At the National Prayer Breakfast, President Trump celebrated Americans’ tradition of faith Thursday and drew inspiration from a little girl named Sophia who triumphed over a rare, debilitating disease.
Mr. Trump recognized 9-year-old Sophia Marie Campa Peters, who was at the event with her parents at the Washington Hilton.
Sophia, who suffers from repeated seizures and whom doctors told would never walk, underwent a dangerous surgery last month and asked the whole world to pray for her.
“She hoped to reach 10,000 people,” the president said. “She far surpassed her goal. Millions and millions of people lifted Sophia up in their prayers. Today we thank God that Sophia is with us, and she is receiving, and she is walking very well.”
The girl received a rousing round of applause.
“You may only be nine years old, but you are already a hero to all of us in this room and all over the world,” Mr. Trump said.
In his remarks to the 66th annual National Prayer Breakfast, Mr. Trump celebrated the religious underpinning of American institutions.
“America is a nation of believers,” said Mr. Trump, whose unlikely rise to the White House was fueled in part by support from evangelicals.
This year’s event at the Washington Hilton drew more than 3,500 attendees from around the world.
Every president since Dwight D. Eisenhower has addressed the prayer breakfast.
Carson Wentz, quarterback of the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, is scheduled as keynote speaker at the National Prayer Breakfast dinner. He replaces Vice President Mike Pence, who is in Pyeongchang, South Korea, for the Olympic opening ceremonies.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
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