ST. PAUL — Fallout from a controversial pastor’s prayer on the floor of the Minnesota House riveted the state Capitol on Friday, and appeared to at least temporarily derail a vote on a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage with just 72 hours left in the regular legislative session.

The morning prayer by Rev. Bradlee Dean, who had previously made derogatory remarks about gay people, included a veiled swipe at President Barack Obama and made explicit Christian references in violation of House custom. It drew a swift rebuke from Speaker of the House Kurt Zellers.

“Earlier today there was a prayer given by a man I personally denounce,” said Zellers, a Maple Grove Republican. Zellers spoke from the House floor, traditionally a rare move by the House speaker.

But Zellers’ denunciation and subsequent apology to colleagues did little to quell the circus.

A few hours later, Dean put out word that he would return to the building to address the controversy surrounding his prayer. For nearly an hour, dozens of reporters, lobbyists, Capitol staffers and even lawmakers milled on the second floor awaiting his appearance — but he never showed.