It was produced for sale on the streets. I don't think the religious connotations are that important. The appeal is the way the soldier talked his way out of being caught with playing cards in church. I have a date of 1776 which is the earliest datable I have seen. It was produced in great numbers from about 1820 onwards, all over England and later in Scotland. The earliest printing I have is probably Carrall of York, but Catnach, Jennings, Marshall,Birt and many others a little later all printed it under a variety of titles and in varied forms. Carrall's title is 'The cards Spritualised, or the Soldier's Almanac. The most common title is 'A Perpetual Almanac, or The Soldier's Prayerbook.