It seems increasingly common to hear stories about public prayer being challenged, particularly when the name of Jesus is invoked. A recent incident highlighted by Todd Starnes illustrates this point. The story detailed an attempt to silence Christians praying in “Jesus is King of the Jungle” in public.
The incident involved Pennsylvania Democrats who expressed offense when State Representative Stephanie Borowicz was invited to offer a prayer at the commencement of a legislative session. Borowicz, a newly elected lawmaker and the wife of a Christian minister, accepted the invitation and, during her prayer, invoked the name of Jesus. The timing coincided with the swearing-in of the state’s first female Muslim lawmaker, resulting in a significant Muslim presence in the audience. A prayer was also delivered by a Muslim cleric, which, notably, did not elicit similar objections.
The reaction to Borowicz’s prayer included descriptions such as “horrified,” “Islamaphobia,” and “beneath the dignity of the house.” This raises the question: why is invoking the name of Jesus considered offensive by some, while other religious expressions are not?
Starnes provided historical context, reminding readers that William Penn founded Pennsylvania as a colony where people of all faiths could practice their religion freely. Pennsylvania was unique in being the only colony without a state-run church. Penn’s vision for America included freedom of religion, allowing individuals to practice their faith openly. The Charter of Privileges declared that “All Persons who also profess to believe in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World, shall be capable…to serve this Government in any Capacity.”
Fast forward nearly 318 years, and this foundational principle of Pennsylvania seems to be eroding. The statehouse, once a symbol of religious freedom, has seemingly become a place where those who profess faith in Jesus Christ face public criticism. While this trend is disheartening, it shouldn’t come as a complete surprise. Political correctness often clashes with Christian beliefs. Although America has a rich history of religious freedom, a history we should strive to preserve, the spiritual battle lines were drawn long ago.
This situation mirrors, in some ways, the challenges Jesus faced during his ministry. As I was studying John 11, I was struck by the parallels between the time of Christ and modern-day political correctness. The passage recounts the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Two key elements are often present in Jesus’ miracles: faith and the purpose of glorifying God. The illness, or in this case death, was “for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (John 11:4).
The presence of Jesus often threatened those who sought power through human authority and resisted his Lordship. The Pharisees, the religious leaders of Jesus’ time, felt intimidated by his influence over the people. They did not recognize him as the Messiah and feared losing their power – a sentiment echoed by those who claim victimhood today. Consequently, they sought to eliminate his presence, much like some seek to suppress Christian expression today.
“What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation” (John 11:47-48). The fear was that belief in Jesus would lead to catastrophic consequences. This sentiment is echoed in Romans 1:18, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.”
Despite these challenges, Christians can remain confident that God will ultimately set things right. As Paul quoted the prophet Isaiah, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God” (Romans 14:11). In the meantime, believers should hold onto the hope that Jesus offered Martha, Lazarus’ sister: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).
It’s important to clarify that this article does not advocate for the suppression of other belief systems. On the contrary, it embraces the spirit of open dialogue and the lessons of Elijah from 1 Kings 18.