Jesus Not Welcome in PA House

Several weeks ago I wrote about Jamie Mitchell’s bold prayer at the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Today Jamie updated the story on his blog. Not only did some members not like his prayer, they protested so strongly that the Speaker of the Pennsylvania House issued a new policy:

1. All prayers must be submitted and approved in advance.
2. There must be no mention of Jesus’ name.

Pastor Gerry Stoltzfoos of the Freedom Valley Worship Center near Gettysburg had been scheduled to give the opening prayer to the Pennsylvania House on Tuesday, June 23. He declined when someone on the Speaker’s staff told him he could not mention Jesus’ name in his prayer. He explained his decision this way:

First of all, I don’t see how Jesus is denominational. The whole Christian world is called after him. I just feel like, if you want me to pray, then I have to pray to the one thing I know. I only know one God personally. I only serve one God. How do I do something that dishonors him?

The new policy forbids using the name of Jesus in favor of “nondenominational” prayers. State Representative Will Tallman, who invited Stoltzfoos to prayer, says the new policy doesn’t make sense. “Why is somebody from the speaker’s office going to pre-approve a prayer by a man of God?”

Looks like my friend Jamie Mitchell has stirred up a hornet’s nest, and I say good for him. And God bless Pastor Stoltzfoos for speaking the truth. Why would Christians pray in any other name than the name of Jesus?

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
      and gave him the name that is above every name,
   that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
      in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
   and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
      to the glory of God the Father
(Philippians 2:9-11).