Adam Scott Actor

  It could have been a typical service in any mega-church in the south, with a narrow band, a great chorus, large projection screen and roll and a large congregation in prayer. But the speaker who drew the biggest response in the prayer meeting in Houston on Saturday was governor of Texas, Rick Perry, looking resplendent in a red tie and mane of dark hair so envied.

The Republican governor often fighting not to attack his rival, Barack Obama, who often accuses Perry of overreaching and that he can try to defeat at the polls next year.

In fact, Perry prayed for him.

"In these difficult times, Father, we pray for our president, who imparts his wisdom in him, that he keeps his family," he told a crowd of about 30,000 Christians in the Reliant Stadium.

Perry seemed to take pains to depoliticize the case and turn to the Almighty.

"Your program is not a political agenda," he said. "Your program is a program of salvation."

In the weeks leading up to it, the meeting had been widely criticized as a cynical creation of the Governor to get a lock at the beginning of the religious right. Critics noted the participation of religious / political activists - men like David Lane and David Barton, known in Texas for his talent to mobilize Christian voters.

Perry shrugged off such statements.

"He is a wise God and he is wise enough not to be affiliated with any political party," he said to applause.

Later, Governor Sam Brownback of Kansas, took the stage to read Second Chronicles and the book of Matthew. Gov. Rick Scott of Florida sent a pre-recorded message. Prominent Christian leaders nationally in attendance, including James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family and Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention. The long list of speakers also included the controversial televangelist Pastor John Hagee of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio.

Outside, protesters took to the sidewalks with signs saying things like: "Pastor Perry should resign." Some of the protesters belonged to an atheist organization that sued unsuccessfully to stop the event, call the answer. Above, a small plane pulled a banner that read: "God save the state, the church separately."

Back on stage, that feeling is amplified by the Rev. Barry Lynn, director for a long time Americans United for Separation of Church and State, who flew in from Washington for the occasion.

"I've never seen a case that is created as a religious event, but handmade by politics," he said. "But if any wall between elected officials and their religious faith was violated, does not seem to bother the audience. In fact, the profession enjoyed unadorned, Rick Perry, to be faithful to Jesus."

Linda Faust, wife of a pastor in Cleveland, an hour from Houston, served as an usher at the event.

"I do not know many governors that require fasting and prayer for the nation. And I applaud Governor Perry to do that," he said. "He did not have to."

For the cynical humor for a moment: if the governor 61 years old, wanted to start bringing the evangelical vote for a soon-to-be-announced candidate for the White House, made a very good advantage. Jason Cole, who drove a bus from the Church of the Good News in Austin, was impressed.

"Yes, I would be very beneficial for our country to know some of our leaders, especially if he is elected as president, to take a position like this," said Cole, "and preach the White House, ultimately, the White House. "

Later, Cole and his wife, Patty, closed his eyes tightly and closely embraced in one sentence, not realizing the microphone.

"Take this time, Lord God, and let it infiltrate our lives. Not only this Saturday at Reliant Stadium, but the father of God every day -. streets, houses, cities, counties, Lord God," he said, "Through our light a fire nation"

More than the election of a candidate for president, this is the hope that the majority of people in recovery seemed to take home.