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Obama Speaks At Hispanic Prayer Breakfast

By Howard M. Friedman

President Obama this morning spoke at the Esperanza National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast held at Washington's JW Marriott Hotel. (Full text of remarks.) He said in part:

At a time when there's no shortage of challenges to occupy our time, it's even more important to step back, and to give thanks, and to seek guidance from each other -- but most importantly, from God. That's what we've come here to do.

We can begin by giving thanks for the legacy that allows us to come together. For it was the genius of America's Founders to protect the freedom of all religion, and those who practice no religion at all. So as we join in prayer, we remember that this is a nation of Christians and Muslims and Jews and Hindus and non-believers. It is this freedom that allows faith to flourish within our borders. It is this freedom that makes our nation stronger.

For those of us who draw on faith as a guiding force in our lives, prayer has many purposes. For many, it is a source of support when times are hard.... But prayer is more than a last resort. Prayer helps us search for meaning in our own lives, and it helps us find the vision and the strength to see the world that we want to build.

In his remarks, he indicated his commitment to passing comprehensive immigration reform, and also made reference to his recent nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S.Supreme Court.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on June 19, 2009 (boomark / email).