Rick Perry hosting prayer event for America "in crisis"

Texas Republican Gov. Rick Perry is calling on Americans to join him in Houston in August for a prayer and fasting event to heal "a nation that has not honored God in our successes or humbly called on Him in our struggles."

"According to the Bible, the answer to a nation in such crisis is to gather in humility and repentance and ask God to intervene," says the website for the event. "The Response will be a historic gathering of people from across the nation to pray and fast for America."

The event, called "The Response, a Call to Prayer for a Nation in Crisis," will be held in at Reliant Stadium in Houston on August 6. It is described as "a non-denominational, apolitical Christian prayer meeting."

"There is hope for America," Perry says in a letter posted on the website. "It lies in heaven, and we will find it on our knees."

A video on the site shows a series of Americans complaining of "perversion," terrorism, addiction and other problems facing the country. They say there must be a response in the form of an appeal to God, one that will "make a sound that will be heard in heaven."

Perry has been discussed as a potential 2012 potential Republican presidential candidate. While he has played down his interest, he has also said he is considering making a run, and is reportedly discussing the possibility with his Texas donors.

In April, Perry issued a proclamation calling on Texans to pray for rainto help end drought-fueled wildfires in the state, one of many calls for prayer he has issued as governor.

A spokesman for "The Response" told Reuters that the American Family Association, a conservative Christian group based in Mississippi, is footing the bill for the event. Admission will be free. The American Family Association has organized boycotts of television shows and businesses it believes show anti-Christian bias or support the "homosexual agenda."