Help End Abortion in Your Community

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Vol. XXIV, No. 8, September 2011

“What can we do to end abortion in our community?” That is what a group of four people in Texas asked in the fall of 2004 when they decided to go to God in fervent prayer. An hour later, they believed that God was directing them to do three things:

* Fast and pray for an end to abortion;

* Hold a constant, peaceful vigil at the site where the abortions were taking place; and

* Reach out to the community with the pro-life message.

In obedience to this direction, they mobilized their community for a forty-day campaign. They chose 40 days because God has used 40-day periods in biblical history to transform individuals, communities, and the entire world – Noah in the flood, Moses on the mountain, Jesus in the wilderness, and the disciples after Christ’s resurrection. They called the campaign 40 Days for Life. It was put together in a matter of weeks, yet it activated 1,000 people and led directly to a 28 percent decline in abortions in their community.

News of the victory that God led in this Texas town spread to other communities, and a second campaign was launched, this time in six other cities. Each program reported positive results. In some cities clinics closed altogether or cut their operating hours. Other cities found an outpouring of women seeking post-abortion healing, who were then directed to Christ for His healing and forgiveness.

Since then campaigns have been held in 337 cities in all fifty states and ten other countries, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, England, Ireland, and Spain. People who had never been involved in pro-life activities came forward to answer the call. Lives were saved, hearts were changed, and people saw that prayer indeed can make a difference in the quest to end abortion.

When women arrive at an abortion facility and see a group of people, or even one person, praying and holding a sign with a positive pro-life message, it causes them to think twice before getting an abortion, and some have changed their minds and thus saved their babies’ lives.

Over 4300 children are now alive as a result of 40 Days for Life campaigns, and these are just the ones that have been reported. Sometimes a woman will stop by a vigil site to thank the people for being there and to show them her precious child, who is now alive because people like them had been there praying when she arrived for an abortion. Others have sadly told vigil participants that they wished people had been there praying when they came for an abortion, because if someone had been there, they would not have had the abortion which has caused them a lifetime of grief and regret.

In other results, 14 abortion clinics have completely shut down, at least 53 abortion workers have quit their jobs and walked away from the abortion industry, and numerous post-abortive women (and men) have found healing and forgiveness in Jesus Christ. Your prayers and peaceful witness do make a difference!

This fall, from September 28 – November 6, Christians everywhere are called upon to join another 40 Days for Life campaign and be a part of this work that God is doing. Participants will fast and pray for an end to abortion, take part in vital prayer vigils which have a direct role in saving lives, and reach out to the community through literature distribution, advertising, and by word of mouth, spreading the word that abortion is not the best choice, that there are other options, and that help is available to those who choose life.

Everyone who participates in a vigil agrees to pursue peaceful solutions, to show compassion, and to reflect Christ’s love to everyone – including those who work at the abortion clinic. Prayers are offered for them as well as for the mothers, their babies, other family members, and those in the community who need to recognize the truth about abortion.

For more information go to www.40daysforlife.com. If there is not a 40 Days for Life campaign in your area, please consider starting one yourself. Assistance, support, and resources are available to all leaders. Visit the web site for more information.