p. 6 | The Endless Prayer Chain

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · May 23, 1907

The Endless Prayer Chain

IN a certain endless prayer chain which seems to have gained considerable headway in this country, and which each person addressed is commanded to reproduce and send on, occur these words:—

Any one failing to do so [that is, failing to rewrite and send this prayer to nine other persons] shall be afflicted with some great misfortune. Any person who pays no heed will meet with a terrible accident. He who shall rewrite this prayer will be delivered from every calamity.

From the newspaper notices and clippings which are being received at this office continually concerning this letter, it is evident that a great many persons have permitted themselves superstitiously to be frightened into doing what the originator of this prayer letter demands. It seems to be hardly necessary to state the demands made in order for all to see the unchristian principles that are involved in the scheme. It is right for Christians to pray, but he who prays on the arbitrary demand of another, a prayer which that other has indited, lowers himself to the standard of the idolatrous East Indians or the inhabitants of Thibet, who hang their written prayers on windmills, and think that heaven hears them anew with each revolution of the wheel. Such a plan sent out under the guise of Christianity is a travesty upon true religion. It dishonors God, and makes hypocrites of those who participate in it. God does not bring great misfortunes and terrible accidents on persons who refuse to pray another’s prayer on his arbitrary demand. He whose name is linked with this chain-letter scheme as its author claims no connection whatever with it. Certainly a prayer put out under such circumstances is anything but an honor to Him who has promised to hear and answer the prayers of his faithful children.