MONTGOMERY—Governor Robert Bentley today signed a proclamation calling for a statewide “Day of Prayer” on Sunday, May 1 to remember those who lost their lives in Wednesday’s storms.

Concurrently, Governor Bentley issued a directive for flags on all state government buildings to be lowered to half staff until Monday, May 2 at 8:00 a.m.

“I am asking all people of faith in our state to set aside Sunday as a Day of Prayer in memory of our family, friends, and neighbors who were taken from us in this shared tragedy,” Governor Bentley said.  “It is appropriate that we pray for those we lost, for those who loved them, and for those still suffering.  We all need divine guidance and providence in the days ahead as we seek not only to rebuild, but to heal.”

The text of the Governor’s proclamation is below:

WHEREAS, Alabama is suffering from an unprecedented disaster caused by severe thunderstorms, winds, and tornadoes, a disaster that threatens the lives of our fellow citizens, the environmental beauty of our state, and our quality of life; and

WHEREAS, throughout our history, Alabamians have turned in prayer to God to humbly ask for His blessings and to hold us steady during times of difficulty; and

WHEREAS, citizens of Alabama are urged to pray for the well-being of our fellow citizens and our State, to pray for all those who are hurt by this disaster, and to pray for those who are working to respond to this crisis:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby declare Sunday, May 1, 2011, as a Day of Prayer in Alabama and encourage individuals to pray on their own or with others, according to their own faith, in an expression of faith and hope.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that citizens of Alabama are also encouraged to give personal thanks to God for the blessings we have received and for God's continued guidance during these difficult times.