[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 137 (Monday, September 17, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1892-E1896]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
THE NATIONAL PRAYER BREAKFAST 2007
______
HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER
of missouri
in the house of representatives
Monday, September 10, 2007
Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I had the privilege, with my colleague,
Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis of Virginia, of co-chairing the 55th Annual
National Prayer Breakfast, held here in our Nation's Capital on
February 2, 2007. This annual gathering is hosted by Members of the
U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives weekly prayer
breakfast groups. Once again, we were honored to have the participation
of our President and the First Lady and we were inspired by the remarks
shared by Dr. Francis Collins.
This year we hosted a gathering of over 3,500 individuals from all
walks of life in all 50 States and from many countries around the
world. So that all may benefit from this time together, on behalf of
the Congressional Committee for the National Prayer Breakfast, I would
like to request that a copy of the program and of the transcript of the
2007 proceedings be printed in the Congressional Record at this time.
55th National Prayer Breakfast--Thursday, February 2, 2007, Hilton
Washington Hotel, Washington, DC
Co-Chairs: U.S. Representative Jo Ann Davis and U.S. Representative
Emanuel Cleaver, II
U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II: My name is Emanuel
Cleaver, and today my job will deviate slightly from what I
do during the week. During the week I serve as the Fifth
District Representative of Missouri. I am also a United
Methodist pastor. Today I would like for all of you, if you
would, to please either get out a checkbook or----(Laughter)
No, I'm serious. In seminary they taught us when you have a
crowd this large, you take up an offering. We may wait--but
you don't seem enthusiastic. It is my honor and pleasure to
serve today as chair of the 55th National Prayer Breakfast.
My co-chair and dear friend, Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis of
Virginia, will not be able to join us today, and please keep
in mind that if you have a great experience today at this
prayer breakfast, it is due in no small part to the work that
she has done in preparing for this day. And hopefully she
will join us next week with her work in Washington.
One of the basic truths of the Holy Writ is one that all of
us can relate to and perhaps are familiar with--you will reap
what you sow. You don't plant corn and expect soybeans. You
don't plant an apple seed and expect a pear tree. A nation
that sows anger will reap bitterness and division. But a
nation or a collection of nations that sow love and
understanding will reap a harvest of peace. That is what we
are doing here today--sowing the seeds of civility in this
city, in our country, and in our world. There is nothing more
important for us to do. The ground is already covered with
weeds and plants of discord. So today we are going to begin
to plant flowers. The best way I know to do that is with
prayer. If you will, please, put your food down, which you
shouldn't have begun to eat----(Laughter)
If you are the person at your table who did wait for the
blessing, please express to the others your spiritual
superiority. (Laughter)
Let us pray.
Almighty and loving God, we are gathered here today from
all over the world to say thank you for your love, your
grace, your mercy. We confess, God, that our world is not as
you intended, and we have contributed to the wrongness of the
world because of our own sins and errors. But Lord, we know
the truth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s words, that
humankind is ``caught in an inescapable network of
mutuality.'' When any of us suffers injustice, we are all
diminished. But in the same way, when anyone finds peace, we
will all benefit.
Bless, oh Lord, what is said and sung and planted in the
hearts of all who share this experience today, that we can
make this world more of a garden of your love, and if we are
able to do anything good and great from this prayer breakfast
today, we're going to give you all of the credit, all the
glory and all the honor. In your name and for your sake we
pray, Amen.
As the former mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, I know that
our cities are the rubber of our democracy, and I also know
that there are only a couple of positions in this country
superior to serving as mayor--the presidency, obviously, and
the Senate, of course. (Laughter)
Of course the Senate.
But serving as a mayor of one of our major cities places us
on center stage of the municipal drama. We are very pleased
today to have with us, for welcome, the mayor of Washington,
D.C., Mayor Adrian Fenty. (Applause)
Mayor Adrian Fenty: Thank you very much, Congressman
Cleaver, for your generous introduction and hosting everyone
here today. Members of Congress, governors, mayors, religious
leaders, President and First Lady, it is appropriate for me
as mayor, especially mayor of the District of Columbia, to
start out this prayer breakfast. Congressman Cleaver, as a
mayor, said it would be okay if I asked you all to say a
prayer for me, because it is going to snow today. (Laughter)
Start out by asking that all of our snow plows work here in
the District of Columbia.
At a time when we have gathered with so many influential
people, I will reflect on one prayer, and that is Solomon's
prayer for influence. When Solomon said to God, make me
famous--and all of us politicians and public servants are
famous in our own jurisdictions--Solomon said, I want you to
spread the fame of my name and give me power and blessings
and make me well known. When people read that first passage
they say, why would Solomon ask such a self-serving thing?
Like all other prayers, you have to read on. Further on in
Solomon's prayer, he says to give him these things so that
the king may support the widow and the orphans, defend the
defenseless, care for the sick, assist the poor, and to speak
up for the oppressed, the immigrants and the foreigners.
And while we are all influential and powerful, as we start
out this great prayer breakfast, it is important that we
remember what influence is supposed to be used for, and the
purpose of influence as Solomon taught us is to speak up for
those who have no influence.
Let's have a great prayer breakfast and let's use our power
for those who need it the most. God bless you. Thank you very
much. (Applause)
Rep. Cleaver: Thank you, Mayor, for welcoming us to your
city.
It is my pleasure to introduce you to the folks seated here
at the head table. All of you cannot follow directions, so--
(Laughter) I would really like for you to applaud after all
of those at the head table are introduced, but since some of
you can't do it, if you would just applaud now. (Applause)
Thank you.
To my left is the Reverend Dan and Kathy Mucci of Glen
Burnie, Maryland. My co-chair, Jo Ann Davis, is not here, but
she once worked with Pastor Mucci's congregation as the
church secretary. He will offer a prayer for the nation in
just awhile. You have already met Mayor Fenty. And next to
him is the most important person in the room, it is my wife
for more than 30 years, Diane Cleaver.
On the other side of the podium here is Dr. Francis
Collins, our keynote speaker who I will introduce more fully
later. Next to him, representing our nation's governors, many
of whom have events just like this in their own states around
the country, is Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota. He will
be offering a prayer later for world leaders. Next we have
one of my distinguished colleagues from the House of
Representatives, Allyson Schwartz, who represents the 13th
district in Pennsylvania. She will be sharing a reading from
the Talmud. Then we have people here from the Lower House,
the United States Senate--(Laughter)
Senator Mark Pryor of Arkansas, and Senator Mike Enzi of
Wyoming and his spouse Diana. The senators will bring a
greeting from their weekly prayer breakfast group, from which
this whole event sprang more than 50 years ago.
Finally we have our singer, Nicole Mullen, and her spouse
David.
Now join me in thanking the head table. (Applause)
Despite all the awards she has won and all the famous
venues that she has performed in, Nicole Mullen just wants to
be known as everyday people--it's not going to work, however.
The title of her best-selling album is ``Everyday People.''
She has amazing musical talent which she uses with a loving
servant's heart all over the world. Ladies and gentlemen,
Nicole Mullen (Applause)
(Song: ``On My Knees'') (Applause)
U.S. Representative Allyson Schwartz: Good morning. I am
very pleased to be here and share in this fellowship this
morning. I am Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz from the great
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I am pleased to be here this
morning. (Applause)
[[Page E1893]]
A few Pennsylvanians in the crowd.
I sometimes believe that my first memory was when I was
barely 3 and my father left for the Korean War. I can picture
my mother, my older brother at 4\1/2\, my younger sister at
2, all slightly sad, not really sure why.
But I know that my father's return more than two years
later, after serving in an Army MASH unit in Korea, is in
fact my own real, first remembrance. I was 5 years old, I was
in kindergarten, and my father came to school to get me. I
remember seeing him in uniform--how unlikely to see a man in
uniform at school. But what I remember most is that I did not
recognize him. I didn't know him. I was a little awed, I was
a little scared. I remember needing to be reassured by my
older brother--who at 6\1/2\ was in fact really my older
brother--that it was okay, that this man was in fact our dad.
So I know, as I watch families see their dads, and their
moms, off to war, that there are tough goodbyes. And there
are also the not-so-easy homecomings. That reuniting families
is not easy. That our troops come home with experiences
separate from their families, some good, and some very
difficult. That reuniting, reconnecting, is often hard.
So for the men and women serving and returning from Iraq
and Afghanistan who are struggling with changes in their work
lives and changes in their home lives, and for all families
who have experienced separation or loss, who have experiences
that are often not revealed and difficult to communicate, but
nonetheless are struggling to be as good as they can be to
each other and to their children, I offer a prayer for
healing, for overcoming the difficulties, for forgiveness,
for feeling connected and whole again.
Today as we offer our public officials our prayers and our
support, I offer this reading for all of us. The prayer I
will read dates from the Talmudic period and is offered at
evening and Sabbath services in synagogues across the world.
It is a beautiful prayer for serenity and for protection from
danger.
Lord our God, we pray thee that we may lie down this night
in peace and awake in the morning to refreshed existence.
Spread over us the shelter of thy divine peace and guide us
with thy good counsel. Help us for thy name's sake. Be thou
at all times our shield and our protector from harm, our
guardian against danger, our savior from all manner of
trouble and distress. Keep far from us anxiety and sorrow,
and shelter us under the shadow of thy wings, for it is in
thee alone, oh God, ever gracious and compassionate, that we
put our trust. Guard thou our going out and our coming in,
that we may live a life of peace now and evermore. Amen.
(Applause)
Senator Mark Pryor: My name is Mark Pryor from Arkansas,
and this is Mike Enzi from Wyoming, and we bring you
greetings from the Senate prayer breakfast. Every Wednesday
morning that we are in session, all senators are invited to
come to the Senate prayer breakfast. It is a great time of
fellowship and we have different faiths and very, very
diverse backgrounds that are represented there. It is really
a great way, maybe the best way, in the Senate, to get to
know each other in a deeper and more meaningful way.
Another thing that we do there is, the chaplain at the
beginning of every Congress hands out a prayer card that has
all of the names of the senators on there, and he gives us a
weekly schedule to pray for our colleagues. And my experience
is, that when I am praying for my colleagues by name, any
hard feelings, any bitterness, any animosity has a way of
just melting away. So, we bring you greetings from the Senate
prayer breakfast, and here is Mike.
Senator Michael Enzi: Mark mentioned our weekly prayer
breakfasts. I want to tell you about our global outreach. We
are willing to help any parliament or group of elected
leaders to start a prayer breakfast. We only participate when
we are asked. We send a senator and some prayer supporters to
meet anywhere the leaders seek the uniting power of the
teachings of Jesus. We have seen prayer groups bring
different faiths together. We have seen enemies begin to see
each other as people, people with similar problems, problems
solvable through the power of God used through leaders. We
want to share the care, the reconciliation, the respect and
concern that can unite. We want to share the concentration on
the 80 percent that we all believe in rather than the 20
percent that divides people. Of course these trips of
faith give each senator a gift of faith greater than what
we are able to share. May each of you, through the power
of God's hand, use your gifts for the betterment of God's
world. (Applause)
Rep. Cleaver: Why don't you go ahead and eat. (Laughter)
Lord, bless the food that we are about to receive, and may
this food do for our bodies what your Spirit does for our
soul. Amen.
We will be back with you shortly. (Breakfast)
Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the
United States, and Mrs. Laura Bush. (Applause)
Rev. Daniel Mucci: Good morning, everyone. It is an awesome
privilege to be here this morning to lead us in prayer for
the leaders of our nation. As I was reflecting on this
opportunity to pray, I am reminded of the truth that men
should always pray and not give up. For we know what is
impossible with men is possible with God. With these thoughts
in mind, let us pray for our nation's leaders.
Almighty God, we thank you for the blessing of leadership
you have provided to our nation time and time again
throughout our history. We thank you for the men and women
who offer themselves to serve their fellow man and seek to
fulfill the higher purpose of your will here on earth as it
is in heaven. For these gifts we express our gratitude.
Thank you for our president, George W. Bush, a man who
seeks your face. May your presence go before him, may your
peace sustain him, and your power keep him as he fulfills
your call to lead our nation during this challenging time. We
now lift up President Bush and his Cabinet, the members of
the United States Senate and the House of Representatives,
the Supreme Court justices, the governors of our states and
their respective general assemblies, the mayors of our cities
and towns and all those charged with the responsibility to
create and enforce the laws of the United States of America.
We unite our hearts in asking that you grant America's
leaders the courage to stand together when tested by the
winds of adversity--economically, socially, politically, and
spiritually--for there is no overcoming without a struggle.
So we ask that you would give them your grace to succeed in
our quest for peace and progress in our nation.
We also ask that you would grant your servants wisdom to
work toward unity when confusion overrides their clarity of
vision for the future, for there is no unity without
humility. So we humbly ask that you would grant them the
mercy and love that they need to recognize and fulfill your
purposes in this generation.
We ask for the determination to win the challenging battles
we face, to ensure the safety and security of our citizens,
and for those who call on us to be partners for democracy and
peace, for there is no victory without perseverance. So we
ask you to reveal to our leaders the strategic plans for
success, and to supply them with the strength to endure
the perils of war.
Please protect the men and women of our military who have
placed themselves in harm's way for the ideals of our nation.
And finally, with the faith of Abraham, the meekness of
Moses, and in the spirit of Jesus of Nazareth, give us all a
servant's heart to meet the needs of those who are suffering,
from poverty, hunger, or disease, when we have the resources
within our influence to relieve the suffering and to bring
hope and healing to our fellow human beings. We ask these
things in your mighty name, Amen.
General Peter Pace: President and Mrs. Bush, and to all of
you here, good morning. I am Pete Pace, and my wife Lynne and
I are honored to be here with you this morning. (Applause)
Since the founding of our country, generation after
generation of Americans have sacrificed themselves that we
might have the freedom to gather here this morning and pray
as we see fit to our God. It has been my personal experience
that although some may enter battle either not believing or
questioning the existence of God, that very few leave battle
with any doubt. In fact in my experience, almost the first
thing that those who are wounded say is, ``oh my God.'' In
answer to their prayer, often the compassion and love of God
in the midst of that most difficult of times is brought
forward in the form of our chaplains, who risk their own
safety to bring God's love and compassion to those who need
it. So it is with great respect and appreciation for our
chaplains and for their assistance, for their bringing God's
love to all of us daily, in battle and out, that I offer this
reading from the letter of Paul to the Philippians.
``Rejoice in the Lord always. I say it again, rejoice.
Everyone should see how unselfish you are. The Lord himself
is near. Dismiss all anxiety from your minds. Present your
needs to God in every form of prayer and in petitions full of
gratitude. Then God's own peace, which is beyond all
understanding, will stand guard over your hearts and minds.
Finally, my brothers, your thoughts should be wholly directed
to all that is true, all that deserves respect, all that is
honest, pure, admirable, decent, virtuous, or worthy of
praise. Live according to what you have heard, learned, and
accept it, what you have heard me say and seen me do. Then
will the God of peace be with you.'' The word of the Lord.
(Applause)
Governor Tim Pawlenty: Would you please bow your heads and
join me in prayer for world leaders.
Lord, this morning we bow before you with humble hearts,
deeply grateful that you are a God powerful enough to form
the earth but gentle enough to care for our smallest
concerns. You are an amazing God. We know, Lord, that you are
the source of all love and that through the course of history
you have poured out your love, your mercy and your grace when
people have humbled themselves and prayed. It is with this
spirit that we come before you this morning. As the light of
the world, you have pierced through the darkness in troubled
times. Lord, our world struggles. We live in troubled times.
We struggle against the forces of darkness. The power of sin
and alienation is strong, but you are stronger. Our world
needs your healing power and your love.
Today, God, we pray for our world leaders. We pray that the
power of your love will guide their decisions. Lord, we pray
for your special blessing on those world leaders who are with
us today, Prime Minister Musa and President Bush. We also
pray for those in this room that will one day lead their
nations. Prepare them also, by your grace.
God, as our world leaders face the troubles and enormous
challenges of our times, we
[[Page E1894]]
pray Solomon-like wisdom for each of them. Touch their
hearts. Heal any brokenness.
We pray that each world leader will be guided by your
spirit, your leadership. Lord, bless them, teach them,
counsel them, continue to love them and hold them in the
powerful palm of your hand. May the leaders of this world be
led by you every day, in every decision, big and small. You
are the hope of the world and the ruler of history. We pray
that all world leaders seek first your kingdom and your
righteousness. I pray all of this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Rep. Cleaver: As you are continuing to eat your breakfast,
I would like to recognize a visiting head of state who joined
us today, Prime Minister Said Musa of the nation of Belize.
Prime Minister. (Applause)
Thank you so much for being with us.
And while focusing on the room, I want to recognize a
historic person in our midst, the first woman Speaker of the
United States Congress, Nancy Pelosi of California.
(Applause)
Rep. Cleaver: She had to leave. As many of you know, Father
Drinan, who served in the House of Representatives, died, and
she is going to attend his funeral.
For the Democrats who are in the House, who are in
Congress, if you would please let her know that I did
introduce her. Committee assignments have not been made.
(Laughter)
If I may have your attention once again, we will continue
with our program. But first let me share something with you
that I read the other day that I hope all of us can remember.
William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, said--and this is
extremely important; if you can remember these words, I think
it helps this entire nation: ``I know of no religion that
destroys courtesy, civility, or kindness.'' William Penn.
In this room today we are a people of over 160 nations and
many religious traditions, but a common teaching of all
faiths and philosophies is this important word civility.
I came to Washington and to Congress with this desire in my
heart, to do what I could to make this a more civil place. In
the intensity and tension of this place, it's really hard for
me and all of us to follow the biblical teachings to count
others as important as ourselves, and as far as it depends on
us, we must all seek to live in peace with all.
I have opinions that are as strong as anyone. My challenge
is to state them in a tone that raises the level of the
conversation and honors those who disagree with me. When you
look at the roots of the word ``civility,'' to be civil is to
be a citizen, a respected part of the community. So to be
uncivil is to fracture the community, locally, nationally,
and even internationally, and that is something none of us
can afford to do.
With the passing of President Ford recently, I was reminded
of a story of his days in the White House. He held regular
debates here in Washington with Democratic members of
Congress, but most especially with Congressman Thomas Hale
Boggs, at the National Press Club. At President Ford's
suggestion, they would actually share a cab downtown and
pick their topic for debate on the way. Afterwards, they
would often go out and eat together.
Mr. President, I am happy you are joining us for our House
Democratic retreat later today. It will be good for us and
good for the country to break bread together. (Applause)
Remember, we reap what we sow. I think God is pleased when
we as citizens of the world, and people of faith, sow
courtesy, civility and kindness with each other, and raise up
a harvest of grace and peace.
Now, our keynote speaker. Some of us know the song that
says, ``we are fearfully and wonderfully made.'' Any of us
who studied human anatomy in junior high biology probably
felt more fear than wonder. My biology teachers were always
the worst [pause] human beings (Laughter)
But I have grown to respect and appreciate the men and
women of science because they unlock the secrets of how we
can get more and better life out of these bodies.
Our keynote speaker this morning is one of the heroes of
that effort, Dr. Francis Collins, the director of the Human
Genome Project. He grew up on a little farm in Shenandoah
Valley, Virginia, and now he heads up the most significant
scientific project in history. He supervises hundreds of
researchers from different disciplines, different
institutions and different countries, in the effort to map
the human genome and share with the world what it means. And
I know the President appreciates this fact--he is ahead of
schedule and under budget. (Laughter, Applause)
He has also served as a volunteer doctor in hospitals in
developing worlds. Ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor for
me to introduce Dr. Francis Collins. (Applause)
Francis S. Collins, M.D, Ph.D.: Thank you for that very
kind introduction, Congressman Cleaver.
President Bush, First Lady, heads of state, members of
Congress, distinguished guests, I am deeply honored to be
speaking with you on this significant and moving occasion. As
you have heard, I am not a rock star, as the person who spoke
last year, and that's a large leather jacket to step into--
(Laughter)
I didn't say anything about the sunglasses.
I am also not a man of the cloth nor am I a political
leader. As you've heard, I am a physician and a scientist,
here this morning as a private citizen, but who had the
incredible privilege of leading the Human Genome Project. I
am also a believer in God.
The astrophysicist Robert Jastrow started his book on
science and faith with the following words: ``When a
scientist writes about God, his colleagues assume he is
either over the hill or going bonkers.'' I hope and pray that
I am neither of those. And yet in the scientific community
there is an unwritten taboo about discussing one's spiritual
leanings, so many assume that scientists are generally
godless materialists. That's not actually true--a recent
survey found that 40% of working scientists believe in a God
to whom one may pray in expectation of an answer. And that
number has changed very little over the past century.
Yet there are increasingly shrill voices around us who
argue that somehow the scientific and spiritual worldviews
are incompatible. I am here this morning to tell you that
these different ways of finding the truth are not only
compatible, but they are wondrously complementary.
As the leader of the Human Genome Project, I had the great
privilege of serving as the project manager for a dedicated
team of more than 2,000 scientists from six countries.
Together, we determined all three billion letters of the
human genome, our own DNA instruction book, and we made all
that data freely available on the internet every 24 hours. It
is hard to get your mind around how much information this
is--three billion is a very big number, even in Washington.
(Laughter)
Suppose we decided to take a little time this morning to
read the letters of the human genome together, just to
express our awe at God's creation. If we could take turns
reading, and we would agree to stick to it until we were all
done, and we would read at a reasonable pace, A-C-G-T-T-G-C-
A-A--there are only four letters in the DNA alphabet, that
makes it a little easier but a little monotonous. (Laughter)
If we all decided that was worth doing, and we even decided
that we would stay up all night if it was necessary, we would
stay up a lot of nights. We would be here for 31 years. You
have all that information inside each cell of your body. And
every time that cell divides, it's got to copy the whole
thing. Isn't that amazing?
We have learned many interesting things already about this
human DNA instruction book, now that we have all those
letters. One profound observation--and it is a good one to
highlight this morning--is just how alike we all are. Your
DNA and mine are 99.9% the same, and that would be true
regardless of which one of you I chose for the comparison. So
you see, at the DNA level, we really are part of one big
worldwide family.
Faced with this rapidly growing body of information, one
cannot help but feel a sense of awe at the amazing complexity
and elegance of the human body--from the intricate digital
DNA code to the marvelous nanotechnology machines that
operate inside each cell of our bodies, to that most amazing
organ of all, the human brain.
But this exploration of human biology is for many of us not
just a sterile academic pursuit. Whether you are a Hindu, a
Buddhist, a Muslim, a Jew, a Christian, or still searching,
you would probably agree that the mandate to alleviate
suffering is one of our highest callings. These new tools of
biomedical research, many stemming from this new science of
genomics, now provide us with an unprecedented opportunity
for breakthroughs in cancer, diabetes, mental illness,
infectious diseases, and many other conditions, and a true
revolution is getting underway. Though there are legitimate
concerns about setting appropriate boundaries for this
research, we also have a strong ethical mandate to proceed as
quickly as possible, so long as a sick child lives somewhere
in the world who could be helped.
So these are exciting times for a scientist. But my hopes
and dreams for all of us do not rest solely in science. I am
also a man of faith. Many of you probably would assume that
this stance stems from childhood training in a particular
religious tradition, as that is certainly the way in which
many come to believe. But that is not my story.
I was raised, as you heard, on a small farm in Virginia by
wonderfully unconventional free-thinking parents who greatly
valued learning, literature, music and the arts, but for whom
religion was just not that important. As I fell in love with
science as a teenager, I also slipped into a worldview that
assumed that the only true meaning in the universe was to be
found in mathematics and physical laws. And so I became first
an agnostic and then an atheist.
But my scientific curiosity eventually led me from
chemistry and physics into medicine. And there at the bedside
of people with terrible illnesses, matters of life, death and
the spirit were no longer academic. Just as it has been
said--and General Pace said something very much like this--
``there are no atheists in foxholes,'' I found that there
were few atheists lying in hospital beds in this little
hospital in North Carolina. One afternoon, a kindly
grandmother with only a few weeks to live shared her own
faith in Jesus with me, and then asked, ``Doctor, what do you
believe?'' Stammering something about not being quite sure, I
fled the room--(Laughter)
I had the disturbing sense that the atheist ice under my
feet was cracking, though I wasn't quite sure why. And then
suddenly the reason for my disquiet hit me: I was a
scientist. I was supposed to make decisions based on
evidence. And yet I had never really considered the evidence
for and against faith.
Determined to shore up my position, I began to explore the
path of others who before me had asked the same questions
about
[[Page E1895]]
faith. In that search I was particularly affected by the
writings of the Oxford scholar C.S. Lewis, who had similarly
sought as a young man to defend his atheism and instead
became a believer.
As I explored that evidence more deeply, all around me I
began to see signposts to something outside of nature that
could only be called God. I realized that the scientific
method can really only answer questions about HOW things
work. It can't answer questions about WHY, and aren't those
in fact the most important ones? Why is there something
instead of nothing? Why does mathematics work so beautifully
to describe nature? Why is the universe so precisely tuned to
make life possible? And it is. Why do we humans have a
universal sense of right and wrong, and an urge to do what is
right, even though we often disagree on how to interpret that
calling?
Confronted with these revelations, I realized my own
assumption--that faith was the opposite of reason--was
incorrect. I should have known better. Scripture defines
faith as ``the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of
things not seen.'' Evidence!
Simultaneously I realized that atheism was in fact the
least rational of all the choices. As Chesterton wrote,
``Atheism is indeed the most daring of all dogmas, for it is
the assertion of a universal negative.''
How could I have had the arrogance to make that assertion?
So I had to accept the plausibility of a powerful force, a
creative Mind, that existed outside of nature. But was God
only to be found in the abstract, or did he also care about
me? I felt an increasing hunger to answer that question.
After searching for two years more, I ultimately found my
own answer, in the loving person of Jesus Christ. Here was a
man unlike any other. He was humble and kindhearted. He
reached out to those considered lowest in society. He made
astounding statements about loving your enemies. And he
promised something that no ordinary man should be able to
promise--to forgive sins. On top of all that, having
assumed all my life that Jesus was just a myth, I was
astounded to learn that the evidence for his historical
existence was actually overwhelming.
Eventually I concluded the evidence demanded a verdict. And
in my 28th year, while hiking in the majestic Cascade
mountains in the Pacific Northwest, I could no longer deny my
need for forgiveness and my need for new life, and I gave in
and became a follower of Jesus. He is now the rock upon which
I stand, the source for me of ultimate love, peace, joy, and
hope.
But, some of you might say, you're a geneticist. Doesn't
this make your head explode? (Laughter)
Aren't there irreconcilable contradictions between your
scientific and spiritual worldviews? No. Not at all! As long
as one uses a thoughtful approach to interpretation of the
meaning of Scripture in light of what science has allowed us
to learn about the universe, as St. Augustine compellingly
articulated 1600 years ago--I can't identify a single
conflict between what I know as a rigorous scientist and what
I know as a believer. Not one. Yes, science is the reliable
way to understand the natural world. But being a believer
allows me to see scientific discoveries in a wholly new
light. In that context, science becomes a means not only of
discovery, but of worship. When as a scientist I have the
great privilege of learning something that no human knew
before, as a believer I also have the indescribable
experience of having caught a glimpse of God's mind.
Bernard Lonergan captured this aspect of scientific
discovery as ``the eternal rapture glimpsed in every
Archimedean cry of Eureka.'' So if this is all true, why does
there seem to be such a battle going on between science and
faith, at least in some quarters? As is often the case in
such battles, a bit of effort on each side to understand each
other would go a long way. Concrete thinkers amongst my own
colleagues who deny the value of a spiritual worldview would
be well advised to admit the ultimate impoverishment of that
perspective given that it offers no answers to questions like
``Why am I here?'' Perhaps Jesus was thinking of such folks
when he said in Matthew 11, verse 25, ``I praise you, Father,
Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these
things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little
children.'' (Laughter)
On the other hand, some well-meaning believers have adopted
the view that science is a threat to faith, and that God has
to somehow be defended against scientific conclusions. Is
this really compatible with trust in the Almighty, who could
hardly be threatened by the efforts of our puny minds to
understand his creation? God's creation is majestic, awesome,
intricate, and beautiful, and it cannot possibly contradict
itself. He is the same God whether you find him in the
cathedral or in the laboratory. He is in the laws of physics,
but he is also the ultimate source of love and forgiveness.
On June 26, 2000, I had the privilege to stand in the East
Room of the White House, next to the President of the United
States, announcing the completion of the first draft of the
human genome. I was overcome with awe and a sense of history
that morning. As a believer, this remarkable book of life did
indeed seem to be written in the language in which God spoke
life into being.
But that day was also one of personal mourning, for I had
just spoken at a memorial service for my sister-in-law, a
marionette artist whose wonderful light had been snuffed out
much too soon by breast cancer. The promise of these new
discoveries about the human genome had come too late for her.
Recalling the mixed emotions of that day, they bring into
sharp focus the complex nature of our human condition. We
have great hopes for health and long life for ourselves and
our families, but all too often we stand at the gravesides of
loved ones who have been taken from us much too soon. We find
in the great truths of faith the kind of clear spiritual
water that we long for, but all too often we see that pure
water has been poured into those rusty human vessels,
distorted, and discolored. We want to believe in ultimate
human goodness, but all too often our hopes are dashed by
selfish and violent acts of our own human family against each
other. We cling to the promise of new scientific
breakthroughs to help our hurting world, but we fear that
some of these discoveries may be used in ways that cause more
harm than good. All in all, we dream of an earthly garden of
delight, but all too often it seems more like a vale of
tears.
Yet if we put our trust in God, and resolve to put love
above all else, we are promised ultimate victory over all
these trials. ``Come unto me, all you who are burdened and
heavy laden, and I will give you rest.''
So, my brothers and sisters, from every creed and nation,
let us here today resolve to love one another, and to
celebrate the beautiful and intricate world that God has
given us. Let us agree to protect it, even as we seek to join
the power of science with the warm embrace of human
compassion to reach out to all those who need healing,
whether of body or spirit.
To conclude this homily, I propose to do something risky,
to ask you all to join me in singing a song. Some may find it
ironic that last year's speaker--(Laughter)
--the rock star Bono, spoke about justice and world
economics but passed up the chance to sing. (Laughter)
Now this year's speaker, a scientist who might be
considered a bit of a nerd, proposes to sing and even play
the guitar. But the Prayer Breakfast is where we are all
supposed to break out of our comfort zones. (Laughter)
So please help me--I need it--break out of your own comfort
zones and sing along with me. In your program you will find a
little card which has three verses of a wonderful hymn. The
tune will be familiar to many of you and will be quickly
learned by the rest. Harmony is welcome. So my brothers and
sisters, lift your hearts and voices with me as we praise the
God who is the source of all faith and learning.
(Song: ``Praise the Source of Faith and Learning'')
[Words by Rev. Thomas H. Troeger
From Borrowed Light: Hymn Texts, Prayers and Poems
Copyright 1994 Oxford University Press, used by permission
(To the tune of Hyfrydol)]
Praise the source of faith and learning who has sparked and
stoked the mind
With a passion for discerning how the world has been
designed.
Let the sense of wonder flowing from the wonders we survey
Keep our faith forever growing and renew our need to pray.
God of wisdom, we acknowledge that our science and our art
And the breadth of human knowledge only partial truth impart.
Far beyond our calculation lies a depth we cannot sound
Where Your purpose for creation and the pulse of life are
found.
As two currents in a river fight each other's undertow
Till converging they deliver one coherent steady flow,
Blend O God our faith and learning till they carve a single
course,
Till they join as one, returning praise and thanks to You,
their Source.
(Applause)
Dr. Collins: Amen. Amen.
Rep. Cleaver: Amen.
Although you do not have a speaking part at today's
breakfast, Mrs. Bush, you say more about grace and love just
sitting there than most of us could say in an hour. Thank
you. (Applause)
Dr. Collins used the words of the New Testament, ``Come to
me those who labor, those who are tired, those who are weary,
and I will give you rest.'' The President of the United
States has the most difficult job on this planet, and those
words should be comforting to him today.
Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States,
George W. Bush. (Applause)
President George W. Bush: Thank you all. Thank you very
much. Now will you please join me in singing ``The Eyes of
Texas.'' (Laughter)
Good morning. Laura and I are honored to join you here at
the 55th National Prayer Breakfast. It is an amazing country,
isn't it, when people from all walks of life gather to
recognize our dependence on an almighty God, and to ask Him
for blessings in our life. I think a breakfast such as this
speaks to the true strength of the United States of America.
(Applause)
We come from many different faiths, yet we share this
profound conviction: We believe that God listens to the voice
of His children, and pours His grace upon those who seek Him
in prayer.
[[Page E1896]]
I appreciate, Mr. Congressman, you and Jo Ann Davis, for
leading this prayer breakfast. And thanks for paying tribute
to my wife. (Applause)
I appreciate the speaker's presence, Congressman Hoyer's
presence, Congressman Blunt's presence. I want to thank all
the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives
who have joined us. I appreciate the fact that we have
governors here, local officials and state officials. I thank
the members of my Cabinet for joining us--Don't linger,
you've got a job to do. (Laughter)
I thank the military officials who have joined us;
distinguished dignitaries. Mr. Prime Minister, we are glad
you're here. Thank you for joining us.
I appreciate Dr. Collins. I want to thank Reverend Mucci
and his wife Kathy. I appreciate Nicole Mullen. Most of all,
thank you all.
We are a nation of prayer. America prays. (Applause)
Each day millions of our citizens bow their heads in
silence and solitude, or they offer up prayers in fellowship
with others. They pray for themselves, they pray for their
families, they pray for their neighbors and their
communities. In many congregations and homes across this
great land, people also set aside time to pray for our nation
and those entrusted with authority, including our elected
leaders.
In my travels, I often see hand-printed signs and personal
messages from citizens that carry words of prayer. Sometimes
it's a single little girl holding up a placard that reads,
``Mr. President, be encouraged, you are prayed for.''
Sometimes it's a banner held by a group of young people that
says, ``We are praying for you, Mr. President.'' I often hear
similar words when I meet people on a rope line. Isn't that
interesting? You're working a rope line and people come up
and say, ``Mr. President, I am praying for you and your
family.''
The greatest gift a citizen of this country can give those
of us entrusted with political office is to pray for us. And
I thank those in our nation who lift all of us up in prayer.
(Applause)
Our troops must understand that every day--every day--
millions of our citizens lift them up in prayer. (Applause)
We pray for their safety. We pray for their families they
have left at home. We pray for those who have been wounded,
for their comfort and recovery. We remember those who have
been lost, and we pray that their loved ones feel the healing
touch of the Almighty. During this time of war, we thank God
that we are part of a nation that produces courageous men and
women who volunteer to defend us.
Many in our country know the power of prayer. Prayer
changes hearts. Prayer changes lives. And prayer makes us a
more compassionate and giving people. When we pray, we
surrender our will to the Almighty, and open ourselves up to
His priorities and His touch. His call to love our neighbors
as we would like to be loved ourselves is something that we
hear when we pray. And we answer that call by reaching out to
feed the hungry and clothe the poor, and aid the widow and
the orphan. By helping our brothers and sisters in need, we
find our own faith strengthened, and we receive the grace to
lead lives of dignity and purpose.
We see this grace in the life of a young American named
Shannon Hickey. Shannon was one of Laura's guests at the
State of the Union. When Shannon was growing up, her favorite
priest was Father Mychal Judge, a chaplain with the New
York City Fire Department. Father Mychal helped Shannon
and her family through Shannon's struggle with liver
disease. On September the 11, 2001, Father Mychal lost his
life in the World Trade Center. In memory of her friend,
Shannon founded Mychal's Message, a non-profit
organization dedicated to sharing Father Mychal's loving
spirit. Over the last five years, Mychal's Message has
collected and distributed more than 100,000 needed items
to the poor and the homeless. With each gift to the needy,
Shannon encloses a card with Father Mychal's personal
prayer. It reads, ``Lord, take me where You want me to go,
let me meet who You want me to meet, tell me what You want
me to say, and keep me out of Your way.''
Father Mychal's humble prayer reminds us of an eternal
truth: In the quiet of prayer, we leave behind our own cares
and we take up the cares of the Almighty. And in answering
His call to service we find that, in the words of Isaiah,
``We will gain new strength. We will run and not get tired.
We will walk and not become weary.''
And so I thank you for joining us on this day of prayer. I
thank you for the tradition you continue here today. And I
ask for God's blessings on the United States of America.
(Applause)
Rep. Cleaver: Ladies and gentlemen, if you would please
remain in your seats while the President and Mrs. Bush leave,
and Nicole Mullen will return to the microphone. If all of
you would be so kind as to remain in your seats until I tell
you to leave. (Laughter)
Ms. Mullen: I wrote a song based on the words of Job, who
had gone from hardship and back to goodness again. He simply
said, ``I know that my redeemer lives.''
(Song: Redeemer) (Applause)
Rep. Cleaver: Amen.
Amen. He does live. Thank you so much, Nicole. Thank you
for blessing us.
As we prepare to leave this place today, I would remind you
that years ago the prophet Isaiah gave us the word of the
Lord when he wrote:
``Stop doing wrong, learn to do right. Seek justice,
encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow. `Come now, let us reason
together,' says the Lord.''
As the light of the world, you pierce the darkness in
troubled times, those of you who are leaders both in this
country and around the world. Please know that we all
struggle against the forces of darkness. The power of sin and
alienation is strong, but you are now stronger. Our world
needs your healing power and your love.
Today, oh God, I pray for our world leaders. I pray that
the power of your love will guide their decisions.
And now, we ask that you go out into the world and make a
difference. Amen. (Applause)
____________________