Obama at Easter Breakfast: I Need Your Prayers

WASHINGTON -- In an Easter celebration at the White House this week President Barack Obama celebrated Jesus triumphant rise from the grave.

"Today we celebrate the magnificent glory of our risen Savior. I pray that we will live up to His example.  I pray that I will live up to His example. I fall short so often… every day I try to do better," he told the audience.

The White House Easter prayer breakfast, started by the president in 2010, has become an annual event. It's an opportunity for the president to talk about his Christian faith that many of his critics continue to doubt.

"For me, the celebration of Easter puts our earthly concerns into perspective," he said. "With humility and with awe we give thanks for the extraordinary sacrifice of Jesus Christ our savior."

The president thanked the pastors and Christian leaders from different Christian traditions across the nation for their prayers because he says he needs them, especially now.

"Particularly at a time when my daughters are starting to grow up, starting to go on college visits - I need prayer," he said.

"I start tearing up in the middle of the day and I can't explain it. Why am I so sad?" he said, smiling as the audience laughed. "They're leaving me."

He also took the chance to take a jab at his critics.

"On Easter, I do reflect on the fact that as a Christian, I am supposed to love. And I have to say that sometimes when I listen to less than loving expressions by Christians, I get concerned," he quipped, smiling as laughter and applause rang out from the crowd.

"But that's a topic for another day... I was about to veer off. I'm pulling it back," he said as the laughter continued.

Grammy Award-winning artist Amy Grant followed the president on stage, singing "Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet."

"Jesus be my guide, hold me to your side," she sang, dressed in all white.