16 July 2011

Texas Gov. Rick Perry is calling for a nationwide prayer movement he says will reverse what he sees as the country's current downward spiral. The governor has spearheaded an event, "The Response," to initiate prayer and repentance.
                                              Photo Courtesy Of Harley PebleyBy Raymond Billy | Resonate News

LINDALE, Texas — Mayor Jim Mallory's thoughts quickly turned to the poor as he contemplated concerns he plans to bring before God during next month's day of prayer and fasting. The event, called “The Response,” will be held Aug. 6 and will be anchored from Houston. It was spearheaded by Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who is encouraging the nation to “call upon Jesus to guide us through unprecedented struggles” the U.S. is facing.

Mallory is set to issue a proclamation endorsing “The Response.” The mayor will hold a public ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Lindale's City Hall, 1816 N. Main St. to announce his support.

“Anytime we have a governor who supports prayer, we have to get behind him,” Mallory, 77, told Resonate News on Friday. “This is a great opportunity and I'm delighted to do it.”

Roy Devisscher, adult ministries pastor at Community Christian Fellowship in Lindale, said “The Response” has the potential to be a strong spiritual approach to dealing with civic matters. 

“I know a lot of people want to know 'What can I do about the state of things in our country?' We can rally on behalf of our nation and pray that there's a course-correct,” Devisscher, 55, said. 

Devisscher said he's most concerned about the moral state of the country. 

“There's a deterioration of the values of this country. We need to take a prayerful stand against those things,” he said. 

Mallory said he hopes to use his time of prayer to petition God on behalf of people suffering economically.

“We have a lot of poverty in our country and in East Texas. There are a lot more things we need to do as a people of faith to help them,” Mallory said.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 16.2 percent of Smith County residents live below the poverty line, about 2 percent higher than the national rate. This is in spite of the fact that the county's jobless rate is more than 1 percent lower than the nation's, possibly pointing to a higher concentration of “working poor” here. But, Mallory is concerned that the weak state of the economy will cause more to end up among the unemployed poor.

“When you talk about poverty, sometimes it's people who have encountered bumps in the road where they've had economic hardships where they lose a job and before they know it, they're poor,” Mallory said, pointing to layoffs recently announced at The Trane Company, a manufacturer of air-conditioning equipment which is one of the largest employers in Tyler. The layoff are expected to surpass 500.

The mayor said his participation with Meals On Wheels has allowed him to see poverty up close in recent years. He said the experience has been humbling.

“You have people who can't walk and can't get out of a chair. But, many of them maintain a positive attitude about life,” Mallory said.

Mallory said he doesn't believe Perry has a hidden agenda in calling for the day of prayer.

“This is not political. I know some people think it is, but it's not,” he said.

Community Christian Fellowship, www.ccflindale.org  plans to simulcast the Aug. 6 event from the church sanctuary.

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