On February 26, the highly successful world-wide 40 Days for Life vigil returns to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch with 40 days of prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil and community outreach.
“Vigil participants are a sign of hope for the pregnant mother who believes that she has no other choice than abortion” says Michelle Kaufman, co-ordinator of the Auckland vigil.
“They are a sign of mercy for those who have been impacted by the tragedy of abortion and who seek healing and forgiveness.”
Kaufman went on to say that “the vigil reminds abortion staff that what they are doing is not health care and that there is hope and mercy for them too.”
The first 40 Days for Life vigil came to New Zealand in Lent 2014. Many hundreds of people have participated throughout the country.
“We know 40 Days for Life has made a difference in our local communities. Our prayer volunteers have made extraordinary sacrifices to expose the tragedy of abortion and to protect children and their mothers from abortion,” stated Mrs Kaufman.
The lives of six babies are known to have been saved through the peaceful, prayerful presence of vigil participants.
One was learnt about a year later when a mother thanked vigil participants for being present on the day she had an appointment to abort her unborn child at the Auckland Medical Aid Centre. Their prayerful presence encouraged her to get back in her car, drive home and give life to her son.
40 Days for Life is a peaceful, highly-focused initiative that focuses on 40 days of prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil at abortion centres, and grassroots educational outreach. The 40-day time frame is drawn from examples throughout Biblical history.
The upcoming vigil will take place outside the Auckland Medical Aid Centre, Wellington Regional Hospital and Christchurch Hospital. All participants are asked to sign a statement of peace, pledging to conduct themselves in a Christ-like manner at all times.
The second reading of the Abortion Legislation Bill coincides with this years 40 Days for Life vigil. The proposed legislation seeks to remove abortion from the Crimes Act and treat the lethal procedure as another health care service.
“The Bill, if passed, would remove restrictions in accessing abortion right up to birth, with only a very vague test after 20 weeks” noted Kaufman.
“Furthermore, the Bill seeks to remove our right to peacefully gather in prayer at the site where so many nascent human lives are lost.” Kaufman said. “We mourn, we offer hope and we are willing to help pregnant mothers in their greatest hour of need.”
“A healthy, thriving society is there for its people when they are in need. It doesn’t help them end the lives of their children,” she stated.
Shawn Carney, president of 40 Days for Life noted the effectiveness of the world-wide prayer effort. “Some 104 abortion facilities have closed following 40 Days for Life efforts,” he said. “Churches have worked together to work for an end to abortion in their cities. Many post-abortive women begin programmes to heal from the pain caused by previous abortion experiences. And more than 16,700 babies – and their mothers – have been spared from the tragedy of abortion.”
For more information about all three New Zealand vigil locations please visit http://www.fli.org.nz/40daysforlife.
40 Days for Life Vigil Locations and contact details
Auckland: Auckland Medical Aid Centre, 283 Dominion Road, Mt Eden, Auckland.
Gather on opposite side of the road.
Contact Michelle Kaufman 027 526 1199, michelle@fli.org.nz
Wellington: Wellington Regional Hospital, Riddiford Street, Newtown
Contact Clare McClean 021 231 7954, clare.fli@xtra.co.nz
Christchurch: Christchurch Regional Hospital, Riccarton Ave.
Gather on edge of Hagley Park.
Contact Tony Jenkinson 022 507 3860, tonyjenkinson28@gmail.com