by Cherish Yenzer, Austin West Stake Media Specialist
Stake President Chris Germann of the Austin Texas West Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had the unique opportunity to attend the 70th anniversary of the Texas State Prayer Breakfast on May 3, 2021, in Round Rock, Texas.
This breakfast, held annually in connection with the National Day of Prayer, brings together various government, business, media, private citizen and faith-based entities in an annual observance of public prayer. Texas Governor Greg Abbott spoke to a full ballroom at the event declaring, “It’s true we’ve had a challenging year, but we’re grateful for the return to normalcy [and] for the hope [and] promises God offers us. That’s why I’m proud to proclaim Thursday, May 6, as a day of prayer in Texas.”
Approved by the United States Congress and enacted in 1952, the National Day of Prayer is a special day of observance held on the first Thursday of May each year. At its roots, the National Day of Prayer followed in the footsteps of the earlier days of fasting and prayer by the Second Continental Congress of 1775-1783 as well as President John Adams between 1798 and 1799. By law, the president of the United States is required to sign a proclamation each year encouraging all Americans to pray on this special day of observance.
Speaking of the Texas State Prayer Breakfast, President Germann proclaimed, “The breakfast was awesome — very impressive program…[it] was motivating and inspiring in terms of continuing the effort to reach out to other faith leaders. We really felt a spirit of community!” President Germann was accompanied by his wife, Leigh Germann, as well as Jeff Harbach, bishop of the Hamilton Pool ward, and his wife, Christa Harbach, plus Dr. Rob and Karen Stroud.
