Suffolk’s 33^rd annual Leadership Prayer Breakfast will be held at 7 a.m. May 4 at the Suffolk National Guard Armory.

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

These events as well as the Suffolk Leadership Prayer Breakfast are part of the National Prayer Breakfast movement. Suffolk’s format is typically identical to that of the National Prayer Breakfast, held annually in Washington, in which the president participates.

The speaker and music for this event are usually not announced ahead. Speakers have included such notables as Virginia governors, lieutenant governors and attorneys general; Millard Fuller, Founder of Habitat for Humanity; Steve Saint of the movie “End of the Spear,” Lt. Gen. Jerry Boykins, Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence; Holly McClure, film producer; Maurice Watkins, U.S. Olympic Boxing Coach; heroes from the war in Iraq, New York firefighters from the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks; Lieutenant Jeffrey R. Vignery, the co-pilot of EP-3 plane downed in China l; and sports figures business leaders and international leaders.

Musicians who have participated have included Marilyn McCoo, Tara Dawn Christensen , Meghan Shanely , Steve Gatlin Staci Wallace , Susie McEntire Luchsinger, Bob Carlisle, Wintley Phipps, David Phelps and others

Those attending the Leadership Prayer Breakfast in past years have included the mayor and council, the governor, state senators and delegates, School Board members, business leaders and leaders from the U.S. military, as well as student leaders from each of Suffolk’s high schools.

Tickets for the Suffolk Leadership 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 $160. Individual tickets may be purchased for $20 each.