Gov. Abbott Declares Sunday ‘Day of Prayer in Texas’; Pence Helps Clear Debris
Liberty McArtor
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is asking “Texans of all faiths and religious traditions” to pray on Sunday, September 3.
Hurricane and Tropical Storm Harvey ravaged the southeast region of Texas for the last week. At least 30 lives have been lost so far, with more deaths expected as waters recede. Rescues are still underway as people remain stranded in areas where floodwaters approach rooftops. Experts predict the total financial impact of the storm will be tens of billions of dollars.
“We will rise again and we will rebuild this great town and the affected areas across the entire state of Texas,” Abbott said outside of First Baptist Church in Rockport, Texas Thursday. The coastal town looks like the scene of an “apocalypse,” CNN reported, with neighborhoods and buildings destroyed. “But as we gather today at this church, it’s important that we remember the greatest power that exists is the power of God.”
Behind the governor, portions of First Baptist’s roof and outer wall were gone. But the cross-shaped steeple towered undamaged.
“It was God acting through the lives of so many Texans who came to the rescue of other Texans. It was the power of God that was able to pull people out of the water and literally save them,” Abbott said.
The Texas governor was flanked by Vice President Mike Pence, Second Lady Karen Pence and other presidential cabinet members.
“You’ve inspired the nation by your resilience, and by your courage,” Pence said to the gathered crowd. “And we just came here to commend you and to encourage you.”
Pence acknowledged rebuilding after Harvey would take years. “The challenges will be great. But we know that the generosity and the prayers and the faith of the people of Texas and the American people will be greater still.”
Mrs. Pence led the group in prayer, thanking God for those who are saving lives and asking his protection on them.
Later, Abbott and Pence donned work gloves and helped clear debris.
The record-breaking storm, which dumped over 50 inches in some parts of the state in less than one week, has pushed over 30,000 people into shelters. In a press conference Wednesday, Abbott said efforts were underway to move evacuees out of shelters and into hotels till they could return home.
But “there is no storm as tough as the people of Texas,” Abbott said Thursday. In his proclamation, he said “throughout our history, Texans have been strengthened, assured and lifted up through prayer.”
https://stream.org/gov-abbott-declares-sunday-day-of-prayer-in-texas/
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God made everything including hurricanes.
Just dont pray for more...OK ?
I wonder how many people prayed for the hurricane and the rain to miss them.
all of them when it got close, ever been in a hurricane ?
lol
The point is, it didnt miss.
"The point is, it didn't miss."
I'm not surprised.
Are you surprised they all prayed as the hurricane swept over them ?
I'm not. These things kill people, animals and destroy property and lives. To sit and watch a cat 3 bear down on you is terrifying.
I highly recommend evacuating for any cat 3 hurricane if at all possible.
I am praying that Irma misses us on the AL Gulf Coast. Pray with me. Let it turn around and go off to sea.
I hope it stays in the water.
Me too!
I do believe in God and try to follow my Christian faith as I see it, but this is nuts
“It was God acting through the lives of so many Texans who came to the rescue of other Texans. It was the power of God that was able to pull people out of the water and literally save them,” Abbott said.
What about the people that died in that van that went into the water? Don't you think those six people prayed to God to save them with their last breaths?
The truth is we don't know why one is saved and the other not, other than circumstance. It is wrong to believe that God answers some prayers with life and others with death. That is not a merciful God.
Mr. Russell, I agree with you.
There are so many things I don't understand. Sometimes, I shout at God for allowing certain things to happen to innocent people.
I do know that I am here for a reason and I have known for awhile what it is. When it is completed, then........
You're here because your mom got pregnant.
There's something wrong with you Hal. I LIKE IT! hahahahahaha
That, also.
I feel sorry for those of you and all Americans who live in natural disaster zones that often experience earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, disastrous floods, sometimes even a volcano, because most of Canada only has to worry about winter storms and almost never experiences hurricanes (last one that hit Toronto was in 1954), or tornadoes (I remember one that happened about 25 years ago - did very little damage), or earthquakes (that too was about 35 years ago - did no damage to speak of). or disastrous floods (there was one in the Winnipeg, Manitoba, area about 60 years ago), and never a volcano. I have no memory of any of such disasters prior to those ones.
Maybe Canadians pray more than Americans.
They might be happening, but just in underpopulated areas. Dunno. Lot's of unoccupied space in Canada though.
Buzz, Canada has had plenty of natural disasters..2016 Wood Buffalo wildfire (Fort McMurray). over 2,000 homes destroyed and many more made unlivable because of smoke damage.
Yes, I do recall that now. However, natural disasters are few in comparison to those experienced in the USA. As well, fires are often not natural, but are caused by human carelessness.
The largest natural disaster to hit Canada was when they found out that they didn't invent hockey.
I actually heard many Canadians yelling ''Puck you, we did to''...
A truly sad day in Canada.
But Basketball was invented in Canada, I think.
as long as it wasn't baseball I think we're save...lol
At least I wouldn't want to be the one to tell most baseball fans if it had started in Canada. Nor hot dogs... OMG !
There'd be hell ta pay.
Springfield MA.