2024

The 2024 Prayer Breakfast took place on the morning of Thursday 7^th March, with the International Reception taking place the evening before, on Wednesday 6^th March.

The keynote speaker at the St David’s Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast was Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury.

Special guests and contributors included The Rt. Hon. Elin Jones MS, Presiding Officer of the Welsh Parliament; Jane Hutt MS, Chief Whip and Minister for Social Justice, Welsh Government; Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD, The Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann; Denise McQuade, Consul General of Ireland, and many more. We were also joined by representatives from National Prayer Breakfasts across Europe. Prayers for the Nation were led by Nathan Sadler of the Evangelical Alliance, with a Blessing by the Senedd’s Chaplain, Rev. Dr Stephen Adams.

During the International Reception, we were delighted to be joined by The Rt. Hon. Mark Drakeford MS, First Minister of Wales, Welsh Government. The Most Reverend Andrew John, Archbishop of Wales and The Most Reverend Mark O’Toole, Archbishop of Cardiff participated in proceedings.

The National Library of Wales exhibited a selection of rare manuscripts and historic Bibles from their extensive archives during the events, as well as the mysterious Nanteous Cup. We were grateful to Timothy Cutts, Head of Rare Books, who spoke about the exhibition during the International Reception.

In addition to this, we were privileged to display The Cross of Wales, which led the procession in Westminster Abbey at The Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.

Also on display was the hat of General William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army, and the International Reception gave us the opportunity to mark the 150^th Anniversary of The Salvation Army in Wales, and it was wonderful to hear from Commissioners Paul and Jenine Main, as well as enjoying performances from The Salvation Army Band and Songsters including “He sought me”, “Dyma Gariad”, “Here is love” and “O God of Burning Cleansing Flame”.

During the Prayer Breakfast, we had the pleasure of hearing from tenor Rhys Meilyr Jones, baritone Owain Rowlands and pianist Rhiannon Pritchard from The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, who performed “Calon Lan”, “Ar hyd yr nos” and “The Lord’s Prayer. Guests also enjoyed performances by the renowned Welsh harpist, Bethan Semmens, at both events.