Prayer in public places and tied to government functions has come under fire in recent years but the Lawrence County Commissioners haven’t let that deter them.

The commission has continued a tradition started by the late George Patterson, a man who served the county for more than two and half decades. In fact, they have expanded on it.

In years past, the individual commissioners have taken turns saying a short prayer seeking guidance and wisdom to serve the people who put them into office. But the commissioners have now expanded this to extend an invitiation to local pastors of all denominations who would like to lead the way.

We applaud the commissioners for standing up for what they believe in and not allowing the constant push to be politically correct sway them from that.

Anyone who would claim that this prayer would be a violation of the U.S. Constitution and the separation of church and state would be off base.

This is a voluntary prayer of any denomination and isn’t in any way part of a national religion.

Also, any pastors would be doing so voluntarily with no tax dollars involved.

If God can be on our money and in our pledge, then it makes perfect sense to have the Lord’s guidance in our government.