invocation

the mention or use of something such as a law or an idea in order to explain or support what you are doing:

They disagreed with the administration's invocation of the laws of armed conflict in their treatment of these prisoners.

Watch out for the increasing invocation of mantras like "loyalty", "patriotism", and "moral values".

a request or appeal for help from someone, especially a god, sometimes as part of a religious ceremony:

Ave Maria is an invocation to the Virgin Mary.

As an outspoken campus atheist, she didn't want to sit through a Christian invocation when she graduated.