WASHINGTON, D.C., February 10, 2016 (LifeSiteNews) – The international pro-life organization 40 Days for Life kicked off its 18th campaign today on Ash Wendesday, the first day of Lent.
With 273 cities participating this year in 21 countries, 40 Days for Life continues its remarkable growth.
“The 273 cities make this campaign the largest ‘spring’ campaign ever,” Steve Karlen, Director of North American Campaigns, told LifeSiteNews.
Karlen said the vigil continues to spread globally, and there is more encouraging news to report.
“We have first-time campaigns in places like Bolivia, El Salvador, Germany, Scotland, and even Hong Kong,” he said.
“This morning we announced the 65th and 66th abortion centers to close their doors following a 40 Days for Life campaign: Oklahoma City, OK and Roswell, GA,” Karlen continued. “And since 2007, we also know of 11,165 lives saved from abortion and 127 abortion workers who experienced conversion and left their jobs during a campaign.”
As one of those former workers, Ramona Trevino said 40 Days for Life would always be meaningful for her.
“On a personal level, 40 Days for Life will always hold a special place in my heart,” Trevino told LifeSiteNews. “It was during a 40 Days for Life vigil that I reached out for prayers while working for Planned Parenthood.”
“It was during this vigil that I received prayers and support from complete strangers who came together united as the body of Christ,” she said. “I will never forget that one and only single campaign that took place outside my clinic several years ago.
Trevino, who this year is an outreach coordinator for the Plano, Texas, campaign, will forever be grateful to those who continue to participate and dedicate their time to a 40 Days for Life campaign.
“It will serve as a constant reminder to me how great God is and how during those 40 days I was transformed,” she said.
Trevino hopes her personal testimony will help open doors that otherwise would be shut in regards to outreach.
“I’m also hoping that my involvement in this campaign, along with my presence out on the grass, will not only inspire others to get involved but also challenge the workers to examine themselves and their consciences,” she stated. “I hope that they will see me as someone they, too, can be—Free!”
While Christians across the nation will organize local prayer vigils, this year there will be two 40 Days for Life vigils in Washington D.C.: one at the U.S. Supreme Court, and another at Planned Parenthood's flagship headquarters, currently being constructed at 1225 4th St NE, at Florida Avenue.
The power of the fervent prayer at 40 Days for Life vigils around the world since its inception is undeniable, with the thousands of documented babies spared from abortion, the dozens and dozens of abortion workers who’ve had a change of heart and quit their jobs, and the 64 abortion businesses that have closed.
Vigils take place at abortion facilities, but Cirignano says the decision to have two simultaneous vigils in the nation's capital is because “The Supreme Court offers a unique focal point for the abortion and religious freedom decisions that will effect our National legal system.” He added, “It is also more visible and more convenient for the media and Members of Congress to stop by and promote on social media.”
Karlen expressed enthusiasm at the start of this latest 40 Days for Life campaign.
“I couldn’t be more excited to launch this campaign,” he told LifeSiteNews. “I’m always thrilled to receive the first report of a baby saved from abortion, and today it didn’t take long. The campaign team in Edmonton, Alberta reported a mother changing her mind and choosing life after the very first hour of prayer this morning! Praise God!”
40 Days for Life CEO David Bereit originally started the movement in 2004 in Texas.
“With a looming Presidential election, the Supreme Court preparing to hear some of the most crucial pro-life cases since Roe v. Wade, and Planned Parenthood lashing out after being exposed for harvesting and trafficking aborted baby body parts, there has NEVER been a more important time to pray and fast for life,” Bereit told LifeSiteNews.
“We are incredibly encouraged by the record-breaking response to this 40 Days for Life, which will be our largest Lenten campaign ever,” Bereit added. “People of faith and conscience are invited to join with more than 100,000 people who will be praying and fasting, holding peaceful vigils, and conducting grassroots community outreach in 273 cities around the world. With God, all things are possible… even ending abortion!”
The forty days of fasting, prayer and outreach will conclude on Palm Sunday, March 20.
