An “anointed stone of David”? A “Rug of Faith” (also called “Prayer Rug”)? You’ve likely run across other so-called sacred/blessed/anointed items (like coins, cloths, holy water) promoted by certain ministries. Let’s look at just those two items.
A female evangelist invites her audience to request an “anointed stone of David,” a pretty blue-jewel-tone pebble. The idea is to remember David’s victory over Goliath and have faith in God amid your own gigantic problems.
Questions:
- What’s the meaning of anointed here? Has each stone, individually, been injected with special power? How and by whom? (Scripture?)
- Though the evangelist says the stones “aren’t magic,” we still get the feeling that they’re special, made holy or somehow possessing special power. Some of the promos refer to the stone as “a point of contact.” If I pray without the stone, will I not “contact” the Lord?
- If we just need a reminder, couldn’t this evangelist merely suggest that we each grab an ordinary stone? Maybe saying: “OK, everybody, go outside and get a little stone. Place it where you’ll see it often. Let it be a reminder of David and Goliath. Go back and read that account in 1 Samuel 17, and find strength and confidence through it. Lean on the Lord and his power, in faith, rather than fretting and being fearful.” Right?
- Wouldn’t donations to this ministry be put to better use than their buying, “anointing,” and mailing out rocks?
- Each promo urges us to be among “the first 300” to request a stone. One ad indicated that that day’s first 300 would also receive an extra item; the pastor had gotten special revelation from the Lord that a certain something was needed by these 300. But the offer seems to have been around for a long time. Wouldn’t there be thousands of fulfilled requests by now? How is it possible to still be among “the first 300”?
Have you ever received a paper “Rug of Faith” in the mail? These are accompanied by assorted testimonies of how previous recipients were later blessed with gobs of cash, a new job, true love… and did I mention gobs of cash?! (Note: There’s info online that a certain source isn’t even a ministry, just some clever folks who’ve found a way to behave unethically but without actually breaking the law.)
The unsolicited rugs I’ve received are like the photo here, typically 11 x 17 papers designed to look like a Persian rug. (Why a Persian rug? Because Daniel prayed lots when he was in captivity in Babylon/Persia, though the book of Daniel doesn’t mention rugs.) Centered in the rug design is a rendition of Jesus with his eyes closed. You’re to stare at that until Jesus’s eyes open and look at you. Then you’re to kneel on the rug and pray. Further explanation tells that the rug has been “anointed” (there’s that word again!) to bless two people. List your prayer needs and return the list and the rug to the ministry (with a donation?). Warning: You must not keep the rug, and all these steps must be done within 24 hours.
Questions:
- How do we connect the dots? If Daniel’s prayers might have involved kneeling on a Persian rug… let’s see now… Daniel was actually in Persia. Would it work better if I went to Persia (present-day Iran)? And since we’re talking maybe 500 BC, Daniel didn’t know Jesus. Should the picture be a face other than Jesus’s on the rug? (I’m so confused.)
- What about other Bible heroes who had wow results from prayer? Jonah prayed inside a great fish. Would art of a big fish with Jonah’s (or Jesus’s) picture be just as effective? Can I create my own rug, or must it be “anointed” by this ministry?
- How and by whom was the rug “anointed”? (Side note: I just heard a different speaker say that when we pray for others, it amounts to an “anointing exchange.” He tried to tie 1 John 2:20 to this idea. The speaker seemed to be indicating a kind of power transference, more like occult workings.)
- Why does the Lord’s power in each rug help only two people? (Perhaps the Lord Almighty is vitamin deficient and tires easily?)
- I’m unable to grasp the Christian significance of an artist’s drawing opening its eyes at me (though I can explain the occult significance!). Can this ministry show a Scripture precedent for this?
- There are assorted bits of Scripture quoted within the mailing. After the very specific how-to for using the rug, we read Proverbs 16:20: “Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers.” Are we to assume that the instructions on this prayer rug are instructions from the Lord himself—and that we must follow those in order to prosper? What consequences occur if we accidentally mess up one of the steps?
- How is the step-by-step formula any different from sorcery rituals? Those require very specific objects and procedures in order to work. What Scripture details these particular “Christian” steps?
Bottom line on such objects/procedures:
Go back to Scripture! Is there any evidence that supposed modern-day prophets can “anoint” material objects with the Lord’s power? Do certain ministers have special access to the Lord? And if so—if they actually possess extra power—then why focus on health and/or wealth? Why not empower us to “name and claim” things of eternal significance? Like, boldness for speaking the Lord’s truth, wisdom in staying on the Lord’s path, motivation to testify of the Lord’s providence/power, strength to enlist more prayer on behalf of our lost friends/family members.
Some reading this post were probably mocking anyone who puts stock in such things. I get it. But it’s good to back up and evaluate our own thinking too. Are you sure you’re not seeking similar formulas and “spiritual secrets,” sure you’re not trying to manipulate the Lord for your will, not his? It’s painful to check ourselves, but…
If friends in your circle have been enticed by such rocks and rugs, look for related posts on this site by searching for key words. Share your findings with them, or use the free “Nothing Sacred” document to study together.
