“…these moments of prayer slow us down. They humble us.”

President Obama at the National Prayer Breakfast “And it’s a chance to step back for a moment, for us to come together as brothers and sisters and seek God’s face together. At a time when it’s easy to lose ourselves in the rush and clamor of our own lives, or get caught up in the noise and rancor that too often passes as politics today, these moments of prayer slow us down. They humble us. They remind us that no matter how much responsibility we have, how fancy our titles, how much power we think we hold, we are imperfect vessels. We can all benefit from turning to our Creator, listening to Him. Avoiding phony religiosity, listening to Him.” from President Obama’s National Prayer Breakfast Address

This morning I happened to be at home when President Obama addressed those assembled for the National Prayer Breakfast. I was drinking a cup of tea and preparing my own breakfast when the news channel began live coverage of the event. I sat down and listened. The opening remarks cited above reminded me of how I have become caught up in the busyness of life and have not taken time to slow down in prayer often enough. If the president can begin his day with prayer and a little Scripture, certainly I can do the same.

The past week an good friend of forty years (can’t be!) came by for a visit. We rarely see one another and squeezed in a lot of catching up in the couple of hours remaining until I needed to leave for work. At one point in the conversation she said, “I don’t have the time that I used to have to just pray. To just be still and pray. I need that.”

President Obama voiced the same need for us all, no matter our faith traditions. Being with God in prayer does remind us of our imperfections. It humbles us. It also reminds us that God doesn’t mind hanging out with us. In fact, she choses to with through us to bring the Kingdom.

The President spoke of Dorothy Day, Joshua Heschel, and Martin Luther King Jr. as examples of those whose faith moved them to do great work in the face of adversity. He also spoke of our need to live out our values in everyday life, in ordinary situations as well is in the political arena, to advance the common good.

Citing Scritpu for, President Obama recalled the need for those of us who have a voice to speak out for those on the margins of society who cannot. We ARE our brothers (and sisters) keepers.

Some will say the speech was just another political ploy, but I am tired of constant cynicism. Instead, I took some quiet time, bowed my head and remembered that I was in the Presence of the Holy One. I choose to believe that President Obama’s humility was sincere, and that his inclusive call to “seek God’s Face together” is one we should take to heart.