‘40 Days for Life’ planned in Palmer Sept. 26-Nov. 4

On a busy traffic day in Anchorage on Lake Otis Parkway last year, the driver of a truck stopped and beckoned to a group of people standing on the sidewalk in front of Planned Parenthood. Two members of the group walked over, unsure what to expect.

The driver in the truck was an older woman, glowing with radiance as she pulled out her cellphone and showed a photo of a young baby.

“This baby,” she said, “is my grandchild. My daughter came to this place to have an abortion, but she saw people out here peacefully praying and decided that because they were here that she couldn’t go through with her plan to kill her child. She left this clinic that day and birthed her baby who is alive today because folks like you were willing to be out here and pray.”

What tremendous rejoicing went up to God’s throne that day for the life of a child saved from death by the simple and yet profoundly sacrificial act of publicly and peacefully praying for an end to abortion.

The folks on the sidewalk were volunteers for what is known as the “40 Days for Life” campaign, which has been conducted in Anchorage since 2008. 40 Days for Life began in College Station Texas in 2004 and has since grown to an international campaign made up of three parts: 1.) Prayer and fasting for an end to abortion; 2.) Peaceful vigil at the place where abortions occur; and 3.) Community outreach, where volunteers carry the campaign’s message door-to-door throughout the city.

I have led the 40 Days for Life efforts in Anchorage since the spring of last year and have been blessed and encouraged beyond measure to see the dedication and willingness of so many people who love life and who are committed to seeing it protected. Since I am actually from Palmer, the timing is right to bring the campaign to our area.

The sad truth is that every day an average of four children are put to death in Alaska by abortion. It grieves my heart to think of the tremendous loss of human life that we are experiencing here every year. It also reminds me of our responsibility to protect and defend the weak and vulnerable in our society. Abortion is a tragedy that has affected a majority of the population in the U.S. It hurts not only the women (and of course the children), but also the boyfriends or husbands, grandparents, siblings and close friends. It is not an easy topic to bring up when the wounds surrounding abortion are deep. There is a way to find healing and forgiveness for those wounds through repentance and acceptance of the blood of Jesus Christ.

That is one of the reasons that I am so excited to be bringing 40 Days for Life to Palmer. It is a healing campaign, a restorative opportunity for those who are hurting. It is an offer of life, a way of hope. It is a proven and effective way to bring the message of life to a community. Since it began, 40 Days for Life has seen great results:

• 69 abortion clinic workers have experienced a change of heart and left the abortion industry

• 23 abortion facilities have closed their doors and gone out of business during or following 40 Days for Life being conducted outside their clinics

• 5,928 babies lives have been spared from abortion

I don’t know about you, but I am a result oriented person...if I can’t see something being effective, I am hard-pressed to get behind it 100 percent. But with 40 Days for Life, the change is evident. People see the beauty of life and it convinces them to embrace this marvelous gift.

For the first time, 40 Days for Life is planned in Palmer from Sept. 26 to Nov. 4. We need you. A campaign like 40 Days for Life does not happen without the willing support of the community. As pro-life people, we want you to be the first to join in with the work of the Lord and become a lifesaver. We are excited to see what God will do when we unite together to pray for an end to abortion. Surely this fall we will see the Lord do amazing things here in Palmer as we humble ourselves and pray and seek God’s face and turn from our wicked ways.

Sign up for vigil hours by visiting 40daysforlife.com/matsuvalley and clicking on Vigil Calendar at the top of the page. There is plenty for everyone to do!

To learn more or to be part of 40 Days for Life, please visit: 40daysforlife.com/matsuvalley or contact Haylee Shields at 982-9895, or haylee40daysforlife@gmail.com.

Tax deductible donations can also be made through alaskarighttolife.org (please put “40 Days for Life Palmer” in the comment section) or by sending a check (with “40 Days for Life Palmer” in the memo) to Alaska Right to Life, 3400 Spenard Road Suite 4, Anchorage, AK 99503.

We live in an amazing place. Every day we are surrounded by majestic mountains, beautiful farm fields, quaint colony buildings and friendly faces. There is a special and unique feeling to Palmer that is a rare find these days...a small town glow that warms our hearts and makes us appreciate the beauty of community and the treasure of friends. As we enjoy each other in this beautiful place, let us also reach out and be rescuers, protectors, and defenders of life. Let us remember that until the evil of abortion is exposed and brought to an end that there will always be a dark cloud hovering over this place that we love. It’s up to us to protect what is familiar and comforting, but even more so it is our responsibility to protect what is sacred...the gift of life. I hope I can count on having you join us as we pray for an end to abortion in Palmer and all across our great state!

Haylee Shields is the Campaign Director for 40 Days for Life Mat-Su Valley.