Chaplain in House

Chaplain launches war on 'darker' spirits in House

Sessions of Congress have opened with prayer since the nation's founding. So the fact there was a prayer by Rev. Patrick Conroy, a Jesuit priest who serves as U.S. House chaplain, to open Thursday's House session wasn't unusual. The subject of the prayer was.

Business Insider reported he sought the removal of the "darker spirits," asking God to "cast out the spirit of petty divisiveness."

Conroy told CNN he was on the House floor earlier this week amid the infighting and "felt like there was something going on beyond just political disagreement."

"While Conroy often invokes God to provide wisdom and aid to House members, he rarely mentions the darker side of the supernatural," the report said.

The text of Father Conroy's prayer is quoted below:

The Prayer of the House Chaplain, Father Patrick Conroy

Delivered on the Floor of the House Chamber on Thursday, July 18, 2019

"This has been a difficult and contentious week in which darker spirits seem to have been at play in the people's House. In your most holy name, I now cast out all spirits of darkness from this chamber. Spirits not from You.

"I cast out the spirit of discouragement, which deadens the hope of those who are of good will, I cast out the spirit of petty divisiveness, which clouds the sense and the desire to be of fruitful productivity in addressing the issues more appropriately before this House. I cast out any sadness brought on by the frustration of dealing with matters detrimental to the honorable work each member has been called to engage in.

"I ask for God, the author of human rights according to the Founders, to anoint your servants here in the House with a healing balm to comfort and renew the souls of all in this assembly.

"May your spirit of wisdom and patience descend upon all so that any spirit of darkness might have no place in our midst."

- Father God, we thank You for the courage shown by our House Chaplain in speaking these words before the chamber yesterday morning. May the light of this decree dispel the forces of darkness that have created so much confusion in that chamber in recent days. In Your name we pray, Jesus , amen.