Our History
40 Days for Life is an intensive effort designed to raise awareness, save lives, bring healing, and lead our nation to repentance for the sin of abortion through three components: 40 days of prayer and fasting, 40 days of peaceful vigil, 40 days of community outreach.
The first 40 Days for Life campaign was held in Bryan, Texas in the Fall of 2004. Hearing of it and its fruit, the Catholic Pro-Life Community decided to sponsor a campaign in Dallas -- the second such campaign to ever occur -- in the Winter of 2004. The ecumenical prayer vigil took place in front of Aaron's late-term abortion facility. The Winter 40 Days Vigil was extremely sacrificial – it was cold and took place over the Christmas season. God honored our sacrifice. Not only did Aaron's late-term abortuary close in the Summer of 2008, bringing the number of abortion facilities in Dallas from six to five, but, as you drive eastbound on LBJ Freeway between Preston and Hillcrest, you will see that the former facility where so many babies lost their lives has also been leveled to the ground without even a trace.
In November of 2009, the stain of late-term abortion returned to Dallas with the opening of Southwestern late-term abortion facility. Feeling the urgent call to stand against this particularly gruesome violence against the unborn, the CPLC sponsored another impromptu campaign from December 12, 2009, through January 22, 2010.
In addition to these Winter campaigns, Dallas has joined hundreds of cities, now worldwide, in the annual Fall 40 Days for Life campaign. Since that first 40 Days for Life campaign in Dallas, the participation has grown exponentially, attracting people of all walks of life and multiple faith traditions to join in this life-changing and life-saving campaign.
In 2012 and 2013, the Fall campaigns outside Southwestern abortion facility attracted thousands to the sidewalk, making Dallas the largest 40 Days for Life vigil in the world! In 2014, 40 Days for Life-Dallas turned its attention to South Dallas where Planned Parenthood had just opened a mega abortion facility in June of that same year. Not only did our devoted pro-life community respond to ensure this facility was covered in daily prayer, but new partnerships were also formed, chief among them -- Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship led by Pastor Tony Evans -- who not only supported the campaign but also hosted all campaign events.
After the Fall 2014 campaign, 40 Days for Life-Dallas celebrated the incredible news that a former vigil site -- Robinson's abortion facility -- was finally and forever closing its doors. And like Aaron's abortion facility, was leveled to the ground!!
40 Days for Life-Dallas schedules its annual Fall vigil at Southwestern and Planned Parenthood every other year to ensure the two largest abortion facilities in Dallas are covered in your powerful prayers. Throughout the year, there is also a near-daily counseling and prayer presence outside both of these two facilities.