40 Days For Life

40 Days for Life is a campaign that was begun in 2004 by a local group in Bryan-College Station, Texas. [http://ncregister.com/site/article/3209/ Drake, Tim. "40 Days for Life: Pro-Life Group Launches National Campaign." "National Catholic Reporter". 4 Aug 2007.] It has now spread to communities across the United States.

40 Days for Life takes a determined, peaceful approach to showing local communities the consequences of abortion in their own neighborhoods.

A 40 Days for Life campaign consists of 40 days of prayer and fasting combined with a constant, round-the-clock vigil at an abortion facility and proactive community outreach. The 40 days concept comes from a pattern repeated in the Bible, from Noah and 40 days in the flood to Moses and 40 days on the mountain to Jesus and 40 days in the desert.

40 Days for Life campaigns are managed by local volunteers in each of the cities involved in the effort. A small national office coordinates communications and provides training and other resources for the local volunteers.

Follow-up campaigns

The initial campaign resulted in a rejuvenation of local pro-life activities and also resulted in a significant decrease in abortions in the Bryan-College Station area. [http://40daysforlife.com/about.cfm?selected=history "40daysforlife.com". "40 Days for life." 2008.] Over the next two and a half years, the campaign was replicated in six other cities.

2007 Campaign

In early 2007, the leaders of those first campaigns got together and suggested a simultaneous nationwide 40 Days for Life campaign in as many cities as wished to participate.

The first national campaign ran from September 26 - November 4 with activities in more than 80 cities in more than 30 American states [ [http://www.zenit.org/article-20603?l=english ZENIT - U.S. Kicks Off 40 Days for Life ] ] .

2008 Campaign

A second national campaign ran from February 6 - March 16, with events held in 59 cities during the Christian season of Lent, [http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS138148+21-Jan-2008+PRN20080121 "Reuters.com". "Abortion Opponents in 59 Cities Prepare Focused 40-Day Campaign to Counter Impact" 21 Jan 2008.] A second nationwide 40 Days for Life campaign is scheduled from September 24 - November 2.

External links

* [http://www.40daysforlife.com/ 40 Days For Life website]
* [http://www.plannedparenthood.org/westernwashington/anti-choice-groups-launch-%E2%80%9C40-days%E2%80%9D-of-protest-against-planned-parenthood.htm Planned Parenthood press release about the group]

References