Adventist Midwest Health employees and the community united in prayer for the nation, hospital, administration, and staff, as well as for patients and their families during National Day of Prayer on May 4. A variety of musical offerings added to the observances.

Nearly 150 people attended the National Day of Prayer breakfast at Bloomingdale Golf Club. Co-sponsored by Adventist GlenOaks Hospital’s ministries and mission department, the event featured members of the community who led prayers for seven groups—including families, schools, youth, government, military, first responders, and businesses. Julie Barnes, harpist for the Chicago Civic Orchestra, provided spiritual music.

Manny Mill, a minister and executive director of Koinonia House National Ministries, a post-prison ministry, gave an impassioned speech about the gospel of redemption in Jesus Christ, which reaches across social, gender, racial, cultural, and denominational barriers. Mill’s love for God’s holy written and living word—the Bible—allows him to present the gospel with clarity and an infectious enthusiasm. Mill said, “Jesus is the real deal.” His mission is to make sure that people are introduced to the gospel of Jesus Christ in every one of his sermons.

“It was truly inspiring to see the community come together on this day of prayer,” said Delora Hagen, Adventist GlenOaks Hospital chaplain. “We thank all of the community members and businesses who made the event a success.”

Adventist Hinsdale Hospital hosted complimentary meals with several sessions featuring Michael Hickok, Hinsdale United Methodist Church pastor, who spoke on being fully known by the Good Shepherd. Todd Werner, chief executive officer, noted that prayer has always been a vital component of Adventist Hinsdale Hospital and is ingrained in its mission and roots. Victor Moreno of the Hinsdale Seventh-day Adventist Church provided piano music and a guest bagpiper played "Amazing Grace." Hundreds of employees and guests participated in the National Day of Prayer there.

Mark Woolfington, chaplain, spoke at Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital. His topic included lessons in prayer gleaned from Nehemiah. “There is a relationship to confessing sins, and the blessings and prosperity will follow,” Woolfington said. The hospital offered five sessions with complimentary meals, a litany, music, and prayer with hundreds of employees, volunteers, and community members in attendance. Elias and Roxanna Goldstein, music teachers at Hinsdale Adventist Academy and members of the Hinsdale Seventh-day Adventist Church, performed violin duets of a Bach meditation and "Stars and Stripes Forever."

“It’s very meaningful to come together to pray for our nation and leaders this way,” noted Barbara Baker, quality management administrative coordinator.

Julie Busch and Lynn Larson, Adventist Midwest Health public relations specialists