DELAWARE, Ohio -- The prayers offered by Delaware County Commissioner Glenn Evans at the board's meetings are short and to the point, usually invoking God's guidance.
"Some days are pretty challenging, and I honestly pray for the wisdom to make the right decision," Evans said.
Evans, a Christian, has opened each public session with a prayer since January, when he was appointed the board's president. His intent was to make people feel comfortable, he said.
This week, Americans United for Separation of Church and State urged the board to "consider eliminating all future prayers in order to make all feel equally welcome at meetings."
In a letter dated Dec. 10, the watchdog group based in Washington, D.C., said the vast majority of the prayers at the meetings are sectarian and cite references to Jesus Christ. Prayers at seven meetings last month concluded with, "in your son's name, we ask these things," the letter said.
The prayers do not represent those who hold non-Christian beliefs or who practice no religion, the group said.
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