As skepticism grows over whether the congressional supercommittee will reach a bipartisan deal on trimming $1.2 trillion from the nation's deficit, Senate Chaplain Barry Black placed his hope in a more reliable source -- God.

Black opened Thursday's Senate session by asking God to provide peace and guidance for the 12 member panel.

"Let your peace that passes understanding be felt on Capitol Hill," he prayed.

"Eradicate false ambition as you make them content to serve you where they are and as they are," Black continued.  "In a special way, guide the supercommittee in its challenging work."

The panel has until Nov. 23 to reach an agreement.

Failure to do so will automatically result in a series of cuts from military and civilian programs that would take effect in 2013.