40 Days for Life approaches end of campaign;
pro-life prayer volunteers don’t want to stop

WASHINGTON, DC – “Even after praying and fasting for 40 days – and being involved in vigils that in many cities went round the clock, seven days a week –many of the people who are participating in this campaign simply don’t want to see it end,” said David Bereit, national campaign director of 40 Days for Life. “Tens of thousands of people have prayed in front of abortion facilities, many for the first time. They see the impact of that peaceful presence, and they yearn to keep going.”

Beginning September 24, intensive 40 Days for Life campaigns have been conducted in more than 175 communities in 47 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa and two Canadian provinces. The effort formally concludes this Sunday.

“People across the country have expressed an interest in getting involved in the effort to end abortion,” said Bereit, “but far too often, they didn’t know where to start. 40 Days for Life provided a starting point. Now they’ve seen what can happen; and now that they’ve taken that first step, they’re eagerly anticipating additional opportunities for continuing their pro-life outreach.”

The 40 Days for Life vigils show the importance of being physically present at the clinics, Bereit said. “This is where the evil of abortion is committed; this is where the evil of abortion must be confronted. People who seek the services of abortionists are people who have lost hope. The sight of people engaged in peaceful, prayerful vigil sends a message of hope at precisely the time these women need it the most. We must – and we will – continue to be present to offer that hope.”

In some cities, volunteers are talking about extending the daily vigils, some insisting that the vigils must continue until the clinics are closed. Others are planning to maintain vigils on a regular basis – during business hours, for instance, or at the very least on days on which abortions are performed. Additional interest is also being expressed in getting involved in areas such as sidewalk counseling, post-abortion ministry and pregnancy resource centers.

“We know of at least 441 lives that were saved from abortion as a result of the 40 Days for Life effort thus far,” said Bereit. “But those are not the only lives that have been changed. We hear every day about people seeking help who have been dealing with abortion experiences – some of them have been hurting for more than 30 years. There are people in the abortion industry who have been touched by this effort. They, too, are witnessing the power of prayer at work first hand. The secular world would say 40 Days for Life is futile, perhaps even foolish. But we’ve seen the evidence that God has blessed this effort, and we can’t wait to see where He will lead us next.”