The following is a condensation and paraphrase of Mark Twain's War Prayer originally published by Doubleday; The Complete Essays of Mark Twain, edited by Charles Neider.
It was a time of great excitement. The war was on. In every breast burned the holy fire of patriotism. Flags flashed in the sun. Young volunteers marched in their new uniforms. Proud fathers and mothers cheered. Patriotic oratory stirred the deepest depths of their hearts. Pastors preached devotion to flag and country and beseeched God's aid in our god and noble cause.
Sunday morning came. On Monday the battalions would leave for the front. The church was packed. The GLORY of fighting for God and country was proclaimed. A war chapter from the Old Testament was read. Then came the long prayer, passionate, moving, beautiful---that God the Father would watch over our noble young soldiers, aid, comfort and encourage them in their patriotic work, bless them, shield them, make them strong, confident, invincible, help them CRUSH THE FOE, grant to them, their flag, their country, imperishable honor and glory.
As the minister was praying an aged stranger entered the church clothed in a robe. Quietly he walked to the pulpit and stood by the preacher waiting for him to finish his glorious prayer.
Then the stranger spoke. "I have come from the Throne bearing a message from Almighty God. He has heard this prayer of your pastor and will grant it if such shall be your desire after I, His messenger, have explained to you its import, its full meaning."
Your pastor has uttered two prayers; one is unspoken. Your prayer of blessing upon yourself, your soldiers, your country is at the same time a curse upon the people of another country, people whom I created."
The essence of your prayer was, "Grant us the victory, O Lord our God!" If this prayer is granted, what will happen? You are praying:
"Help us tear their soldiers to bloody shreds with our shells.
Help us to lay waste their homes with a hurricane of fire.
Help us wring the hearts of innocent widows with unavailing grief.
Help us to leave little children to wander friendless in rags, hunger and thirst.
Blast their hopes, blight their lives.
Stain the white snow with their blood.
We ask this prayer in the spirit of love from Him who is the source of love. Amen."
"Ye have prayed it; if ye still desire it speak. The messenger of the Most High awaits."
It was believed afterward that this old man was a lunatic, because there was no sense in what he said.
Questions:
1. Do we desire God to serve our country or our country to serve God?
2. Are we more willing for our sons to die for country than is the service of God?
3. To what extent are we polytheistic---serving the god of nationalism while also serving the God of our Lord Jesus Christ?
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