Tickets are available for the 30th annual Suffolk Leadership Prayer Breakfast, which will be held at 7 a.m. May 1 at the Suffolk National Guard Armory.

This Suffolk event is being held concurrently with the National Day of Prayer.

The Suffolk Leadership Prayer Breakfast is a sellout each year. Though originally held in October during Peanut Fest, the event was moved to the first Thursday in May to coincide with the National Day of Prayer.

The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives breakfast group inaugurated the National Prayer Breakfast to seek God’s guidance and to reaffirm their faith in God, His plan and purposes.

Also, Virginia leaders have for many years met in Richmond for the annual Commonwealth Prayer Breakfast with the Governor. Likewise, the five cities in Tidewater also host the annual Hampton Roads Leadership Prayer Breakfast.

The speaker and music for the Suffolk event are usually not announced in advance.

Speakers have included Virginia governors and attorneys general; military heroes; New York firefighters; film producers; authors; sports stars and coaches from the NFL, the PGA, NASCAR and the Olympics; Fortune 500 business leaders; and even, a couple of years ago, deliverin a message via video, a convicted mass murderer with a testimony of salvation and grace that kept even skeptics planted in their seats.

Musicians who have participated have included Marilyn McCoo of the 5th Dimension, former Miss America Tara Dawn Christensen, former Miss Virginia Meghan Shanely, Steve Gatlin of the Gatlin Brothers, Staci Wallace, Susie McEntire Luchsinger, Bob Carlisle, Wintley Phipps, Larnell Harris, Steve Green, Babie Mason, Anthony Campbell and six-time Grammy winner Russ Taff.

Those attending the Suffolk Leadership Prayer Breakfast in past years have included Suffolk’s Mayor and City Council members, state senators and delegates, School Board members and superintendents, business leaders, leaders from the US military and students from each of Suffolk’s high schools.

Tickets for the prayer breakfast are available at the Suffolk Visitor Center, 524 North Main St., which is open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Businesses may purchase a table of eight seats for $120, and individual tickets are $15 each.