February 5, 2009

McIntyre Participates in National Prayer Breakfast as President and 170 Nations Attend Event

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Mike McIntyre, and his wife Dee, along with Lumberton residents Lee and Norris Grantham, participated in several events surrounding the 57th annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, February 5.  The President, Members of Congress, and representatives from around the world attend this annual gathering, sponsored by the National Prayer Breakfast Congressional Committee.          

Congressman McIntyre stated, “The power of prayer can never be underestimated.  Indeed, prayer knows no bounds.  As one nation under God, we realize that our labor must be undergirded with prayer and guided by our faith in our Creator.”

The keynote speaker at the breakfast was former British Prime Minister Tony Blair who challenged the audience to understand that faith impacts all facets of life, including everything from interpersonal to international relations.  President Obama also addressed the international audience.

The night before the breakfast Congressman McIntyre hosted a spiritual heritage tour of the U.S. Capitol which highlighted the role of faith in our nation’s history as reflected in the Capitol building itself.

This year, more than 3600 guests, representing 170 nations and all 50 states and U.S. territories joined together at the breakfast to reaffirm our trust in God and to recognize the reconciling power of prayer.  Among those participating in this year’s National Prayer Breakfast were President and Mrs. Obama, and Members of both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, military leaders, foreign dignitaries and other state and local officials, as well as lay leaders in business, education, law, health care, the clergy, and the private sector.

Businessman Lee Grantham owns a wholesale nursery, and Norris Grantham is an attorney in Lumberton.