Our Father who art in Heaven. . . .
Yes?
Don't interrupt me. I'm praying. . . .
But you called Me.
Called you? I didn't call you. I'm praying. Our Father
who art in Heaven.
There, you did it again.
Did what?
Called Me. You said, "Our Father who art in Heaven. . . "
Here I am. What's on your mind?
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 my duty
done.
All right. Go on.
Hallowed be thy name.
Hold it. What do you mean by that?
By what?
By "Hallowed be thy name."
It means....it means....good grief, I don't know what it
means. How should I know? It's just part of the prayer. By
the way, what does it mean?
It means "honored," "Holy," "Wonderful."
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.
Do you really mean that?
Sure, why not?
What are you going to do about it?
Doing? Nothing, I guess. I just think it would be neat if
you got control of everything down here like you have up
there.
Have I got control of you?
Well, I go to church.
That isn't what I asked you. What about that habit of
lust you have? And 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 kinds of
books you read?
Stop picking on me! I'm just as good as some of the rest
of those phonies at the church.
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.
Oh, all right! I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that
you mention it, I could probably name some others.
So could I.
I haven't thought about it until now, but I really would
like to cut out some of those things. I'd like to, you know,
be really free.
Good, now we're getting somewhere. We'll work
together....you and I can have some victories that can truly
be won. I'm proud of you.
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.
You need to cut down on the bread too...You're overweight
as it is.
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.
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 on
praying. I'm interested in the next part of your
prayer..........................................Well, go on.
I'm scared to.
Scared? Of what?
I know what you'll say.
Try Me and see.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against
us.
What about Mary?
See I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Why she's
told lies about me, cheated me out of money. She never paid
back that debt she owes me. I've sworn to get even.
But your prayer......What about your prayer?
I didn't mean it.
Well, at least you're honest. But it's not much fun
carrying the load of bitterness around inside is it?
No, but I'll feel better as soon as I get even. Boy, have
I made some plans for ol' Mary! She'll wish she never did me
any harm.
You won't feel any better. You'll feel worse. Revenge
isn't sweet. Think of how unhappy you are already. But I can
change all that.
You can? How?
Forgive Mary. Then I'll forgive you. Then the hate and
sin will be Mary's problem and not yours. You may lose the
money, but you will settled your heart.
But Lord, I can't forgive Mary.
Then I can't forgive you.
Oh, you're right! You always are. And more than I want
revenge on Mary, I want to be right with You. 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. Some way, some how, show her the right way.
There now! How do you feel?
Hmmm....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't remember.
Maybe I won't be so tired from now on because I'm not
getting enough rest.
You're not through with your prayer.....Go on.
Oh, alright.....And lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from evil.
Good...good. I'll do that. Just don't put yourself in a
place where you can be tempted.
What do you mean by that?
Quit hanging around the wrong places, watching
inappropriate movies and television, listening to sinful
conversations; hanging around the places where Playboy and
Playgirl are sold. Change some of your friendships. Some of
your so-called friends are beginning to get to you. They'll
have you completely involved in wrong things before long.
Don't be fooled. They advertise they're having fun, but for
you it would be ruin. Don't use me for an escape hatch.
I don't understand.
Sure you do. You've done it lots 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?
Yes, and I'm ashamed Lord. I really am.
Which bargains are you remembering?
Well, when the woman next door saw me backing away from
the neighborhood bar. I'd told my husband I was going to the
store. I remember telling you, "Lord don't let her tell my
husband where I've been. I promise I'll be in church every
Sunday."
She didn't tell your husband, but you didn't keep your
promise, did you?
I'm sorry Lord, I really am. Up until now I thought if I
just prayed the Lord's prayer everyday, then I could do what
I liked. I didn't expect anything to happen like it did.
Go ahead. Finish your prayer.
Oh yes....For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the
glory forever and forever. Amen.
Do you know what would bring me glory? What would make me
really happy?
No, but I'd like to know. I want to please You. I can see
what a mess I've made out of my life, and I can see how
great it would be to really be one of Your followers.
You just answered the question.
I did?
Yes, the one thing that would being me glory is to have
people like you truly love me.
And I can see that happening between us. Now that some of
these old sins are exposed and out of the way, well, there's
no telling what we can do together.
Lord, let's see what we can make of me, OK?
Yes, let's see......
