Work Horse

The Lord's Prayer

Prayer	Our Father who art in Heaven. . . .
God	Yes?
Prayer	Don't interrupt me. I'm praying. . . .
God	But you called Me.
Prayer	Called you? I didn't call you. I'm praying. Our Father who art in Heaven.
God	There, you did it again.
Prayer	Did what?
God	Called Me. You said, "Our Father who art in Heaven. . . " Here I am. What's on your mind?
Prayer	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.
God	All right. Go on.
Prayer	Hallowed be thy name.
God	Hold it. What do you mean by that?
Prayer	By what?
God	By "Hallowed be thy name."
Prayer	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?
God	It means "honoured," "Holy," "Wonderful."
Prayer	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?
Prayer	Sure, why not?
God	What are you going to do about it?
Prayer	Doing? Nothing, I guess. I just think it would be neat if you got control of everything down here like you have up there.
God	Have I got control of you?
Prayer	Well, I go to church.
God	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?
Prayer	Stop picking on me! I'm just as good as some of the rest of those phonies 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.
Prayer	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.
Prayer	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.
God	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.
Prayer	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 down on the bread too... You're overweight as it is.
Prayer	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 on praying. I'm interested in the next part of your prayer...... Well, go on.
Prayer	I'm scared to.
God	Scared? Of what?
Prayer	I know what you'll say.
God	Try Me and see.
Prayer	Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
God	What about Sally?
Prayer	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.
God	But your prayer......What about your prayer?
Prayer	I didn't mean it.
God	Well, at least you're honest. But it's not much fun carrying the load of bitterness around inside is it?
Prayer	No, but I'll feel better as soon as I get even. Boy, have I made some plans for ol' Sally! She'll wish she never did me any harm.
God	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.
Prayer	You can? How?
God	Forgive Sally. Then I'll forgive you. Then the hate and sin will be Sally's problem and not yours. You may lose the money, but you will settle your heart.
Prayer	But Lord, I can't forgive Sally.
God	Then I can't forgive you.
Prayer	Oh, you're right! You always are. And more than I want revenge on Sally, 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.
God	There now! How do you feel?
Prayer	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.
God	You're not through with your prayer.....Go on.
Prayer	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.
Prayer	What do you mean by that?
God	Quit hanging around the wrong places, watching inappropriate movies and television, listening to sinful conversations; getting into compromising situations. 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.
Prayer	I don't understand.
God	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?
Prayer	Yes, and I'm ashamed, Lord. I really am.
God	Which bargains are you remembering?
Prayer	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."
God	She didn't tell your husband, but you didn't keep your promise, did you?
Prayer	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.
God	Go ahead. Finish your prayer.
Prayer	Oh yes....For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory forever and forever. Amen.
God	Do you know what would bring me glory? What would make me really happy?
Prayer	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.
God	You just answered the question.
Prayer	I did?
God	Yes, the one thing that would bring 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.
Prayer	Lord, let's see what we can make of me, O'K?
God	Yes, let's see......