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Suffolk will host its 41st Annual Leadership Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, May 1, at 7 a.m. The event, which annually coincides with the National Day of Prayer, will bring together community leaders and residents for a morning of gratitude and prayer for families, the city, state, nation, and the world.

This year’s event, the 41st Annual Leadership Prayer Breakfast, continues a long-standing tradition in Suffolk. It mirrors the format of the National Prayer Breakfast held in Washington, D.C., which has been attended by every U.S. president since Dwight D. Eisenhower. The National Prayer Breakfast was inaugurated 70 years ago to seek God’s guidance. Virginia State leaders also participate in a similar event, the Annual Commonwealth Prayer Breakfast with the Governor.

While the specific speaker and musical guests for the Suffolk Leadership Prayer Breakfast are typically not announced in advance, the event has a history of attracting notable individuals. Past speakers have included a diverse range of figures, from Virginia Governors, Lt. Governors, and Attorneys General, to prominent international leaders such as Mariam Ibraheem, imprisoned for her faith in Sudan, and Seong-Ho Ji. The breakfast has also featured heroes from the war in Iraq, New York Firefighters from the Sept. 11 World Trade Center attacks, and more recent speakers like the Deep Undercover KGB Spy Jack Barsky (2020), Hien Pham (2021), Benjamin Zazay of Afghanistan (2022), and Pastor Pan of China (2023).

Musicians who have graced the stage in previous years include Marilyn McCoo of the 5th Dimension, Tara Dawn Christensen (Former Miss America), Steve Gatlin of the Gatlin Brothers, and Grammy-winning artists like Russ Taff.

In previous years, attendees have included a wide range of community leaders, such as the Governor of Virginia, lieutenant governor, Attorney General, VA Senators and Delegates, Mayor and Council, School Board Chairman, Business Leaders, and leaders from the US Military branches. 

Organizers are confident the 2025 audience will not be disappointed with this year’s selection. 

Tickets for the breakfast will go on sale Tuesday, April 1, at the Suffolk Visitor Center, located at 524 N Main St, Suffolk, VA. The Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and can be contacted by phone at 757-514-4130 or by email at visitsuffolk@suffolkva.us. 

Businesses and leaders can purchase tickets for tables of 8 seats for $200.00, and individuals can purchase tickets for $25. Attendees are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets early, as this event is likely to sell out.