Feb. 7, 1963 - President Kennedy counseled leaders of the Government today to “pray for powers equal to your tasks.” Both perils and opportunities are now the greatest America has faced, the President said, and added: “In such a time, the limits of mere human endeavor become more apparent than ever. We need faith.” Mr. Kennedy spoke at an annual Presidential prayer breakfast that drew more than 1,000 persons from the Cabinet, Congress, the diplomatic corps, government agencies, and private life. The breakfasts are sponsored by Senate and House prayer breakfast groups in cooperation with the International Christian Leadership Conference, an organization of laymen of all faiths. Evangelist Billy Graham told the audience in the Mayflower Hotel ballroom that “we stand at the crossroads of our national destiny,” and he challenged his listeners “to lead this nation back to the God of our fathers.”
