Scripture for Today, 2-6-20: God & Leaders

 THE 68TH NATIONAL PRAYER BREAKFAST
Hosted by the U.S. Congress, Both Democrats & Republicans
Transcript [excerpted*] of President Donald Trump's Remarks
 Washington Hilton, Washington, D.C., Thursday, February 6, 2020, 9:11 A.M. EST
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“Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.   When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked bears rule, the people mourn.”

Proverbs 2:5-20, 29:2, Luke 6:42-45
  
United States of America President Donald John Trump: 
“Thank you.  Well, thank you very much.  I'm working very hard for you, I will tell you.  (Laughter.)  And sometimes you don't make it easy, and I certainly don't make it easy on you.  (Laughter.)  And I will continue that tradition, if I might, this morning.  [..snip]
 
     It's wonderful to be with the thousands of religious believers for the 68th annual National Prayer Breakfast.  I've been here from the first one, where I had the privilege of being asked.  I've been with you for a long time before then.  And we've made tremendous progress.  Tremendous progress.  You know what we've done.  I don't think anybody has done more than all of us together during these last three years.  And it's been my honor.
 
     But this morning, we come together as one nation, blessed to live in freedom and grateful to worship in peace.  As everybody knows, my family, our great country, and your President, have been put through a terrible ordeal by some very dishonest and corrupt people.  They have done everything possible to destroy us, and by so doing, very badly hurt our nation.  They know what they are doing is wrong, but they put themselves far ahead of our great country.
 
     Weeks ago, and again yesterday, courageous Republican politicians and leaders had the wisdom, the fortitude, and strength to do what everyone knows was right.  I don't like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong.  Nor do I like people who say, "I pray for you," when they know that that's not so. [..]
 
     I also want to welcome foreign dignitaries from more than 140 countries.  That's something.  (Applause.)  That's something.  Everyone here today is united by a shared conviction.  We know that our nation is stronger, our future is brighter, and our joy is greater when we turn to God and ask Him to shed His grace on our lives. [..]
 
     In everything we do, we are creating a culture that protects freedom, and that includes religious freedom.  (Applause.)   As I said on Tuesday in the House Chamber, "In America, we don't punish prayer.  We don't tear down crosses.  We don't ban symbols of faith.  We don't muzzle preachers."  We don't muzzle pastors.  "In America, we celebrate faith, we cherish religion, we lift our voices in prayer, and we raise our sights to the Glory of God."  (Applause.)  So much of the greatness we have achieved, the mysteries we've unlocked, and the wonders we've built, the challenges we've met, and the incredible heights that we've reached has come from the faith of our families and the prayers of our people. 
 
     Before America declared independence, patriots in all 13 colonies came together in days of fasting and prayer.  In the bitter cold of Valley Forge, Washington and his men had no food, no supplies, and very little chance of victory.  It reminded me a little bit of 2016.  We had very little chance of victory.  (Laughter.)  Except for the people in this room and some others believed we were going to win.  I believed we were going to win.  But what they did have was have an unwavering belief that God was with them.  I believe that too. God is with the people in this room. [..]
 
     At every stage, our nation's long march for civil rights was inspired, sustained, and uplifted by faith, prayer, and devotion of religious believers. To protect faith communities, I have taken historic action to defend religious liberty, including the constitutional right to pray in public schools.  (Applause.)
 
[..]     And we're pursuing medical breakthroughs to save premature babies because every child is a sacred gift from God.  (Applause.)

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Something which wasn't done nearly enough -- I could almost say wasn't done at all -- we are standing up for persecuted Christians and religious minorities all around the world -- (applause) -- like nobody has ever done.      Last year, at the United Nations, I was honored to be the first President to host a meeting of religious freedom…  There I called upon all nations to combat the terrible injustice of religious persecution.  And people listened…

• In Iran recently a 21-year-old woman, who goes by the name of Mary, was seized and imprisoned in Iran because she converted to Christianity and shared the Gospel with others.
•  In Venezuela, the dictator Maduro has arrested church leaders
•  Yesterday, our administration launched the first ever International Religious Freedom Alliance, devoted to promoting religious liberty…

 All of us here today reaffirm these timeless truths:

• Faith keeps us free. 
• Prayer makes us strong. 
• And God alone is the author of life and the giver of grace.  (Applause.)

      With us this morning is a pastor who embodies the miracle of faith and the power of prayer: Reverend Gerald Toussaint from Louisiana.  Reverend Toussaint is an Army veteran, a truck driver, and a pastor.  He leads the same church that his father led, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, which has been a pillar of the community for more than 140 years. Last year, Mount Pleasant was one of three African American churches in Louisiana that was destroyed in a fire set by a wicked, hate-filled arsonist.  Yet, in the wake of such shocking evil, America witnessed the unshakable unity, devotion, and spirit of Reverend Toussaint and his entire highly spirited, beautiful congregation.  Families quickly came together in prayer.  Soon, people from all across Louisiana came to help any way they could.  Americans in all 50 states and 20 different countries heard about it and they donated more than $2 million to help rebuild Mount Pleasant. 
 
     On Easter Sunday, just days after he lost his church, Reverend Toussaint preached about what it all meant.  What does it mean?  "The Easter season, is a fitting metaphor for recent events.  It was dark the day that Jesus was crucified.  It was dark  [at]  night when they burned our church.  What has happened since is like a resurrection."  Old things are gone, but it's going to be a brand-new start, and it's going to be better than ever, Reverend.  (Applause.)  Better than ever.  Fantastic.  You know, the Reverend says that we're rebuilding because that's what Jesus does.  He rebuilds, He lives, and He breathes.  It's what He does.  He wants it to be rebuilt. [..]

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   Religion in this country and religion all over the world -- certain religions in particular -- are under siege.  We won't let that happen.  We are going to protect our religions.  We are going to protect Christianity.  We are going to protect our great ministers and pastors and rabbis and all of the people that we so cherish and that we so respect. [..]
 
Not one religion, but many religions.  They are brave.  They are brilliant.  They are fighters.  They like people.  And sometimes they hate people.  I'm sorry.  I apologize.  I'm trying to learn.  (Laughter.)  It's not easy.  It's not easy.  (Applause.)   When they impeach you for nothing, then you're supposed to like them?  It's not easy, folks.  (Laughter.)  I do my best.
 
I'll tell you what we are doing: We're restoring hope and spreading faith.  We're helping citizens of every background take part in the great rebuilding of our nation.  We're declaring that America will always shine as a land of liberty and light unto all nations of the world.  We want every nation to look up to us like they are right now.  We were not a respected nation just a few years ago.  We had lost our way.  Our country is respected again by everybody.  (Applause.)

This morning, let us ask our Father in Heaven to guide our steps, protect our children, and bless our families.  And with all of our heart, let us forever embrace the eternal truth that every child is made equal by the hand of Almighty God.

Thank you. 
God Bless you. 
And God bless America. 
Thank you all very much. 
Thank you.  Thank you.  (Applause.)
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 *Full transcript here See Video here
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Jerry Golden's Comments here