Marie Cummins
The mission of 40 Days for Life is to bring together the body of Christ in a spirit of unity during a focused 40 day campaign of prayer, fasting and peaceful witness, with the purpose of repentance, to seek God’s favour to turn hearts and minds from a culture of death to a culture of life, thus bringing an end to abortion.
The first 40 Days for Life campaign will take place from September 25 until November 3 across the road from the National Maternity hospital, Holles Street, Dublin. The campaign is just three weeks away. 40 Days for Life launched in 1998 in Bryan-College Station, Texas, and has been a force for good ever since.
40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life campaign which generates measurable life-saving results.
92% of 40 Days for Life participants reported that they grew spiritually and personally through their involvement in the campaign. People have turned back to God with renewed hope”
So far, 40 Days for Life campaigns have been conducted in 855 communities in 61 nations. More than 16,000 children have been reported as saved from abortion. Local abortion numbers have dropped – as much as 28%. Post-abortive women (and men) are finding healing and forgiveness.
In each city, hundreds – more than 1,000 in some cases – are getting involved with local lifesaving ministry efforts for the first time. More than one million people of faith and conscience have joined together to pray and fast for an end to abortion. Thousands of women and men have been spared from the pain and regret of abortion.
Campaign
Many individuals with abortion experiences in their past have found healing. 92% of 40 Days for Life participants reported that they grew spiritually and personally through their involvement in the campaign. People have turned back to God with renewed hope.
The campaign is a cross-denominational, faith-based effort made up of two key components: prayer and fasting; inviting people of faith throughout our city to join together for 40 days of fervent prayer and fasting for an end to abortion peaceful vigil; standing for life through a 40-day peaceful, prayerful, public witness across the road from the National Maternity hospital from 7am until 7pm.
All participants are asked to sign a statement of peace in which they pledge to conduct themselves in a Christ-like manner. Only signs provided by 40 Days for Life will be permitted during the campaign.
Movement
The campaign has been endorsed by many prominent international leaders, including Abby Johnson, former Planned Parenthood clinic director, who said: “I am in this movement today because of ordinary people who took on an extraordinary task. My former abortion clinic is closed because of their sacrifice. Babies are alive because of them. Women are no longer being hurt by abortion in their community. You can do this. You can save a life. I now stand alongside you in this 40 Days for Life movement.”
God has used the period of 40 days throughout history to bring about major transformation, from Noah’s transformation during 40 days of rain to the disciples being transformed after spending 40 days with Jesus following his resurrection.
What will God accomplish when people of faith across our nation come together to unite for 40 days of prayer and fasting, making the commitment to give of your time to end the violence of abortion?
Marie Cummins is a volunteer with 40 Days for Life.