The wealth of species of plants and animals in the world is evidence that God loves variety, the Rev. Otis Young said Thursday.

Speaking to about 375 people at the Mayor’s Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, Young talked about the variety in the world’s religions and called on people of all faiths to love and understand each other.

There are more than 1,500 different religions in the world, and more than 5 billion of the world’s 6.25 billion people are followers of one of them, said Young, who will retire later this year as senior minister at Lincoln’s First-Plymouth Congregational Church. Adherents of many religions believe that their faith is the only true way to God, but God offers his love to all people no matter what their culture or beliefs, Young said.

“We desperately need interfaith approaches … to unity and peace,” he said.  “We need to embrace the inclusiveness of God’s love.”

Many of the worst conflicts in today’s world are over religion, Young noted. “People become the most violent individuals when we think we have to protect God.  That is not our role. God can take care of God,” he said.

Mayor Coleen Seng also spoke at the Prayer Breakfast, focusing on the importance of welcoming immigrants and people of all cultures to Lincoln. “One of the most important things we can do is raise our children to respect all others,” she said.  “We have many different ideas about faith and religion, but we also have so much in common — our faith in community and the power of serving and helping other people.”

The annual event is sponsored by the Lincoln Interfaith Council, many local churches, religious groups, businesses and individuals. Thursday morning’s program included prayers from Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim and Baha’i traditions, and devotional Hindu music.

It was one of many events held around the state and nation Thursday for National Day of Prayer.

Another observance at noon in the Capitol Rotunda attracted about 100 people who joined in prayers for national, state and local leaders, teachers, news and entertainment media, the military and emergency workers.

The noon event followed the national theme “America, Honor God,” based on 1 Samuel 2:30 in the Old Testament, which states: “… Those who honor me, I will honor.…”

Keynote speaker Scott Carlson of Capitol Ministries said America was founded on Christian principles, and that early Americans had a personal devotion to God.

God does not want Americans to merely act morally, but to have righteous devotion in their hearts, Carlson said.  “How do we truly effect a cultural change that will honor God? It can only be done by humbling ourselves and seeking God’s mercy.”

Reach Bob Reeves at 473-7212 or at breeves@journalstar.com.