "be like God" - we want to be the ones to decide who lives and who dies. We don't want to submit to His will.
Like many western Christians today, Carney doesn't seem to understand that Jesus is to be prioritized above our earthly families.
The author also peppered in a lot about his middle-class American life, and as someone who is lower-class, this was a pretty big turn-off. It's easy to say that you'll support women who feel they don't have the resources to raise children, but in reality, the support usually ends pretty quickly after a woman gives birth. I'm 100% prolife, and I don't think finances are a legitimate reason to have an abortion (or that there is such a thing as a legitimate reason to have one) but I also understand the struggles of poverty in a way that the author just doesn't seem to. It's hard to take a person seriously when they talk about something they just don't seem to really understand.
Lastly, there are so many typos in this book that it's embarrassing.
It's not the worst book in the world, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, either.
For a variety of reasons, though, I couldn't give it 5 stars.
Some of these stories are very moving, but I felt many would have been more impactful without the author's commentary after each one - to simply trust that readers have brains and that God can communicate through His Holy Spirit.
Even though this only contains 40 stories, each one was too long and they (and the commentary) became rather repetitive. The book could have used much harsher editing.
I was happy that Carney began by pointing to Jesus as the answer to the world's problems, including abortion; but toward the end, his arguments devolved and pointed to the nuclear family as the solution.
"The family is where we place our hope to end abortion." (p 295)
Mmm... Nope, Jesus is our hope.
He states that "real heroes" are "raising their children," insinuating that all heroes have children… (p 294)
And he has questionable ideas about marriage and family.
"... getting married to have more children is a great way to change the culture." (p 185)
I don't think that having children is the best reason to get married. God doesn't promise us children.
"Abortion is first and foremost an attack on the beauty of the family." (p 293)
I would argue that it is more an attack on the sovereignty of God. Like Adam and Eve, after Satan, we want to "be like God" - we want to be the ones to decide who lives and who dies. We don't want to submit to His will.
Like many western Christians today, Carney doesn't seem to understand that Jesus is to be prioritized above our earthly families.
The author also peppered in a lot about his middle-class American life, and as someone who is lower-class, this was a pretty big turn-off. It's easy to say that you'll support women who feel they don't have the resources to raise children, but in reality, the support usually ends pretty quickly after a woman gives birth. I'm 100% prolife, and I don't think finances are a legitimate reason to have an abortion (or that there is such a thing as a legitimate reason to have one) but I also understand the struggles of poverty in a way that the author just doesn't seem to. It's hard to take a person seriously when they talk about something they just don't seem to really understand.
Lastly, there are so many typos in this book that it's embarrassing.
It's not the worst book in the world, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, either.
February 24, 2025
It was really moving. Also I love how much he talked about eating alligator ngl
September 30, 2019
There is hope for the unborn!
May 9, 2019
Excellent, excellent, excellent!!! This is what real compassion and real love looks like. It is peaceful. It is filled with mercy. It is filled with empathy and support. This is not confrontational, not accusatory, not shame filled. This is supportive follow through. This is the way God would interact with abortion. This is what it means to act as pro-life. May God continue to progress 40 days for life until abortion is no more.
May 17, 2019
A hope-filled book, a bright and shining light illuminating a dark place. 40 Days for Life and its leaders understand how to relate to others in a Christlike way: fasting, prayer, listening, loving outreach. I learn so much from them and I am so encouraged by the greatness of their souls. Bless you, Shawn Carney, your family and 40 Days for Life.
Love it!
Love it!
May 9, 2019
Inspiring stories and some are hard that show you how 40 Days for Life is making a difference. This book shows why it is so urgent to get the message of Life out to everyone, but especially young women.
April 14, 2019
Middle school students shouldn't read this yet.
Read
June 14, 2019Easy to read, each chapter a different story
July 23, 2019
Great, encouraging but also very real and stunning stories!
June 13, 2020
First the negative side: Some will consider criticism trivial, but bear with me - An an extremely common phrase in the book that is repeated too often is "40 says for life". The constant repeat of that phrase drove me crazy and gave me the feeling that I was reading a commercial. I was also surprised and perplexed that his prayers at the end of each chapter did not include "in Jesus name". You see for the Christian, that phrase clarifies to the world who their God is and what He is like. Another concern is some of the people he quotes. For example: Machiavelli, (might makes right, the end justifies the means); Mother Theresa, (suffering to purge the soul, redemption through suffering). Maybe I didn't get the purpose of why he incorporated such quotes.
Let me shift to the positive now: You will hear about brave and caring souls that put themselves in the line for others. The biggest thing I got out of this book was how powerful your presence near an abortion clinic can be!! He also explains the heart and soul of those choosing abortion. He doesn't demonize them, he reaches out them in their hurt! Another take away from this book is that abortion is never a joyful experience!
Rather than recommend or not recommend this book, I would suggest you find a pro-life group in your town and find a way to support them. Shawn Carney and his bunch are doing a good thing!
Let me shift to the positive now: You will hear about brave and caring souls that put themselves in the line for others. The biggest thing I got out of this book was how powerful your presence near an abortion clinic can be!! He also explains the heart and soul of those choosing abortion. He doesn't demonize them, he reaches out them in their hurt! Another take away from this book is that abortion is never a joyful experience!
Rather than recommend or not recommend this book, I would suggest you find a pro-life group in your town and find a way to support them. Shawn Carney and his bunch are doing a good thing!
June 5, 2020
I don’t know when I have read a more poignant devotional. Each story seems to exceed the last one. If you are devotedly pro-life, this book will empower you. If you are pro-choice and hope to remain so, don’t read it.
November 2, 2025
40 Days For Life - Fall 2025...COMPLETE! This devotional was life-changing, re-enforcing, and spiritually amazing. I enjoyed this book as it walked me through my own prayers for life. 100% recommended for either the Spring or Fall 40 Days For Life events.
November 26, 2019
Very inspiring for pro life.
April 7, 2021
So good, some very uplifting and hopeful stories, some very very emotional
March 27, 2022
Me hizo llorar varias veces. Muy bueno
July 8, 2023
is written about a 40 day of life campaign in which volunteers stand outside an abortion clinic 24 hours a day for 40 days and just pray. The book had a lot of short stories about different locations and the impact it had the town and the women getting abortions. A lot of abortion clinics have shut down, as a result of the campaign. { the book was good however, I would say there was a lot of redundancy in the stories, but it is still reassuring to know that there are people that care about is unborn babies }
May 23, 2022
That was even more upsetting that the original 40 Days for Life book, we were introduced to new people but also told more about those we had heard about previously.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews