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(person): 'Our Father who art in heaven ...'
(God): Yes?
(person): Don't interrupt me. I'm praying.
(God): But you called me.
(person): Called you? I didn't call you. I'm praying.
"Our Father which art in heaven..."
(God): There you did it again.
(person): Did what?
(God): Called me. You said, "Our Father which art in heaven. " Here I
am...What's on your mind?
(person): But I didn't mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my
prayers for the day. I always say the Lord's Prayer. It makes me feel good,
kind of like getting a duty done.
(God): All right. Go on.
(person): "Hallowed be thy name..."
(God): Hold it. What do you mean by that?
(person): By what?
(God): By "hallowed be thy name"?
(person): It means... it means... Good grief, I don't know what it means. How
should I know? It's just a part of the prayer. By the way, what does it mean?
(God): It means honored, holy, wonderful.
(person): Hey, that makes sense. I never thought about what "hallowed" meant
before. "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
(God): Do you really mean that?
(person): Sure, why not?
(God): What are you doing about it?
(person): Doing? Nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat if
you got control of everything down here like you have up there.
(God): Have I got control of you?
(person): Well, I go to church.
(God): That isn't what I asked you. What about your bad temper? You've really
got a problem there, you know. And then there's the way you spend your
money-all on yourself. And what about the kind of books you read?
(person): Stop picking on me! I'm just as good as some of the rest of those
people at the church.
(God): Excuse me. I thought you were praying for my will to be done. If that
is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it.
Like you, for example.
(person): Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you
mention it, I could probably name some others.
(God): So could I.
(person): I haven't thought about it very much until now, but I really would
like to cut out some of those things. I would like to, you know, be really
free.
(God): Good. Now we're getting somewhere. We'll work together, you and I.
Some victories can truly be won. I'm proud of you.
(person): Look, Lord, I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot longer
than it usually does. "Give us this day, our daily bread."
(God): You need to cut out the bread. You're overweight as it is.
(person): Hey, wait a minute! What is this, "Criticize me day"? Here I was
doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden you break in and remind me of
all my hang-ups.
(God): Praying is a dangerous thing. You could wind up changed, you know.
That's what I'm trying to get across to you. You called me, and here I am.
It's too late to stop now. Keep praying, I'm interested in the next part of
your prayer...(pause). Well, go on.
(person): I'm scared to.
(God): Scared? Of what?
(person): I know what you'll say.
(God): Try me and see.
(person): "Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us."
(God): What about Ann?
(person): See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Why, Lord, she's
told lies about me, spread stories about my family. She never paid back the
debt she owes me. I've sworn to get even with her!
(God): But your prayer? What about your prayer?
(person): I didn't mean it.
(God): Well, at least you're admitting it. But it's not much fun carrying
that load of bitterness around inside, is it?
(person): No. But I'll feel better as soon as I get even. Boy, have I got
some plans for that neighbor. She'll wish she had never moved into this
neighborhood.
(God): You won't feel any better. You'll feel worse. Revenge isn't sweet.
Think of how unhappy you already are. But I can change all that.
(person): You can? How?
(God): Forgive Ann. Then I'll forgive you. Then the hate and sin will be
Ann's problem and not yours. You will have settled your heart.
(person): Oh, you're right. You always are. And more than I want to get
revenge on Ann, I want to be right with you....(pause)...(sigh). All right.
All right. I forgive her. Help her to find the right road in life, Lord.
She's bound to be awfully miserable now that I think about it. Anybody who
goes around doing the things she does to others has to be out of it.
Some way, somehow, show her the right way.
(God) There now! Wonderful! How do you feel?
(person): Hmmm. Well, not bad. Not bad at all. In fact, I feel pretty great!
You know, I don't think I'll have to go to bed uptight tonight for the first
time since I can remember. Maybe I won't be so tired from now on because I'm
not getting enough rest.
(God): You're not through with your prayer. Go on.
(person): Oh, all right. "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
from evil."
(God): Good! Good! I'll do that. Just don't put yourself in a place where you
can be tempted.
(person): What do you mean by that?
(God): Don't turn on the TV when you know the laundry needs to be done and
the house needs to be picked up. Also, about the time you spend coffering
with your friends, if you can't influence the conversation to positive
things, perhaps you should rethink the value of those friendships. Another
thing, your neighbors and friends shouldn't be your standard for "keeping
up." And please don't use me for an escape hatch.
(person): I don't understand the last part.
(God): Sure you do. You've done it a lot of times. You get caught in a bad
situation. You get into trouble and then you come running to me, "Lord, help
me out of this mess and I promise you I'll never do it again." You remember
some of those bargains you tried to make with me?
(person): Yes, and I'm ashamed, Lord. I really am.
(God): Which bargain are you remembering?
(person): Well, there was the night that Bill was gone and the children and I
were home alone. The wind was blowing so hard I thought the roof would go any
minute and tornado warnings were out. I remember praying, "Oh, God, if you
spare us, I'll never skip my devotions again."
(God): did you?
(person): I'm sorry, Lord, I really am. Up until now I thought that if I just
prayed the Lord's Prayer every day, then I could do what I liked. I didn't
expect anything to happen like it did.
(God): Go ahead and finish your prayer.
(person): "For Thou art the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever."
Amen
(God): Do you know what would bring me glory? What would really make me happy?
(person): No, but I'd like to know. I want now to please you. I can see what
a mess I've made of my life. And I can see how great it would be to really
be one of your followers.
(God): You just answered the question.
(person): I did?
(God): Yes. The thing that would bring me glory is to have people like you
truly love me. And I see that happening between us. Now that some of these
old sins are exposed and out of the way, well, there is no telling what we
can do together
***********************************************************************
"Wisdom is the principal thing
Therefore get wisdom
And in all your getting,
Get understanding...
Exalt her,
And she will promote you"
Proverbs 4: 7
