Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) has declared "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."
And in a proclamation issued today, Perry says "I urge Texans of all faiths and traditions to offer prayers on that day for the healing of our land, the rebuilding of our communities and the restoration of our normal and robust way of life."
As Perry notes, "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, more than 8,000 wildfires "have cost several lives, engulfed more than 1.8 million acres of land and destroyed almost 400 homes."
Meanwhile, he says, "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."
In 2007, Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue (R) convened a prayer service at the state Capitol when his state was suffering its own drought.
A copy of Perry's proclamation follows. Just click the title to expand its size.
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