The next annual Presidential Inaugural Prayer Breakfast will be held at Trump International Hotel in Washington, DC, and will take place January 20, 2017 - just hours before either Republican candidate Donald Trump or Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton are sworn into office.
According to a press release, both Trump and Clinton are invited to the event as well as all of Congress and the Foreign Embassies. The theme is Psalm 33:12 "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD."
The event host, Rev. Merrie Turner, stated that she chose the site because of its convenient location - it's near both the White House and the U.S. Capitol building - and because it is an American Landmark.
When asked who she believes will win the election, Turner did not endorse either candidate, but said "Life and Death has been set before the nation" and called on voters to go to the polls and "choose life or the nation may be in for a long wilderness experience." Turner also revealed she plans to attend the Grand Opening of the Trump International Hotel in Washington DC on October 26, 2016.
Since 1993, government officials, military officers, church officials, business leaders and other people of faith have attended the non partisan, inter-denominational gathering to pray for the Office of the Presidency and believe God for a spiritual outpouring in the United States of America.
The prayer initiatives for 2013's breakfast were: the president, his family and staff; the executive branch of the government; the legislative branch; the judicial branch; the military; the nation's business industry; the media; our nation's capitol; our nation's youth; and our nation's revival, a Great Awakening.
The hotel is a renovation of the historic Old Post Office Building in the nation's capital and boasts 263 guest rooms and suites featuring soaring ceilings and many restored details like wood trim and carved crown moulding. Though room rates during the soft-opening soared above $750 per night, they have since dropped to about $400 for the "Deluxe" and "Premier" rooms, according to the hotel's website.
The hotel, which opened for business in September, already has been the subject of controversy. Protesters have demonstrated outside the building on Pennsylvania Avenue and graffiti was found sprayed on a wall.
Fox News notes that at least one high-level official has declined an invitation to witness the ribbon cutting in light of the upcoming presidential election. A spokesperson for D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has said she plans to skip the hotel's festivities.
