Inside the International Ballroom at the Washington Hilton, the mood at the National Prayer Breakfast was half church service, half political rally.
The program began with a spirited rendition of Hank Williams’ “I Saw the Light,” led by members of the House of Representatives’ prayer breakfast group, followed by prayers from the co-hosts, Rep. John Moolenaar, a Republican from Michigan, and Rep. Tom Suozzi, a New York Democrat.
National Prayer Breakfast starts with some Hank Williams pic.twitter.com/mH1CFZWyZN
— Bob Smietana (@bobsmietana) February 6, 2020
Their prayers and opening remarks echoed the larger theme of the prayer breakfast this year, which centered on Jesus’ commandment to love your enemies.
“Jesus’ teachings are a solid foundation for building relationships,” said Moolenaar.
The two were also featured in a video about religious persecution, another focus for this year’s event. After the video — and the entrance of President Donald Trump, carrying a newspaper with the headline “Acquitted” — Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi led a prayer for those suffering religious persecution around the world, including Muslims, Yazidis, Buddhists, Christians and those from other faiths.
“Let us pray that the names of the persecuted always live on our lips and their courage carried through our actions,” she prayed. “And let us pray that we honor the spark of divinity in them and in all people, including ourselves.”
The recent division in the United States over Trump’s impeachment was on the minds of attendees and organizers alike. Several mentioned the theme of the day was especially timely — and that gathering people together around tables to talk and get to know each other is one way to defuse some of the tensions in the country.
“If we are to heal our divisions — we need to spend time together,” he said.
Suozzi’s words echoed a larger belief of The Fellowship, the nonprofit that puts on the National Prayer Breakfast. Members of the group describe themselves as friends who get together to talk about the teachings of Jesus. While the group positions itself as open to all faiths, the themes of the event are distinctly Christian.
Author and Harvard professor Arthur Brooks urged those in attendance not to let their disagreements over politics lead to contempt. Brooks recalled speaking to a group of conservative activists and telling them their political opponents were neither evil nor stupid.
That line, he said, did not get much applause.
He went on to talk about being raised by Christian parents in Seattle, who had progressive politics. His parents were neither evil nor stupid, he said. And he challenged listeners to remember their loved ones who have different points of view — and to stand up for those who would ridicule them.
Brooks also said Jesus asked his followers to love their enemies — not just tolerate them. Putting that into practice, he admitted, is hard.
Source: Religion News Service
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