The War Prayer facts for kids
"The War Prayer" is a powerful short story by Mark Twain. It strongly criticizes war, especially when people are too focused on blind love for their country or religious beliefs to see the true horrors of conflict.
The story is simple. An unnamed country goes to war. People gather in a church to pray for their soldiers. They ask God to help them win and protect their troops. Suddenly, an "aged stranger" appears. He says he is God's messenger. He explains that he is there to say the second part of their prayer out loud. This is the part they wished for but did not say: a prayer for their enemies to suffer and be destroyed. The story then describes the terrible things that happen to countries during war. The people ignore the stranger at the end.
Story Background
"The War Prayer" was written in 1905. Many believe Mark Twain wrote it because of the Spanish–American War and the Philippine–American War. These wars happened around that time.
Twain did not publish the story before he died in 1910. His family worried that people would find it disrespectful to religion. His publisher and friends also told him not to publish it. Twain once said, "No, I have told the whole truth in that, and only dead men can tell the truth in this world. It can be published after I am dead." He also had a family to support. He did not want people to think he was crazy or extreme.
"The War Prayer" was first published in Harper's Magazine in November 1916. It was later included in a collection of Twain's writings called Europe and Elsewhere.
Other Works Based on the Story
"The War Prayer" has inspired many other works.
In 1981, a PBS film called "A Private History of a Campaign That Failed" included "The War Prayer" at the end. This part took place during the Spanish–American War. Edward Herrmann played the Stranger in the film.
In 1996, Melvin Belli read the story aloud. This was with music by David Woodard. It happened at Old First Church in San Francisco.
A short film called War Prayer (2005) won an award in 2006. Harold Cronk directed this film. He also wrote the screenplay based on Twain's story.
In April 2007, Lyceum Films released a ten-minute short film. It was also called The War Prayer. Marco Sanchez wrote it, and Michael Goorjian directed it. Jeremy Sisto played "The Stranger."
That same year, a journalist named Markos Kounalakis made an animated short film. It was also titled The War Prayer. Peter Coyote narrated it. Lawrence Ferlinghetti was the Minister, and Eric Bauersfeld was the Stranger.
See also
In Spanish: Oración de guerra para niños
