The fall 40 Days for Life campaign begins this month and Greater Columbus Right to Life is encouraging the faithful to participate with prayer, fasting and peaceful witness outside abortion centers.
In Columbus, prayerful witness will take place at the Planned Parenthood surgical center, 3255 E. Main St., from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 24 through Nov. 2.
Greater Columbus Right to Life will host a local campaign event at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28 on the sidewalk outside the center. Signs and swag will be available for pickup, and GCRTL team leaders will be available to answer questions.
For those 40 days, pro-life faithful will gather to pray in a special way for mothers and fathers, to offer hope for families in crisis and to witness to the dignity of every human life.
What began as a small effort in Texas nearly two decades ago has become an international movement, uniting people in more than 1,000 cities across 64 countries. The results are breathtaking: more than 24,000 babies saved from abortion, hundreds of abortion workers leaving the industry and dozens of abortion centers closed for good.
While the international numbers are inspiring, the local fruits of this effort are deeply moving. During the first week of the Spring 2025 campaign, Greater Columbus Right to Life reported that at least three women turned away from their abortion appointments.
And the need – and the opportunity to make a difference – is growing. In June, four days of observation revealed more than 110 customers entering the center. Every one of those moments represents a life on the edge of a decision.
The heartbreaking reality is that both local and out-of-state abortions are increasing. More women and families are being drawn into the storm of fear and despair. That is why a pro-life presence matters so much in the form of a gentle smile, a prayer whispered from the sidewalk, or simply the knowledge that someone cares can be the anchor that speaks to a mother’s heart long enough for her to choose life.
Last spring, more than 20 churches and hundreds of individuals adopted days (or partial days) and filled hours on the sidewalk. Whether clusters of one or two or larger groups, with both seasoned advocates and newbies alike, it was beautiful to see so many standing on the sidewalk.
This fall, the goal is for 40 churches to participate and to have coverage each hour from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. With that, 1,000 hours of prayers could be exceeded and more than 500 women reached.
So often, women who are hurting after an abortion or are grateful after choosing life have said, “I was looking for a sign and praying that someone could help me.” While that encourages pro-life witnesses, it’s also beautiful to serve as a visible sign of Christ’s love in a place so often marked by sorrow, violence and discouragement.
Whether it’s an hour a week, one afternoon or an entire day with a parish, school or group, everyone’s role is vital. Visit www.gcrtl.org/40-days-for-life to sign up for an hour or to volunteer to sponsor a day or a partial day at your church. While drop-in prayer is welcomed, signing up ensures that an hour has coverage and encourages someone who may not want to go alone.
Standing in prayer outside an abortion clinic is not easy. It takes courage and humility. Passage of Ohio’s abortion amendment has made it more difficult for the laws to protect unborn children and their mothers. But again and again, God multiplies the smallest acts of faithfulness. The simple decision to show up for an hour can make the difference between life and death.
This knowledge and hope are carried into the mission. Hebrews 6:19 tells us: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Just as an anchor holds fast when winds and waves crash, physical presence outside the abortion center becomes an anchor in the storm.
For those entering the abortion center, the storm is real. Fear, pressure and uncertainty swirl around them. But when they see people praying quietly, peacefully, lovingly, they encounter something different: the peace of Christ in the midst of chaos. Prayers do not end the storm, but they bear witness to the One who calms it.
Together, the faithful can be anchors in the storm — steady, prayerful and unshakable in our hope. May the Lord bless those efforts, and may that presence be a channel of His peace and love to all who encounter us.
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