WASHINGTON, April 14 (UPI) -- President Obama hosted 150 Christian leaders for the fifth annual Easter Prayer Breakfast Monday.

The breakfast marks the beginning of Holy Week at the White House, a tradition started by the Obama Administration in 2010 to celebrate the life and death of Jesus Christ.


“I want to thank you for your ministries, for your good works, for the marching you do for justice, and dignity and inclusion,” Obama told the gathered leaders, before closing with the facetious prayer, "Lord fill my mouth with worthwhile stuff and nudge me when I’ve said enough.”

The president then joked, “The Almighty is nudging me,” before sitting down.

Pastor Joel Hunter offered the opening prayer, and the sermon was delivered by Reverend Otis Moss, who replaced the controversial Jeremiah Wright at Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ. Carlos Whittaker, a Christian singer/songwriter performed.

Then, in an unplanned move, President Obama called on Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Episcopal bishop, to lead the closing prayer.

Robinson shared his surprise by tweeting "OMG" along with a picture of the president:

POTUS "preaches" at the Easter prayer breakfast. Then, out of the blue, asks ME to close with prayer. OMG! #privilege pic.twitter.com/P1wzYCQNMf — Bishop Gene Robinson (@BishopGRobinson) April 14, 2014

In addition to celebrating Easter with inclusion, the president and first lady will also host a Seder at the White House on Tuesday, to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Passover.

[New York Daily News]