President Obama: "Faith Is the Great Cure for Fear"

"'For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.' I pray that by His grace, we all find the courage to set such examples in our own lives…" --President Obama

This morning, the President delivered remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast, continuing a longstanding tradition among U.S. presidents. He spoke about the strength that comes from uniting all faiths against fear and touched on how his own faith guides him:

"Our children grow up too fast." —@POTUS reflecting on his daughters at the #NationalPrayerBreakfast https://t.co/TcZ10Y1ucL

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 4, 2016

Among all faiths, he said, we share a power to help and serve one another in times of need:

"Think about the extraordinary work of the congregations and faith communities represented here today. Whether fighting global poverty or working to end the scourge of human trafficking, you are the leaders of what Pope Francis calls “this march of living hope.” When the Earth cleaves in Haiti, Christians, Sikhs, and other faith groups sent volunteers to distribute aid, tend to the wounded, rebuild homes for the homeless. When Ebola ravaged West Africa, Jewish, Christian, Muslim groups responded to the outbreak to save lives. And as the news fanned the flames of fear, churches and mosques responded with a powerful rebuke, welcoming survivors into their pews. When nine worshippers were murdered in a Charleston church basement, it was people of all faiths who came together to wrap a shattered community in love and understanding. When Syrian refugees seek the sanctuary of our shores, it’s the faithful from synagogues, mosques, temples, and churches who welcome them, the first to offer blankets and food and open their homes. Even now, people of different faiths and beliefs are coming together to help people suffering in Flint."

He closed by sharing the stories that give him courage and hope. One of them was the story Rami Nashashibi, a Muslim American father who drew inspiration from Dr. King and Rabbi Robert Marx to pray with his children in an unwelcome setting:

"I pray that we will uphold our obligation to be good stewards of God’s creation -- this beautiful planet. I pray that we will see every single child as our own, each worthy of our love and of our compassion. And I pray we answer Scripture’s call to lift up the vulnerable, and to stand up for justice, and ensure that every human being lives in dignity." --President Obama

The President was joined by the First Lady as well as House Speaker Paul Ryan and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. The President's speech continued on the theme of the religious unity brought about in his remarks yesterday during his visit to a mosque in Baltimore.

See more of President Obama's National Prayer Breakfast remarks from over the years: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010