The National Assembly Prayer Breakfast of Korea held its 2025 New Year Service on Jan. 8 in the second conference room of the National Assembly Members’ Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul. Lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties gathered to pray for the nation and parliament, including Yoon Sang-Hyun, chair of the ruling party’s prayer breakfast group, and Song Ki-Heon, chair of the opposition group.
The service, led by Park Gyun-Taek, secretary-general of the Democratic Party’s prayer breakfast group, featured prayers, scripture readings, and a sermon. Pastor Kim Jong-Jun, senior pastor of Flower Garden Church and former moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Korea (Hapdong), delivered a sermon on “The Leadership of a Christian.” He emphasized, “Christian lawmakers must reject worldly leadership and emulate the leadership of Jesus—leading with love, serving others in humility, and adhering to a sense of calling. Through this, we can practice righteous politics that align with God’s will on earth.”
In his congratulatory remarks, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-Shik said, “In the face of today’s national crises, let us seek God’s special help. May Christian lawmakers from both parties lead the way in delivering hope to the people and ensuring that God’s justice and righteousness are realized in this land.”
During the service, Cho Bae-Sook, vice chair of the ruling party’s prayer breakfast group, offered a representative prayer, and Seo Mi-Hwa, a member of the Democratic Party’s group, read Mark 10:42-45. The Flower Garden Church Choir performed a hymn, followed by prayers for peace and governance by Bae Joon-Young of the ruling party and Jang Jong-Tae of the opposition group. Pastor Kim closed the service with a benediction after Kang Kyung-Sook, of the Progressive Innovation Party, delivered the offering prayer.
Pastor Kim also urged lawmakers to remember that “righteousness exalts a nation,” adding, “When we make righteousness the principle of governance, we can build a strong and upright country. Let us earnestly pray for this.”
At the conclusion of the service, Yoon Sang-Hyun and Song Ki-Heon presented Pastor Kim with a commemorative plaque inscribed with the Constitutional Assembly’s Prayer. They said, “Amid national crises, please pray more fervently than ever for the parliament to fulfill its role and mission.”
Pastor Jang Heon-Il, advisor to the National Assembly Prayer Breakfast and former secretary-general of the National Prayer Breakfast, noted that the event commemorated the 60th anniversary of the National Assembly Prayer Breakfast, which began in 1965. “Let us continue to pray fervently for our nation and parliament so that the flame of prayer never extinguishes in Korea,” he said.
Originally published by Christian Daily Korea, translated and edited by Christian Daily International staff.
