From the very beginning, South Dakota has held a tradition of acknowledging God.

Our state motto is "Under God the people rule" and this motto appears on the state seal and on our state flag. This motto was proposed by the Rev. Joseph Ward, who founded Yankton College.

The preamble to the South Dakota Constitution acknowledges that the people of South Dakota are "grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties." What's more, the writers of the South Dakota Constitution considered faith so important that they specified in Section 3 of the Bill of Rights: "The right to worship God according to the dictates of conscience shall never be infringed."

Even now, our state Legislature opens its sessions with prayer.

Last year, Gov. Mike Rounds declared a "week of prayer for rain" during the drought in late July. According to the National Drought Mitigation Center, parts of South Dakota received a large amount of rain in August (Brookings received nine inches), resulting in the elimination of the worst D4 drought areas and a reduction in D3 areas.

The tradition of a National Day of Prayer goes back to 1775 as the Colonies moved toward independence from Britain, and our nation has been holding an annual National Day of Prayer since 1952 when President Harry Truman and Congress established the event as law.

Various South Dakota communities have held public observances for years, with at least 17 local events scheduled across the state this year on May 3. Rapid City's will be at noon at the Memorial Park Bandshell.

At Mount Rushmore, organizers expect 1,500 or more to come to the amphitheater at 6:30 p.m. Speakers will include Tony Perkins of the Washington, D.C.-based Family Research Council and author William Federer. Music will be provided by recording artist Luke Garrett, Pastor Brent Parker and the Destiny Praise Team. Several area pastors will also participate in the event.

South Dakota National Day of Prayer State Coordinator and Mount Rushmore National Memorial event Chairman Rita Fischer says she was motivated to get involved with the National Day of Prayer when Shirley Dobson, chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force and wife of Focus on the Family founder James Dobson, invited her to the Washington D.C., observance in 2005.

"Seeing that event set my heart on fire to become involved," Fischer said.

She said that when she got the idea to hold an observance at Mount Rushmore, she had no idea how to organize such a thing, but was sure that God was telling her to do it.

President George W. Bush and Gov. Rounds have both issued proclamations establishing May 3 as a Day of Prayer. Rounds' proclamation says, in part, "It is fitting and proper to give thanks to God by observing a day of prayer in South Dakota when all may acknowledge our blessings and express gratitude for them, while recognizing the need for strengthening religious and moral values in our state and nation."

Bob Ellis lives and works in Rapid City. Write to bobellis@dakotavoice.com.