Texas Governor Rick Perry, in an historic move that has not taken place in our lifetime, is calling for a National Solemn Assembly called The Response: a call to prayer for a nation in crisis, on Saturday, August 6, 2011, in Reliant Stadium (indoors) in Houston, Texas. 

In a letter dated May 18, 2011 inviting the 49 other Governors to join him, Governor Perry cited the book of Joel as the answer for the challenges facing America. Scripture is clear. When the Lord moves a governmental official to sound a trumpet to pray, the response is to come and cry out to the Lord together.  Listen to Gov. Perry's special invitation here:  http://www.stephenstephanian.com/PrayerEvent/2011-06-09-Greeting-AudioPrayerEvent.aif

This event will not promote any denomination or organization.  It will simply be those who love God and love America responding to Gov. Perry's invitation to get on our knees together to ask for His mercy, guidance, wisdom and provision.

I've been asked to mobilize in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, however, many getting this email are in other states.  This is also for you!  The time is short and I need your help to mobilize your sphere of influence in your state, county, city or network. 

Will you pray about doing the following and let me know of your decision?

1.    Accept the challenge to step into a role of mobilizer in your sphere of influence,

2.    Respond by email or phone to let me know that you are taking responsibility and what area you are mobilizing,

3.    Use your networks and other relationships to educate about August 6 and to encourage folks from your area to attend.

Just ask the Lord and do what He says.  That's all I'm asking of you.  If several from the same place accept the responsibility to mobilize the same area, I'll connect you together.  EVERYONE IS NEEDED NOW!!!

I wish I had time to give you a personal call and let you know the urgency of the hour, but you can see that would be impossible.  But we need your help!  This is your personal invitation.

The doors of Reliant Stadium will open at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 6.  Worship begins at 8:30 a.m. and the program begins at 10:00 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. That gives buses in a five or six hour radius time to drive back home for Sunday services.  The program will be prayer, worship and short exhortations on prayer - no political speeches or sermons.   

On August 6th, there will be no political agenda, no merchandise sold, no ministries promoted, no literature distributed and no offering taken. Registration is free.  Sign up yourself and your group on the website at www.theresponseusa.com click on REGISTER.  This is for attendance purposes only.  Let me know your desire to mobilize your sphere of influence. .

I know your heart for God, for prayer and for this nation.  Can we count on you to stand with The Response?  

Sometimes we can determine how important an event is by the nature and intensity of the opposition.  Yes, the media is right.  This is a Christian gathering.  It will be believers who will come together to humble ourselves, repent for our sins and cry out to the Lord God Almighty to have mercy on America and to heal our land.  As you know, I've been involved in both the government arena and the prayer movement for many years.  I can say without hesitation that I have never seen the level of opposition over a single event in all my experience.  When you say yes to any area of responsibility, ask intercessors to stand with you in prayer for you and your network. 

I'm asking you to be courageous.  Every single one of us can find a political or policy point of disagreement with Gov. Perry.  However, we're not asking for agreement about politics.  Our agreement is in prayer.  We're asking for those who can put aside our differences on a variety of issues and cross political, racial and denominational barriers to come together on our knees in humility in Houston on August 6. 

Many courageous leaders have endorsed this historic event at http://theresponseusa.com/endorsers.php.  Many more like you are helping to mobilize their networks. 

Will you use your influence for this historic event? Please let me hear from you.

With appreciation and honor,

Alice Patterson - President          Justice at the Gate