On this final Sunday of Advent, I’m back home in Virginia with my family, snuggling by the fireplace with 18 inches of fresh snow on the ground outside — simply beautiful!

We are now about 36 hours away from the close of applications for the spring 40 Days for Life campaign and things are getting exciting!

It’s tough getting an exact handle on the number of cities because things have been moving so fast, and applications keep coming in by mail and online …

http://www.40daysforlife.com/apply

… But I can say the number of locations continues to grow — including numerous cities that have never conducted a 40 Days for Life campaign before!

(HINT: it’s going to be a powerful spring campaign you won’t want to miss out on!)

If you are thinking about leading a 40 Days for Life campaign in your city but still have some questions, we just posted a list of answers to Frequently Asked Questions online at:

http://40daysforlife.com/apply-faq.cfm

The questions answered on that page include:

* This seems overwhelming — where do I start?
* Why is there an application cut-off?
* Is this only for people from certain churches?
* Why is there a fee to lead a local campaign?
* How much more will this cost our community?
* Why apply? Can’t we just do this on our own?
* Why ask for 12 hours of daily vigil coverage?
* Why focus our vigil on just one location?
* Can I really do this?

Check out the answers at:

http://40daysforlife.com/apply-faq.cfm

Now, if you’ve decided not to apply — or if your community is not able to conduct a 40 Days for Life campaign next spring — that’s fine. I would simply ask that you keep the cities preparing to undertake this heroic initiative in your prayers.

Speaking of prayers, I wanted to end by sharing with you the most in-depth story I’ve yet seen about one of the many answered prayers from this fall’s 40 Days for Life: the profound conversion of Abby Johnson, former Planned Parenthood abortion center director.

Read the touching Baptist Press story online.

As Abby recently told the local 40 Days for Life leaders and participants in her hometown, “Your prayers and dedication are the reasons I am working on the right side today!”

Perhaps YOUR community will experience a similar answer to prayers during the spring 40 Days for Life campaign!

Blessings in Christ,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life

I’m currently stranded overnight at the airport here in Newark, New Jersey, while trying to get home following my last pro-life trip of the year. *sigh*

However, this delay has really given me some time to pray and reflect on how God has blessed 40 Days for Life since it began as a national — and then international — movement just over two years ago:

* 678 unique local 40 Days for Life campaigns
* 282 cities in all 50 states and multiple other countries
* 300,000+ participants
* 9,500+ church congregations involved
* 650+ news stories
* 2,168 lives confirmed saved
* 27 abortion workers quit
* 5 abortion facilities closed

Now, as the national director of 40 Days for Life, you know I’m biased about this campaign.

Frankly, I’ve seen God accomplish so many amazing miracles through this effort that I believe EVERY city would be closer to ending abortion by applying to conduct a 40 Days for Life campaign next spring, from February 17 – March 28:

http://40daysforlife.com/apply

40 Days for Life has a track record of proven life- saving results that is unprecedented …

… But PLEASE don’t just take my word for it!

Take the word of other people — just like you — who felt led to conduct 40 Days for Life in their towns and personally experienced the impact 40 Days for Life can have in a community.

Some of them were scared, busy, inexperienced, broke, in remote locations, dealing with hostile weather, or unsure if they could pull off something like this in their town.

But they took that step of faith.

And you’ll want to hear — in their own words — what it meant for them and for their communities.

First, listen to this 14-minute audio featuring testimonials from nine local 40 Days for Life campaign leaders from very diverse circumstances…

Listen to the Audio Online (click arrow-shaped “Play” button to start audio):

Download MP3 (right-click to save file to your computer):

http://www.40daysforlife.com/blog/audio/testimonials.mp3

Second, watch this inspirational case study video of the Fargo, North Dakota 40 Days for Life where you’ll see exactly what’s involved in conducting a successful campaign…

If, after going through those two items, you feel called to lead a 40 Days for Life in YOUR town next spring, apply now — before the application deadline next Monday, December 21:

http://40daysforlife.com/apply

It could be one of the most rewarding decisions you’ve ever made!

For Life,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life

Ready … set … GO!!!

Just a quick note to let you know that applications are NOW OPEN for the next coordinated 40 Days for Life campaign that will be held from February 17 through March 28, 2010.

Here’s the link to more information and the application form:

http://40daysforlife.com/apply

You can apply online or by mail. Complete instructions are available at the link above.

Ready to make a decision today? GO FOR IT!

Need more time? PRAY ABOUT IT!

This is a bold undertaking that requires determination, heart, and — above all — faith.

You’ve got a week and a half to keep this matter in prayer — and we’ll send you additional information over the coming days to help discern if you’re being called to lead 40 Days for Life in your community.

And in case you need ONE MORE REASON to participate in the spring 40 Days for Life campaign, read this great story that appears in today’s Augusta Chronicle newspaper about the Planned Parenthood in Augusta, Georgia slashing its hours from 40 hours a week to just 19 following the fall 40 Days for Life campaign:

Augusta Chronicle

Here’s that link to apply for the spring 40 Days for Life campaign one more time:

http://40daysforlife.com/apply

**PLEASE NOTE** Online applications must be received by midnight on Monday, December 21. Mail applications must be postmarked by Monday, December 21.

With everything that’s at stake at this crucial moment in history, let’s mobilize the Body of Christ and bring an end to the tragedy of abortion!

Looking forward to what God has in store for next spring’s 40 Days for Life!

Yours For Life,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life