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Church and state joined together at Florida’s Capitol Thursday on the National Day of Prayer. As Matt Galka tells us, religion played a major role this past legislative session.

Prayer and song filled Florida’s Capitol on Thursday. The 64^th annual national day of prayer was a faith gathering at public buildings across the country. Florida Governor Rick Scott prayed with the group.

“We are very blessed to live in this unbelievable country. We’re blessed to live in the greatest state in the nation. You’ve blessed each of us to have the opportunity to live here,” said Gov. Scott.

Religion had a strong role in high profile bills during 2015’s legislative session. The legislature voted to repeal a ban on gay adoption that is no longer enforced. The bill is awaiting government approval. It also prompted the House to pass a religious freedom proposal that would have allowed private adoption agencies to refuse services to same sex couples based on religious beliefs. It never passed the Senate.

Advocates say faith should be the guiding force for legislators.

“All of us should let our faith guide us in everything that we do. Lawmakers do not have to check their faith at the door, we’re going to legislate somebody’s morality, aren’t we, in everything that we do in government. So I think it’s great that they do what’s right,” said Pam Olsen with the Florida Prayer Network.

A 24 hour abortion waiting period bill also cleared both chambers this year.  Pro-choice groups fought it every step of the way, but it cleared easily. The Governor hasn’t committed to vetoing or signing either bill.

The national day of prayer has been held at Florida’s capitol for the past two decades.