Avery Collins
The National Prayer Breakfast is a yearly event held in Washington, D.C., usually on the first Thursday of February. The event, which is a series of meetings, luncheons, and dinners, has been attended by US presidents dating back to Dwight D. Eisenhower. The event provides a forum for the discussion of the role of faith in public life and offers an opportunity for presidents to pray, ask for prayers, and speak about the role of prayer in their lives. President Barack Obama attended the National Prayer Breakfast and gave remarks on several occasions during his presidency, including in 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2016. However, there is no indication that he did away with the prayer breakfast.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 3rd February 2011 |
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Attendees | President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, NASA astronaut Mark Kelly, Rep. Gabby Giffords |
| Host | Members of the United States Congress |
| Organiser | The Christian organisation Fellowship Foundation |
| Theme | Prayer, faith, tolerance, unity, humility, generosity, forgiveness, environmentalism, child welfare, justice, and dignity |
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What You'll Learn
- President Obama spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast in 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2016
- The National Prayer Breakfast has been an annual event since 1953
- The event is attended by around 3,500 guests, including international invitees from over 100 countries
- President Obama spoke about his own faith and how it guided him through triumphs and troubles
- The National Prayer Breakfast was originally called the Presidential Prayer Breakfast
President Obama spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast in 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2016
President Barack Obama spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast in 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2016. The National Prayer Breakfast is a yearly event held in Washington, D.C., usually on the first Thursday in February. The event is a series of meetings, luncheons, and dinners attended by around 3,500 guests, including international invitees from over 100 countries.
In 2009, Obama spoke about NASA astronaut Mark Kelly, the husband of Rep. Gabby Giffords, and offered his prayers for Giffords' recovery. In 2011, Kelly gave the closing prayer at the National Prayer Breakfast. In 2013, Obama spoke about his close friend and reverend, Joshua Dubois, who worked on his staff as the head of the Faith-Based office. Obama also emphasized the importance of open hearts and minds in a diverse democracy and the need to find common ground.
In 2014, for the first time since Ukraine's independence, The Patriarch of The Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Philaret, was present. In 2016, Obama's remarks focused on the importance of prayer and faith, religious freedom, and seeking common humanity. He also prayed for God's protection for those around the world who are not free to practice their faith and for leaders to act with humility and generosity.
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The National Prayer Breakfast has been an annual event since 1953
The National Prayer Breakfast is a series of meetings, luncheons, and dinners attended by around 3,500 guests, including international invitees from over 100 countries. The event is designed to be a forum for the political, social, and business elite to assemble and pray together. It is usually held at the Washington Hilton on Connecticut Avenue NW, in the Hilton's International Ballroom.
The National Prayer Breakfast has been the subject of some controversy, with a government leader quoted as saying that the event offers foreign leaders access to the President that "circumvents the State Department and usual vetting". However, it has also been described as "a time to acknowledge the importance of prayer and faith" and as a wonderful event by President Obama.
President Obama has attended the National Prayer Breakfast on multiple occasions and has delivered remarks reflecting on the importance of prayer and faith in his own life and in the life of the nation. He has also used the event to address issues such as religious freedom and the role of faith in public life. In his remarks at the 2016 National Prayer Breakfast, President Obama highlighted the importance of seeking common ground and respecting the religious diversity of the nation.
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The event is attended by around 3,500 guests, including international invitees from over 100 countries
The National Prayer Breakfast is a highly significant event, attracting around 3,500 guests each year. This includes international invitees from over 100 countries. The event has been attended by several US presidents, including Barack Obama, who addressed the gathering in 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2016.
The National Prayer Breakfast has a long history, dating back to the 1930s when Abraham Vereide organised prayer groups with business and civic leaders in Seattle. When Vereide moved to Washington, DC, he established similar groups with members of Congress. The first official National Prayer Breakfast took place in 1953 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower attended a meeting at the invitation of Congressmen, Vereide, and Billy Graham.
Over the years, the event has featured notable speakers and guests, including King Abdullah II of Jordan, Ricardo Maduro (former President of Honduras), Bono, and Andrea Bocelli. In 2014, the Patriarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Philaret, was present, marking a significant moment for Ukraine's independence. In 2015, the Dalai Lama addressed the International Lunch, another event associated with the National Prayer Breakfast.
The National Prayer Breakfast is more than just a gathering for prayer; it is a platform for discussing the role of faith in public life and personal reflection. It is an opportunity for the President and other leaders to speak about their faith journeys and how prayer has guided them through challenges and triumphs. The event also highlights the importance of religious freedom and respect for different faiths, both domestically and internationally.
The National Prayer Breakfast has attracted some criticism, with concerns raised about the potential mixing of religion and politics. Despite this, the event continues to be a prominent feature of the political and religious landscape in the United States, with a diverse range of guests and attendees, all coming together in a spirit of prayer and fellowship.
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President Obama spoke about his own faith and how it guided him through triumphs and troubles
The National Prayer Breakfast is a yearly event held in Washington, D.C., usually on the first Thursday in February. Presidents dating back to Dwight D. Eisenhower have attended the National Prayer Breakfast, joining faith leaders from around the country.
In 2011, President Barack Obama spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast. He spoke about his own faith and how it guided him through triumphs and troubles. Obama said:
> We come together because we're a people of faith. We know that faith is something that must be cultivated. Faith is not a possession. Faith is a process.
He also spoke about the importance of prayer in his life, saying:
> These breakfasts are dedicated to prayer, and all of us believe in and need prayer. Of all the thousands of letters that are received in the office of the President of the United States, letters of goodwill and wishes, none, I am sure, have moved any of the incumbents half so much as those that write that those of us who work here on behalf of the country are remembered in their prayers.
Obama also highlighted the role of faith in public life, saying:
> Our task as citizens—whether we are leaders in government or business or spreading the word—is to spend our days with open hearts and open minds; to seek out the truth that exists in an opposing view and to find common ground that allows us as a nation, as a people, to take real and meaningful action. And we have to do that humbly, for no one can know the full and encompassing mind of God.
In his address, Obama also touched on the power of faith in bridging differences and fostering unity:
> I pray, as Roma* so beautifully said, that our differences ultimately are bridged; that the God that is in each of us comes together, and we don't divide.
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The National Prayer Breakfast was originally called the Presidential Prayer Breakfast
The National Prayer Breakfast is a yearly event held in Washington, D.C., usually on the first Thursday of February. The event, which includes meetings, luncheons, and dinners, has been attended by around 3,500 guests from over 100 countries. It was founded by Abraham Vereide, who initially organised prayer groups with business and civic leaders in Seattle in the 1930s. When he moved to Washington, D.C., he established similar groups with members of Congress.
In 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower attended a meeting by invitation of Congressmen, Vereide, and Billy Graham, marking the inauguration of the National Prayer Breakfast. Initially called the Presidential Prayer Breakfast, the name was changed in 1970 to reflect its broader scope and emphasis on the nation as a whole. The event has been attended by presidents since its inception, including Barack Obama, who addressed the gathering in 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2016.
The National Prayer Breakfast provides a forum for discussion about the role of faith in public life and offers an opportunity for presidents to pray, seek prayers, and share how prayer influences their personal lives. It is designed to bring together the political, social, and business elite in a spirit of unity and fellowship, transcending partisan differences. The event has also featured musical performances and addresses by international dignitaries, such as King Abdullah II of Jordan and the Dalai Lama.
In his remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast, President Obama emphasised the importance of faith in his life and how it has guided him through triumphs and challenges. He also prayed for unity, humility among leaders, and justice for all. Obama acknowledged the presence of faith leaders and highlighted the role of prayer in seeking common ground and promoting meaningful action in a diverse democracy.
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Frequently asked questions
No, President Obama did not do away with a prayer breakfast. In fact, he attended the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., in 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2016.
The National Prayer Breakfast is a yearly event held in Washington, D.C., usually on the first Thursday of February. It has taken place since 1953 and has been attended by the President of the United States and other political, social, and business leaders. The event provides a forum for discussions on the role of faith in public life and offers an opportunity for attendees to pray and share personal testimonies about their faith journeys.
During his speeches at the National Prayer Breakfast, President Obama spoke about his own faith and how it has guided him through triumphs and challenges. He also emphasized the importance of seeking common ground and respecting religious freedom. Additionally, he prayed for world leaders, the protection of religious minorities, and for the nation to come together despite differences.
