Lords Prayer skit
Written by Pastor Arte Sharot © 2002 (Artesharot@hotmail.com )
Permission is given for free use of this skit as long as attribution to Arte Sharot is given.
Amos: Hello Pastor Im glad you had time to see me.
Pastor: Well sure Mr. Jones?
Amos: Call me Amos.
Pastor: Ok Amos? You sounded a little upset on the phone what can I do for you?
Amos: Well I think Im more embarrassed than anything, Im sorry to bother you its just that I didnt know who else to talk to about this.
Pastor: Ok.
Amos: Its, Its just, Its just that.
Pastor: Problems at work?
Amos: No
Pastor: Problems with your marriage? Are you married?
Amos: Yes, I mean no. I mean Yes Im married but no thats not the problem.
Pastor: Your going to have to help me out.
Amos: I dont know how to pray.
Pastor: Oh.
Amos: Its been a long time since confirmation and you know how it is. Its hard to remember that far back.
Pastor: Oh.
God: You could have lived up to those promises you made.
Amos: What did you say?
Pastor: I said Oh.
God: You could have come to worship on Sundays.
Amos: What?
Pastor: (looking puzzled)
Amos: Its just that you know, you get so busy and there just isnt the time. I need a day to rest. So Sundays if Im not doing anything is just a great day to sleep in. Every one needs a day off. You know what I mean?
Pastor: Im usually working on Sundays
God: I know what you mean.
Amos: How do you do that?
Pastor: Work on Sundays?
Amos: Never mind.
Pastor: Well I would love to teach you to pray. Is there anything in particular that you were concerned about?
Amos: I dont think so, Ive just been feeling that something is missing in my life. I thought maybe if I prayed I would feel kind of closer to God. Is that weird?
Pastor: Not at all.
God: Its what Ive been wanting for quite a while.
Amos: (pauses looking around) anyway. I need to learn how. Would you teach me to pray. That sounds dumb. I feel so ignorant about God.
Pastor: Actually that is the same thing Jesus disciples asked Jesus.
Amos: They did?
Pastor: Yup. Jesus said pray like this. "Father " Why dont you write this down and pray it until you know it by heart. "When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial."
Amos: I dont know about calling God, Father. Its so
Pastor: Personal?
God: Thats what I want. I want you to think of me in a personal way. Think of me as your father your mother as you heavenly parent one who loves and cares about you more than anyone on earth. Share with me your greatest joys and your deepest fears. Even tell me the things everyone else thinks is boring.
Amos: We are suppose to think of God on a personal level then?
Pastor: Yes.
Amos: If we are suppose to think of God as personal why doesnt the prayer say give me my daily bread? Forgive me my sins ... Dont bring me to the time of trial?
Pastor: Jesus was answering his disciples...
God: Because your not my only child. I love all my children. Pray for my other children, pray with my other children.
Amos: Can I pray this prayer when I am alone?
Pastor: Yes.
God: Talk to me with others, when your alone, just pray. I would love to hear from you.
Amos: There is a couple of other things. How do I get it in my head that God, the creator and the ruler of the universe, the one who makes it all happen would want to hear from me?
Pastor: You know someone must have asked the same question of Jesus because he told this to his disciples.
And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.' And he answers from within, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs. "So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.Amos: You know this is fun. Some of this stuff is starting to come back to me.
God: it might do you good to come to church on a regular basis.
Amos: You know, It might do me some good to come here on a regular basis.
Pastor: That would be great.
Amos: But, what about the times when God doesnt answer prayers. All the people for example who pray for healing but die.
Pastor: Jesus says:
Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"Amos: So we just have to pray and God will give us everything we ask for?
Pastor: Not exactly
Amos: So God doesnt answer all prayers.
Pastor: No God answers every prayer.
God: Sometimes the answer is no.
Pastor: Sometimes the answer is no. Sometimes the answer is yes sometimes its well see.
Amos: In my house Well see means no.
Pastor: In Gods house the answer is sometimes yes, sometimes no, sometimes well see. Maybe we are not ready for it. Maybe Gods not ready to act. Maybe things are bigger than we can see and sometimes things take time.
God: Love is more than saying yes all the time. But you can count on me being there with you no matter what.
Amos: So prayer isnt necessarily about asking and getting,
Pastor: No its more than that
God: Its about having a living relationship with me. Thats what I want because I love you Amos.
Amos: Its about having a living relationship with God?
Pastor: Wow thats right, thats great.
Amos: Well Ive taken up enough of your time.
Pastor: No problem Amos.
Amos: What time is church on Sunday?
Pastor: 9:30 Education time at 8:30 Some people think 8:30 is kind of early...
Amos: Not for important stuff like this. See ya.
Pastor: See ya Amos.
Amos: You know Pastor, dont take this the wrong way but I dont always understand what your talking about.
Pastor: Youre not the first to
Amos: But sometimes its almost as if God is speaking right through you.
Pastor: Thanks.