The American Humanist Association has sued the county commissioners in Carroll County, Maryland and a judge has ordered an injunction that the commission must not mention any specific deity or religion in their meetings.
County Commissioner Robin Frazier wholeheartedly disagreed with the judge’s ruling. “That is an infringement on my First Amendment rights of free speech, and I think it is a wrong ruling,” said Frazier, before starting a prayer that included the line, “Let thy blessings guide this day and forever, through Jesus Christ.”
Here is the whole of her prayer that she borrowed from President George Washington, a man who surely understood the Founding Father’s intentions and commitment to freedom of religion and freedom of speech.
“O Lord our God, most mighty and merciful father, I thine unworthy creature and servant, do once more approach thy presence. Though not worthy to appear before thee because of my natural corruptions, and the many sins and transgressions which I have committed against thy divine majesty, yet I beseech thee, for the sake of him in whom thou art well pleased, the Lord Jesus Christ, to admit me to render thee deserved thanks and praises for thy manifold mercies extended toward me, for the quiet rest and repose of the past night, for food, rainment, health, peace, liberty, and the hopes of a better life through the merits of thy dear son’s bitter passion. And O kind father, continue thy mercy and favor to me this day, and ever hereafter. Purpose all my lawful undertakings, let me have all my directions from thy holy spirit and success from thy bountiful land. Let the bright beams of thy light so shine into my heart, and enlighten my mind in understanding thy blessed word, that I may be enabled to perform thy will in all things, and effectually resist all temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil. Preserve and defend our rulers in church and state, bless the people of this land, be a father to the fatherless, a comforter to the comfortless, a deliverer to the captives, and a physician to the sick. Let thy blessings guide this day and forever through Jesus Christ whose blessed form of a prayer I conclude my weak petitions. Our Father.”