Organizers of a
national pro-life campaign that concluded this
past weekend say "the abortion industry is
starting to squirm."
After 40 days of
prayer outside abortion clinics throughout the
country, 534 babies have so far been reportedly
saved from abortion and eight employees have
left the industry.
"Together we have
witnessed God accomplishing amazing miracles
through His faithful people, and I really
believe that we are witnessing the beginning of
the end of abortion in our land," said David
Bereit, national director of the annual 40 Days
for Life campaign.
This year, 40 Days
for Life events were held in 212 cities across
the states as well as in Canada and Denmark.
Participants held peaceful prayer vigils and
held signs reading "Pray to End Abortion" and
"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.
–God."
The campaign
reached a milestone last week, saving a total of
2,000 babies as a result of efforts over the
last five years.
Two thousand
children would be enough to fill at least 80
classrooms and make up 180 teams of little
soccer players, Bereit noted.
"And just as
importantly, this could represent 180 teams of
soccer moms – women who will enjoy watching
their children run and jump and shout – blessing
they would have never known if they had fallen
for the lies that are so often disguised by the
rhetoric of 'choice,'" he added.
In Toms River,
N.J., one mother stopped in front of a 40 Days
for Life prayer vigil and informed the
volunteers that her pregnant 16-year-old
daughter was impressed by the pro-lifers'
efforts – including their standing in the rain
and cold – and decided to keep her baby.
A prayer volunteer
in Reno, Nev., noticed that business was down
significantly at the abortion center
participants have been praying at. For two
years, the clinic was open five days a week.
Now, the doors opens only three days a week and
the abortion doctor work fewer hours, the
volunteer reported.
A Planned
Parenthood in Kalispell, Mont., where a prayer
vigil was held last spring will close its doors
permanently next month due to low patient
numbers.
"Your efforts are
working," Bereit told participants at the
conclusion of the campaign as he encouraged them
not to stop their efforts. "Day 40 is not the
end. It’s only the beginning!"
The 40 Days for
Life campaign is derived from biblical history,
where 40 day periods led to transformed
individuals, communities and the world. The
first 40 Days for Life campaign was conducted in
Bryan/College Station, Texas, in the fall of
2004. This year's fall campaign began on Sept.
23.
