Perry Shows Faith, Prays for America

When he began speaking Tuesday night to a large gathering of evangelicals called "The Response" in Greenville, there was no mention of the CNN Republican Debate on Thursday, no whisper of the Republican primary on Saturday and there was no plea to vote.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry had come to pray for the nation.

With no introduction, and appearing more comfortable standing at the plexiglass podium of the makeshift church inside the T.D. Convention Center than on a debate platform, Perry had people on their knees, some with arms outstretched and shouting enthusiastic "Amens," as he spoke about having a deeper connection with God.

The 10-minute prayer-filled speech, lacking a stump message, got political only a few times.

"His agenda is not political. He's smarter than that," Perry said. "He’s smart enough, wise enough not to get involved with any political affiliation or any institution that man has made. He understands the imperfections of those.

"But He's called on all of us, Americans from all walks of life, to be here tonight to pray for this country. For us to seek Him, to experience His love and His grace, and His acceptance, and experience a fulfilled life regardless of the circumstances that we find ourselves in tonight."

Perry asked the audience to join with him as he read, 2 Chronicles 7:14,

where it says, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn away from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

And as if on cue, thunder rumbled outside and Perry began to pray. In his words, Perry uplifted Barack Obama, his family and the nation.

"Father we pray for our president. We pray for his family. We pray for the safety of his family. We pray that you light his way," Perry said. "We pray that you give him wisdom as he deals with the issues that he faces. We pray for the people of this country that, Father, they would get down on their knees and seek your redemption."

And after asking for God's blessings upon America, Perry hugged a few of the prayer leaders and quietly made his exit as the worship service continued.

Perry had the vote of Marc Tate of Greenville, before he even stepped onto the stage.

"He is getting us back to the issues of what the country was founded on," Tate said. "We need the Bible and religion and we've gotten so far away from that and Gov. Perry covered that and I think as a president he will be be able to do what he is supposed to do and he can get Washington back on the right path."

Kimberlee Ferrell, who moved from New York to Greenville 10 years ago, said she doesn't follow politics but liked what she heard tonight.

"I came to hear the word of the Lord and that's exactly what I got," she said.

When asked about Perry opening and closing with prayer and if he could be the next president, Ferrell couldn't say.

"I pray that God puts the right person in there," Ferrell said. "I don't follow politics all that much, so I just pray that God places the perfect person, the right person in there."

But one thing that Farrell did like was Perry's sincere demeanor and his courage.

"That's the first time I've heard a president, or a future president, just sit there and pray in front of people," she said. "And not only to pray, but to do so and know that he actually believes what he is saying."

Farrell, isn't the only one impressed with Perry's courage. It's one of the traits that brought Cylynda Caviness from the Longhorn State to the Palmetto State.

"We have separated God from politics... some have taken that whole separation of church and state phrase too far," Caviness said. "And it's important that he's not afraid to show his faith, important that he shows the people that."

"Our country needs to get back to God, not a theocracy, if you will, but back to the founding principles that made our country great, that made it the nation that it is, and we are losing that," she said.

Caviness said she is proud of her governor's courage.

"I know there are people who have counseled him against this and that takes a man of courage to do it anyway," Caviness said. "We believe in him. He has great principles."

Caviness also talked about Perry's record, saying that he had created an environment that has allowed jobs to prosper in Texas. She said that while others may flip-flop on the issues, Perry is a full conservative.

"He has the corner on the job market and has the corner on the social issues," Caviness said. "He has the record, a proven record, no other candidate can say they have a record like Perry."