Gov. Mark Dayton and government leaders are expected to gather alongside pastors and other faithful followers at the state Capitol today in observance of the 60th Annual National Day of Prayer.

Dayton is slated to join the group in the afternoon and will read this year's state Prayer Proclamation. Part of the proclamation states:

Some advocacy groups in recent years have been critical of the annual prayer event and believe it violates the separation of church and state.

Minnesota Atheists are scheduled today to hold a "Day of Reason" rally in the State Capitol rotunda. It's the sixth year the group has protested the Day of Prayer event, held at the same time outside on the Capitol steps, according to the group's website. The featured speaker this year is Sandhya Bathija, a representative with Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

The Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, a Washington D.C.-based advocacy group, released a statement this week saying the National Day of Prayer is "misguided and unnecessary."

Started in 1952 by joint resolution of the U.S. Congress, the National Day of Prayer is an annual observance on the first Thursday of May. Organizers say its purpose is to communicate the need for personal repentance and prayer while offering support for the nation's leaders.

The most visible gathering has been held historically at the nation's Capitol in Washington. In 2010, approximately 40,000 events were held nationwide, according to the National Day or Prayer website.

Auldrich said there will other observances across Minnesota, including an event tonight at Mariucci Hockey Arena at the University of Minnesota, where college students are scheduled to gather and observe the National Day of Prayer.