Texas Governor Rick Perry’s Day of Prayer that was held on Saturday, August 6, was titled “The Response,” which was a reference to Joel 2:12-17 “You call us to repent Lord, and this day is our response,” said Perry as he prayed and addressed the crowd of more than thirty thousand who gathered at Reliant Stadium in Houston.
Interestingly, on Saturday I was unable to find any media coverage of the event other than a brief mention on Fox News. It seems that what just might prove to be the most important event of 2011 concerning the future of our country was simply not deemed newsworthy. I was, therefore, unable to access any information about The Response until this morning when I arrived at my office and turned on my computer.
Although we were unable to travel to Houston for the event, my family and I spent Saturday in prayer and fasting to add our voices to those of our fellow Americans all across this country who participated either in Houston or through simulcasts in their churches or on their computers.
I believe that the timing of this event was absolutely a “God thing.” No one could have foreseen that one day before the event the USA’s credit rating would be downgraded for the first time ever. Americans are frightened and angry and unsure about their futures, and on Saturday, most were reeling from the shock of the additional bad economic news. But God knew! And He had prepared the heart of one man, who represents one state, to call the entire nation to a day of prayer and fasting.
We may never know the full effect of August 6 on our nation, but this much we do know: The United States is a nation in crisis, but it is not a nation without hope. As long as we have people who understand that Jesus Christ is the answer to all of our problems, and as long as we are willing to confess our sins and ask for forgiveness and healing, there is hope both for our present and our future.
All of us would prefer to live in a stress-free world where financial problems do not exist, but I am glad that I am here today to be a living witness to God’s power. I am honored to be able to join many thousands of my fellow Americans in calling upon the name of Jesus Christ on behalf of my nation.
In his address to those gathered at Reliant Stadium, Governor Perry said that the only thing that we love more than our country is “the living Christ.” Perry has his priorities right. I am grateful for all that God has done for us as a country and as individuals, but I am most grateful for the precious gift of His Son. I am also grateful that we still have men and women in leadership positions who are willing to put that which is spiritually expedient before that which is politically expedient.
Whatever the final outcome of The Response may be, I want to say, “Thank you, Governor Perry, for speaking on behalf of America’s Christians and for taking the time to organize the event that could turn our country around.”
For books by Joyce Swann, visit her website at http://www.frontier2000.net or like her on Facebook at http://facebook.com/frontier2000mediagroup
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