Years ago, I lived in the DFW area of Texas and attended a Friday morning men’s Bible study at a large, north Dallas church. Each year, in January & February, Tony Evans would be the guest speaker for 4 - 8 weeks, getting what he called his “annual Anglo fix”.
Evans told of a time he was invited to open the Dallas City Council with prayer and was warned NOT to mention the name of Jesus Christ (that’s His proper name, don’t ya know). Evans replied that he understood the rules. When he prayed at that meeting, he petitioned Jesus Christ by name, in the name of Christ, because there’s not other name, no other Lord Who can hear prayers; asking Christ to convict the people present of sin and call them to repentance, to save people and bring glory to Himself - closing in the powerful name above all names.
He was not asked back.
His point was that it’s far better to be well regarded by the Lord than by “powerful” men. I would add, this applies to “powerful” men in the church as well as those in the world.
So, in other words, Tony Evans *did* agree not to mention Christ’s name, but it’s OK because he was lying? How Islamic of him.
That is awesome of him! Wish more would take those kinds of stands.