“Our Father, Who Art in Heaven…”
Yes?
Don’t interrupt me, I’m praying.
But, you called ME!
What do you mean, ‘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” Well, 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. It’s kind of like fulfilling a duty.
Well, all right then, Go on.
Okay, “Hallowed be thy name…”
Hold it right there. What do you mean by that?
By what?
By “Hallowed be thy name”?
It means, it means… oh,good grief, I don’t know what it means. How in the world should I know? It’s just a part of the prayer.
By the way, what does it mean?
It means honored, holy, respected.
Hey, that makes sense… I never thought about what ‘hallowed’ meant before.
Thanks. “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 doing about it?
Doing about it? Why, 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… We’re kinda in a mess down here you know.
Yes, I know. But do I have control of YOU?
Well, I go to church.
That isn’t what I asked you. What about your temper? You have a problem there, you know. And then there’s the way you spend your money… And what about the kind of books you read?
Now hold on just a minute! Stop picking on me! I’m just as good as some of the rest of those people at church!
Oh, excuse ME… I thought you were praying for my will to be done. If that is ever going to happen it will have to start with the ones who are praying. Like you, for example.
Oh, all right. I guess I do have some other hang-ups, too, now that you mention it. I can think of some of them right now.
So can I.
I haven’t thought about it very much until now. I really would like to cut out some of those things. I would like to, you know, be really free.
Good. Now we’re getting somewhere. We’ll work together, you and ME. I’m proud of you.
Look, Lord, if you don’t mind, 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 a bit on the
daily bread, you know what I mean…
Now, wait just a minute! Here I am 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 just might get what you ask for. Remember, you called ME — and here I am. It’s too late to stop now. Keep praying.
(…long pause…)
Well, go on.
I’m scared to.
Scared? Scared of what?
I know what you’ll say.
Try ME.
“Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us…”
What about Ann?
See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Lord, she’s told lies about me. She still owes me money. I just want to pay her back!
How about if I just start ‘paying people back’? Hmmm, who’s
nearby that I could start with?
I didn’t… I didn’t mean it.
Don’t lie about it now, you were
being honest. But, that’s a lot to
be carrying around, isn’t it? All
that bitterness and resentment?
Yes, but I’ll feel better as soon as I…
Boy, have I got some plans for her.
She’ll wish she had never been born.
No, and you won’t feel any better
either. You’ll feel worse. Revenge
isn’t sweet. You know how unhappy
you are. Well, I can change that.
You can? How?
Forgive Ann. Then, I’ll forgive you.
Ann isn’t really the problem. You
have to settle this between you and me.
I do know you’re right. You always
are. And more than revenge I want
to be right with You… (sigh) All right,
all right, I forgive her.
There now! Wonderful! How do you feel?
Hmmmm. Well, not bad. Not bad at all! In fact, I feel pretty great! You know, I don’t think I’ll go to bed uptight tonight. I haven’t been getting much rest, you know.
Yeah, I know. But, you’re not through with your prayer, are you? Go on.
Oh, all right. “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…”
Good! Good! I’ll do that. Just don’t put yourself in those places where you can be tempted.
What do you mean by that?
Seriously? Do you have to ask? You know what I mean.
Yeah. I know.
Okay. Go ahead. Finish your prayer…
“For Thine is the kingdom, and the
power, and the glory forever. Amen.”
Do you know what would bring me glory? What would really make me happy?
No, but I’d like to know. I want to please you now. I’ve really made a mess of things. I want to truly follow you. I can see now how great that could be. So, tell me… How could I make you happy?
YOU just did.