40 Days for Life prayer vigils began outside Wellington Hospital and across the road from the Auckland Medical Aid Centre (AMAC) on Ash Wednesday.
The vigils are part of a worldwide Lenten campaign aimed at protecting mothers and babies from abortion.
They will continue till Palm Sunday.
40 Days of Life is not a political campaign, nor is it a protest says Michelle Kaufman, spokesperson for Family Life International NZ, the New Zealand sponsor of the vigils.
The prayer vigil is a powerful means of converting hearts and minds, and brings together all Christians who wish to see an end to abortion, she says.
A Statement of Peace, pledging peaceful conduct, must be signed by each participant.
Kaufman said a pleasing aspect of last year’s vigils were the times people stopped to talk with those praying, wanting to know more and sharing their own stories of how abortion has impacted their lives.
She says many passers-by are impressed that, in addition to prayers, Family Life International NZ, through its John Paul II Centres for Life, offers practical help and support to mothers and families.
Dame Colleen Bayer, National Director of Family Life International NZ, is asking all people of good-will, who wish to see the end of abortion, to donate at least one hour of their time to pray publicly.
People can sign up online or call 09 629 4361 for more information.
Those who cannot make the public vigils because of age, infirmity or location are being asked to offer their Lenten fasts and sufferings for the success of this campaign.
Read Family Life International NZ Press release
Source
- Supplied: Family Life International NZ
- Image: acultureoflife.files.wordpress.com
