NEW YORK — The Supreme Court gave limited approval on Monday to public prayers at New York town’s board meetings, citing the country’s history of religious acknowledgment in the legislature.

The 5-4 ruling came in yet another contentious case over the intersection of faith and the civic arena.

It was confined to the specific circumstances and offered little guidance on how other communities should offer civic prayers without violating the Constitution.

Two local women brought suit against officials in Greece, New York, objecting to invocations at monthly public sessions on government property.

The invocations, according to the plaintiffs, have been overwhelmingly Christian in nature over the years.