Contact: Jason Jones, Publicist, 615-306-8627, jjones@thomasnelson.com, Twitter: @Book_Publicist

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Eric Metaxas, author of the New York Times bestselling 'Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy' (Thomas Nelson, 2010), offered a rousing keynote speech at today's National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., urging the assembled audience of over 3,500 leaders from the United States and around the world -- including President Barack Obama and first lady, Michelle -- to follow the example of the martyred German pastor in boldly living their faith and loving both their enemies and the 'least of these' -- including political opponents, minorities and the unborn. He finished by leading the assembled in a rendition of 'Amazing Grace'.

Metaxas introduced at 34:00 - LINK: www.c-spanvideo.org/program/NationalPrayerBreak

Metaxas had the audience -- and President Obama -- in uproarious laughter throughout, but particularly when, in referencing his 624-page bestselling biography of Bonhoeffer and handing it to the President, he said " ... President George W. Bush read this. So ... no pressure."

The National Prayer Breakfast is an annual event held in Washington, D.C., on the first Thursday of February. The event -- which is actually a series of meetings, luncheons, and dinners -- has taken place since 1953 and has been held at least since the 1980s at the Washington Hilton on Connecticut Avenue N.W.

Previous keynote speakers have included, among others, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, pop star Bono and Mother Theresa.