The Rev. George Meetze, whose soulful, spirit-soaked prayers opened state Senate sessions for 56 years, died Thursday. He was 97 years old.

Meetze, a Columbia native, was voted Senate chaplain in 1950 and served until his retirement in June, when the Senate named him chaplain emeritus.

Meetze, a Lutheran minister from West Columbia, was known for his powerful opening prayers — often delivered looking skyward with his eyes closed — that asked lawmakers to submit themselves to God, forget their desires and work to better the state.

“Forgive us any failures of purpose,” Meetze said in his final devotion on June 1. “Multiply the fruits of our labors as You did the loaves and fishes. Create in all peoples a love for Thee and each other!”

Meetze was born in Columbia June 24, 1909 and attended the University of South Carolina. Later he studied at New York Theological Seminary and Lutheran Southern Seminary in Columbia.

Meetze married Margaret Allen, who died in 1994. The couple had two sons and four grandsons.

Sen. John Drummond, D-Greenwood and the longest-serving member of the Senate, said Meetze was a father figure and confidante to many in the Senate.

“He really feels for every one of us,” Drummond said. “I don’t believe anyone loved the Senate in South Carolina any more.”

“He knew the Lord. He knew the Senate.”

During his first term, Drummond said the Senate once tried to remove Meetze as chaplain after a senator thought he had politically interfered with him.

The Senate refused, Drummond said, and nobody had challenged Meetze since.

Sen. Darrell Jackson, D-Richland, said Meetze’s prayers were often the basis of sermons at the church where he is pastor.

In recent years, Meetze’s health had declined and he was unable to attend the Senate every day. Drummond said the Senate had a different mood those days Meetze was able to deliver the prayer.

Meetze frequently declined media interviews, but he took to the Senate floor his final day as chaplain.

“As I have said many times before, I always tried to offer a prayer and not a sermon at the opening of each session day,” Meetze said, “and I have always been available as a friend and confidant to listen and counsel any member or staff who needed me.

“My heart will always be with the members of this august body, and I am only a phone call away if anyone needs me. Thank you with all my heart for allowing me to be your chaplain.”

Services for George Meetze will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at Incarnation Lutheran Church at 3005 Devine Street.

Reach O’Connor at (803) 771-8358.