"Jim Ray, a Baptist, and Larry Chesley, a Mormon, believed in a God that can soften the hearts of the enemy," Chesley said.

The National Day of Prayer was established by an act of Congress in 1952, but national prayer days date back to 1775.

In her welcoming address, Chaplain Linda Walton of the Utah Valley University Interfaith Student Association said President Barack Obama had recognized the day with a national proclamation, which included calling attention to the importance of the Golden Rule.

Acknowledging providence more than coincidence, Walton noted the evening's printed program listed Golden Rule-type scriptures or sayings from nine different religious groups — Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Baha'i, Buddhism, Hinduism, Native American Spirituality, Sikhism and Zoroastrianism.

E-MAIL: taylor@desnews.com