Texas Gov. Greg Abbott released a proclamation declaring Sept. 3, 2017 an official “day of prayer” in his state following the mass devastation that Hurricane Harvey has tragically ushered in over the past week.
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Opening his statement by addressing the “unprecedented flooding and tragic loss of life,” Abbott went on in the text of the proclamation, which was released by the governor’s office on Aug. 31, to praise Texans’ resolve in the wake of tragedy and to appeal to the masses to turn to the Almighty.
He encouraged people to make an effort on Sept. 3 to pray for first responders, military, the people impacted by the hurricane and for the overall restoration process.
“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,” Abbott said. “Throughout our history, Texans have been strengthened, assured and lifted up through prayer.”
From there, Abbott encouraged the people of Texas as well as individuals across the nation and globe to “seek God’s wisdom” and to “ask for His merciful intervention and healing in this time of crisis.”
See the complete text of the proclamation below:
WHEREAS, Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas coast on Friday, August 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, September 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.
GREG ABBOTT
Governor
Hurricane Harvey has left 39 people dead and has wreaked havoc throughout parts of Texas and Louisiana.