Who is Praying for Rain?

I participate in a prayer group for the United States of America. Any requests that come from officials via government proclamations or declarations are delivered via email.

I pray for our country and our leaders on almost a daily basis. It doesn't matter which god they worship, I pray to my Lord and Savior, Jesus, on their behalf.

Yesterday, I received a somewhat strange prayer request - to pray for rain. So much of the Northeast has been drenched lately, I found myself chuckling about praying for rain until I read the heartfelt proclamation from the Governor of the State of Texas.

I have copied the text of his Proclamation in full for you to read yourselves. Essentially, Texas is in dire straits and in the midst of a drought with no relief in sight.

Regardless of your affiliation, will you please join hearts and hands with me in praying for relief for our brothers and sisters who are dealing with the worst drought since the 1930s. The Governor, Rick Perry, is asking that this Holy Weekend be devoted to praying for rain for the State of Texas and is asking all Texans to pray.

I believe if we join with them, God will hear our prayers and restore the land. In 2 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 will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

It is my prayer. Thank you.

Attached email from the Governor of the State of Texas:

Proclamation

By The

Governor of the State of Texas

To all to whom these presents shall come:

Whereas, the state of Texas is in the midst of an exceptional drought, with some parts of the state receiving no significant rainfall for almost three months, matching rainfall deficit records dating back to the 1930s; and

Whereas, a combination of higher than normal temperatures, low precipitation and low relative humidity has cause an extreme fire danger over most of the State, sparking more than 8,000 wildfires which have cost several lives, engulfed more than 1.8 million acres of land and destroyed almost 400 homes, causing me to issue an ongoing disaster declaration since December of last year; and

Whereas, these dire conditions have caused agricultural crops to fail, lake and reservoir levels to fall and cattle and livestock to struggle under intense stress, imposing a tremendous financial and emotional toll on our land and our people; and

Whereas, throughout our history, both as a state and as individuals, Texans have been strengthened, assured and lifted up through prayer; it seems right and fitting that the people of Texas should join together in prayer to humbly seek an end to this devastating drought and these dangerous wildfires;

Now, therefore, I, Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, under the authority vested in me by the Constitution of Statutes of the State of Texas, do hereby proclaim the three-day period from Friday, April 22, 2011, to Sunday, April 24, 2011, as Days of Prayer for Rain in the State of Texas. I urge Texans of all faiths and traditions to offer prayers on those days for the healing of our land, the rebuilding of our communities and the restoration of our normal way of life in Texas.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name and have officially caused the Seal of State to be affixed at my Office in the City of Austin, Texas, this the 20^th day of April, 2011.

Rick Perry
Governor of Texas

Attested By:

Esperanza "Hope" Andrade
Secretary of State

Sources:

http://www.governor.state.tx.us/

http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html

http://www.climatesciencewatch.org/2011/04/10/extreme-texas-drought-wildfires-sharpen-contrast-exas-congressional-delegations-climate-views-and-conditions-at-home/