November 27, 2019 (LifeSiteNews) – In today’s episode of The Van Maren Show, Jonathon Van Maren speaks with David Bereit, the co-founder of 40 Days for Life. 40 Days for Life is an international campaign that aims to end abortion through local prayer and fasting, community outreach, and a peaceful all-day vigil in front of abortion businesses.
The efforts of 40 Days for Life have saved 14,643 children’s lives, brought 177 workers out of the abortion industry, and closed 96 abortion centers.
Van Maren speaks with Bereit about how he turned a protest outside of a single clinic into a worldwide movement and the role prayer played and plays in the pro-life movement.
Bereit shares the story of how he got involved in the pro-life movement thanks to his wife Margaret. When Planned Parenthood announced they were opening an abortion center in their hometown of College Station, Texas, Margaret reminded her husband that they would be “held accountable for what we do or don’t do.”
At the first meeting he attended, Bereit was elected Chairman of the Coalition for Life, a volunteer position he held for several years.
Bereit stepped down as the Chairman of the Coalition for Life as abortion numbers continued rising and volunteer numbers continued to fall. Bereit felt like he was “floundering.” It was the night that his departure was announced that Bereit felt a tug on his heart to recommit himself to the movement in an even greater manner. After speaking with his wife and pastor, Bereit left his job as a pharmaceutical representative and joined the Coalition full-time.
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After many years of success at the Coalition, Bereit again felt tugged to do more. After dedicating themselves to prayer, Bereit and his wife launched the first 40 Days for Life campaign. Over a thousand people got involved and local abortions were reduced by 28%!
The success of the vigil took off like wildfire and spread throughout the state and the country, something Bereit and his wife never imagined or intended.
“So, again, God uses these beautiful, humble beginnings. When the Holy Spirit moves, we need to be in tune to it and then we need to get on board.”
As 40 Days for Life grew, abortion rates where there were vigils dropped, abortion centers shut down, and abortion workers left their jobs. The movement was taking off.
Bereit shares some stories from his work that listeners truly wouldn’t believe, including the story of how a former church was turned into an abortion facility and then into a pregnancy center. Tune in to learn more about the founding of 40 Days for Life, to hear Bereit share inspiring, surreal stories about his journey, and to hear about the big plans Bereit has for integrating supporting families and the sanctity of marriage into the pro-life movement.
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