Rick Perry sued by Freedom From Religion Foundation

Rick Perry, the governor of Texas, is hosting a "prayer event" called The Response, in which he is inviting other governors to come together to pray for the future of our country.  From his website (emphasis mine):

Right now, America is in crisis: we have been besieged by financial debt, terrorism, and a multitude of natural disasters. As a nation, we must come together and call upon Jesus to guide us through unprecedented struggles, and thank Him for the blessings of freedom we so richly enjoy.

Some problems are beyond our power to solve, and according to the Book of Joel, Chapter 2, this historic hour demands a historic response. Therefore, on August 6, thousands will gather to pray for a historic breakthrough for our country and a renewed sense of moral purpose.

I sincerely hope you’ll join me in Houston on August 6th and take your place in Reliant Stadium with praying people asking God’s forgiveness, wisdom and provision for our state and nation. There is hope for America. It lies in heaven, and we will find it on our knees.

Rick Perry can pray if he wants.  He can even ask others to pray with him, and they're free to do so.  What he can't do is use his government office to endorse or promote a specific religion, and that's what he's doing.  And make no mistake, this is a political event.  He is not acting as a private citizen with civic concerns; he's acting as the governor of the state of Texas.  (Governor Perry doesn't seem to understand the difference.)

The Freedom From Religion Foundation, however, does.  The FFRF is

asking the federal court to declare unconstitutional Perry’s initiation, organization, promotion and participation in the Aug. 6 prayer event. A proposed order to restrain Perry’s continuing involvement in the prayer rally will be filed after a hearing date is set.

If Perry really wants to hold this rally and pray about our country's future, then he should raise money and pay for it without imposing this on the taxpayers of his state (already in trouble financially), and participate as a private citizen, not as a public official.

Of course, I would prefer a leader who, you know, leads by finding real solutions to real problems, rather than just throwing up his arms and saying that it's too hard and there are no solutions.  Doesn't sound like the kind of person you want responsible for working out your problems, you know?