Where is Jesus Christ??????

I must say, when I heard about this call to a day of prayer and fasting, it meant little to me.

The reason is, it is for a person of faith, not necessarily Christian, to call on their 'god'.

If a muslim, buddhist, hindu were to call a day of prayer, to whom would you expect them to be praying to?

The same with anyone who calls for prayer, and does not profess Christ.

On the surface, it seems, shall we say, ok?

But, dig a little deeper, and what turns up is not so ok.

Its all positioning for a run for the white house by Perry. The gullible "christian" community will see him as a man of faith and vote for him. If this were gathering to "heal" America and call on God there would be a proclamation to repent......"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."....notice the turning from their wicked ways preceeds the Lord hearing. Take note Gov. Perry. If your a true man of faith lead this nation in repentance

Martyr, you can write him and ask him, literally.

His proclamation is a right step forward in the right direction even though every aspect may not be what it ought to be. Of course it's easy to pick apart what he did, but I'm glad for anyone willing to recognize that this nation is going DOWN fast, and that a humbling of ourselves is necessary for God to work.

I'm not sure of his motives, so I can't speak to that. But I will say, "Praise the Lord for SOMEONE in leadershp responding Biblically."

When you look at how deep in sin this land is steeped in, it's almost a miracle that this would even happen. I don't think Satan would have put it in his mind as it goes directly against him.

Of course everything will not be how it ought to be. I'm choosing to look on the brighter side, and you're looking on the darker side. God still honors those who honor Him, however feeble their attempt may be.

Strange that no one seems to have noticed the following. This is from the website theresponseusa.com

As a nation, we must come together and call upon Jesus to guide us through unprecedented struggles, and thank Him for the blessings of freedom we so richly enjoy.

I would have been more comfortable had the Governor called Jesus also Christ and Lord and I don't know how true a follower of Christ this man really is, but when you look at the response from the media, they accuse him of such things as "not fostering unity" on the very basis that this event does not include everyone. Secular critics seem to understand very well that this is a purely Christian event.

The way it looks to me the Governor's statement also speaks of repentance:

I sincerely hope you’ll join me.....(in)asking God’s forgiveness, wisdom and provision for our state and nation. There is hope for America. It lies in heaven, and we will find it on our knees.

Perhaps he does not have entirely selfless motives but I'm wondering if we are not being over critical? God can use this for His purpose.

Luke
9:49 “Master,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.”
50 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”

Personally the problem I see with all this is not that Jesus Christ is absent (he's not entirely), but the lack of understanding that it may no longer be in God's plan to turn things around (There is hope for America?). The countdown has begun...but that's a whole other disputable matter.

Good catch, SolaVeritas.

Martyr, assuming that you are refering to my post, I would like to say that its purpose was to add some objectivity, to add some facts that appeared to have been overlooked. It addressed the other posters as well as you. There is certainly nothing wrong with the intent of your post as you explained it above. I apologize for not making this clearer, it was not my intention to be disrespectful of you in any way.

Hi martyr...

You wrote:

At the beginning if my post I said it is to be commended Gov. Perry is calling forth a day of prayer and repentence for the nation. Yet because the name of Jesus Christ was absent from the proclamation I posed questions as to where is Jesus Christ in the midst of this.

The name of Jesus was NOT "absent" from the proclamation.

http://governor.state.tx.us/news/proclamation/16247/

As was quoted in the other thread, and in many texts, newspapers, here is the exact wording of that proclamation:

Monday, June 06, 2011 • Austin, Texas • Proclamation

In 1775, the Continental Congress asked the colonies to join in prayer, seeking wisdom as they faced the responsibility and opportunity of building a new nation. As leaders of that young nation assembled in 1787 to craft a Constitution, Benjamin Franklin implored the framers to pray for guidance, famously declaring, "The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the affairs of men." Decades later, during a time of national turmoil, President John Adams declared "a day of solemn humiliation, fasting and prayer," asking citizens of all faiths to pray for America's protection from danger. Later, as civil war tore our young country apart, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a day of national fasting and prayer, saying "It behooves us ... to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray to the God that made us." During World War II, with our troops locked in battle on the beaches of France, President Franklin D. Roosevelt led the nation in prayer, "As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts."

Given the trials that have beset our country and world - from the global economic downturn to natural disasters, the lingering danger of terrorism and wars that endanger our troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and theaters of conflict around the globe, and the decline of our culture in the context of the demise of families - it seems imperative that the people of our nation should once again join together for a solemn day of prayer and fasting on behalf of our troubled nation.

In times of trouble, even those who have been granted power by the people must turn to God in humility for wisdom, mercy and direction. In the spirit of the Book of Joel, Chapter 2, Verses 15-16, I urge a solemn gathering of prayer and fasting. As those verses admonish: "15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly... 16 Gather the people, consecrate the assembly..." As JESUS prayed publicly for the benefit of others in John 11:41-42, so should we express our faith in this way.

THEREFORE, I invite my fellow Texans to join me on August 6 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, as we pray for unity and righteousness - for this great state, this great nation and all mankind. I urge Americans of faith to pray on that day for the healing of our country, the rebuilding of our communities and the restoration of enduring values as our guiding force.

THEREFORE, I, Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, do hereby proclaim August 6, 2011, to be

A Day of Prayer and Fasting for Our Nation

in Texas, and urge the appropriate recognition whereof.

In official recognition whereof, I hereby affix my signature this the 23rd day of May, 2011.

RICK PERRY
Governor of Texas

Now, I won't try to act as though I have supernatural insight and knowledge about some sort of malicious or egotistical rationale behind this proclamation.

Many leaders in American government have presented these sort of calls for prayer, fasting and repentance in the past. Likewise, believers throughout history have been there to publicly "second guess" the motives behind them. I don't pretend to know the motives of the man.

Personally, I don't find anything wrong with the words of this proclamation. I don't find anything wrong with an authority -- who may have been raised up by God -- asking the people of the state to call out to God via prayer and fasting regarding a need for righteousness.

Still, I would like to point out that the Name of Jesus was present within that proclamation -- and has been uttered in newspapers, internet websites, radio and television. In fact, it riled the atheists up so much that they are suing Governor Perry for officially "establishing the Christian faith" on behalf of Texas.

I hope that Gov. Perry is a follower of Jesus Christ. I pray he is. I pray the event in Houston will lift up Jesus as the only hope for lost souls. For ultimately that is what America is.......lost souls.

This is not an American problem. This is a problem that encompasses the entire earth. This world is lost...and dying...and can find true hope in nothing else except Jesus Christ. I think that American believers are often most critical on this nation because it is currently the world's greatest economic and military superpower. As such, many equate it to an empire.

Yet, this American nation has only held this position for a short time in the scope of history. Before WWII, America was but another Western nation experiencing the hardships of the Great Depression. The 60-70 years that America has been a great "superpower" is but a drop in the bucket when compared to the length of time by which other world powers existed. The British Empire, the Spanish Empire, the Roman Empire, Greek Empire, the Babylonians, Assyrians and the like -- they all existed with a greater periodic length of supremacy. Who is to say that America's preeminent position will not soon be superseded by the rise of China...or Europe...within the next decade?

Unfortunately, many believers often look at America's role in Eschatology in the present day, nearsighted focus of the here-and-now. I know that many people point to America (or New York) as Babylon. It may very well be true. However, there was a period in history when England was declared to be "Babylon" by Pilgrims and Puritans who fled the nation in order to "come out from amongst them be ye separate." America may...or may not...be the specific Babylon (or part of it) mentioned in John's Revelation. I will say, however, that the confederation type of government mentioned in Revelation 13 -- with an Antichrist rising to the head of a loose conglomeration of nations -- sounds a lot like the direction that the European Union might be heading.

Still, it is true that America is filled with lost souls. Just like Canada. Just like Europe. Just like Asia. Just like Africa. Just like Australia. Just like Central and South America. This entire world is lost. We should endeavor to see them as "sheep having no shepherd." The difference, I suppose, is that many in America claim to believe in Christ. Now, of course, an overwhelming abundance of those claims are untrue and convoluted by a love for this world -- including the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.

Yet the principle is still the same. Jesus Christ is the only hope for this world. As such, I can't fault an authority in this world who asks people to pray and fast to God and seek righteousness.

You say that my statement God only hears the prayers of those who believe in Christ is a false assumption. Can tou please show me that from scripture? Aso how is naking Jesus central in all we do religiou? Otbis a relationship he calls us into.

what about that one:

Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.

If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;

Exodus 22: 21-24

Thank you.

Here most all the Christians in this country have been fasting, praying, revival etc. to get this country to make some sort of turn back to Christ, and now we have the same folks picking apart the validity of someone, by Judging his call to do this. I am sick of these so called "spoiled" self righteous Christians, that have to have things their way and to fully convinced something or someone is for real, I believe these types were called Pharisees back in Christs days. What Rick Perry is doing is no different than most ministers in this country should be doing, only difference is Rick is not asking for your money. What on earth will we be doing next? having dna test done on folks to make sure the Holy Spirit is really in them? I personally this day and age take anything that gets our eyes back on Christ, instead of reading so much into what Rick is doing, why can't we just accept it for face value? Jesus help us all!

Good post MrBillPro. I find myself in agreement with you.

white stone

Atheist group sues to block Perry from prayer rally

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7651845.html

Lord willing, He will block this group from their plans.

His will be done.

white stone