On February 1, Chicagoland United in Prayer gathered for our annual prayer event at the Moody Bible Institute, and we’re grateful for the way God met us as the Church came together across Chicagoland. This year’s theme was “Nevertheless, we pray,” drawn from the book of Nehemiah, a reminder that faithful prayer persists through opposition, fatigue, division, and uncertainty.
Nearly 1,300 people joined that night from close to 200 churches across the region. We were encouraged by the many organizations and congregations that participated both on stage and behind the scenes, including Nueva Vida La Villita, Expresión de Gloria, Chinese Christian Union Church, World Relief, and many others who served in visible and unseen ways. Our choir alone included over 70 volunteers from more than 30 churches, a beautiful picture of unity in worship.
Expresión de Gloria and United Choir
We also want to offer special thanks to the Chicago Partnership for their collaboration. They hosted a 21 Days of Prayer and Fast and invited participants to join our prayer gathering as a culminating moment to end the fast together.
One quote that captured the heart of the evening came from Matt DeMateo from New Life Centers:
Our city is hurting, our nation is dividing, our world is wounded. But we, a body of Christ, carries good news. We are called to stand in the gap to build bridges where walls have been raised, to collaborate and not to compete, to speak truth soaked in love, to release hope, healing, and belonging. We refuse the false choice of left versus right. We proclaim the better way, the third way—the way of the kingdom of God.
Thank you to everyone who attended, served, sang, and prayed. May the Lord continue to unite His Church across Chicagoland. And when the need feels great, may our response remain simple and steady: Nevertheless, we pray.
Watch our recap video (1min19)
Dr. John Fuder and Nellie Fuder in front of map that displays representation of participants from all across Chicagoland