COEUR d'ALENE - Paul Van Noy plans to pray on Thursday.

So does Tim Remington. And Phil Muthersbaugh. And David Roberts.

The men, all pastors of area churches, will be taking part in the National Day of Prayer gathering outside Coeur d'Alene City Hall at noon Thursday.

"Our Founding Fathers believed in prayer. They called on our nation to pray," said Van Noy, pastor at Candlelight Christian Fellowship. "They didn't believe the nation could survive without God. They constantly humbled themselves before the Lord in seeking him in prayer."

Last month, a federal judge ruled that the federal statute that established the National Day of Prayer violated the constitutional ban on government-backed religion.

However, it is being appealed by President Obama, so the day will continue as usual this week.

Van Noy argues that prayer is a powerful way for the country to come together and ask for God's guidance. Some 40,000 gatherings are expected across the country on Thursday.

"The National Day of Prayer and the encouragement to pray is not the government mandating or obligating any American citizen to pray, but it is the freedom we enjoy as Americans to seek the Lord," Van Noy said.

The event in Coeur d'Alene will also include the Pledge of Allegiance, music and Bible readings. About 100 people usually attend, led by several local pastors. The forecast for Thursday is for a chance of showers with temperatures in the 50s.

According to nationaldayofprayer.org, "The National Day of Prayer is a vital part of our heritage.

Since the first call to prayer in 1775, when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation, the call to prayer has continued through our history."

President Harry S. Truman signed into law a National Day of Prayer on April 17, 1952.

It has continued the last 59 years "consistently and without interruption,' Van Noy said.

"The people of America are free to pray," he said.