City of Hope hosts National Day of Prayer in Zion

Posted May 07, 2025 10:22 am

Submitted by City of Hope Cancer Center Chicago

Students from Fourth Baptist Christian High School in Plymouth, Minnesota, sing and ring handbells at City of Hope Cancer Center’s recent National Day of Prayer event in Zion. Courtesy of City of Hope Cancer Center Chicago

The song, “Sweet Hour of Prayer” kicked off City of Hope Cancer Center’s National Day of Prayer event in Zion recently as cancer patients, their families and staff looked on. National Day of Prayer is an annual tradition when Americans of different faiths come together and pray for strength. It has been observed every year since 1952 on the first Thursday in the month of May.

“We need hope more than ever before. We are uniting in prayer to move mountains,” Chaplain Carl Williamson of City of Hope Cancer Center Chicago prayed aloud.

Zion Commissioner of Police and Fire Rescue Mike McDowell speaks at the National Day of Prayer in Zion. Courtesy of City of Hope Cancer Center Chicago

The prayer service in Zion was enhanced by spiritual music presented by the talented students of Fourth Baptist Christian High School in Plymouth, Minnesota. The senior choir with more than 50 members raised their voices and their handbells from the second floor balcony, delivering songs like, “Look at the Birds,” “Here I Am, Lord,” and “Beethoven No. 5.”

Corpsman First Class Petty Officer Shawn Watson, U.S. Navy Retired, speaks at City of Hope Cancer Center's National Day of Prayer event. Courtesy of City of Hope Cancer Center Chicago

In addition to their 45 minute performance, Chaplain Williamson joined Shawn Watson, U.S. Navy Retired, Corpsman First Class Petty Officer; Zion Commissioner of Police and Fire Rescue Mike McDowell; and other City of Hope Chicago staff, in praying for families, the military, government leaders and the media.

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