Gov. Rick Perry Asks Texans to Pray for Rain

April 22, 2011— -- As wildfires continue to scorch the state of Texas, Gov. Rick Perry is asking for prayer.

The unprecedented droughts, strong winds, and low humidity are to blame for the severe conditions spreading throughout Texas. Hundreds of homes have fallen to ashes and the once lush acres of trees have turned into charred sticks.

Since the beginning of the year, wildfires have burned over one million acres of the drought-stricken state.

Perry says the dangerous plumes of more than 8,000 wildfires are engulfing land and lives -- and it is time for Texans to join together in prayer. He has declared the next three days as "Days of Prayer for Rain" in Texas.

Perry made the proclamation on his website, stating: "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 way of life."

Perry is not the only state lawmaker to ask for prayer. In 2007, Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue hosted a prayer service for the southeastern drought.

Perhaps it's working. The first day of prayer began today, on Good Friday, and Weather.com is forecasting isolated thunderstorms today and tomorrow -- with a 30 percent chance of rain in Fort Worth.

Charles Schiller, a senior at Texas A&M, says any sign of change in the weather is welcome.

"I have been praying for rain for a while," Charlie said. "I do think prayers have helped. There's not much else we can do."

Several public pages have popped up on Facebook over the past few days. One event named "Pray for RAIN in Texas!" has 306 participants so far who plan on praying for precipitation.

The page's wall drew several comments, not only from people in cities across the state of Texas, but also New Jersey, the Caribbean, and Morocco. One person posted, "Lord, please send us rain to quench the land, relive our firefighters, and help our ranchers and farmers. You are great O' Lord and you hear our cries."