Rick Warren Speaks about Purpose at United Nations

Distilling the thick tension, Pastor Rick Warren told U.N. dignitaries and delegates to lay aside their worries for a moment and focus on the meaning of their lives -- to know God and to love Him.

NEW YORK – After weeks of bitter debate shed many of U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's most ambitious goals to tackle poverty and reform the United Nations, reactions to the hard fought compromise text for the U.N. World summit declaration ranged from measured satisfaction to downright disappointment.

Amid thick tensions present earlier yesterday, “Purpose-Driven” Pastor Rick Warren told U.N. dignitaries and delegates to lay aside their worries for a moment and focus on the meaning of existence.

At an interfaith prayer breakfast on the morning of Sept. 13, Warren made no claims to know everything but comforted the delegates by telling them to trust God.

"Whenever you get stressed out just remember God is God, and you're not," said Warren, senior pastor of Saddleback Church. "You see, whenever you start acting like you're God, there is a little light that comes up. It's called worry. You are trying instead of trusting God to make it work."

The 2005 World Summit, being held Sept. 14 - 16 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, is bringing together over 170 heads of state. The agenda, based on the ambitious set of reforms made by Secretary-General Kofi Annan in March, was intended to make sweeping advances in some of the biggest global challenges, such as poverty, human rights, terrorism, and U.N. reform.

Warren understood that the hundred or so world leaders who gathered to hear the famed preacher were tired from late nights and "unseen sacrifices." He thanked them for the work they do and said that God had a reason for their existence.

"The Bible says God is love. It doesn't say He has love. Love is the essence of His character," he said. "You were created to be loved by God. Being created in God's image, we are to love Him back."

Warren's talk had a calming effect on the audience, who represented various faith traditions. Many bowed their heads and followed the prayers.

Warren said, "I'm not here to talk about religion. I'm here to talk about a relationship with God."

One delegate from the Philippines admitted that he had looked forward to the talk for weeks.

"I have been waiting for this for three weeks," said Anacleto Rei A. Lacanilao III, whose personal evangelical faith kept him strong all seven years that he has been a part of the Philippines mission to the United Nations.

Days before the largest gathering of world leaders in history, U.N. ambassadors were struggling to overcome deep divisions on how to tackle extreme poverty, enhance human rights and approach global security in the 21st century.

Meanwhile, Christians were asking, "Are we missing the bigger picture?"

"That's why a prayer breakfast to call on the Almighty God is a good idea," said the Executive Director of Christian Embassy, John Austin. "Is there a perspective that we're missing?"

For Austin, successful anti-poverty measures must involve a perspective that teaches the intrinsic value and worth of each person.

"Unless you approach the problem of poverty holistically and allow for the spiritual perspective that flows out of your view of God, creation, and human dignity, you just stand a much poorer chance of success," he said.

At the end of the two-hour breakfast, Warren prayed for the Spirit of God to lead each person in their work.

"It doesn't matter how much you accomplish," said Warren. "If at the end of the day you don't know God a little bit more and you don't love God a little bit more, you have just wasted your day."