16 Sep 40 Days for Life
My Dear Friends,
Firstly, a quick note: this will be the first of several emails you will receive this month. Don’t worry – the temporary increase in email volume is not due to bad news. It’s actually because we have many great pro-life opportunities to share with you. We thank you in advance for your understanding, and we hope you will find these helpful.
Now, on to the email.
40 Days for Life
Every year, thousands of pro-life advocates all around the world gather in front of their local abortion facilities in peaceful, prayerful solidarity for an end to abortion. Since its birth in 2007, the 40 Days for Life Campaign has been confirmed in saving 17,226 lives, though the true number is certainly far higher! They have been credited with shutting down 107 abortion facilities and convincing 206 abortion workers to quit! Planned Parenthood and other abortion centers can’t stand the campaign, as abortion cancellations and no-shows skyrocket whenever the vigil is ongoing.
The secret to 40 Days for Life’s success is its threefold method of constant vigil, prayer and fasting, and community outreach. For 40 days, community members sign up with their local campaign leaders to cover time slots throughout the day, ensuring that there is always someone giving witness through peaceful, welcoming prayer.
40 Days for Life is not aggressive and no graphic images are used; instead, those on vigil are there to extend an implicit, loving hand to those entering or leaving the facility. As Kathryn Amdahl, the 40 Days for Life Spokane coordinator put it, “We ask that participants refrain from bringing graphic images, gruesome costumes, and yelling at passersby. We want to imitate Jesus, who treated the woman caught in adultery with compassion and forgiveness, not condemnation. In this, we can gently change hearts and minds.”
Regarding COVID 19 restrictions, Amdahl continues, “Due to COVID, we are suggesting face masks, social distancing, and general caution and regard for those around you. On a practical note, other pro-life efforts around the country have been shut down or inhibited with the excuse of quarantine measures; wearing face masks and observing social distancing not only makes us safer, it also removes excuses that could be used to shut us down.”
You are also heavily encouraged to familiarize yourself with the pro-life pregnancy resource centers and abortion recovery services in your area. You can find pregnancy resource centers and abortion recovery programs through our website; if you don’t see one in your area, you can reach out to us or to Care-Net to find one.
Locations
To learn more or to search for 40 Days for Life campaigns in your area, visit the website (here) or click one of the links below. If you don’t see one in your area and feel called to start one, please contact 40 Days for Life directly (here).
14730 NE 8th St Bellevue, WA
1530 Ellis St. Bellingham, WA
723 NE Riddell Rd. Bremerton, WA
1509 32nd St. Everett, WA
19505 76th Ave W. 200 Lynnwood, WA
1805 East Division Street Mount Vernon, WA
1501 S. Beeksma Drive, Oak Harbor, WA OAK HARBOR, WA
402 Legion Way Olympia, WA
123 E. Indiana Ave. Spokane, WA
1401-A Martin Luther King Jr. Tacoma, WA
7426 W. Bonnie Ave. Kennewick, WA
11516 SE Mill Plain Blvd. Vancouver, WA
900 Ferry Street Wenatchee, WA
One Step Further
If you feel called to take your sidewalk ministry to the next level, you may be interested in becoming a trained sidewalk advocate.
Human Life of Washington is proud to partner with Sidewalk Advocates for Life (SAFL), who specialize in teaching people how to talk to the abortion-minded and help them to choose life. For the first time ever, SAFL is offering their excellent training digitally, so you can become a trained advocate from the safety and comfort of your home.
To sign up for their excellent training and take your sidewalk advocacy to the next level, visit this link for more information and the place you can sign up.
We all have our own gifts and talents; not everyone is called to sidewalk advocacy. For those who are, SAFL provides invaluable training.
For those who are concerned about the cost, please know that sponsorships are available. Contact conference@sidewalkadvocates.org for more. You can also contact your local SAFL team and see if they are offering special programs. To find your local team, click here.
Conclusion
As always, it is deeply heartening to see that all the present craziness has not kept pro-life advocates like you from taking a stand for the most vulnerable amongst us. We hope that you are staying safe and healthy, and wish you all the best.
For Life,
Michael Dumais
Outreach Coordinator
Human Life of Washington
253-517-7733 x204