Peace and Cooperation: Congressional Prayer Breakfast for the Middle East, Ukraine, and Beyond

On May 19, Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., will host a distinguished gathering of congressional leaders, diplomats, religious figures, and international guests for the Congressional Prayer Breakfast: Peace and Cooperation.

This high-level event will be co-chaired by Robert Ilatov of the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast – a global initiative bringing together leaders in faith and politics to pray for Jerusalem, promote peace, and uphold shared Judeo-Christian values. A central focus of the breakfast will be the intersection of faith, conservative principles, and international cooperation, particularly in addressing current challenges in Israel, Ukraine, and Eastern Europe. Congressman Mark Green – a West Point graduate, physician, Army combat veteran, and current Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee – will serve as a keynote speaker. A leading voice on national security and religious liberty, Green’s participation reflects his commitment to moral clarity and spiritual diplomacy in the pursuit of global peace.

Organizers:

• Robert Ilatov, representing the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast, a global prayer diplomacy initiative that gathers policymakers and faith leaders in support of Jerusalem and international peace.
• Institute for Democracy and Development “PolitA”, led by Kateryna Odarchenko, a Washington- and Kyiv-based think tank advancing democratic institution-building, political education, and strategic international dialogue.

Event Schedule

Location: Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.

Date: May 19, 2025Time: 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM

Program

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM | Prayer Breakfast

• Welcome – Congressman Mark Green

• Opening Prayer – Faith leaders from the U.S., Ukraine, and Israel

• Keynote Reflections – Members of Congress, ambassadors, and international guests (All congressional remarks will conclude before the start of the House voting session)

8:30 AM – 8:45 AM | Coffee Break

8:45 AM – 10:00 AM | Panel 1: Peacebuilding Initiatives in the Middle East and Europe

• The role of interfaith dialogue in Israeli and Ukrainian contexts

• Conservative approaches to conflict resolution and regional stability

• Spiritual leadership as a foundation for diplomacy and national resilience

10:00 AM – 11:15 AM | Panel 2: Humanitarian Challenges During and After War

• Faith-based responses to humanitarian crises in Gaza, Ukraine, and beyond

• Promoting dignity, family values, and sovereignty in humanitarian aid

• The role of religious organizations in protecting vulnerable populations

11:15 AM – 12:30 PM | Panel 3: A Vision for the Future After War

• Rebuilding with faith and freedom: post-war strategies in Israel and Ukraine

• Moral governance, economic renewal, and civic responsibility

• Strengthening international alliances rooted in conservative and democratic principles

12:30 PM – 2:00 PM | Closing Lunch and Networking

• Informal discussion and partnership-building• Special remarks and closing blessings

Expected Participants Include:

• Members of the U.S. Congress and policy staff

• Ukrainian government officials (current and former)

• Israeli parliamentarians, spiritual leaders, and diplomats

• Ambassadors and representatives from allied countries

• Jewish, Christian, and interfaith religious leaders

• Heads of humanitarian missions and faith-based NGOs

• Conservative thinkers, veteran leaders, and civic activists

• Accredited media covering foreign affairs, religious liberty, and democracy

Participation

This event is invitation-only and requires advance registration. To register: https://forms.gle/G9ZsQuzX2X1ZKdZU7

About the Institute: The Institute for Democracy and Development “PolitA”, led by Kateryna Odarchenko, is a non-partisan organization based in Washington, D.C. and Kyiv, Ukraine. The Institute focuses on democratic institution-building, political training, and international collaboration. Its mission includes promoting freedom of religion, electoral integrity, civic engagement, and transatlantic partnerships.The Congressional Prayer Breakfast continues a long-standing tradition of bringing political and spiritual leaders together in moments of reflection, collaboration, and unity — especially in times of global uncertainty and the search for moral direction.