The 35th annual Suffolk Leadership Prayer Breakfast will be held at 7 a.m. May 2 at the Suffolk National Guard Armory. Tickets go on sale this Monday at the Suffolk Visitor Center.

This event is being held concurrently with the National Day of Prayer, which will be celebrated May 2 throughout the United States.

The 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 66 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.

Also, Virginia State leaders have for many years met in Richmond for the annual Commonwealth Prayer Breakfast with the Governor of Virginia, held on the morning of the opening day of the Virginia General Assembly. 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 held annually in Washington.

The speaker and music for the Suffolk Leadership Prayer Breakfast are usually not announced ahead of time. 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. General Jerry Boykins, undersecretary of defense for intelligence; Holly McClure, film producer; Maurice Watkins, U.S. Olympic boxing coach; Adm. Jerry Johnson, deputy chief of the U.S. Navy; and many others. The 2019 audience is sure not to be disappointed with this year’s selection.

Musicians who have participated have included former Miss Virginias and Miss Americas, Grammy winners and, recently, the extraordinary blind singer-songwriter Marlana VanHoose.

Tickets for the Suffolk Leadership Prayer Breakfast will be available April 1 at the Suffolk Visitor Center, 524 N. Main St. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Visitor Center may be reached by phone for tickets or questions at 514-4130. Businesses can purchase tables of eight seats for $160 for customers and/or employees. Individual tickets are available for $20 per person.

This breakfast frequently sells out, and it is recommended that tickets are purchased early to assure availability. Tickets are not available at the door.