"It would be very nice if we could come together," Trump said to Republicans and Democrats in the room. "It would be unbelievable, but might not happen."
Trump repeated his campaign vow "to bring religion back" and continued to lament "if it was up to Democrats I would not be in a good place, which he suggested with either death by assassination or jail from myriad political prosecutions.
Trump will also speak at a separate prayer breakfast at a Washington hotel sponsored by a private group.
The Republican president made waves at the final prayer breakfast during his first term. That year the gathering came the day after the Senate acquitted him in his first impeachment trial.
Trump in his remarks then threw not-so-subtle barbs at Democrat then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, who publicly said she prayed for Trump, and Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, who had cited his faith in his decision to vote to convict Trump.