Today, President Obama hosted an Easter Prayer Breakfast at the White House. It is a time of prayer, reflection and celebration of Easter. The White House said the President will also highlight the important role that Christian organizations play in serving our country.
Here is some of what the President said during his opening remarks:
"Today I'm particularly blessed to welcome you, my brothers and sisters in Christ, for this Easter Breakfast," Obama said after remarking that he's been pleased to welcome Jews and Muslims to the White House on different occasions marking religious holidays.
He also said that he's drawn to Easter by Christ's sacrifice and the story of his resurrection, that he can still picture Christ's death on the cross, even though it was 2,000 years ago. "We are awed by the grace he showed even to those who would have killed him, we are thankful for the sacrifice He gave for the sins of humanity. And we glory in the promise of redemption in the resurrection."
The President quoted Micah 6:8: "So, on this day, let us commit our spirit to the pursuit of a life that is true, to act justly and to love mercy and walk humbly with the Lord."
Director of Obama's Faith Based Office, Joshua DuBois, told me this was the first event of this kind at the White House.
Ninety members of Christian clergy were present including Joel Osteen of Lakewood Church, Bill Hybels of Willowcreek Community Church, Bishop Vashti McKenzie of the AME Church and Dr. Arturo Chavez, President of Mexican American Catholic College, and a prior member of Obama's Advisory Council on Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
Today's prayer breakfast follows a dinner held at the White House recently to mark the end of Ramadan and a Sedar to mark Passover.