Local pro-life leaders across the world are busy preparing for the fall 40 Days for Life campaign in their communities.
Scheduled for Sept. 23 through Nov. 1, the twice annual pro-life campaign strives to protect unborn babies from abortion through peaceful vigils outside abortion facilities, community outreach, prayer and fasting.
Since it began in 2007, pro-lifers with 40 Days for Life have witnessed at least 17,226 babies saved from abortions, 107 abortion facilities close and 206 abortion workers quit.
Each campaign is community-based and compassion-focused. Many throw baby showers and hold diaper drives, refer women to material and financial assistance organizations, provide resources and encouragement to abortion workers who want to quit, and share information about post-abortion healing programs with individuals who they encounter.
Jailyn Smith, who is organizing the effort in Salt Lake City, Utah, told the Intermountain Catholic that they provide information and hope to pregnant mothers outside the city Planned Parenthood.
“It’s important to be there because it really can help the women realize that they don’t have to choose abortion, that there are other options that aren’t going to be so detrimental,” Smith said.
According to the report, several Catholic and Protestant churches in Salt Lake City encourage their congregations to participate by sponsoring specific vigil days. Smith said nearly 500 people joined in the spring campaign.
Follow LifeNews.com on Instagram for pro-life pictures and videos.
“I think the campaign is really important for exposure,” she told the Catholic publication. “If people see our signs or see people standing out praying, they are going to be curious. Sometimes that’s the sign a woman in an unplanned pregnancy is looking for. She’s looking for a reason not to make this decision. I think that 40 Days for Life is a wonderful way to do that.”
Smith emphasized that prayer is a powerful, important action to help save unborn babies and mothers from abortion.
“Too many people say, ‘Oh, you’re just out there praying. What’s that going to do?’ But we can see looking throughout the Bible how powerful prayer can be,” she said.
Earlier this year, 40 Days for Life founder Shawn Carney challenged pro-lifers to keep hoping and praying because he is “beginning to see the end of abortion.” He urged pro-life advocates to keep striving through prayer and peaceful advocacy, even when they feel overwhelmed.
“We have to pray, daily, for an end to abortion,” Carney told The Christian Post. “What a tragedy to let a day go by where we don’t pray for an end to abortion.”
Though 40 Days for Life is based in the United States, it has become an international effort. More than 1,000 cities in 63 countries have participated so far. For more information and a list of locations, visit www.40daysforlife.com.
