As 40 Days for Life begins its eleventh year as a coordinated pro-life outreach, Christians began prayer vigils today in more than 375 locations around the world – the largest campaign yet for this pro-life movement.
“More than 150 of these peaceful vigils will be taking place in front of Planned Parenthood facilities in the United States,” said 40 Days for Life president Shawn Carney. “While Planned Parenthood remains the largest abortion chain in the United States, 2017 has not been a good year for them.”
As 40 Days for Life has grown even larger in 2017, just this summer Planned Parenthood shut down abortion centers in Chandler, Arizona; Vacaville, California; and Sioux City, Iowa. Additionally, Planned Parenthood announced it would ¬¬¬¬close referral centers in Casper, Wyoming and Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
“At all of those locations, faithful Christians prayed on the sidewalks outside during 40 Days for Life vigils,” Carney said. “All total, we are now aware of 90 abortion centers that have gone out of business permanently following 40 Days for Life vigils since our coordinated campaigns began in 2007. We don’t take credit. We just note that people prayed for an end to abortion in their communities, and the places that offered abortions then closed.
“Former Planned Parenthood employees have reported that the ‘no show’ rate for an abortion appointment goes as high as 75% when people are out in front praying,” Carney said. “Going out to these places is the ultimate way to defund the abortion giant.”
Internationally, 40 Days for Life campaigns are being conducted for the first time in three new countries – Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hungary and Taiwan. “All of our prayers – gathered together as one – can make an enormous difference,” said Carney.
40 Days for Life consists of 40 days of prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil and community outreach. Two campaigns are conducted each year – one in the fall, and one during the Christian season of lent. The dates for the current campaign are September 27 through November 5.
The first 40 Days for Life vigil was conducted outside a Planned Parenthood abortion center in Bryan, Texas in 2004. That facility closed in 2013, and the former Planned Parenthood building now serves as 40 Days for Life’s international headquarters.
DAY 2: Your Planned Parenthood stat
September 28, 2017
Of the 375+ locations where peaceful 40 Days for Life prayer vigils are under way … more than 150 are outside Planned Parenthood offices.
But Planned Parenthood is closing facilities at a record pace … and at least in part, they have YOU to blame for that.
Former Planned Parenthood directors report that the “no-show” rate for abortion appointments goes as high as 75% when people are out in front praying!
That is detrimental to any business — but it’s important to know that when Planned Parenthood’s business goes down, it means that lives are saved from abortion.
It’s that simple. Now is the time to show up … and pray like never before.
Planned Parenthood is still America’s abortion giant … and they’re still responsible for more than 300,000 abortions every year.
But whether it’s a Planned Parenthood office in your community – or an independent abortion facility or a hospital – join the closest 40 Days for Life campaign!
DAY 3: Hurricanes and free abortions
September 29, 2017
Many of us have been touched in some way by the recent string of natural disasters – earthquakes in Mexico, hurricanes in Texas, Florida and the Caribbean.
I live in Houston … and the water from Hurricane Harvey came within just a few feet of our home. Many of our neighbors and friends were not so fortunate. These powerful forces of nature are reminders of how precious – and fragile – human life can be.
But on the other hand, there’s a Texas abortion center operator, who, in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, stepped forward to offer “free abortion care” to “women affected by the storm.”
She said, “it ‘s the right thing to do.” She went on to say that abortion is “essential to our ability to function in society with true equality.”
Sadly, this is the empty mentality required in the cold and sterile abortion industry. They survive on despair and make money from forcing their will on the most vulnerable in our society.
Not long after Harvey hit, I went out to the largest abortion facility in the Western Hemisphere — the Planned Parenthood mega-center in Houston. There, just after the hurricane, I saw hope.
The medical bus operated by the Houston Coalition for Life was parked outside Planned Parenthood, offering women ultrasounds and positive options — despite the organization’s office being flooded!
The Houston Coalition for Life sponsors 40 Days for Life in their community, showing that neither natural disasters nor an industry that offers free abortions can deter the love of life and love of God.
DAY 4: 375 cities … 24 countries
September 30, 2017
Abortion is the leading cause of death in the world … with an estimated 56 million happening every year.
The crisis is global … and so is the solution. Prayer.
From now until November 5, this 40 Days for Life campaign is taking place in 24 countries around the world … and even some of the local campaigns have an international flavor!
German campaigns have great support from the Croatian community, for instance. And there is strong involvement from Polish communities in Canada and also in Scotland, where a first-time leader is bringing fresh excitement to the campaign.
Aberdeen, Scotland
We start today in Aberdeen … with a quick video from the local leader, Klaudiusz Mozelewski, recorded on the Scottish shoreline with a lighthouse in the background.
Klaudiusz brings a powerful message about the role fathers can play in 40 Days for Life, so check it out!
Cluj-Napoca, Romania
September 30, 2017
“A new campaign has begun,” said one of the Cluj-Napoca team members. “Let us unite to praise God together!”
The volunteers are already thanking God for the many blessings received during the campaign – for those who came to watch … for those who joined the prayers … and especially those who brought warm food!
(And for international flavor, one sign seen at the vigil was in French!)
“Someone asked us how much we’re paid to get out in the street,” said one of the local leaders.
Well, obviously, no one is being paid to pray for an end to abortion!
However, the volunteer said they’re at the vigil because they have two debts to pay: “One is to the Heavenly Father, as thanks for the gift of our lives. The second is to our younger brothers and sisters, who do not have a voice to defend themselves from injustice.”
And as always, it will help to have more volunteers for the remainder of the campaign. “See you tomorrow,” the Cluj-Napoca leader said, “same time, same place!”
You might want to ask you pro-life friends at 40 days for life to call their rep.!
I received this from my diocese via email:
“Urgent Call to Action! The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on Tuesday, October 3 on The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 36). Please contact your member of the House of Representatives immediately and urge support for this life-saving legislation!”
My husband is going to pray in front of Planned Parenthood and I asked him to share this with his pro-life friends.
