This fall, from Sept. 23-Nov. 1, the Duluth, Minn., community will be one of more than 200 cities in 45 states joining together for the largest and longest coordinated pro-life mobilization in history -- the 40 Days for Life campaign.

God worked in many ways during the first weeks of last year’s 40 Days for Life, the nationwide vigil of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion, which came to Duluth, Minn., last fall. But as I heard stories from elsewhere of babies being saved from abortion and even abortion facilities closing down permanently, I longed to see those wonders in our midst.

You can imagine our joy, then, as the news trickled out that there had been saves in Duluth, mothers who had gone to the abortion facility planning to abort their children but changed their minds and left. Eventually we learned that five babies, made in the image and likeness of God, had been spared that day. Their mothers and fathers would be spared the grief and regret I had seen in men and women I prayed with during the vigil.

God granted me a special favor by what happened the night before. I knew abortions were scheduled the coming day. Out on an evening walk, it came to me in prayer that I should go downtown that night and pray for those women and babies. So, although I hadn’t signed up for that night, I went and prayed for the intention God answered so dramatically hours later.

I don’t think those prayers of mine counted more than the thousands of other prayers offered last fall. I think God simply wanted to give me a special joy in this work of His.

I could tell you many other personal stories of how God worked in us last fall, but instead, I want to beg you to consider letting God work in you now. As you read this, 40 Days for Life is already begun. All Christians are invited to come and bear witness to the dignity of every human life, to live the words of Jesus when he said, “What you did unto the least of my brethren, you did unto me.”

I don’t know how God will answer our prayers, but I can promise He will be there, and your life will be touched.

This event really is about peaceful prayer, fasting and community education. It is not a protest or a political rally, and we categorically reject any form of violence. The vigil in front of the abortion facility in Duluth, rain or shine, day and night, for 40 days, is its heart.

This is a leap of faith. Bearing witness where people may yell obscenities at you is hard. Jesus said we are blessed when we are cursed for the sake of His name. Standing out in the elements and in the dark of night is hard. But remember Jesus once asked His disciples on a dark night, “Could you not watch with Me for one hour?” He was frequently known to spend all night in prayer in a desert place, and First Street is that at times.

We pray in pairs. One great way to get involved is to get a prayer partner who will join you at the vigil. Each of you could sign up for the same hour each week. In a similar way, a men’s group, youth group or Bible study could find eight people and fill four hours a week. Men are particularly needed for the overnight hours.

From apostolic times until the middle of the 20th century, Christians unanimously bore witness to the evil of abortion and similar practices. Early Christians were distinguished in part by their refusal to “expose” unwanted babies. We now often feel powerless, waiting on God to act. It reminds me of the disciples who met Jesus after His Transfiguration and told Him they could not cast out a demon. He answered, “This kind is not cast out but by prayer and fasting.”

This is a privileged time. I urge you to pray earnestly about this and participate. To sign up or to get more information, visit www.40daysforlife.com/duluth/.

40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life effort that consists of:

40 days of prayer and fasting 40 days of peaceful vigil 40 days of community outreach

Organizers are praying that, with God’s help, this groundbreaking effort will mark the beginning of the end of abortion in our city -- and throughout America.

Take a stand for life

While all aspects of 40 Days for Life are crucial in our effort to end abortion, the most visible component is the peaceful prayer vigil. You can help make a life-saving impact by joining our local vigil at: Women’s Health Center 32 E. First St. Duluth, Minn.