(Photo by Christina Estes - KJZZ)

The innvocation before a Phoenix City Council meeting on Feb. 3, 2016.

After a heated debate Wednesday night, the Phoenix City Council voted to end public prayer before council meetings and substitute that for a moment of silent prayer and reflection.

The change comes amid controversy over plans by followers of the Satanic Temple in Tucson to give an invocation later this month. The council’s decision will prevent the Satanists from doing so, but it had divided the community and the city’s leaders. KJZZ’s Will Stone watched the meeting last night and spoke about the choices facing the council.