Madison-area Christians will join Christian communities around the country again this fall to partake in a 40-day, around-the-clock prayer vigil outside Planned Parenthood.
Madison’s 40 Days for Life is seeking volunteers and participants interested in helping bring an end to abortion. Participants sign up for shifts of one to four hours. They can sign up for a single time or on a weekly basis, fasting and peacefully praying outside Planned Parenthood. The 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week prayer vigil begins September 24th and runs through November 2nd.
Last year’s 40 Days for Life participants reported many moving experiences.
“I had two young Ladies approach and say, ‘I want to know where I can obtain an adoption,’” said Don, who partook in last year’s vigil. “They change[d] their minds [about getting an abortion] because they had supporters. Someone who [could] help them do what was right.”
Kathy, another vigil participant, said 40 Days for Life is an important way to provide a voice for the voiceless.
“What is amazing to me is to see so many people who have come forward to participate in this worthwhile cause,” she said. It is encouraging to see the dedication and love that we share for life and for the unborn babies. We are their voices and we have to say no to the culture of death. Praise be to God!”
An organizational meeting for 40 Days for Life-Madison will take place Monday, June 2 at 6:00 p.m. at the House of Prayer in Madison, near the East Towne Mall. The address is 1714 Eagan Road. For further information, contact Amy Hying at 40DaysForLifeMadison@gmail.com or (608) 698-3877.
The meeting will feature beingHUMAN, a documentary that explains the 40 Days for Life vigil. The video can also be viewed at www.40daysforlife.com/show.cfm
With the beginning of the vigil just four months away, volunteers are needed to fill the following positions:
• Prayer Coordinator: responsible for encouraging the Body of Christ to pray and fast before and during the 40 Days for Life campaign.
• Vigil Coordinator: keeps a list of all vigil volunteers, maintains schedules, and manages substitute lists to ensure a constant, peaceful presence at Planned Parenthood.
• Outreach Coordinator: directs a door-to-door petition, education drive and other community outreach activities.
• Event Coordinator: helps plan and organize the Kickoff Rally, Halfway Rally, and Victory Celebration events.
• Church Coordinator: responsible for inviting local churches’ participation and maintaining ongoing communication with church leaders.
• Communications Coordinator: Communicates with participants through email messages and blog updates and handles media relations.
Last year’s 40 Days for Life was a monumental success, spanning 33 states, 89 cities, and featuring participation from 150,000 Christians. Nationally, 40 Days for Life reports that in the past year, one abortion clinic has closed its doors, and two more Planned Parenthood facilities have ceased performing abortions.
Furthermore, during last fall’s national campaign, the Holy Spirit led hundreds of mothers to choose life, saving at least 500 babies’ lives. Many of the would-be victims have now been born safely into families with a newly found appreciation for the gift of human life.
Bundles of joy indeed! As Kathy said, “Praise be to God!”
