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As part of the National Day of Prayer, the 39th annual Suffolk Leadership Breakfast returns Thursday, May 4 to bring people together to thank God and pray for families, along with the city, state, nation and world.

Tickets for the 7 a.m. prayer breakfast go on sale Monday, April 3 at the Suffolk Visitor Center, 524 N. Main St.  

The National Day of Prayer is held annually on the first Thursday in May. 

Organizers of the prayer breakfast stressed the importance of coming together and the great need for prayer in the nation today.  

The Leadership Prayer Breakfast is a sellout each year. Though originally held in October during Peanut Fest, the event was moved several years ago to become a part of the National Day of Prayer.

The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives Breakfast Group inaugurated the National Prayer Breakfast 70 years ago to seek God’s guidance as well as to reaffirm their faith in God, His plan and purposes. It continues to be held annually in Washington, D.C., hosted by members of Congress and each year is attended by the President of the United States, who is always a participant on the program. Every U.S. president since Dwight D. Eisenhower has participated in the annual event. 

Virginia’s state leaders have for many years met in Richmond for the annual Commonwealth Prayer Breakfast with the governor on the morning of the General Assembly’s opening day.

These events, as well as the Suffolk Leadership Prayer Breakfast, are part of the National Prayer Breakfast movement and its format is typically identical to that of the National Prayer Breakfast.

The speaker and music for the Suffolk Leadership Prayer Breakfast are usually not announced ahead, the same as the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast. Past speakers at the Suffolk breakfast include notables such as the state’s governors, lt. Governors and attorneys general, as well as Habitat for Humanity founder Millard Fuller as well as international leaders Mariam Ibraheem, imprisoned for her faith in Sudan and Seong-Ho Ji with his amazing story of escape from North Korea, just to name a few.

Some of the more recent speakers include the deep undercover KGB spy Jack Barsky in 2020, the amazing story of the life and escape of Hien Pham in 2021 and the true story of Benjamin Zazay of Afghanistan in 2022. 

Organizers said in a news release that the 2023 audience is sure not to be disappointed with this year’s selection.

A host of musicians have participated in the prayer breakfast. Recently, the renowned bass voice of the Gaither Vocal band, Todd Suttles performed.

Leadership Prayer Breakfast in past years have been attended by Virginia’s top elected leaders. Those attending also include local high school student leaders from each of the city schools.

Suffolk Leadership Prayer Breakfast tickets go on sale Monday, April 3 at the Suffolk Visitor Center, 524 North Main Street at Constance Rd. The Visitor Center is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily and can be contacted at 757-514-4130 or visitsuffolk@suffolkva.us.

Tables of eight are available for businesses and leaders for $200 to provide to their customers, employees and constituents. Individual tickets are $25 per person.  

Organizers remind those hoping to secure tickets to the prayer breakfast that they sell out quickly and recommend purchasing them early to ensure availability. Exact change is required if paying by cash. Tickets are not available at the door.