DAY OF PRAYER EVENTS PLANNED NATIONWIDE.

Byline: Tracy Valeri Daily News Staff Writer

Thousands will fold their hands, bow their heads and worship Thursday in observance of a tradition that dates back to 1775 - the National Day of Prayer.

The event faded away for a time, but a joint resolution of Congress revived the practice in 1952, and prayers have been moving skyward ever since.

And, according to local church leaders, there are good reasons to keep the tradition alive.

``So much goes on now. Politically and morally, things are different than they used to be,'' said Ann Mayhew, coordinator of the prayer ministry at the Community Christian Church of Moorpark. The church is one of many that will be conducting National Day of Prayer services.

``Prayer is essential. It's important for us to go to the Lord for everything - every day.''

Shirley Dobson, chairwoman of the Colorado Springs-based National Day of Prayer Task Force, said the idea is to refocus attention and trust in God.

``Our nation is in desperate need of a spiritual renewal, as crime, drug usage, child abuse and family breakups continue to plague us,'' Dobson said.

``There is no other answer for these staggering social ills than to appeal for the mercy and grace of God,'' she said.

The National Day of Prayer Task Force predicts that this year's observance will be the largest ever.

About 40,000 volunteers will organize more than 15,000 prayer events in churches, schools, statehouses, courthouses, stadiums, prisons, hospitals and nursing homes across the United States, according to task force estimates.

``There's more need for prayer now than ever before,'' said Doug Andersen, associate director of ministries for the Church on the Way.

``The world has difficulties and I believe prayer is behind some of the recent decreases in things like violent crime that we've been experiencing,'' he said.

The Van Nuys church is the host site for the live Nationally Broadcast Concert of Prayer between 5 and 8 p.m. Thursday.

Also, students at Los Angeles Baptist High School in North Hills will have a special chapel service Thursday to pray and to hear Scripture.

``God is our only hope, especially as we see the deterioration of the family and the demise of society as a result,'' said Cindy Noblitt, a teacher and the religion director at the school.

``Prayer is communion with God, and it's our responsibility to humbly come before him and make our requests known as a nation,'' she said.

Bruce Cramer, who oversees adult ministries at Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch, will take part in encouraging congregants to pray for change in the San Fernando Valley.

``Prayer is essential for change in the family, in our neighborhood, in the Valley and in our country,'' according to Cramer.

Charter Reform Commissioner and former Assemblywoman Paula Boland will be the guest at the West Valley Christian Academy in Canoga Park. The event will feature the school's vocal and hand bell choirs as well as all the children participating in a prayerful march around the school led by bagpiper Paul Cathers.