I received one of these “Jesus Prayer Rug” scam letters in the mail a few weeks back:
The Jesus Prayer Rug is a sheet of paper you unfold after opening the letter. The caption says: “Look into Jesus’ Eyes you will see they are closed. But as you continue to look you will see His eyes opening and looking back into your eyes. Then go home and be alone and kneel on this Rug of Faith or touch it to both knees. Then please check your needs on our letter to you. Please return this Prayer Rug. Do not keep it.” Alas, the optical illusion did not inspire me to kneel upon a piece of paper I received in the mail. I feel really bad for people that fall for this trick, and it annoys me that the originators of this letter are trying to trick these folks. Naturally, in the list of needs on the back of the letter, there is an option for enclosing a “seed gift” of money to help the “church”.
(UPDATE: higher resolution versions of the Jesus Rug. Can you see his eyes opening? First | Second)
This is the message on the back of the “rug”. Soaked with the power of prayer? Maybe I should not have touched it. Sounds vaguely unsanitary.
Just like emailed chain letters, this one also claims to make you rich as long as you pass it along to others.
Even more of the ridiculous claims. You can read more about the scam on this informative post.