The Lodi, Calif., City Council is considering a resolution that would ban the mention of Jesus and other specific religious in prayers before city meetings.
The move is meeting resistance from two Christian organizations.
The Pray in Jesus' Name Project and the Will of God Christian Center both favor allowing religiously specific prayers. They have scheduled a prayer vigil on the City Council steps the day of the vote, Aug. 5. They are also distributing an online petition aimed at pressuring the council to abandon the effort.
Navy Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt of the Pray in Jesus' Name Project told the Lodi News-Sentinel: "We want the council members to know we support them if they are going to stand against the enemies of religious liberty who want to silence free speech and censor the name of Jesus out of our prayers."
— Steve Jordahl
