40 Days for Life - Des Moines

10/07/2026

October is Respect Life Month, a reminder that every life has dignity and value. From supporting expectant mothers to caring for the elderly and vulnerable, each of us can make a difference by showing up with compassion, courage, and love.

10/05/2026

This is exactly how he was in the womb, where he was equally human, equally worthy of life. ❤️

09/27/2026

Every big story starts small. 💛 Life begins at fertilization, long before the first smile, first step, or first word.

09/24/2026

40 Days for Life has launched its latest campaign, with prayer vigils taking place in 682 cities worldwide!

Participants are gathering peacefully to pray, support women and families, and advocate for the protection of unborn life throughout the 40-day campaign.

The Lenten 40 Days for Life campaign begins TODAY in 682 cities worldwide! Sign up to pray in front of your local abortion business right now: 40daysforlife.com/locations As we head out to the sidewalk, see how your prayers save lives by meeting the 40 Days for Life participant who saved her own gra...

09/21/2026

Are you ready to unite in prayer for our community?

40 Days for Life holds fall and spring prayer vigils. Iowa Right to Life has coordinated the Des Moines location for years, and we're thrilled that several churches and organizations also gather on the sidewalk to pray year after year during the 40 Days for Life prayer campaigns.

One of the most motivating statistics for me to go pray on the sidewalk is this: Former abortion workers report that when somebody shows up to pray outside an abortion facility, the no-show rate can go as high as 75%.

Another motivating result: Prayer closes abortion facilities. Fourteen years ago, Iowa had 29 Planned Parenthood locations. Today, only one remains, located near the Drake campus in Des Moines.

Since our prayer vigils began, since Roe was overturned, since Iowa's Heartbeat law took effect, and since the money spigot has been turned down significantly, the Planned Parenthood organization has been losing ground.

Our next major prayer focus is on ending access to abortion pills from online and out-of-state suppliers.

Prayer Vigil Information & Sign-Up

Iowa Right to Life Calendar:
https://iowartl.org/calendar/

40 Days for Life – Des Moines:
https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/desmoines

The Iowa Right to Life calendar shows our scheduled prayer vigil days and times. The 40 Days for Life-Des Moines page provides more information about the vigil and lets you sign up for prayer coverage.

If you sign up on the 40 Days for Life site, you will receive emails from 40 Days for Life that are helpful, informative, and inspirational. You can also view the calendar showing the hours already covered.

Please either join one of the covered prayer times or bring a friend or two so that no one is on the sidewalk alone.
Iowa Right to Life supplies peaceful, helpful signs to hold while you pray, as well as resources to give to anyone going into Planned Parenthood who would like the information.

40 Days for Life-Des Moines Prayer Location:

Planned Parenthood Susan Knapp Health Center
2304 University Avenue
Des Moines, IA

Fall 40 Days for Life/Iowa Right to Life Prayer Times:

Wednesday, September 23: 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 1: 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 6: 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 14: 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 22: 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 28: 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.

Also, we invite you to join us for LIFE CHAIN!

Sunday, October 4
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

The Des Moines Life Chain will meet in the parking lot of:

Des Moines Fellowship Church
950 35th Street
Des Moines, IA

We stand as a visible, prayerful wall for Life.

To see other cities where Life Chains are scheduled, please visit:
https://www.lifechain.org/

09/18/2026

As the sun sets beneath the cross, we’re reminded that every life has dignity, purpose, and value. May we continue to offer hope, compassion, and support to mothers, fathers, children, and families across Iowa.

09/13/2026

Every life has meaning, purpose, and value. Every child deserves to be welcomed, protected, and loved.

Not a mistake. Not a burden. Not an inconvenience. A miracle.

09/12/2026

Let’s have some fun! 🏈 It’s Cy-Hawk game day in Iowa! Are you rolling with the Hawkeyes 🖤💛 or backing the Cyclones ❤️💛? Make your prediction and tell us who wins today! 👇

09/11/2026

Every life lost on 9/11 was someone’s whole world. Today, we honor their memory, hold their loved ones in our hearts, and remember the extraordinary courage of those who put others before themselves.

09/10/2026

One year ago, Charlie Kirk was taken from his family, his friends, and a nation he loved by an assassin’s bullet. Today we mourn a husband, a father, a man of deep Christian faith, and a fearless voice for the principles he believed were worth defending.