40 Days for Life: Campaign to call for end to abortion launched in 273 cities around the world

Volunteers in Eureka, California join in singing as they began their community's fourth 40 Days for Life campaign on Feb. 11, 2016. (40DaysforLife)

People of faith and conscience in 273 cities across the globe are uniting in 40 days of prayer and fasting to call for an end to the injustice of abortion.

40 Days for Life, an internationally coordinated mobilisation campaign that focuses on the spiritual aspects of the battle to end abortion, was launched on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 10, and will go on until Palm Sunday, March 20. This year's campaign involves over 105,000 participants and over 5,200 churches, and is actively done in 32 countries.

The organiser said the campaign aims "to bring together the body of Christ in a spirit of unity during a focused 40-day campaign of prayer, fasting and peaceful activism with the purpose of repentance.''

"We have the opportunity to cooperate with God in carrying out His work. We put our faith in His will and prayerfully discern how He wishes us to respond,'' the organisation's spokesman said as reported by WND.

The campaign will include a peaceful 40-day, non-stop, round-the-clock prayer visit outside a Planned Parenthood centre or other abortion facility in local communities.

There will be massive community involvement and volunteers are expected to conduct door-to-door petitions and education drives in an effort to reach out to every household in a community, the organisation said.

Volunteers will also be distributing informational flyers to the participants during the period to raise awareness about the local crisis of abortion and invite citizens to sign a petition in support of the sanctity of human life. Participants can show support by wearing wristbands, placing signs in their yards, or displaying bumper stickers on their vehicles.

"These activities can help a community rapidly identify hundreds or thousands of pro-life supporters, who are then encouraged to pray and join other local pro-life efforts,'' said the spokesman.

"We are eager to join together with people of faith and conscience from hundreds of cities in numerous countries to pray for an end to abortion,'' said Margarita Szechenyi, coordinator of the local campaign in Atlanta, Georgia.

"Abortion takes a tremendous toll in our city, but many people aren't even aware of it. We will share the facts with as many people as possible during this campaign,'' she added.

In 2010, the campaign reportedly attracted attention when a Tennessee abortion doctor was arrested for brandishing a handgun at three 40 Days for Life participants demonstrating outside a South Carolina abortion clinic. There were no injuries during the encounter, reports said.

Cumulative data showed that from 2007 through the end of 2015, the campaign included 675,000 participants in 32 countries. Over 11,000 abortions were reportedly averted as a result.

40 Days for Life was originally started in 2004 by a group in Bryan-College Station, Texas. The group has official affiliates active in 32 countries. It was also credited with closing 64 abortion clinics and encouraging 127 abortion workers to quit.

related articles
Many U.S. abortion clinic workers quitting industry and becoming pro-life advocates, group says
Many U.S. abortion clinic workers quitting industry and becoming pro-life advocates, group says

Many U.S. abortion clinic workers quitting industry and becoming pro-life advocates, group says

Planned Parenthood sues Center for Medical Progress, Biomax over foetal body parts videos
Planned Parenthood sues Center for Medical Progress, Biomax over foetal body parts videos

Planned Parenthood sues Center for Medical Progress, Biomax over foetal body parts videos

Marco Rubio pledges to defend the unborn, saying \'a nation that can\'t guarantee a right to life cannot guarantee liberty\'
Marco Rubio pledges to defend the unborn, saying 'a nation that can't guarantee a right to life cannot guarantee liberty'

Marco Rubio pledges to defend the unborn, saying 'a nation that can't guarantee a right to life cannot guarantee liberty'

Planned Parenthood accused of lying as records show it provided hearts, brains of  aborted babies to university
Planned Parenthood accused of lying as records show it provided hearts, brains of aborted babies to university

Planned Parenthood accused of lying as records show it provided hearts, brains of aborted babies to university

Planned Parenthood official turns out to be working for Texas district attorney\'s office that indicted abortion whistle-blowers
Planned Parenthood official turns out to be working for Texas district attorney's office that indicted abortion whistle-blowers

Planned Parenthood official turns out to be working for Texas district attorney's office that indicted abortion whistle-blowers

Planned Parenthood profited from selling foetal parts, new documents released by pro-life group show
Planned Parenthood profited from selling foetal parts, new documents released by pro-life group show

Planned Parenthood profited from selling foetal parts, new documents released by pro-life group show

News
Church cautiously welcomes Northern Ireland government programme
Church cautiously welcomes Northern Ireland government programme

The document outlines the governing priorities of Northern Ireland’s government.

Pope looks to Christ during 'period of trial'
Pope looks to Christ during 'period of trial'

In his weekly Angelus address, Pope Francis gave praise to God as the one who never abandons us, even in times of severe trial.

Ukraine imprisons Christian conscientious objector
Ukraine imprisons Christian conscientious objector

Serhy Semchuk was sentenced to five years and has had all appeals rejected

Homeless man charged with terrorism after 'fake' attack threat against Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church
Homeless man charged with terrorism after 'fake' attack threat against Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church

A homeless man alleged to have threatened a deadly gas attack on Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, on Christmas Eve has been indicted on a federal terrorism charge.