40 Days for Life launches fall 2008 campaign, reports 500 babies saved

Washington D.C., Jul 18, 2008 / 05:48 am

The 40 Days for Life initiative is launching its fall campaign to promote 40 days of prayer and fasting, 24-hour peaceful vigils outside abortion facilities and grassroots outreach across the country.

The fall campaign is scheduled to last from September 24 until November 2. It is the third such event organized by 40 Days for Life.

According to 40 Days for Life, 150,000 people in 43 states have responded to its previous calls for prayer and fasting, with more than 35,000 reportedly praying outside abortion facilities and Planned Parenthood centers. More than 500 unborn children were reportedly saved, while two abortion facilities that were prayer vigil locations have closed.

“Abortion claims more than 1.2 million innocent lives in the United States each year," said David Bereit, 40 Days for Life’s campaign director, "and in 2008, the stakes for our nation are higher than ever. People of faith and conscience are approaching this challenge with a heightened sense of urgency."

According to Bereit, people from over 300 locations across the U.S. and others from four different countries have expressed interest in the fall campaign.

“The rapid expansion of this effort has exceeded our wildest expectations,” Bereit said. “The call to participate in 40 Days for Life is a call to sacrifice. It's a call that people of faith are taking very seriously.”

An application period is open to pro-life leaders until July 29. Applications are available at the 40 Days for Life website at http://www.40daysforlife.com