Hope at the Doorstep: 10 Days of Prayer Launches Illinois Conference into 2026

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Matthew J. Lucio

Assistant to the President for Communication

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Hundreds of Illinois Conference members and friends gathered on Zoom for 10 Days of Prayer, an annual initiative that unites the global family of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in focused prayer. Hosted by Matthew Lucio (Communications) and Ruben Bullon (Hispanic Ministries), English- and Spanish-speaking believers met each evening from January 7–17 for worship. Pastors, Conference leaders, and educators offered a short devotional each night before attendees joined small groups for prayer.

PRAYER REACHES FAR AND NEAR

Not everyone who logged in was from Illinois, or even Adventist. Some participants were part of the Illinois Conference “diaspora,” members who have since moved out of state, while others were guests who heard about the meetings at church or through friends and decided to explore.

“I shared the Zoom invite with several friends who are not Adventists,” said Pastor Gilberto Bahena. “To my surprise and joy, three people connected. One joined us all the way from Mexico.”

For Pastor Bahena, however, the most meaningful moment was closer to home. “What touched me the most,” he said, “was that my cousin’s wife attended every night. It was her first time hearing the Adventist message.”

“NO ONE HAS GIVEN ME THAT TYPE OF HOPE BEFORE.”

Andrea Ponce, a member at Gurnee, has lived with debilitating migraines for decades. Although she had heard about 10 Days of Prayer, the onset of another migraine left her discouraged and uninterested.

“I was mad at God. I was mad at just about everyone,” Ponce said. “Because I’m doing right. I’m praying. I’m reading my Bible. And nothing is helping.”

Exhausted and discouraged, she told her husband, “I am truly hopeless. At this point, there is no one who could help me.”

Neither Andrea nor her husband had attended 10 Days of Prayer yet. That Friday evening, her husband decided to join while Andrea remained in the room, listening only casually. That night’s devotional speaker, Pastor Donna Willey, spoke about hope, the Illinois Conference’s 2026 theme.

After participants were randomly placed into small prayer groups, Andrea and her husband found themselves in a breakout room with Pastor Willey. Andrea’s husband prayed specifically for her migraines. Pastor Willey then shared that her husband, Dr. Rod Willey, treats people who suffer from chronic pain. Phone numbers were exchanged.

Later, Andrea texted Dr. Willey: “I am now hopeful that there is still hope for me.”

Andrea soon traveled to Peoria to receive treatment from the Willeys. By God’s grace, she is now feeling significantly better.

A STRONG BEGINNING

The 2026 edition of 10 Days of Prayer served as a powerful reminder that God still hears, still sees, and still responds. Across languages, locations, and life circumstances, participants experienced connection, encouragement, and renewed expectation.

What a spiritually meaningful way to kickoff the year!

NEXT STEPS

Keep the momentum of prayer going by joining your local church prayer meeting.

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Please send any news items of what God is doing around the Illinois Conference to communication@ilcsda.org.