Sometimes it feels as though only divine intervention can bring Republicans and Democrats together in Washington. Thursday’s National Prayer Breakfast is organized by mere human beings, but it offers America a dose of what’s far too often missing here in Congress: an opportunity to celebrate our shared humanity and seek to heal some of our country’s deep divisions.

We both participate in the weekly Senate Prayer Breakfast, a Wednesday-morning senators-only gathering with the Senate Chaplain, where we pray together and share our personal stories, family concerns, and faith journeys with each other. For at least one hour a week, we leave partisan politics at the door.