President Donald Trump delivered a passionate speech on Thursday morning at the 66th annual National Prayer Breakfast at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., heralding the power of prayer and recapping the nation’s rich faith history.
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Trump proclaimed that “with God all things are possible” and he offered a powerful reminder about the founding fathers’ views on religion and the Almighty. The president specifically noted the many places where God is, indeed, invoked by government.
“America is a nation of believers and together we are strengthened by the power of prayer,” he said. “Our founders invoked our creator four times in the Declaration of Independence. Our currency declares ‘In God we trust.'”
Trump also reminded the audience that the Pledge of Allegiance includes the line “one nation under God” and that there are places in Washington, D.C., that also include inscriptions about the Almighty.
“Our rights are not given to us by man. Our rights come from our creator. No matter what, no earthly force can take those rights away,” Trump said. “That is why the words ‘Praise be to God’ are etched atop the Washington monument and those same words are etched in the hearts of our people.”
Watch Trump speak at the National Prayer Breakfast below:
The commander in chief went on to say that “God’s providence” has been seen throughout U.S. history, while also praising the bravery of heroes, ranging from teachers and police officers to those who have bravely risked their lives during natural disasters and acts of violence in an effort to help save others.
“As the Bible tells us, ‘For we are God’s handiwork created in Jesus Christ to do good works,'” Trump said, speaking of acts of goodness that have followed hurricanes, wildfires and shootings.
He continued, “America’s heroes rise to this calling. … All we have to do is open our eye and look around us and we can see God’s hand in the courage of our fellow citizens.”