SAN DIEGO (AP) _ Evangelical and Roman Catholic leaders are calling for 40 days of fasting and prayer before the upcoming November election.

The Rev. Jim Garlow, a San Diego pastor who has led opposition to gay marriage, says Christians will be asked to fast and pray from Sept. 20 to Oct. 30.

Garlow says public events also are planned at California’s state Capitol and in Washington D.C. to mobilize opposition to gay marriage, abortion and threats to religious liberty.

Organizers of the effort, called “Pray and ACT,” also include Roman Catholic Bishop Richard Malone of Portland, Maine, Southern Baptist leader Dr. Richard Land, Chuck Colson and the Rev. Jack Hayford.