The next 40 Days for Life prayer vigil starts Sept. 25. Five of the 306 U.S. sites largely stationed outside of abortion facilities lie within Diocese of Phoenix boundaries. Local pro-life Catholics, including some who are also involved with the Silent No More awareness campaign, are coordinating efforts.
Organizers of three Valley vigils are coordinating a kickoff rally Sept. 21 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Tempe (map). The event will feature a screening of “October Baby” plus an adoption and pregnancy panel. Supporters can also sign up to pray at one of the sites. Prayer warriors can come any time during the 40 days, but signing up helps ensure someone is present at every hour the abortion site is open.
Prayer and vigilance in peaceably standing outside of abortion facilities has yielded proven results. The 40 Days for Life global effort — it’s in eight other countries — reported 40 clinics closing since its inception in 2004. The latest to close is the original site of the 40 Days for Life in Bryan/College Station, Texas. That’s the same facility where Planned Parenthood employee of the year Abby Johnson experienced a conversion, quit her job, and became an outspoken pro-life advocate.
The 41st closure of an abortion facility where a 40 Days for Life vigil has taken place is scheduled for Oct. 1 in Montana.
Some 16,000 churches in 500 cities have rallied together for a 40-day period in recent years to share the realities of abortion for the babies, the mothers and the fathers. Some of the pro-lifers have offered resources and sidewalk counseling to would-be abortion clients. Their efforts saved 7,536 lives so far and led 83 workers to quit their jobs.
40 Days for Life vigil sites
- Chandler — Planned Parenthood on Alma School Road south of Ray Road. Info.
- Glendale — Planned Parenthood behind Fry’s at Thunderbird Road and 55th Avenue. Info.
- Lake Havasu City — Lakeview Community Church . Info.
- Phoenix — Family Planning Associates on Seventh Street north of I-10. Includes midpoint and victory rallies. Info.
Kickoff rally scheduled for Sept. 21.- Tempe — Planned Parenthood on Apache Blvd. east of Rural Road in Tempe. Info.
Kickoff rally scheduled for Sept. 21. Midpoint rally with Voices for the Voiceless is Oct. 19 and a Victory rally is Nov. 3.
