Florida Catholic | ‘40 Days for Life’ in Lakeland Makes A Difference

‘40 Days for Life’ in Lakeland makes a difference

A peaceful prayer vigil at an abortion clinic brings about changes of minds and hearts.

PATTI PANARA | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Published: 06.06.08

LAKELAND | God can accomplish a lot in 40 days. Just ask Noah – or the organizers of the local 40 Days for Life campaign.

Hundreds of dedicated people here hoped to see what they could achieve with God’s help this spring as they turned out in force to support the local chapter of the “40 Days for Life” campaign, held during Lent in 49 cities nationwide. They also recently held a wrap-up meeting to review the results. date?

Approximately 400 people participated in Lakeland’s 7 a.m.-7 p.m. 40-day vigil of prayer and witnessing in front of an abortion clinic on South Florida Avenue, according to local campaign coordinator Annie Studiale. She emphasized the peaceful, prayerful nature of the event, and the fact that members of other churches also joined the event.

“We talked to three women who had an actual change of heart and decided not to go through with their abortions, so we think three babies were saved,” Studiale said. “There were many other women who told us about how much they regretted having an abortion. There are a lot of women out there who are hurting over this issue.”

The wrap-up meeting was a potluck dinner with a slideshow featuring many of the people who participated over the seven weeks of the campaign. Some participants shared their experiences.

Mary Jane Oglesby said she considered herself to be committed to pro-life views, but had never before taken the opportunity to pray publicly in front of an abortion clinic.

“It was an eye-opening experience,” she said. “I never realized the complacency we have about what’s going on right in our own community. Just watching the sheer number of women going in and out (of the abortion clinic) made me sad.”

Individuals from many different groups and ministries lent their support to the effort as well. Two local pregnancy centers provided support and literature for participants to offer to interested women.

“We received support among the Spanish community and also youth groups,” Studiale said. “In addition to raising awareness, we tried to touch the hearts of people who are suffering. Our signs were prayerful, not negative.”

Along with potential abortions prevented, raising awareness of a challenging issue and prayers for healing, Studiale added that another goal for the campaign was to provide an impetus for a more regular peaceful witnessing in front of the clinic.

“We want to be an ongoing presence out there,” she said.

She noted that she and other organizers are considering participating in the next national effort to draw attention to abortion, which will be running in the fall from Sept. 24 to Nov. 2.

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‘40 Days for Life’ in Lakeland makes a difference

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