Perry, in a message inviting Christians to the rally, said: "Right now, America is in crisis. Although the rally, called "The Response", has created a lot of dissent, it could help Perry win over Christian evangelicals. Critics of the rally, including other Christian groups, were scheduled to hold a counter-rally on Friday.
“I applaud praying, I applaud praying for this government. Sean Tucker of The Woodlands, Texas is concerned that Saturday’s prayer event violates the separation of church and state and finds it particularly troubling as Perry considers a presidential run. Concerning the July 30 column by Lawrence M. Krauss and his concern over Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s day of prayer.