Texas Gov. Greg Abbott proclaimed Sunday, Sept. 3, as a statewide day of prayer devoted to interceding on behalf of everyone involved in Harvey.
The hurricane-turned-tropical storm tore through the Gulf state, drowning cities, killing nearly 40 and displacing millions.
Believers stepped up, either through mobilized ministry or serving their very own neighborhoods.
In his proclamation, Abbott decrees:
WHEREAS, Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas coast on Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, causing massive destruction along the Coastal Bend before moving up the Texas coast into Central and Southeast Texas resulting in unprecedented flooding and tragic loss of life; and
WHEREAS, Texans have remained strong throughout this ordeal, with neighbor helping neighbor by wading into the flood waters or sorting through wind damage to rescue fellow Texans; and
WHEREAS, the people of Texas are grateful for the outpouring of support and resources from around the country and around the world that have been sent to Texas to assist with the damage as we begin the process of healing and rebuilding; and
WHEREAS, throughout our history, Texans have been strengthened, assured and lifted up through prayer; and
WHEREAS, it is right and fitting that the people of Texas should join with their fellow residents and with others from across the country and around the world to seek God’s wisdom for ourselves and our leaders and ask for His merciful intervention and healing in this time of crisis;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of Texas, pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State of Texas, do hereby proclaim Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017, as a Day of Prayer in Texas. I urge Texans of all faiths and religious traditions and backgrounds to offer prayers on that day for the safety of our first responders, public safety officers and military personnel, healing of individuals, rebuilding of communities and the restoration of the entire region struck by this disaster.
President Donald Trump also signed a proclamation declaring Sunday a day of prayer for Texas.
For those who don’t know what to pray for come Sunday, here are a few suggestions from a Houston local.
.@POTUS signs proclamation declaring this Sunday a National Day of Prayer. pic.twitter.com/eA0rmTm1tF
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) September 1, 2017
Unsure how to pray? Here are five requests from a Houston local:
1. Pray for peace. There’s a lot of panic happening as tensions and fear rise. Where there is panic, fewer people make wise and careful decisions on how to be safe.
2. Pray for the flooding. Houston is known for the way our city fills with water after a quick afternoon thunderstorm. Our city is virtually underwater. Pray that the waters will move and the city can dry out quickly.
3. Pray for our homeless population. Big cities come with large homeless populations, and those are often the people most harshly affected. Pray for shelters to have spaces and people to have open hearts to share food, water and safe spaces.
4. Pray for long-term solutions. It’s so easy to have quick responses to national disasters, but the news moves on and so does the help—long before the city has recovered. Pray for help as long as it’s needed, while builders repair damage and people move back into their homes. Pray that those who want to help won’t be easily distracted and the world won’t pass us by.
5. Pray for resilience. Many people depend on day-to-day work for paychecks. Many of the families I work with don’t have a steady income and can’t go back to work even one or two days after a storm. These flood conditions mean many families are without their normal paychecks and that can wreak havoc on their lives.
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