Mark Twain, The War Prayer (ca. 1904-5)

Context

• Written by American author Mark Twain.
• Satirical piece reflecting on America's imperial interventions.
• Highlights the fervor and blind patriotism prevalent during wartime.

Setting

• The nation is in high spirits, consumed by patriotic zeal.
• War is ongoing, with citizens and soldiers immersed in nationalistic fervor.
• Public meetings filled with impassioned speeches and applause.
• Churches preach devotion, seeking divine support for the national cause.

Main Event

• Sunday Service: Soldiers about to go to war; church service dedicated to blessing them.
• Long Prayer: Appeals to divine mercy and protection for the soldiers.

Appearance of the Stranger

• Stranger’s Entrance: An aged, pale, robe-clad stranger enters during the church service.
• Message: Claims to deliver a message directly from God.

The Dual Nature of Prayer

• Unspoken Prayer: The stranger suggests that every prayer contains an unspoken counterpart.
• Implications of Victory: When praying for victory, unintentional prayers for destruction of others are included:
  • Destruction of enemy soldiers.
  • Devastation of enemy lands and homes.
  • Suffering for widows and children.
  • Overall misery for the defeated.
• Irony and Hypocrisy: Highlights the irony of asking for such destruction in the name of love and faith.

Reaction

• Congregation perceives the stranger as a lunatic, dismissing his words as nonsensical.
• Reflects on the discomfort and denial of the harsh realities of war and its consequences.

Themes

• War and Patriotism: Critiques blind nationalism and the glorification of war.
• Moral Reflection: Encourages reflection on the morality and consequences of war prayers.
• Irony in Religion: Challenges the sincerity and implications of religious prayers supporting war efforts.

Source

• Originally published as part of The American Yawp Reader.