Annual National Prayer Breakfast 2008

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Robert Maki
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AFB, Fla. --  Each year many look forward to the MacDill's Annual Prayer Breakfast but this year was extra special, as Brig. Gen. Cecil R. Richardson, Air Force Deputy Chief of Chaplains, was the guest speaker at the MacDill event held Wednesday at Officers Club.

The Annual Prayer Breakfast is in observance of The National Prayer Breakfast, which is held each year in Washington D.C. The breakfast allows for interfaith leaders to come together in recognition of moral and religious values upon which our nation is founded.

"It's for all religions to come together to pray, have mutual respect for others beliefs and religious values," said Senior Airman Lynell A. Stamps, 6th Air Mobility Wing chaplain assistant.

This year's theme for the event was, "In God We Trust." Calling upon God in prayer for guidance is written in the documents in history that founded this nation, from The Declaration of Independence to the one dollar bill.

"In order to ask for guidance on important matters you must trust that person," said Capt. John D. VanderKaay, 6 AMW chaplain. "To trust somebody, you have to know them and to know them we must talk to them. The way we talk to God is through prayer."

"The event is less important than the actual message that gets across. We want to inspire individuals past the one-hour event and challenge them to use this in their everyday lives," added Chaplain VanderKaay "To take lessons learned from the prayer breakfast and apply it to their unique experiences. One of the things that all religions have in common is prayer."

Each year, groups of people in leadership positions gather together to seek divine guidance and reaffirm faith around the nation and the world.

In 1942 Prayer Breakfast Groups were started in the Senate and House of Representatives. Since then they have continued their weekly meetings to discuss their spiritual needs.

In 1953 members of the Senate and House prayer groups gathered with President Eisenhower for prayer and worship. The breakfast, known originally as the Presidential Prayer Breakfast, has become an annual tradition.

In 1970 the name was changed to "The National Prayer Breakfast" emphasize the purpose of their gathering, rather than individuals involved.

It's a common belief in America that there is a higher being. To pause and take time to call upon God to give wisdom and help in doing the right thing is a tradition that has gone on for many generations, and will likely continue for many more.