CHARLESTON — On Nov. 2 people standing in defense of the sanctity of human life concluded their participation in the largest coordinated pro-life mobilization in the history of the nationwide 40 Days for Life Campaign.
The campaign kicked off Sept. 24, focusing on 40 days of prayer and fasting, peaceful vigils at facilities where abortions are performed, and grassroots educational outreach, according to George A. Barber who led the campaign in Charleston.
In a press release, Barber said the 40-day time frame is drawn from examples throughout Biblical history where God brought about world-changing transformation in 40-day periods.
The campaign took place 24 hours a day, seven days a week with a minimum of two people at night, at a tent off of S.C. Highway 61 in West Ashley. During the day the number of people at prayer varied, Barber said. The campaign also took place in 179 cities in 47 states, American Samoa, the Philippines, two Canadian Provinces, Ireland and England.
“We successfully maintained the 24/7 prayer vigil through wind, rain, floods, mosquitoes and heat,” Barber said. “We were blessed to meet many new folks that believed as we do regarding the sanctity of life.”
It was confirmed that 441 babies were saved nationwide, Barber said, and nine of them were here in Charleston. He thinks there were even more unconfirmed saves.
“One of the abortion facility’s paid help acknowledged that business had declined because of the prayer vigil,” he said. “We have successfully ministered to several women injured by abortion, and we have witnessed the conversion of four people from pro-choice to pro-life.”
Participants signed a Statement of Peace certifying that they understood that it was a prayerful vigil; that they would show compassion and reflect Christ’s love to all abortion center employees, volunteers, and customers; that they would not act in a violent or harmful manner; and that they would obey all city ordinances and cooperate with local city authorities.
Several organizations and churches volunteered to maintain the vigil for a full day themselves. They included the Knights of Columbus Assembly 1900, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Deer Park Baptist Church, and Summerville Church of Christ. The Catholic churches included Our Lady of Good Council in Folly Beach, Divine Redeemer in Hanahan, Immaculate Conception in Goose Creek, and St. Joseph in Charleston.
The campaign is held each fall.