1)    Prayer and Fasting

2)    Peaceful Vigils outside of community abortion "clinics"

3)    Community Outreach - e.g. door-to-door pro-life evangelization efforts, handing out informational flyers in public arenas, etc.

This national pro-life campaign was developed by David Bereit.  According to David's bio on the 40 days for life website:

"David became an outspoken pro-life advocate after Planned Parenthood announced plans to build an abortion clinic in his Texas town in 1998. He helped to start and build a local grassroots coalition that rallied 60 churches and thousands of people together and dramatically reduced abortions in the region. Planned Parenthood recognized the effectiveness of David's efforts when it labeled his town `the most anti-choice place in the nation.' David led the first-ever 40 Days for Life campaign in College Station, Texas."

As one can imagine, the length chosen for this campaign - 40 days - has its roots in the Bible.  Centering on the Biblical theme of "transformation," the campaign's goal is to effectuate a conversion of heart, mind, and soul on one of the most important moral questions of our time.  

Having started in College Station, TX, this campaign has now caught fire with thousands of pro-life activists from all across the nation, including here in Michigan, and has broad support from the pro-life community, including endorsements from Fr. Frank Pavone, founder and national director of Priests for Life; Joe Scheidler, National Director of the Chicago-based Pro-Life Action League; and Dr. Sonny Foraker, founder and director of Pastors for Life.

The testimonials from past campaigns, such as one from Houston, TX during the summer of 2006, inspire awe:

"Over 120 women were directed away from the Planned Parenthood abortion facility in Houston during the campaign to Crisis Pregnancy Centers for free pregnancy tests and Christian counseling. Many then chose life for their unborn children."

During one recent campaign in the dead of winter in Dallas, TX:

"40 Days for Life was instrumental in awakening the pro-life giant here in Dallas. People say that they are pro-life but do nothing about it. This vigil will give them an opportunity to put their opinions into action for the good of the community and to raise awareness in their churches."

As pro-life communities throughout Michigan participate in this - their very first 40 days for Life campaign -, let us pray that hearts and minds will be changed and that hundreds, if not thousands, of unborn babies will be saved from the slaughter of the abortion mills in Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, the Tri-City region, and throughout the great state of Michigan.

I urge you - yes YOU - to get involved and participate in any way that you can during this campaign and be part of the MOVEMENT to prepare Michigan for the beginning of the end of abortion.

For more information, check out http://www.40daysforlife.com/about.cfm

P.S. David Bereit, the national director for 40 Days for Life, will be joining Grand Rapids pro-lifers at an upcoming vigil outside of an abortion mill during this upcoming week.  Check  http://www.40daysforlife.com/grmi for updates regarding the exact day, place, and time!

About the author: Andrew Shirvell, Esq., is a pro-life citizen activist who writes a weekly column that is published every Thursday for RightMichigan.com in which he focuses upon Michigan pro-life issues. Shirvell attended Ave Maria School of Law - Ann Arbor, where he served as president of the school's Bioethics Society, from 2004-2005.  He also served as president of Students for Life at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, from 2000-2002.