Ok, my headline isn’t accurate, but the reality of the situation is equally ridiculous.

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin asked citizens to pray for rain yesterday — because, as the science books teach us, rain only falls if you ask God nicely.

“I encourage Oklahomans of all faiths to join me this Sunday in offering their prayers for rain,” Fallin said. “For the safety of our firefighters and our communities and the well-being of our crops and livestock, this state needs the current drought to come to an end. The power of prayer is a wonderful thing, and I would ask every Oklahoman to look to a greater power this weekend and ask for rain.” Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese said he appreciated the governor’s call for prayer and would be saying his own this Sunday. “Farmers across the state are really suffering under these conditions,” Reese said. “I’m glad the governor is issuing this call to prayer, and I hope it helps deliver the rain we need soon.”

Looks like Yahweh didn’t grant her wish. There’s a 0% chance of precipitation all week:

But don’t you dare mock her request…

State Senator, Rick Brinkely wants you to listen to Fallin’s reasoning. “I think if people are making a joke out [of] this request by the governor, they really don’t understand the implications of what it is she is asking for,” says Brinkley. “This isn’t like we would like to have a nice Spring shower, we would like to stop a drought, we would like to save the lives of fire fighters who are putting their lives on the line every day fighting these grass fires, and the fact that our farmers are facing devastation, this isn’t a flippant little request, there is a lot at stake here.” Binkley tells me Fallin was not elected to represent other states, she was elected to represent the people of Oklahoma and her request is a reflection of Oklahomans. “For those people who are offended by this, my best piece of advice is to get over this, and if you don’t pray then don’t pray,” says Brinkley.

I fully understand the implications. I feel sorry for the firefighters and farmers who are affected by this drought. But I’m realistic and honest — something the state officials are not. I know that prayer won’t change the weather patterns and it’s a silly request (at best) or outright deception (at worst) to suggest that anyone’s prayers are going to make it rain. It’s not.

Incidentally, Fallin isn’t the first Governor to suggest citizens ask the Sky Gods for rain help. In 2007, both Alabama Governor Bob Riley and Georgia governor Sonny Perdue did the same thing. And earlier this year, Governor Rick Perry of Texas asked everyone to pray to stop fires in his state.

Guess what? God didn’t cause the rain to fall or the fire to stop in any of those situations.

Prayer: The last resort for desperate people when they have no realistic solutions to their problems and a gigantic waste of time.



