JACKSONVILLE — East Texans will answer Gov. Rick Perry's call for a statewide day of prayer for the nation on Aug. 6.

Some local pastors plan to charter buses to transport members to the admission-free event, and some intend to show a televised live feed of the event for congregates.  

The event will last from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

“I think this is the only hope for our country... We're going to pray for the morals and direction of this nation,” said Woodlawn Heights Baptist Church Interim Pastor John Cole.

Organizers say the event has a threefold mission: “first, to exalt Jesus over our nation and state.  This is not an interfaith gathering, and we will pray in the name of Jesus;  secondly, to inspire people to more corporate prayer; third, that government officials will be glad they did this,” said student mobilizer Laura Allred.

The controversial day of fasting and prayer has attracted national attention — and a lawsuit — since Governor Perry issued the call on June 11.  

The Freedom From Religion Foundation filed suit against Perry, claiming the proclamation violates the Establishment Clause, which states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.”

“There's a group of atheists saying the governor is putting the government into a religious situation,” Cole said. “But the Constitution doesn't say the government can't get involved in religion in any way.

“The Constitution says the government can't make a law against religion.”

Mobilizers for the day of prayer say that although the American Family Association channels funding given by private donors to the effort, it has provided no monetary support for the day of prayer, Allred said.

Allred also said the event is not affiliated with any political party.

“We're not praying to political issues whatsoever... Our governor made this call, but say it had been a Democratic official, I still would have responded with the same conviction.  We need to pray for our nation,” she said.

Mobilizer Mike Reiszner reiterated the political neutrality of the event.  

“Because of some of Perry's political stances, many within the Hispanic Community were chartering buses to come to Reliant Stadium to protest,” Reiszner said, “but Dr. Doug Stringer, a pastor in Houston, spoke with some of the leaders and helped them to see the importance in responding to  a call to prayer and push the political issues aside.”

While the public is invited to the event, Allred said the day of prayer and fasting will be directed in the name of Jesus Christ.  The Freedom From Religion Foundation cites this as a primary reason for their lawsuit.

“It gives the appearance that the government prefers evangelical Christian religious beliefs over other religious beliefs and non-beliefs, including by aligning and partnering with the American Family Association, a virulent, discriminatory and evangelical Christian organization known for its intolerance,” according to a press release.

“All around, prayer is good.  Yet we as believers need to be cautious how we pray in public, so that it is clear we are not participating in pantheistic prayer rallies,” Sylvania Baptist Pastor Phillip Dancy said.

Bridlewood Pastor and East Texas Response Team Organizer Dan Cummins invites Christians who may not agree with the national prayer event to reconsider their position.

“Churches have abdicated their role of being the salt and light in our culture and in the government,” Cummins said.

Though a precise estimate of how many persons have registered is not available, organizers intend to fill the 71,000 seat stadium.  

Currently, Woodlawn Heights Baptist Church, Lanes Chapel United Methodist Church, Youth With a Mission, Teen Mania, Prairie  Creek, First Baptist Bullard, Bridlewood Church, First Baptist Church in Rusk, and Baptist churches in Sulfur Springs and Mt. Pleasant have pledged their help with the event, Cummins said.