Georgia governor prays for rain

ATLANTA, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- The governor of drought-stricken Georgia and 250 of his constituents gathered Tuesday to "pray up a storm."

At the end of the prayer vigil at the statehouse, the sun broke through the clouds, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. But Gov. Sonny Perdue said God may still answer the prayers with rain tomorrow or next week.

Television cameras recorded the event as Perdue opened the vigil.

"We come here very reverently and respectfully to pray up a storm," he said.

Police kept a group of protesters from the Atlanta Freethought Society about a block away. One of their signs read "Hail Priest-King Perdue."

The Rev. Gil Watson of United Methodist Church led the prayers.

"We have not been good stewards of our land. We have not been good stewards of our water," he said. "Lord, have mercy on your people, have mercy on us and grant us rain. Oh God, let rain fall on this land of Georgia."

The National Weather Service said some light rain is possible later this week, although not enough to break the drought.