The rain will not be enough to end the state's epic drought.
Georgia received rain late Wednesday and early Thursday, one day after Gov. Sonny Perdue led a public prayer for rain to end the region's historic drought.
"Certainly, we're not gloating about it," the Associated Press quotes Perdue. "We're thankful for the rain and hopefully it's the beginning of more. ... Frankly, it's great affirmation of what we asked for."
Mainstream press is quick to point out that the prayer came as the National Weather Service predicted rain. Still, the Atlanta Journal Constitution is also quick to say "The faithful ought to keep praying." Forecasters say that the storm likely did little to ease the state's drought.
A separate AP story examines how previous politicians have approached public prayer differently, from George Washington to Thomas Jefferson to Harry Truman.
While public prayer vigils might raise eyebrows in other parts of the nation, they are mostly shrugged off in the Bible Belt, where turning to the heavens for help is common and sometimes even politically expedient.
TIME magazine writes a piece that examines who is at fault for the drought.
"Politicians always call catastrophes 'acts of God,' blaming unnatural destruction caused by natural phenomena on supernatural forces," writes Michael Grunwald. ... "But it wasn't God who allowed an outdoor theme park to build a million-gallon mountain of artificial snow while the Southeast was running dry; it was Governor Perdue and his fellow elected officials. They also allowed the wasteful irrigation of Georgia's cotton farms and the rampant overbuilding and overslurping of metropolitan Atlanta."
TIME says the state will need serious water management and long-term thinking, which may take a miracle.
The L.A. Times writes that during his prayer, Perdue cut a newly repentant figure.
"Oh father, we acknowledge our wastefulness," Perdue said. "But we're doing better. And I thought it was time to acknowledge that to the creator, the provider of water and land, and to tell him that we will do better."
Posted by Sarah Pulliam Bailey on November 16, 2007 10:23AM
Comments
I don't want to leave the opinion that I don't think that prayer can be answered. But as I remember it was on the national weather forecast at the beginning of this week that there was a front coming of the Pacific that could bring rain the this area (I live in Atlanta). Praying for rain and asking for wisdom on how to deal with the lack of rain should certainly be done.
Posted by: Paul Belter at November 16, 2007
I don't want to leave the opinion that I don't think that prayer can be answered. But as I remember it was on the national weather forecast at the beginning of this week that there was a front coming of the Pacific that could bring rain the this area (I live in Atlanta). Praying for rain and asking for wisdom on how to deal with the lack of rain should certainly be done.
Posted by: Paul Belter at November 16, 2007
We've been praying for my grandmother to come to Christ for 3 years. We have had the whole church praying for her. Today, she was talking to my mom and she said, "Did you hear about the governor praying for rain in Georgia?" She continued, "The talk radios were all making fun of him. My friends were laughing at him. The next day, I turned on the news and I heard,'...and it's raining in Georgia!' I fell to my knees and believed. For the first time I realized that God does hear and He does answer prayers. I believe!!! Now I've started praying for everything I can think of. I believe!!" So, praise the Lord! Hallelujah! It's raining in Georgia and my grandmother has been saved!!! God Bless the governor!
Posted by: Sten at November 16, 2007
I didn't read the whole Time article, but I think it is safe to make the distinction between blaming God for a drought and asking Him for rain (even if the weather guys are already predicting it).
Posted by: Ben at November 16, 2007
It would make a LOT more sense if the folks in Georgia had done some sensible planning for this type of situation than last-minute praying.
God helps those who help thenselves. He gave us brains, he expected us to USE them.
Posted by: marjorie at November 17, 2007
It has beeen often stated that,God helps those that help themselves. That statement is not biblical, it does not exist in the bible. What the bible does say is, Philippians 4:19 This same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
God has a full supply house and a ready supply system. It's free for the asking but we must ask.
Posted by: Aisha Amenra at November 20, 2007
Who says that weather forecasters always get it right. Sure a front may have beeen predicted, but they don't always bring rain, sometimes they do. Governor Perdeau's public prayer was an act of honour to God. I would say that HE answered that act of honour. But, does God cause catastrophes? It seems that where He is excluded the folks seem to do badly. He manifests His presence and protection where He is invited, as He was in Georgia. We have just experienced severe and disastrous bushfires here in Australia, with severe losss of lives and property. Did God allow it, was it His judgement? The estimates of people which call themselves Christian and regularly attend Church and pray regularly in Australia is about 3-4% I'd say that God has been excluded. He is not obligated where He is not welcome. We just have to do the best we can without Him.
Posted by: Paul Ross at February 17, 2009
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