August 6th, a Time of Fasting and Prayer

The Governor of Texas, Rick Perry, has called for a national day of fasting and prayer on Saturday, August 6th. I am going to encourage the church I am the under-shepherd at to join in. If you have to work, then at least dedicate prayer for this day for this great nation. Fast if you are able and have no diabetic, dietary, or health risks. I am going to be on my face, hands, and knees in joining this godly governor of Texas and I urge you to join us. Please tell your pastor, your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers, and your family to join us. When God's people join in corporate prayer, a mighty throng of voices are heard in heaven. Read these Bible verse about prayer

Jeremiah 33:2-3 "Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it'"the Lord is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."

I Timothy 2:1 "First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men."

I John 5:14-15 "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him."

II Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."


The Honorable Governor of Texas, Rick Perry's Proclamation

In 1775, the Continental Congress asked the colonies to join in prayer, seeking wisdom as they faced the responsibility and opportunity of building a new nation. As leaders of that young nation assembled in 1787 to craft a Constitution, Benjamin Franklin implored the framers to pray for guidance, famously declaring, "The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the affairs of men."

Decades later, during a time of national turmoil, President John Adams declared "a day of solemn humiliation, fasting and prayer," asking citizens of all faiths to pray for America's protection from danger. Later, as civil war tore our young country apart, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a day of national fasting and prayer, saying "It behooves us ... to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray to the God that made us." During World War II, with our troops locked in battle on the beaches of France, President Franklin D. Roosevelt led the nation in prayer, "As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts."

Given the trials that have beset our country and world - from the global economic downturn to natural disasters, the lingering danger of terrorism and wars that endanger our troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and theaters of conflict around the globe, and the decline of our culture in the context of the demise of families - it seems imperative that the people of our nation should once again join together for a solemn day of prayer and fasting on behalf of our troubled nation.

In times of trouble, even those who have been granted power by the people must turn to God in humility for wisdom, mercy and direction. In the spirit of the Book of Joel, Chapter 2, Verses 15-16, I urge a solemn gathering of prayer and fasting. As those verses admonish: "15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly... 16 Gather the people, consecrate the assembly..." As Jesus prayed publicly for the benefit of others in John 11:41-42, so should we express our faith in this way.

THEREFORE, I invite my fellow Texans to join me on August 6 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, as we pray for unity and righteousness - for this great state, this great nation and all mankind. I urge Americans of faith to pray on that day for the healing of our country, the rebuilding of our communities and the restoration of enduring values as our guiding force.

THEREFORE, I, Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, do hereby proclaim August 6, 2011, to be A Day of Prayer and Fasting for Our Nation in Texas, and urge the appropriate recognition whereof. In official recognition whereof, I hereby affix my signature this the 23rd day of May, 2011.

Governor of Texas, the Honorable RICK PERRY

As a pastor, I beg you, I implore you, I beseech you, and I plead with you to join our church and millions of others to pray for revival. Would you please join us in this effort to beseech God's mercy and intervention in helping to restore Jesus Christ's glory and honor to this great nation. In Jesus' Holy Name I pray, amen.

Originally published on Everyday Christian