Thousands gathered in Washington Thursday for the National Prayer Breakfast, where they put their political differences aside to focus their shared faith in Jesus Christ.

President Obama said his recent inauguration caused him to focus on the power of faith.

"Sometimes I search scripture to determine how best to balance life as a president and as a husband and as a father," he told the audience.

"I often search for scripture to figure out how I can be a better man as well as a better president," he continued. "And I believe that we are united in these struggles."

"But I also believe that we are united in the knowledge of a redeeming Savior, whose grace is sufficient for the multitude of our sins, and whose love is never failing," the president said.

World-renowned neurosurgeon and New York Times bestselling author Dr. Benjamin Carson told the audience in his keynote address that Jesus is his role model.

Standing just feet from the president, Carson also criticized higher taxes on the wealthy and advocated changes to the health care system that promote personal responsibility, not more government control.