
The National Prayer Breakfast is a yearly event held in Washington, D.C., usually on the first Thursday of February. It is attended by around 3,500 people, including international invitees from over 100 countries. The event is invite-only and is attended by political, social, and business elites. The National Prayer Breakfast was founded by Abraham Vereide in 1953 and has been held at the Washington Hilton on Connecticut Avenue NW since the 1980s. The event is designed to be a forum for leaders to assemble, pray, and discuss governance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of attendees | Over 3,500 |
| Attendees | Elite individuals within politics, society, and business, including heads of state, members of the European Parliament, United Nations diplomats, politicians, religious leaders, missionaries, business leaders, students, and military leaders |
| Location | Washington, D.C., usually at the Washington Hilton on Connecticut Avenue NW |
| Date | Usually the first Thursday in February |
| Frequency | Yearly |
| Host | Members of the United States Congress |
| Organizer | The National Prayer Breakfast Foundation |
| Purpose | A forum for the political, social, and business elite to assemble and pray together; a platform for unity and reflection among national and international leaders |
| History | Originated from prayer groups organized by Abraham Vereide in the 1930s in Seattle; established in Washington, D.C., in 1953 by Vereide and continued by his successor Douglas Coe |
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What You'll Learn

The National Prayer Breakfast attracts around 3,500 guests
The National Prayer Breakfast is an annual event that attracts around 3,500 guests. It has been held in Washington, D.C., since 1953, usually on the first Thursday of February. The event is a series of meetings, luncheons, and dinners that bring together political, social, and business elites to pray and discuss matters of faith and governance.
The National Prayer Breakfast 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, and the event has since been associated with the presence of the U.S. President, drawing leaders from around the world.
The event has grown significantly over the years, starting with 400 attendees and now attracting nearly 4,000. It has become a prominent platform for presidents to express their faith and political agendas, as well as a networking opportunity for those in attendance. The guest list includes international invitees from over 100 countries, with past attendees including heads of state, members of the European Parliament, United Nations diplomats, religious leaders, business leaders, and students.
The National Prayer Breakfast is more than just a gathering for prayer. It has become a significant event in the political and social calendar, offering a forum for influential individuals to connect, exchange ideas, and form alliances away from public scrutiny. The event has been described as a "veritable 'Who's Who' of the political and evangelical worlds," highlighting the prestige and influence associated with the gathering.
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The event is invite-only
The National Prayer Breakfast is an exclusive event, with attendance by invitation only. It is a yearly gathering, usually held on the first Thursday of February in Washington, D.C. The event 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, D.C., he established similar groups with members of Congress, and in 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower attended a meeting, marking the beginning of what would become the National Prayer Breakfast.
The event has been hosted annually since then, with a few exceptions, and has evolved into a significant gathering for the political, social, and business elite. It is designed to be a forum for these individuals to assemble and pray together, with around 3,500 guests in attendance each year, including international invitees from over 100 countries. The presence of the U.S. President has been a consistent draw for leaders worldwide, and the event has become a platform for presidents to express their faith and political agendas.
The National Prayer Breakfast is more than just a meal; it is a series of meetings, luncheons, and dinners held over several days. The main breakfast is usually held in the International Ballroom of the Washington Hilton, a location that has accommodated the event for over 30 years. The event is organised by the National Prayer Breakfast Foundation, with the support of U.S. congressional co-chairs.
Securing an invitation to the National Prayer Breakfast is a sought-after opportunity. Those interested in attending can contact their local Congressman or Senator for assistance in obtaining an invitation. The guest list is impressive, with past attendees including heads of state, members of European Parliament, United Nations diplomats, religious leaders, business leaders, and students.
The National Prayer Breakfast has been described as a "veritable 'Who's Who' of the political and evangelical worlds." While the event is centred around prayer and faith, it also serves as a networking opportunity and a platform for political and business alliances away from public scrutiny. The influence and access granted by the event have been noted, with a government leader commenting that it offers a means for foreign leaders to meet with the President that "circumvents the State Department and usual vetting."
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It is held in the Hilton's International Ballroom
The National Prayer Breakfast is held annually in Washington D.C., usually on the first Thursday of February. The event, which includes meetings, luncheons, and dinners, has been hosted at the Hilton International Ballroom on Connecticut Avenue NW since the 1980s. The Hilton International Ballroom has been the venue for the National Prayer Breakfast for over 30 years.
The National Prayer Breakfast has its origins in the 1930s when Abraham Vereide organised prayer groups with business and civic leaders in Seattle. When Vereide moved to Washington, D.C., 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. The event was initially called the Presidential Prayer Breakfast but was changed to the National Prayer Breakfast in 1970.
The National Prayer Breakfast has grown significantly over the years, from 400 attendees to nearly 4,000. The event attracts a diverse range of guests, including international invitees from over 100 countries. Guests have included heads of state, members of the European Parliament, United Nations diplomats, politicians, religious leaders, missionaries, business leaders, and students. The presence of the U.S. President and other high-profile individuals has made the event a draw for leaders worldwide.
The Hilton International Ballroom is a fitting venue for such a significant event. The ballroom is located within the Washington Hilton Hotel, which has a long history of hosting notable events and guests. The hotel offers a convenient and prestigious location for the National Prayer Breakfast, contributing to its success and impact.
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The National Prayer Breakfast has taken place annually since 1953
The National Prayer Breakfast is designed to be a forum for the political, social, and business elite to assemble and pray together. It is invite-only and attended by around 3,500 people, including international invitees from over 100 countries. The presence of the U.S. president has made the event attractive to leaders worldwide, and the guest list has included heads of state, members of the European Parliament, United Nations diplomats, politicians, religious leaders, missionaries, U.S. and foreign business leaders, and students.
The event was founded by Abraham Vereide, who initially organized 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. The event was initially called the Presidential Prayer Breakfast, but the name was changed to the National Prayer Breakfast in 1970.
The National Prayer Breakfast has become a significant annual event, with keynote speakers and diverse attendees. It has evolved from 400 attendees to nearly 4,000, and serves as a platform for presidents to express their faith and political agendas, as well as a networking opportunity for those in attendance. The breakfast is organized by the National Prayer Breakfast Foundation under the leadership of U.S. congressional co-chairs.
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The event is a forum for political, social, and business elites to pray together
The National Prayer Breakfast is an annual event that has been held in Washington, D.C., since 1953. It is a forum for around 3,500 political, social, and business elites to assemble and pray together. The event usually takes place on the first Thursday of February and is hosted by members of the United States Congress. It is organised by the National Prayer Breakfast Foundation, with the support of co-chairs from the U.S. Congress.
The National Prayer Breakfast was founded by Abraham Vereide, who initiated similar prayer groups with civic and business leaders in Seattle in the 1930s. When Vereide moved to Washington, D.C., he established groups with members of Congress. In 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower attended a meeting, and the event became known as the Presidential Prayer Breakfast. The name was changed to the National Prayer Breakfast in 1970.
The event has been held at the Washington Hilton on Connecticut Avenue NW since the 1980s, specifically in the International Ballroom. It is an invite-only event, and attendees can secure invitations through their local Congressman or Senator. The guest list includes international invitees from over 100 countries, with past attendees including six heads of state, Members of the European Parliament, United Nations diplomats, and religious leaders.
The National Prayer Breakfast is more than just a meal; it is a series of meetings, luncheons, and dinners. There are two speakers every year: the President and one other high-profile individual, who remains unannounced until the morning of the event. The event provides a platform for presidents to express their faith and political agendas, and it has become a significant annual occurrence, serving as a forum for unity and reflection among national and international leaders.
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Frequently asked questions
Around 3,500 people attend the National Prayer Breakfast annually.
The event is invite-only and attended by elite individuals within politics, society, and business.
Notable attendees include Mother Teresa, Bono, Tony Blair, and every US President since Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The National Prayer Breakfast is a forum for the political, social, and business elite to assemble and pray together. It has also become a platform for presidents to express their faith and political agendas.











































