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CHARLOTTE — On Feb. 22, the 40 Days for Life spring campaign begins. It will feature prayer and fasting, community outreach, and 40-day prayer vigils in cities across the United States until April 1 – including Asheville, Charlotte and Winston-Salem in the Diocese of Charlotte.

— In Asheville, the 40-day prayer vigil will be held outside the abortion mill Femcare at 62 Orange St., the only western North Carolina clinic that performs medical as well as surgical abortions. The vigils will be held daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

— In Charlotte, prayer vigils will be held daily outside two abortion mills in the metropolitan area: A Preferred Women's Health Center at 3220 Latrobe Drive and Family Reproductive Health at 700 E. Hebron St. The vigils will be held daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

— In Winston-Salem, the 40-day prayer vigil will be held daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. outside Planned Parenthood Health Systems, 3000 Maplewood Avenue.

40 Days for Life is an intensive pro-life initiative that focuses on 40 days of prayer and fasting, 40 days of peaceful vigil at abortion facilities, and 40 days of grassroots educational outreach.

The 40-day time frame is drawn from examples throughout Biblical history where God brought about world-changing transformation in 40-day periods.

"40 Days for Life has generated proven lifesaving results since its beginning in 2004 in Bryan/College Station, Texas," said David Bereit, national director of 40 Days for Life. "During nine previous coordinated campaigns, more than 422 cities across 50 states and 13 countries have participated in this effort. More than 500,000 people – representing some 14,000 churches – have committed to pray and fast. And we know of at least 5,045 unborn children whose lives were spared from abortion during 40 Days for Life campaigns."

Andrea Hines, co-director of the Charlotte 40 Days for Life campaign, said, "The Charlotte campaign is doubling its efforts this spring, holding vigils at two abortion facilities. We are calling people to action to sign-up via the website 40daysforlifecharlotte.com/charlotte, to join with the local Charlotte Christian community in prayer, fasting and peaceful presence for an end to abortion in Charlotte specifically, and in all hearts, generally."

The Charlotte campaign is also forming a new organization called Charlotte Coalition for Life, fashioned after what other cities have done/are doing, to put an official effort around the 40 Days for Life campaign locally. Its mission is to bring the Christian community together to peacefully, prayerfully put an end to abortion in Charlotte.

Get more information

To learn more about 40 Days for Life campaign, visit www.40daysforlife.com. Click on any of the city names – Asheville, Charlotte or Winston-Salem – for specific details about the campaign and local contact information.

In Charlotte, you can also get details online at www.charlottecoalitionforlife.com.

— Catholic News Herald