Faith & Insight: What does 40 days mean to you?

Last Wednesday brought an end to summer but also brought the beginning of 40 Days for Life's fall campaign. From Sept. 22 through Oct. 31, our community will be uniting with many others from coast to coast - and internationally - for a major simultaneous pro-life mobilization - the 40 Days for Life campaign.

Faithful believers across America are praying that these efforts will mark the beginning of the end of abortion in America. Many ask why only 40 days?

There are several instances in the bible where God used 40 days, such as with Noah and the ark, it rained for 40 days and nights to cleanse the earth and Noah waited another 40 days before he opened the window.

Moses was on the mount for 40 days. His face shone for 40 days after that.

Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40 days. So you see 40 days is a powerful block of time. Through 40 days of peaceful vigils, prayer, and fasting many prayers are answered, lives are saved and hearts are healed.

The mission of 40 days for life is simple:

To bring together the body of Christ in a spirit of unity during a focused 40-day campaign of prayer, fasting and peaceful activism, with the purpose of repentance, to seek God's favor to turn hearts and minds from a culture of death to a culture of life, thus bringing an end to abortion.

Participants can reach out three different ways, prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil spending time outside of the local abortion facility in silent prayer and through community outreach spreading a positive pro-life message to every corner of our city though the media, churches, schools and public visibility.

I am filled with renewed faith and excitement with every new campaign. 40 Days for Life proves prayer works. It's so heartwarming to hear about a "save" at the clinic, when someone has reached out and was able to change a woman's heart.

I feel strengthened when I hear the stories of prayer warriors enduring unkind words and gestures and responding with silent prayer. I hope some of you will choose to be prayer warriors too.

For more information please go to www.40daysforlife.com/carsoncity or e-mail Cecelia Merrell at fortydaysforlifececeliandan@yahoo.com

I also wanted to let everyone know about the Open House for Mary's Embrace, the new maternity home in Carson City for pregnant teens. It will 9 a.m.-6 p.m. today. The home is located at 320 E. Long St., and all are welcome!

As always, I welcome your questions and comments. You may contact me at dougstewart@saintteresaof-avila.org or 775 882-1968 ext 111.

* Doug Stewart is director of Youth and Family Ministry, St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Community.