"40 Days for Life" Begins Today

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"40 Days for Life" Begins Today

Special Report - February 6, 2008
Beginning on Wednesday, February 6, thousands of pro-lifers across the United States will join together in the second annual “40 Days for Life” campaign, a 40-day event of prayer and fasting, constant vigil outside abortion clinics, and community outreach. Pro-life advocates in 59 cities in 31 states will be participating in the campaign, including three cities in North Carolina—Charlotte, Franklin and Raleigh. During the 40 days, participants are asked to pray and fast for an end to abortion; keep constant, peaceful vigil outside abortion clinics in their communities for 24 hours, seven days a week (with individuals or groups rotating time slots); and educate their communities about the harms of abortion through door-to-door outreach, the distribution of flyers and other materials on abortion, and church involvement. According to David Bereit, the National Campaign Director of “40 Days for Life,” the campaign is scheduled to run from February 6-March 14 to coincide with the Christian season of Lent. “Lent is a season of prayer, fasting, repentance and renewal,” Beriet explained in a press release. “It is our prayer that the efforts of the thousands of people who will participate in 40 Days for Life in their home towns will touch hearts and minds, save lives, and help mark the beginning of the end of abortion in America.”

During the first national “40 Days for Life” campaign in 2007, pro-life citizens in over 80 cities in 30 states took part, including 100,000 who prayed and fasted, and 22,000 who participated in peaceful vigils outside abortion clinics. According to Bereit, during last year’s campaign, “abortion facilities experienced sharp setbacks, some cutting back hours and others closing for days at a time, and at least 340 innocent children were spared from death by abortion.”

There will be two “40 Days for Life” campaigns in 2008, the first from February 6 through March 14, and the second from September 24 through November 2. To learn more about the national campaign, and to access a list of cities in North Carolina that are participating, visit the “40 Days for Life” web site. Local campaign web sites can also be accessed through the main site.