Women's prayer breakfast set for Wednesday

The second annual Power of Praying Women Prayer Breakfast will be held Wednesday at Ray's Banquet Center, 3257 William St. in Cape Girardeau. The breakfast is open to women of all faiths who want to come together to pray for the community.

The annual event was the brainchild of a woman in the community who wishes to remain anonymous, according to Casey Crowell, who serves on the planning committee.

"This was a dream of a woman in our community who likes to stay kind of hidden behind the scenes to put a group of women from different faiths and different churches together to [pray for our community]," Crowell said.

Last year's event, which Crowell said was put together in about 90 days, was sold out, with more than 500 women in attendance.

Attendance is expected to be high again this year.

"Tables are still available, but seating is limited," Crowell said.

The featured speaker at this year's breakfast is Rekha Patterson, head coach of the women's basketball program at Southeast Missouri State University.

"We are so excited to have Rekha as our keynote speaker," Crowell said. "Each year, our committee discusses who would be a good fit for us. God has always led us to the perfect person at the right time."

Women from all around the area and from all different age groups attend the Christian-based event.

Rehka Patterson

"We have women coming from Cape, Scott City, Jackson and Perryville," Crowell said. "Women from more than 20 churches are involved, from college students on up."

Doors open for the prayer breakfast at 5:45 a.m.; the buffet begins at 6, and the program, which will last approximately an hour and 15 minutes, will begin at 6:30.

In addition to the keynote speaker, there will be music and prayer.

"A choir comprised of women from several different churches will sing, and we will have what we call 'Prayer Warriors,' who are various women that will be leading prayers for different groups of people," Crowell said. "The event will adjourn around 7:45 a.m."

Terry Crowell, who is Casey Crowell's mother-in-law, also serves on the planning committee. She said the goal of the event is to make the community a better place.

"This is an opportunity to come together in a nondenominational setting where there is a large variance in age, economic level and racial diversity, and to be unified in the power of praying women," Terry Crowell said. "It will touch every segment of Cape Girardeau, including neighborhoods, schools and businesses, and it will make our community stronger."

Tickets for the Power of Praying Women Prayer Breakfast are $10 per seat, or a table of eight may be purchased for $100. Reservations will be confirmed when payment is received. To request a seat or table, call (573) 200-1408 or email PrayingWomen2@gmail.com.