Broome calls for fasting, praying during session

During the state Legislature’s 17-day special session, state Sen. Sharon Weston Broome, D-Baton Rouge, is asking residents of Louisiana to join her in a time of fasting and praying to battle the challenges residents are facing.
“To rebuild Louisiana and to tackle the enormous challenges before us, we need the wisdom of God,” Broome said.
The state Legislature is holding a special session to discuss a nearly $1 billion deficit in the budget caused by the effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The Extraordinary Session convened at 5 p.m. on Nov. 6 and will adjourn by 6 p.m. on Nov. 22. Legislators will discuss future tax issues, unemployment, programs to benefit displaced employees and funds created to assist in disaster recovery.
To help with relief efforts, Broome set up the Web site, www.fastandprayla.com, and other members of the Legislature are participating. Everyday the site concentrates on a different prayer. Past prayers gave attention to wisdom, peace and thanksgiving.
“I feel that it (Louisiana’s troubling times) can be changed through prayer,” said Bron Noel, a senior electrical engineering major from Baton Rouge.
Broome said the site is intended to give state residents an encouraging spirit and get them answers to specific problems or concerns.
“I recognize we are in some critical times and I know the power of prayer,” Broome said. “Hopefully, residents can see fulfilled prayer requests and a change.”
Broome is also asking participants to sacrifice one meal or several meals a day as they take the time to pray. Each individual should be able to determine his own level of fasting.
“There has to be a change in attitude by us black people. Because we got (away) from the church being (our) background, now we are more materialistic,” Noel said. “You can’t do anything without God.”
Due to the large amounts of positive feedback, Broome said she would organize a meeting where Louisiana residents can pray in unison. She said site visitors could check for updates.