The policy could rest on uncertain legal ground, as some courts have ruled that legislative prayer should not proselytize or reference a specific deity. Other courts, however, have said sectarian prayer is constitutional — as long as legislators allow prayers from various religions.

House Speaker Jon Husted, a Republican from Kettering, spent the summer mulling over the prayer policy after a prayer by a visiting clergy member in May caused two Democrats to walk off the chamber floor. The prayer invoked Jesus' name, spoke favorably of church-sponsored schools and referenced pending legislation clamping down on strip-club operations.