Mobile phone users were encouraged to send text prayers to the service, and in return received biblical-sounding "answers" from Jesus.

Journalists working for a Finish tabloid newspaper tested out the service just before it was closed by sending a text prayer of desperation. They received the answer: "Remember: unless you follow God's will much better than the priests and pharaohs, you will not be allowed into the heavenly kingdom" - a quotation not found in the New Testament.

"These kinds of services are against basic norms," said Ville Nurmi, ombudsman for Finland's mobile content watchdog, MAPEL. The service was being offered at 85p per text.