If God Should Speak

IF GOD SHOULD SPEAK

A devotional dialogue based on The Lord’s Prayer

Reader 1: “Our Father who art in heaven…”

Reader 2: Yes?

Reader 1: Don’t interrupt me, I’m praying

Reader 2: But you called Me.

Reader 1: Called You? I didn’t call You. I’m praying. “Our Father who art in heaven…”

Reader 2: There! You did it again.

Reader 1: Did what?

Reader 2: Called Me. You said, “Our Father who art in heaven.” Here I am. What’s on your mind?

Reader 1: 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 task done.

Reader 2: Alright, go on.

Reader 1: “Hallowed be Thy name…”

Reader 2: Hold it! What did you mean by that?

Reader 1: 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?

Reader 2: It means, honored, holy, wonderful.

Reader 1: Well, that makes sense. I never thought about what “hallowed” meant before. “They kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…”

Reader 2: Do you really mean that?

Reader 1: Sure, why not?

Reader 2: What are you doing about it?

Reader 1: 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.

Reader 2: Do I have control of you?

Reader 1: Well, I go to church.

Reader 2: That isn’t what I asked you. What about the habit of lust you have? And your bad temper? You’re really got a problem there. The way you spend your money – all on yourself. And what about the kind of books you read?

Reader 1: Stop picking on me! I’m just as good as some of the rest of those phonies at church.

Reader 2: 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.

Reader 1: Oh, alright. I guess I do have some hang-ups, now that you mention it. I could probably name some others.

Reader 2: So could I.

Reader 1: 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, you know, to be really free.

Reader 2: Good. Now we’re getting somewhere. We’ll work together, you and I. Some victories can be truly won. I’m proud of you.

Reader 1: 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.”

Reader 2: You need to cut out the bread; you’re overweight as it is.

Reader 1: 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.

Reader 2: 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…

Reader 1: I’m scared to.

Reader 2: Scared? Of what?

Reader 1: I know what you’ll say.

Reader 2: Try me and see.

Reader 1: “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”

Reader 2: What about Leslie?

Reader 1: See?! I knew it! I knew you would bring her up. Why? Lord, she told lies about me, cheated me out of some money, and never paid back that debt she owes me. I’ve sworn to get even with her.

Reader 2: But what about your prayer?

Reader 1: I didn’t mean it.

Reader 2: Well, at least you’re honest, but it’s not much fun carrying that load of bitterness around inside is it?

Reader 1: No, but I’ll feel better as soon as I get even. Boy, have I got some plans for old Leslie. She’ll wish she never did me any harm.

Reader 2: 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.

Reader 1: You can? How?

Reader 2: Forgive Leslie as I have forgiven you. Then the hate and sin will be Leslie’s problem, not yours. You may lose the money but you will have settled your mind.

Reader 1: But Lord, I can’t forgive Leslie.

Reader 2: Then I can’t forgive you.

Reader 1: Oh, You’re right. You always are. And more than I want revenge on Leslie, I want to be right with you. (pause) … (sigh) … alright, alright, I forgive her. Help her to find the right road in life. She’s bound to be awfully miserable now that I think about it. Anybody who goes around doing the things that she does to others has to be out of it. Someway, somehow, show her the right way and Lord, help me to forget it, too.

Reader 2: There now! Wonderful! How do you feel?

Reader 1: 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 won’t be so tired from now on because I’m not getting enough rest.

Reader 2: You’re not through with your prayer. Go on.

Reader 1: Oh, alright. “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Reader 2: Good, good! I’ll do just that. Just don’t put yourself in a place where you can be tempted.

Reader 1: What do you mean by that?

Reader 2: Quit hanging around with that one group which is always getting into trouble. 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.

Reader 1: I don’t understand.

Reader 2: Sure you do. You’ve done it a lot of times. You get in bad situations, 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?

Reader 1: Yes, and I’m ashamed, Lord. I really am.

Reader 2: Which bargain are you remembering?

Reader 1: Well, the time I almost got caught for cheating on a test. I remember telling you, “Oh Lord, don’t let her tell the teacher. If she doesn’t, I promise I’ll be in church every Sunday and do anything You want me to do.”

Reader 2: She didn’t tell, but you didn’t keep your promise, did you?

Reader 1: 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 this – that you really listen.

Reader 2: Go ahead and finish your prayer.

Reader 1: “For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen.”

Reader 2: Do you know what would bring me glory? What would really make me happy?

Reader 1: No, but I’d like to know. I want to please you. I can see what a mess I’ve made of my life. And I can see how neat it would be to really be one of Your followers.

Reader 2: You just answered the question.

Reader 1: I did?

Reader 2: 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’s no telling what we can do together.

Reader 1: Lord, let’s see what we can make of me, OK?

Reader 2: Yes, let’s see!
 
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