BISMARCK, N.D. – People against construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline say they use prayer to peacefully protest the project. But it turns out they’re not the only ones asking for help from a high power.

Joining in prayer is how the Operations Center staff for Dakota Access Pipeline protests start each day. Since August 22, prayer has become a part of the morning routine.

“We don’t specify for whom we pray. We pray for all people that safety prevail again that God’s will be accomplished in all of these things, for peace to prevail,” says Lester Wolfgram, Chaplain with Crisis Care Chaplaincy.

Activists say they also use prayer at camp and during protests.

“Things that protect us when we’re out there are our chanupas and our pipes and our prayers and our numbers as a people,” says Olivia Bias, West Virginia.

Despite prayerful actions, protests often result in arrests and aggression from both sides.

But Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier says he asked for the chaplain’s service to calm officers and support officers’ families through the protest activity.

“I thought it was very important when this started to make sure that we could get a chaplain here so that we had the value of him and the calming effect of what prayer does to make sure that everybody stays safe throughout this entire event,” says Kirchmeier.

Six or seven chaplains are part of a rotation for the morning prayer.

The prayer takes place at the State Emergency Operations Center and the Operations Center in the Morton County Law Enforcement Center.

Article originally published here: KFYRTV