President Shares About His Personal Faith At Prayer Breakfast
Photo Courtesy: Associated Press
President Obama attended the annual National Prayer Breakfast this morning at the infamous Washington Hilton. As CBN News White House Correspondent Jennifer Wishon reported, he used the occasion to give Americans a chance to see how he approaches prayer and the scriptures.
He talked about his own spiritual journey.
"I did not come from a particularly religious family. My father, who I barely knew, I only met once for a month in my entire life, was said to be a non-believer throughout his life. My mother, whose parents were Baptist and Methodist, grew up with a certain skepticism about organized religion and she usually only took me to church on Easter and Christmas, sometimes."
But, Obama points out his mother instilled in him values, and that he was inspired by the faith leaders of the Civil Rights movement. He signed up as a community organizer out of college, and through the experience of working with pastors and lay leaders, trying to help neighbors, he came to faith in Christ.
"I came to know Jesus Christ myself, and embrace him as my Lord and Savior," the President said. "Now that was over 20 years ago, and like all of us, my faith journey has had its twists and turns. It hasn't always been a straight line."
"In the wake of failures and disappointments, I've questioned what God had in store for me. And been reminded that God's plans for us may not always match our own short sided desires. And, let me tell you, these past two years they have deepened my faith," the President said.
Obama joked, "The Presidency has a funny way of making you feel the need to pray."
He shared about a group of pastors that come to the Oval Office to pray with him and pray for the nation. And the chapel at Camp David provides him with moments of respite. He gave a shout out to Joshua DuBois who starts his mornings out with meditations from scripture.
He mentioned the prayers of people across the nation that go up for him, organized in the beginning by the godmother of his daughters, Sasha and Malia.
"It's also comforting to know that people are praying for you that don't always agree with you," He mentions Sen. Tom Coburn, "a brother in Christ," although they differ on just about every social and political issue on the planet. Obama joked that a ray of light is going to beam down and show Coburn the right way, and that he would vote for him.
On those who question his faith
"My Christian faith has been a sustaining force for me over these last few years. All the more so when Michelle and I hear our faith being questioned from time to time. We are reminded that ultimately what matters is not what other people are saying about us, but whether we're being true to our conscience and true to our God."
Obama quoted Matthew 6:33 "Seek first His kingdom, and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
He offered prayers for Egypt
"We pray that the violence in Egypt will end and that the rights and aspirations of the Egyptian people will be realized. And that a better day will dawn over Egypt and throughout the world."
Prayers for Rep. Giffords
"I want Gabby and Mark and their entire family to know that we are with them for the long haul. And God is with them for the long haul."
Obama spoke for 22 minutes.
The National Prayer Breakfast has hosted presidents back to President Eisenhower. Obama said he was proud to uphold the tradition, not only as an elected leader, but as a fellow believer.