When does a prayer become political?

That’s the tricky question some Republican representatives argue the House clerk got wrong, when he removed a reference to born and unborn children from a prayer printed in the House journal.

An effort by Republican Rep. Warren Groen to reinsert the words was defeated in the House on Thursday. But the issue raised questions about what exactly is printed in a permanent record that recaps what the House does each year.

The debate “was very enlightening to many of us, of both parties, that the journal is edited in such a way,” said Rep. JR Hoell, a Dunbarton Republican.

The House has opened its session with a prayer since 1684. The House chaplain usually delivers the prayer, but members are encouraged to invite their own clergy.

Prayers are not supposed to be political or in the name of individuals, said House Clerk Paul Smith. Prayers printed in the House journal are edited for that content.

On Feb. 4, guest chaplain Dr. Peter Chamberland delivered the House opening prayer. “Lord, through every situation, that you would protect our children through the great drug crisis that goes across our state, both those that are born and the unborn, that you would watch over them,” said Chamberland, pastor of the Granite State Baptist Church in Concord.

The phrase “born and the unborn,” which alludes to bigger debates on conception and abortion, was not printed in the journal. Neither was Chamberland’s reference to “Your son.”

Such remarks are often edited, Smith said. Had a guest chaplain prayed for Planned Parenthood, Smith said he would have removed the reference too.

Member speeches the House votes to print in the permanent journal are traditionally “cleaned up,” to remove the “ums” or “ahs,” Smith said. Some members said Thursday any changes to printed remarks should be reviewed and okayed by their speaker.

Both the Senate and Executive Council typically open their sessions with a prayer. The tradition has sparked controversy before. Before the Republican-led Executive Council blocked state money for Planned Parenthood last August, a pastor delivered an opening prayer that included a reading on the sanctity of protecting life.

(Allie Morris can be reached at 369-3307 or amorris@cmonitor.com.)