"On Feb. 10, the highly successful 40 Days for Life campaign returns to Springfield with 40 days of prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil and community outreach," said Claudia Connelly, coordinator of the local campaign. "We pray that these efforts will help mark the beginning of the end of abortion in Springfield."

The peaceful 40 Days for Life is a highly-focused, non-denominational initiative that focuses on 40 days of prayer and fasting, peaceful vigils at abortion facilities, and grassroots educational outreach. The 40-day time frame is drawn from examples throughout Biblical history.

The local campaign will feature a peaceful 40-day prayer vigil in the public right-of-way outside Planned Parenthood, 1000 E. Washington St. in Springfield. All prayer vigil participants are asked to sign a statement of peace, pledging to conduct themselves in a Christ-like manner at all times.

Shawn Carney, national campaign director of 40 Days for Life, says it has generated proven life-saving results since beginning in 2004 in Bryan/College Station, Texas. "During 17 previous coordinated campaigns, 607 communities have participated in this effort," Carney said. "More than 675,000 people — representing some 18,500 churches — have prayed and fasted. And we know of 11,165 unborn children whose lives were spared from abortion during 40 Days for Life campaigns."

Connelly said that she knows 40 Days for Life has made a difference in Springfield. "Our vigil volunteers have made sacrifices to inform people about Planned Parenthood in Springfield and to offer help, support and alternatives to dangerous chemical abortions. Last year, we know that at least one life was saved during the 40 Days for Life campaign and most likely there were others we didn't know about."

For information or to sign up for a vigil time please visit www.40daysforlife.com/Springfield or contact Claudia Connelly at , Springfield Right to Life at (217) 523-2700, or email Donna Moore at or call her at (217) 321-1161.