The fall campaign for 40 Days for Life, a focused pro-life effort consisting of 40 days of prayer and fasting, 40 days of peaceful vigils, and 40 days of community outreach, will kick off in September with several events, including rallies and candlelight vigils. In its sixth year, 40 Days for Life grew from a small group of individuals into a national and international campaign that has resulted in the saving of the lives of countless unborn babies and the conversion of former abortion facility workers.

“God used 40-day periods to transform individuals, communities and the entire world. From Noah in the flood to Moses on the mountain to the disciples after Christ’s resurrection, it is clear that God sees the transformative value of his people accepting and meeting a 40-day challenge to pray and fast, participate in a constant vigil and do community outreach to end abortion, saving the lives of the babies and their mothers,” said Colleen Sullivan, a spokeswoman for the organization.

The purpose is to “shed God’s grace and love and light to a dark place, a very dark moment in the lives of the women in our community,” she said.

40 Days for Life will be conducted within the Archdiocese of Atlanta by an ecumenical group, many of whom are Catholic. It will take place in three locations in the metro Atlanta area: Atlanta, Lawrenceville and Marietta.

In Atlanta, a candlelight vigil will be held Wednesday, Sept. 26, from 5:30-7:30 a.m. at the Feminist Women’s Health Center, 1924 Cliff Valley Way, Atlanta. A kick-off rally will be held Saturday, Sept. 29, at 8 a.m. at First Alliance Church, 2512 North Druid Hills Road, Atlanta, with guest speakers Amanda Figeredo and Pastor Corey Lee.

In Marietta, the campaign will begin Tuesday, Sept. 18, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Church. Alveda King will address the audience at the event, being held in Marist Hall, 87 Lacy St., NW, Marietta.

The Marietta group will also sponsor a candlelight vigil at an abortion clinic in the Governor’s Ridge Business Complex, 1640 Powers Ferry Road, Marietta, on Wednesday, Sept. 26, starting at 5:30 a.m.

In Lawrenceville, 40 Days for Life vigils will be held at a Planned Parenthood location on Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, Lawrenceville. For more information about 40 Days for Life in that area, contact Mary Hayes at (770) 853-1756 or maryfranceshayes@gmail.com.