Invocations and benedictions are common fixtures in our political process, as the faithful on both sides of the aisle have a tradition of publicly appealing to God before making important decisions and while holding special events.
Prayer, in fact, made plenty of headlines at the Democratic National Convention on Monday, with an invocation that was intended to start the event off on a positive note taking a very curious and unfortunate turn.
As previously reported, supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) booed during the invocation and started chanting Sanders' name, all while the Rev. Cynthia Hale continued to deliver her planned remarks.
It was a scene that exposed the deep divisions within the party, as it was Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's name — and not God's — that ignited the somewhat shocking response from the Sanders camp.
That controversy, aside — much like at the Republican National Convention last week — this week's Democratic gathering has featured a diverse array of faith leaders who have come together to help rally the party.
The first invocation on Monday came from Hale, who is the founding and senior pastor at Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Georgia. She openly offered her support to the Democratic Party — and to Clinton.
"You made America the great nation that it is," she prayed, saying that the U.S. operates as "one nation" under God's name, despite its struggles. "We have a responsibility to you to be a party that celebrates diversity, values all people and treats everyone with dignity and respect."
Of course, things went a bit off course when she said that nominating Clinton would help the nation stand by these values. Watch it unfold below:
Later that night, a benediction was offered by Rabbi Julie Schonfeld, who is the first woman rabbi to hold a chief executive position in a rabbinical association in the U.S. Schonfeld asked God to comfort and protect the nation.
"Comfort us in the difficult days that have marked this turbulent summer in our country and around the world," she said, adding, "What unites us is greater than anything that divides us."
The rabbi prayed for the safety of the nation, its allies and for those who risk themselves to defend America. Watch her prayer below:
Tuesday's invocation came from Sherman Jackson, a Muslim, Islamic expert and a religion professor at the University of Southern California. Jackson spoke out against bigotry and prayed for the nation's political leaders.
"Our times call for the very best from our political leaders. Guide them, oh God, to their very highest selves," he said. "We are not a perfect country, but we ask you, oh God, to inspire us always to strive to be a better country."
Jackson also asked that the nation have the courage to "acknowledge and make amends for our errors."
Watch his prayer below:
In addition to a Protestant pastor, a Muslim and a rabbi, a Catholic priest joined the prayer roster on Wednesday, with Father William Byron using his invocation to decry the "violence and senseless killings" that the nation has seen amid ongoing debate over attacks on police and purported police misconduct.
"Life itself is your gift to us. What we do with our lives is our gift to you," the priest said during his prayer. "So, bless us, we pray, as we look to the future of this nation, keep us free from hatred and violence. Protect us from confusion."
See Byron's remarks below:
Wednesday evening concluded with a benediction from the Rev. Gabriel A. Salguero of the Iglesia El Calvario in Orlando, Florida, who offered up a powerful message about unity.
"We recognize our desperate need of you. Each of us — Democrats, Republicans and independents, we know that we depend on you and that you love us all," he said. "We pray you would guide our great nation."
He continued, "Lord, help us transcend the nefarious traps of cynicism, despair and division with the courageous work of hope and love."
On Thursday, the final day of the Democratic National Convention, Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., offered an invocation. King was joined by Archbishop Demetrios, Native American Gov. Eddie Torres and Catholic Sister Marh Scullion. Watch them speak on stage together below:
Methodist leader the Rev. Bill Shillady, who officiated the 2010 wedding of Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky, also delivered the closing benediction, calling on God to open the minds of those listening so that they can better understand the complex issues facing their communities.
"Lord, we allow your love to overcome our fears as we learn to respect 'the other' and to treat the most vulnerable of our society just as we do our friends," he said. "Help us, O God, to become the loving children you want us to be."
The diversity seen during this week's Democratic National Convention is reflective of what was observed during last week's Republican convention, with Jewish, Sikh, Christian and Muslim prayer representation on the main stage.
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