“WE LOVE GOD”: PRESIDENT TRUMP ADDRESSES NATIONAL PRAYER BREAKFAST~VIDEO WITH TRANSCRIPT

President Trump delivered remarks at the 66th annual National Prayer Breakfast Thursday.

Read a transcript below:

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Charlie. (Applause.) Thank you
very much. And thank you, Randy, for that very kind introduction. I want
to thank you and Congressman Charlie Crist for serving as co-chairs
this year.
It’s an honor to be with so many faith leaders, members of Congress,
and dignitaries from all around the world as we continue this
extraordinary tradition. I’m very glad to be joined by many members of
my Cabinet. You’re doing a terrific job.

I want to extend our appreciation to the First Lady of Rwanda for
leading the opening prayer. Thank you. Thank you very much. (Applause.)

I also want to thank my two great friends, Mark Burnett and Roma
Downey. They’re some here. Where are they? They are two terrific people.
Stand up, Mark. You deserve it. Even though he comes from Hollywood.
(Applause.) Roma, thank you very much. Thank you for being here.

Major Scotty Smiley and Tiffany, we’re moved by your faith and
your courage, and inspired by your service and sacrifice. That was
really beautiful. Thank you very much. Thank you. (Applause.)

And to my friend, and everybody’s friend, Steve Scalise, we are
so glad to have you with us today. Your presence reminds us of Jesus’s
words in the Book of Matthew: “With God all things are possible.” You
are fantastic. You really are, Steve. (Applause.) Fantastic man.

America is a nation of believers, and together we are
strengthened by the power of prayer. This morning, our hearts are full
of gratitude as we come together for the 66th annual National Prayer
Breakfast.

But our hearts are also saddened by the absence of the co-founder
of this wonderful breakfast who passed away last year, Doug Coe, who
everybody loved. (Applause.) For 60 years, Doug devoted his time and
passion to this Prayer Breakfast and to many other wonderful causes.
Today, we are blessed to be joined by Doug’s wife Jan, and two of their
sons, David and Tim. (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you very much. Great
man.

I want to thank you for carrying on Doug’s legacy also, and
bringing our nation together in prayer. You are indeed carrying on his
great legacy.

Each year, this event reminds us that faith is central to
American life and to liberty. Our founders invoked our Creator four
times in the Declaration of Independence. Our currency declares, “In God
We Trust.” (Applause.) And we place our hands on our hearts as we
recite the Pledge of Allegiance and proclaim we are “One Nation Under
God.” (Applause.)

Our rights are not given to us by man; our rights come from our
Creator. (Applause.) No matter what, no Earthly force can take those
rights away. (Applause.) That is why the words “Praise be to God” are
etched atop the Washington Monument, and those same words are etched
into the hearts of our people.

So today, we praise God for how truly blessed we are to be
American. (Applause.) Across our land, we see the splendor of God’s
creation. Throughout our history, we see the story of God’s providence.
And in every city and town, we see the Lord’s grace all around us,
through a million acts of kindness, courage and generosity. We love God.

We see the Lord’s grace in the servicemembers who risk their
lives for our freedom. We see it in the teachers who work tirelessly for
their students, and the police who sacrifice for our communities — and
sacrifice they do. (Applause.)

And we see the Lord’s grace in the moms and dads who work two and
three jobs to give their children the chance for a better and much more
prosperous and happier life.

As the Bible tells us, for we are God’s handiwork, created in
Jesus Christ to do good works. America’s heroes rise to this calling. In
their selfless deeds, they reveal the beauty and goodness of the human
soul.

When catastrophic hurricanes struck, first responders and
everyday citizens dove into rushing waters to save stranded families
from danger. And they saved them by the thousands. Neighbors opened
their homes to those in need of food, clothes, shelter. Firefighters
braved blinding smoke and flames to rescue children from devastating
wildfires.

During the horrific shootings, strangers shielded strangers, and
police officers ran into a hail of bullets to save the lives of their
fellow Americans, right in Las Vegas. A terrible day, a terrible night.
But such bravery.

Families have adopted babies orphaned by the opioid epidemic and
given them loving homes. Communities and churches have reached out to
those struggling with addiction, and shown them the path to a clean
life, a good job, and a renewed sense of purpose.

And soldiers, sailors, Coast Guardsmen, airmen, and Marines have
spent long months away from home defending our great American flag.
(Applause.)

All we have to do is open our eyes and look around us, and we can
see God’s hand. In the courage of our fellow citizens, we see the power
of God’s love at work in our souls, and the power of God’s will to
answer all of our prayers.

When Americans are able to live by their convictions, to speak
openly of their faith, and to teach their children what is right, our
families thrive, our communities flourish, and our nation can achieve
anything at all. (Applause.)

Together, as Americans, we are a tireless force for justice and for peace. We have witnessed this truth over the past year.

For years, ISIS had brutally tortured and murdered Christians, Jews, religious minorities, and countless Muslims.

Today, the coalition to defeat ISIS has liberated almost 100
percent of the territory just recently held by these killers in Iraq and
all throughout Syria. (Applause.)

Much work will always remain, but we will never rest until that
job is completely done. And we are really doing it like never before.
(Applause.)

We know that millions of people in Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, North
Korea, and other countries suffer under repressive and brutal regimes.
America stands with all people suffering oppression and religious
persecution.

Last week, during the State of the Union, the world was inspired
by the story of a North Korean defector, Mr. Ji Seong-ho, who is now
back in South Korea.

Before his escape, when Seong-ho was being tortured by North
Korean officials, there was one thing that kept him from losing hope:
Over and over again, he recited the Lord’s prayer. He prayed for peace,
and he prayed for freedom. And now, as you know, Seong-ho is free and a
symbol of hope to millions of people all around the world. (Applause.)

Here with us today is another symbol of hope, a very brave
9-year-old girl named Sophia Marie Campa Peters. Sophia suffers from a
rare disease that has caused her to have many strokes. At one point, the
doctors told Sophia that she would not be able to walk.

Sophia replied, “If you’re only going to talk about what I can’t
do, then I don’t want to hear it — (laughter) — just let me try to
walk.” (Applause.)

She tried, and she succeeded. And one of her doctors even told
her mom — and theyre right here in the front row where they should be —
“This little girl has God on her side.” (Applause.) Thank you, Sophia.
Thank you, mom. Great mom.

I said, Do you love your mom? She said, I have a great mom. I love my mom. (Laughter.) Right?

Just two weeks ago, Sophia needed to have a very high-risk
surgery. She decided to ask the whole world to pray for her, and she
hoped to reach 10,000 people.

On January 24th, as Sophia went into surgery, she far surpassed
her goal. Millions and millions of people lifted Sophia up in their
prayers.

Today, we thank God that Sophia is with us, and she’s recovering, and shes walking very well. (Applause.)

And I have to say this, Sophia: You may only be 9 years old, but
you are already a hero to all of us in this room, and all over the
world. Thank you, Sophia. (Applause).

Heroes like Sophia come from all across our country and from
every different background. But they all share one thing in common:
Through their love, their courage, their sacrifice, we glimpse the grace
of almighty God.

So today, inspired by our fellow citizens, let us resolve to find
the best within ourselves. Let us pray for that extra measure of
strength and that extra measure of devotion. And let us seek to build a
more just and peaceful world, where every child can grow up without
violence, worship without fear, and reach their God-given potential.

As long as we are true to America’s founding and the example that
all of these great founders have set, we can all be heroes to
everybody, and they can be heroes to us.

As long as we open our eyes to God’s grace and open our hearts to
God’s love, then America will forever be the land of the free, the home
of the brave, and a light unto all nations. (Applause.)

Thank you for this incredible event and to our wonderful hosts.
And thank you to all of our heroes for serving, protecting, and
inspiring America each and every day.

God bless you, and God bless America. Thank you very much. Thank you. (Applause.)

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SEE ALSO:

EXCERPTS:
 “And then he treaded where the previous president feared to go: Trump unabashedly used the name of Jesus Christ:

It was in his insertion into his speech of part of the Apostle Paul’s
letter to the church in Ephesus that raised most eyebrows and gave the
most comfort to those still questioning the depth of Trump’s faith in
Christ. The full quote is:

republished below in full unedited for informational, educational, and research 

purposes: