Still Praying in Jesus' Name?

A few regular readers may remember how, years ago, a student spontaneously uttered a prayer over a microphone before a football game between Gate City and Sullivan South High Schools. Somebody squawked. An A.C.L.U. attorney told Gate City students that a more appropriate way to display their faith in public, without using school property to support any suggestion that anyone else might believe in God, would be to wear Christian messages on T-shirts. Possibly the idea was to associate displays of faith with sloppy, tacky dressing--that's how I first read the message, and so I'm sure did several parents--but someone else promptly designed a sharp-looking T-shirt with the message "Gate City High School: I Still Pray in Jesus' Name." Then someone else displayed on the billboard that welcomes tourists to our town, "Keep Praying, Gate City, in Jesus' Name."

Since then I've seen similar messages beside roads into other towns. I saw "Keep Praying, Lee County, in Jesus' Name," within the last year. However, several billboard rentals have expired, new messages are on display, and smart-alecks out there may be wondering how many of us "Still Pray in Jesus' Name" now that the fad has passed.

The answer is: plenty.

Patricia Evans shares this message from Gretna:

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The ACLU also has a court injunction for the commissioners of Rowan County, NC to not pray in the name of Jesus.  http://rowanfreepress.com/2013/08/19/video-jim-sides-delivers-christian-sermon-at-county-commissioners-meeting-and-prays-alternative-non-sectarian-prayer/   Rowan County Commission Chairman Jim Sides, adhering to the Federal District Court order, opened the commission meeting with a brief history lesson / Christian sermon followed by an "alternative non-sectarian prayer"  - The Lords Prayer.  Don't miss the video here: http://rowancountync.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=402

Update from Pastor Mathew Speck on the Pittsylvania County Praying in Jesus Name Defense Fund:
Dear Friends of Praying In Jesus Name,

 

We continue to wait patiently on our Non-Profit (501 c 3) status. We have and will continue to contact our state and federal representatives and ask for their help.  It has not been easy to be patient during this time, but I believe that God’s timing and plan in all of this, is perfect!

 

We have received numerous phone calls, e-mails and face to face encounters with people that not only agree with the Board of Supervisors stand in this prayer case, but also desire to give financially. This is not only in our area or county, but nation-wide! Please do not hesitate to give people my cell phone number and/or email address if they would like to contact us concerning donations. REMEMBER, we will not be accepting donations until we receive our Non-Profit status.

I believe without God in our country, our country will no longer see the blessings that we have experienced. I wonder without God if our country would even be able to exist!   I, Matt Speck, do this not for the glory of man, but for the greater GLORY OF GOD.

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9

Keep praying in Jesus Name,

Matt

 

Pastor Matt

Piney Grove Baptist Church

2261 Piney Grove Rd.

Gretna, VA. 24557

434-335-5540

pastormatt10@gmail.com 
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"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people. They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty."  - Thomas Jefferson   "