Lords Prayer

First Baptist Church of Vineland, NJ

Welcoming, Witnessing & Winning for the Kingdom of God

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THE LORD'S PRAYER
(an interactive forum)

"Our Father which 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 which art in heaven..."

"There, you did it again."

"Did what?"

"Called Me. You said 'Our Father which 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 a duty done."

"Alright. 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." "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? Nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control of everything down here like you have in there."

"Have I got control of you?"

"Well, I go to church."

"That isn't what I asked you.
What about your bad temper?
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 kind of
books you read?"

"Stop picking on me! I'm just as good as some of the rest of those people at 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, alright. I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you've mentioned it. I could probably name some others."

"So could I."

"I haven't thought about it much until now, but I really would like to cut some of those things out. I would like to, you know, be really free."

"Good. Now we're getting somewhere. We'll work together, you and I. You can have victory because the battle belongs to Me. I'm pleased with your decision."

"Look, Lord, I need to finish up here. This is taking 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 and it
isn't healthy for you physically or spiritually. I have said that food is for nourishing your body, and your body is for worshipping Me, not for worshipping food."

"Hey, wait a minute, what is this 'criticize me day'? Here I am doing my religious duty, and all of the sudden you break in and remind me of all my faults."

"Praying is a dangerous occupation. You could wind up changed, you know. That is what I am trying to get across to you. You called Me, here I am. It's too late to stop now. Keep going, I am 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."

"Forgive us our sins as weforgivethosewhosinagainstusandleadus"

"Whoa, whoa. Back up a minute. Back up to the 'forgive us' part. You said, and I quote: 'forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us." Does that include Ann?"

"See? I knew you'd bring her up. Lord, she's told lies about me, spread lies about my family, never paid back the money she owes me, the list goes on and on! I've sworn to even the score!"

"But what about your prayer?"

"I didn't mean it."

"Well, at least you're honest. But while you're being honest, do you honestly enjoy carrying that load of bitterness?"

"No, I don't. But I'll feel much better as soon as I get even. I've got big plans for her. She'll wish she had never moved here!"

"You won't feel any better. As a matter of fact, you'll feel worse. Revenge isn't sweet. Think of how unhappy you are already. But there's hope. I can change all of that."

"You can? How?"

"Forgive Ann. Then I'll forgive you. Then the hate will be Ann's, not yours. You will have settled your heart."

"Oh. You're always right. And more than I want revenge I want to be right with you. (pause) (sigh) Alright, alright. I forgive her. Help her to find the right road in life, Lord. She's got to be unhappy, now that I think about it. Anybody who goes around doing the things she does to others has to be out of it. Some way, somehow, show her the right way."

"There now! Wonderful! How do you feel?"

"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 I won't be so tired now from not getting enough rest."

"You're not through with your prayer. Go on."

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

"Good, good! I'll do that. Just don't put yourself in the place to be tempted."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Don't turn on the TV when you know the laundry needs to be done and the house needs to be picked up. Also, about the time you spend coffeeing with your friends, if you can't influence the conversation to positive things, perhaps you should rethink the value of those friendships. Another thing, your neighbors and friends shouldn't be your standard for 'keeping up.' And please don't use me for an escape hatch."

"I don't understand that last part."

"Sure you do. You've done it lots of times. You get caught in a bad situation. You get into trouble and 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 am ashamed Lord. I really am."

"Which bargain are you remembering?"

"Well, there was the night that Bill was done and the children and I were home alone. The wind was blowing so hard I thought the roof would blow off and tornado warnings were out. I remember praying 'Oh God, if you get us out of this, I promise never to skip my daily devotions again.'"

"I protected you, but you didn't keep your promise, did you?"

"I'm sorry, Lord, I really am. Up until now I thought that if I just prayed the Lord's Prayer everyday, then I could do what I like. I didn't expect anything to happen like it did."

"Go ahead and finish your prayer."

"For thine is the kingdom, the power, 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 now what to please You. I can see what a mess I've made of my life and how hypocritical I've been. And, I can see how great it would be to truly follow You."

"You just answered my question."

"I did?"

"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. 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, I'm ready to see what you can make of me."

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"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." ~ Matthew 11:28-30