Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell follows Gov. Rick Perry's lead: Proclaims Aug. 6 a Day of Prayer for the Nation

Alaska Governor Sean Parnell

Just saw this, and think it is a pretty stand-up move on Governor Sean Parnell's behalf. From KTUU.com:

JUNEAU, Alaska— Alaska's governor has proclaimed Saturday a day of prayer for the nation, heeding a call from Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

Gov. Sean Parnell cites Perry in the proclamation. Perry, who's considering seeking the Republican nomination for president, invited fellow governors to join him at a prayer event in Houston, Texas, Saturday. He also urged them to proclaim Aug. 6 a time to pray for "unity and righteousness."

Parnell's spokeswoman said Parnell won't attend but issued a proclamation recognizing "we are a nation under trial of war, impacts of natural disaster, threat of more severe economic hardships, and that our families are under attack on many fronts."

The proclamation urges Alaskans to seek "God's face," and pray for the people of this nation and for the strength and wisdom of leaders.

Here is the Full Proclomation, from the Governor's website:

A Day of Prayer for Our Nation
Effective Date: Saturday, August 6th, 2011

WHEREAS, throughout America’s history, our leaders have called upon us to look beyond ourselves for protection, wisdom, and strength by praying for our people and our country; and

WHEREAS, in 1779 during a time of battle and conflict, the Continental Congress issued a proclamation calling on the Almighty God…“That he will be our Shield in the Day of Battle, and our kind Parent and merciful Judge through Time and through Eternity;” and

WHEREAS, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a Day of Thanksgiving, Praise, and Prayer to recognize and pay tribute to “the presence of the Almighty Father and the power of His hand” in the nation’s ongoing civil war. Americans were invited to assemble “in their customary places of worship and in the forms approved by their own consciences render the homage due to the Divine Majesty for the wonderful things He has done in the nation’s behalf;” and

WHEREAS, in a time of war and suffering, President Franklin D. Roosevelt called upon Americans in a historic radio address on June 6, 1944, to join with him in prayer to the Almighty God as we “struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity;” and

WHEREAS, in 1981, President Ronald Reagan recognized prayer as a “source of strength” and in a time of reflection called on the nation to “join together before God, fully aware of the trials that lie ahead and the need, yes, the necessity, for divine guidance;” and

WHEREAS, we recognize that today we are a nation under trial of war, impacts of natural disaster, threat of more severe economic hardships, and that our families are under attack on many fronts;” and

WHEREAS, like Governor Rick Perry of Texas calling the citizens of his state to pray and fast for our nation beginning August 6, 2011, we join the people of Texas and beyond in following the example of past leaders and call our citizens to prayer, that we might acknowledge the challenges facing our nation, express our inability to meet them alone, and petition our Creator and Sustainer to help our nation in this time of great need.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sean Parnell, Governor of the State of Alaska, do hereby proclaim August 6, 2011 as:

A Day of Prayer for Our Nation

in Alaska, and encourage all Alaskans to join me and citizens across the country in humbling ourselves, seeking God’s face, and praying for the protection and provision of our nation’s people, and for the wisdom and strength of our leaders.

Dated: August 2, 2011

Now I know that moves like this aren't necessarily sledge-hammers of policy, but they do make a difference. It says something when a Governor is willing to stand before the people of his state and make a statement like this. Hopefully this gets a little media attention.

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