A reflection on the Tallahassee 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil
40 Days for Life is an internationally coordinated 40-day campaign that aims to end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and a peaceful all-day vigil in front of abortion businesses. Founded in 2007, it reaches 1000 sites in 63 countries and has saved many lives. It is a peaceful and educational presence. Those who are called to stand witness during this 24-hour-a-day presence send a powerful message to the community about the tragic reality of abortion. It also serves as a call to repentance for those who work at the abortion center and those who patronize the facility. The vigils are held twice a year, in the Fall and during Lent.
It is important to note that 40 Days for Life is primarily about Prayer, Fasting, and Community Outreach. It's not a form of protest as many people think whenever they see signs held up along a roadway. The signs are meant to let our fellow Tallahasseeans know what we are doing and to share our message. It's amazing to me that so many people who drive by Planned Parenthood each day don't even know it's there, much less what real horror takes place within its walls. The need to pray and fast for the change of heart in our community and in our world is essential.
Tallahassee has maintained a 40 Days for Life vigil for many years, previously praying in front of North Florida Women’s Services. Since the opening of the Planned Pregnancy facility on West Tennessee St., we have held the vigil on the public right of way in front of that facility. During the 40 days, individuals and groups come for an hour or more at a time to pray. We are very happy to speak with anyone about our purpose and beliefs but always with love and always in peace. Each week we hold at least one prayer service at the site and usually, groups come at other times for periods of prayer.
During the vigil, which ended 30 October, we had a faithful group that came each week in the evening on Thursday and a supporter who provided guitar music to enrich the service. On Thursday, 21 October, St. Peter’s came in force to the prayer service. Fr. Bill Krizner conducted the service, and a large group was there to witness to all the people driving by on W. Tennessee St. as well as to the employees of the facility, which stays open on Thursdays until 7:00pm. It was a warm and spiritual time, with thoughtful, meaningful prayers offered for the precious lives ended inside the Planned Parenthood facility.
The next campaign will begin on Ash Wednesday, 2 March 2022. The website is 40daysforlife.com and I urge everyone to sign up so you will receive notices and can become familiar with a very special, very important mission.
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” –Matthew 17:19-21
