Self-expiation the Principle of Prayer in False Religions—The heathen looked upon their prayers as having in themselves merit to atone for sin. Hence the longer the prayer the greater the merit. If they could become holy by their own efforts, they would have something in themselves in which to rejoice, some ground for boasting. This idea of prayer is an outworking of the principle of self-expiation which lies at the foundation of all systems of false religion. The Pharisees had adopted this pagan idea of prayer, and it is by no means extinct in our day, even among those who profess to be Christians. The repetition of set, customary phrases when the heart feels no need of God is of the same character as the “vain repetitions” of the heathen.—Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 86 (1896). {1MCP 276.2}

Selvforsoning er bønnens princip i falske religioner. - Hedningerne mente, at deres bønner i sig selv var en fortjeneste til soning for synd. Jo længere bønnen var, desto større var således fortjenesten. Dersom de kunne opnå hellighed ved egne bestræbelser, ville de have noget i sig selv, som de kunne glæde sig over, noget at prale af. Denne forestilling om bøn er et udslag af det selvforsoningens princip, der ligger ved roden af alle falske religionssystemer. Farisæerne havde tilegnet sig denne hedenske forestilling om bøn, og den er ingenlunde død i vor tid selv iblandt dem, der bekender sig til at være kristne. Fremsigelsen af fastsatte, almindelig brugte formler, når hjertet ikke føler nogen trang til Gud, er af samme art som hedningernes overflødige ord. - Mmpb 89 (1896).