The origin of the National Prayer Breakfast is traced back to prayer groups with business and civic leaders in Seattle, organized by Abraham Vereide in the 1930s. Today, the National Prayer Breakfast is a yearly event held in Washington, D.C., usually on the first Thursday in February. The event—which is actually a series of meetings, luncheons, and dinners—has taken place since 1953. It is attended by some 3,500 guests and hosted by members of the United States Congress.

 

Since the inception of the National Prayer Breakfast, several U.S. states and cities and other countries have established their own annual prayer breakfast events. Wyoming's Governor's Prayer Breakfast has been held for more than 70 years.