President Obama yesterday acknowledged that he often "falls short" of Jesus, but said he prays that he would be able to live up to his example of loving those who are marginalised and persecuted.

Speaking at his sixth annual Easter Prayer Breakfast at the White House on Tuesday, Obama welcomed the church leaders gathered, who included civil rights veteran Rev CT Vivian and Sojourners founder Jim Wallis. He noted the absence of Dr Gardner C. Taylor, a preacher and leading voice in the civil rights movement, who died on Sunday aged 96.

"Anybody who had the privilege of hearing him speak knows what power he had. He was a civil rights hero. He was a friend of Dr King, who used his spellbinding sermons to spread the Gospel and open people's hearts and minds," Obama said.