Wot No Rain Dance?

Maybe Alabamians should pray to the "Great Hole" in the ozone layer, the results would be about the same.

With the state's weather forecasters not delivering much-needed rain, Gov. Bob Riley on Thursday turned to a higher power. The governor issued a proclamation calling for a week of prayer for rain, beginning Saturday.

Riley encouraged Alabamians to pray "individually and in their houses of worship. (dead link)

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Riley proclamation urges Alabamians: Pray for rain

Gov. Bob Riley's office has issued a press release encouraging Alabamians to pray for rain.

He has issued a proclamation declaring Saturday through July 7 as "Days of Prayer for Rain" in Alabama, and he is asking citizens to pray individually and in their houses of worship for rain.

According to the statement: "Throughout our history, Alabamians have turned in prayer to God to humbly ask for His blessings and to hold us steady during times of difficulty. This drought is without question a time of great difficulty for our farmers and for communities across the state," Riley said. Birmingham News


Riley office's press release on rain-prayer proclamation
June 28, 2007

OFFICE OF GOVERNOR BOB RILEY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 28, 2007

Governor Riley Asks Citizens to Pray for Rain

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley is encouraging Alabamians to pray for rain.

The Governor has issued a proclamation declaring June 30 through July 7 as "Days of Prayer for Rain" in Alabama, and he is asking citizens to pray individually and in their houses of worship for rain.

"Throughout our history, Alabamians have turned in prayer to God to humbly ask for His blessings and to hold us steady during times of difficulty. This drought is without question a time of great difficulty for our farmers and for communities across the state," Governor Riley said.

Jerry Newby, President and CEO of the Alabama Farmers Federation, agrees. "Alabama farmers have been through tough times before. But, through God's grace, they have learned to withstand whatever circumstances they faced. The farmers have been praying for rain for weeks and they covet the prayers of their fellow Alabamians."

Don Wambles, Director of the Alabama Farmers Market Authority, commends the Governor for recognizing the seriousness of our current situation and his willingness to call Alabamians to pray. "There are many references in the Bible to God's assurance of answering prayer but maybe the most fitting for our current situation is found in 2 Chronicles 7:14. 'If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land.' We need God's forgiveness and our land needs His healing. This verse of scripture tells us how to achieve that," said Wambles.

TEXT OF GOVERNOR RILEY'S PROCLAMATION:

WHEREAS, Alabama is suffering from a devastating drought that threatens the livelihood of many of our citizens and reduces the quality of life for all citizens; and

WHEREAS, Alabama's largest industry, agriculture, is dependent on sufficient rainfall; and

WHEREAS, low stream flows and lake levels are negatively impacting water use, recreation, navigation and power generation; and

WHEREAS, throughout our history, Alabamians have turned in prayer to God to humbly ask for His blessings and to hold us steady during times of difficulty:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bob Riley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby encourage citizens of Alabama to pray daily for rain and proclaim June 30 - July 7, 2007 as Days of Prayer for Rain.

During this time, I encourage all Alabamians to pray individually and within their houses of worship for sufficient rain. source A N