The mission of the vigil is to bring together the body of Christ in a spirit of unity and repentance during a focused 40-day campaign of prayer and fasting, seeking to bring an end to abortion. The campaign's founding scripture is 2 Chronicles 7:14, "...if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." Because abortion is a spiritual issue, it requires a spiritual response from God's people. Why 40 days? God uses the same time period throughout scripture- perhaps because it's a short enough period to show us how quickly and miraculously his power can transform us and our circumstances, yet it's long enough to remind us of our own frailty and dependence on God. This is a spiritual discipline, not a guarantee of results or affirmation. It's an opportunity for the people of God to be obedient, pushing back against the evil of abortion and contending for the most vulnerable.
Because of 40 Days for Life having a peaceful and prayerful presence outside of local abortion centers, over 26,144 lives have been saved worldwide since 2007, 184 abortion centers have closed and 275 abortion workers have quit. Our local goal is to end abortions in Columbus at the Columbus Women's Health Organization which is located next door to Seneca, Choices for Life, a local medical pregnancy resource center. Every moment matters at the local level. It's where we have a hands-on chance to save a life. When the local level is the focus, and people are willing to show up and pray, God can and does change hearts and babies are saved.
Abortion rates decline when there is a 40 Days for Life prayerful presence outside of abortion centers. It's as easy as showing up, standing or sitting on the grassy area in front of Seneca, holding a peaceful 40 Days for Life sign, and praying. It's a true mission field and a way to make a difference in the lives of moms in crisis and their babies. We know it's not always convenient to show up and pray. When we want to show up and pray, that's a gift from God. But when we don't want to, that is our service to God. To say yes in rain or shine, early morning or after a long day of work, is all part of the daily battle to end abortion. Through whatever challenges we face to show up and pray, these are situations where God can teach us humility and sacrifice.
Abortion appointments at the abortion center occur throughout the work week and on some Saturdays. You may or may not be praying on an abortion day. However, abortion workers are inside the abortion center answering phone calls and scheduling appointments, so prayer is needed just as much on those non-abortion days. While praying on-site on abortion days, some moms will take our peaceful presence as a sign not to abort. She may even engage with you seeking help, and we are able to refer her to either Seneca or Sound Choices. Both of these Pregnancy Centers offer wrap-around services to these moms in crisis. Women never forget the day of their abortion. They will remember it just as they will remember our being there. Our body language and silence when they expect judgment are things they will remember, as well as our kind and loving signs offering help. Our presence may not always save the baby, but it can serve as a gateway to healing for that mom at some point in the future.
This simple campaign has spread to over 1,000 cities in 71 countries, and we are fortunate to be able to host a campaign in Columbus. Currently there are 13,721 local campaigns all over the world! Each time a new 40 Days for Life campaign begins, we start again to put one foot in front of the other to end abortion. Please join our local campaign and let's end abortion in our community.
When you come to pray:
1. Stay on public or Seneca property and don't go onto the abortion center's property.
2. Park in the Seneca parking lot or on the street if the lot is full.
3. Sign a "Statement of Peace" which is located in the storage box on the front porch of Seneca. If you signed one during the Fall 2025 campaign, you don't need to sign another one. There are prayer guides and devotionals in the file box for your use as well.
4. While on the porch, get a peaceful, 40 Days For Life sign, and hold while praying.
5. Bring a lawn chair if you prefer to sit, and set up on the grassy area in front of Seneca. It's your choice to stand or sit. Be comfortable, bring your Bible and devotional, and meet with God, praying to end abortion. There will be a few lawn chairs and umbrellas in the storage box on the porch in case you need to use one.
6. Since the goal is to have two people praying each hour, you may meet a new friend.
7. Because we want two people praying each hour, please consider inviting a friend to sign up to pray with you.
THE FALL VIGIL BEGINS ON ASH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2026 AND ENDS ON PALM SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2026
