Twenty-four speakers from around the world were featured in a 24-hour prayer-and-praise event hosted by Sydney Adventist Hospital (nicknamed “the San”).

The speakers included church leaders from the General Conference and South Pacific Division, local Adventist church pastors, and Reverend Graham Long, pastor at The Wayside Chapel at Kings Cross. The event began at 5 p.m., June 23, and concluded at 5 p.m., June 24, 2023. Organized by the Spiritual Care Services team, it featured prayer, praise, worship, and testimony. People were also encouraged to fast in a way that was appropriate for them.

The San chapel was the hub of the event; however, those who couldn’t be there in person could participate via Zoom, as well as the hospital’s in-house TV channel for patients and staff on the wards.

The organizers said the event was the first of its kind held at the San in living memory, and it was a very uplifting, unifying occasion.

“The purpose was to acknowledge our God for His countless blessings to the San over 120 years and in anticipation and thanks for his continued blessing,” said Dr. Steve Stephenson, acting director of Mission Integration at the San. “We believe there is power for good in prayer and exercise prayer as part of our practical and meaningful relationship with God. There was great unity in the event, which was energizing and inspiring.”

Dr. Stephenson encouraged continued prayer for the hospital and its mission. “We need others to pray with and for us [at] all times,” he said.

The original version of this story was posted on the South Pacific Division’s news website, Adventist Record.