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, er.. you know just saying my prayers for the day. I always say the Lord's prayer. It makes me feel good, sort of like getting a job 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 a prayer ... By the way, what does it mean?

It means honoured, holy, wonderful.

Ah, 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?

Of course, why not?

What are you going to do about it?

Do? Nothing, I suppose. I just think it would be rather good if you got control of everything down here, same as you have up there.

Have I got control of you?

Well I go to church

That's not what I asked you. What about some of those bad habits of yours? Your bad temper for instance? You've really got a problem there you know. And then there's the way you spend money.. all on yourself. And what about the way .....

Stop picking on me! I'm just as good as the rest of those hypocrites at the church!

Excuse me. I thought you were praying for my will to be done. If that's going to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it. Like you for example.

Oh, all right. I suppose I do have to do some problems. Now that you mention it, I could probably name some others.

So could l!

Well, I haven't thought about it very much until now, but I would really like to deal with some of the things. You know, I'd like to be really free from them.

Good! Now we're getting somewhere. We'll work together, you and I. Then we can really win some victories. I'm proud of you.

Look, Lord, I need to get this prayer finished. It's taking a lot longer than it usually does…… Give us this day our daily bread.

You need to cut out the bread. You're overweight as it is.

Hey wait a minute. What's is all this? Here I was, doing my religious duty and all of a sudden you come along and start telling me all the things that are wrong with me.

Praying is a dangerous thing, you know. You could end up being changed. That's what I'm trying to get across to you. You call 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. (pause) …..Well, go on.

I'm scared to

Scared? Of what?

I know what you'll say.

Try me and see

And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

What about Bill?

See? I knew it! I knew you'd bring him into it. But look, Lord, he's told lies about me and he's cheated me out of that money. He never paid it back and I've sworn to get even with him.

But your prayer? What about your prayer?

I didn't mean it.

Well, at least you're honest But its' not much fun having all that bitterness inside you, is it?

No, but I'll feel better as soon as I get even with Bill. He'll wish he'd never did me any harm.

You won't feel any better. You'll feel worse. revenge isn't sweet, you know. Think how unhappy you are already. But I can change all that

You can? How?

Forgive Bill. Then I'll forgive you. You may loose the money, but you'll feel much better inside.

But Lord, I can't forgive Bill.

Then I can't forgive you.

Oh, you're right. You always are. And more than I want my own back on Bill, I want to be right with you .... (pause ... sigh ... ) All right. All right. I forgive him. I guess I've made his life pretty miserable constantly getting my own back on him. Thank you for showing me that... help Bill to forgive me too.

There now! That's good! How do you feel?

Well.... not bad.... Not bad at all. In fact I really feel quite good. You know, I don't think I'll feel so tense tonight and maybe I won't feel so tired from now on because I'm not getting enough rest.

You've not finished your prayer yet Go on.

Oh, all right.... And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Good! good! I'll do just that But just don I put yourself in a place where you can be tempted.

What do you mean by that?

Well, think about some of the places you go to.... and some of your friends too. Some of these so-called friends of yours are beginning to get to you. They'll have you completely involved in all kinds of wrong things before long. Don 't be fooled. They say there having fun, but for you it would be disaster. And don 't use me as an escape route either.

I don't understand.

Yes, you do. You've done it quite a number of times. 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". Do you remember some of those bargains you tried to make with me?

Yes, and I'm ashamed now, Lord, I really am.

Which bargain are you remembering?

Well, when the woman next door saw me coming out of the pub and I told my mum I was going to the shop. I remember saying to you, "O God, don't let her tell my mum where I've been and I promise I'll be in church every Sunday".

She didn't I tell your mother, but you didn't I keep your promise did you

I'm sorry Lord, I really am. Up till now, I thought that just praying was enough. I didn't expect you to answer like this.

Well, go on and finish your prayer.

For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory, for ever and ever. 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 do what you say is right. I can see now how good it would be to really follow you.

You just answered the question.

I did?

Yes. The thing that brings me glory is to know that people like you really love and follow me. And I can see that happening with us. Now that some of the things that were between us are out of the way, well, there's no telling what we can do together.

Lord, let's see what we can make of me, shall we?

Yes, let's see.

next page - Deanery Magazine Jul 1899