IMAGE: CNS photo/Jonathan Ernst, Reuters
By Dennis Sadowski
WASHINGTON
(CNS) — Acts of love, courage and sacrifice by first responders, parents and
children alike are hallmarks of a country that is rooted in prayer and deep
faith in God, President Donald Trump told the National Prayer Breakfast.
The
president held up as “American heroes” people from many walks of life
who strive to help others as part of their daily routines and in emergencies.
He said they are signs of God’s grace during a 14-minute speech Feb. 8 at the
Washington Hilton Hotel.
In
particular, Trump cited American servicemen and servicewomen around the world “defending
our great American flag,” police officers “who sacrifice for their
communities,” teachers who “work tirelessly” for their students
and parents who “work two and three jobs to give their children a better,
a much more prosperous and happier life” as signs of inspiration.
“American
heroes reveal God’s calling,” he said.
“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 work of God’s love in the power
of souls,” he said.
Such
actions are powered by prayer, he said.
Trump also
revisited a common theme of earlier speeches: the effort to push out Islamic
State militants in Iraq and Syria. He said the militants had tortured
Christians, Jews and even fellow Muslims in the territories they occupied, but
that they had been almost totally overrun.
“Much
work will always remain. But we will never rest until that job is completely
done,” the president said.
Trump concluded
by noting the courage and inspiration of a 9-year-old Brownfield, Texas, girl faced with the possibility
of not walking again after several strokes. Sophia Maria Campa-Peters, sitting at a front-row
table with her mother at the breakfast, learned from doctors that she would not
be able to walk because of the strokes, he said.
“She
replied, ‘If you’re only going to talk about what I can’t do, I don’t want to
hear about it. Just let me try to walk,'” Trump told the gathering.
As Sophia prepared
for surgery Jan. 24 to continue treatment for the disease that caused the
strokes, she sought prayers from people. Her goal was 10,000 prayers, Trump continued,
but she surpassed the goal, even getting the president and members of his
administration to ask God to intervene for her health.
“Today
we thank God and she’s walking very well,” he said.
“You
may be only 9 years old, but you are already a hero for all of us in this room
and all over the world. Thank you, Sophia,” Trump said.
“Through
love, courage and sacrifice, we glimpse the grace of almighty God,” the president
added. “So through that grace, let us resolve ourselves to ask for an
extra measure of strength and devotion and seek a more just and peaceful world
where every child can grow up without violence, worship without fear and reach
their God-given potential.
“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 always
be the land of the free, home of the brave and the light for all nations.”
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Follow Sadowski on Twitter: @DennisSadowski.
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