Obama: Easter Means We Don't Have to Be Afraid

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama said Wednesday his Christian faith has changed him and renews him with the hope of redemption.

"Because of God's love we can proclaim Christ has risen, because of God's love we've been given this gift of salvation," the president said at the White House Easter Prayer Breakfast.

President Obama used today's Easter Prayer Breakfast at the White House to address fears born from terrorism that, he says, can lead Americans to turn their backs on people who need our help.

The prayer breakfast is a White House tradition started by Obama six years ago. This year he encouraged Christians to show the love of Christ to refugees and others affected by terrorism and war.

"That's the intent of the terrorist, to weaken our faith, to weaken our best impulses, our better angels," he said.

"If Easter means anything it's that you don't have to be afraid," he continued. "We drown out darkness with light and we heal hatred with love and we hold on to hope."

Rev. Raphael Warnock, senior pastor of historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, delivered this year's sermon. He encouraged Christians to pray with their feet.

"Jesus said he came to preach good news to the poor, to open the eyes of the blind, to set the captives free. And so by praying with our feet, I mean in the best of our tradition, I mean that we ought to be engaged, organized, bearing witness to God's kingdom of love and justice," he explained.

As his presidency winds down, Obama offered a glimpse into his future.

"After a good chunk of sleep when I get out of here I'm gonna be right out there with ya, doing some work," he said.

"So you're not rid of me even after we're done with the presidency but I am gonna take three, four months where I just sleep," the president snickered as the crowd laughed.

Warnock offered a prediction about the president's legacy.

"He will go down as one of the most consequential and transformational presidents in the history of our nation," he said.