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A Nighttime Prayer...Interrupted by God
- My Dear Father in Heaven...
(GOD Says) *YES?
- Don't interrupt me. I'm praying.
(GOD Says) *But you called Me.
- Called You? I didn't call You. I'm praying...
- My Dear Father in Heaven...
(GOD Says) *There, you did it again.
- Did what?
(GOD Says) *Called me. You said, "My Dear Father in Heaven." Here I am. What's on your mind?
- But I didn't mean anything by it. I was just You know, saying my prayers for the night.
I always say my prayers. It
makes me feel good, kind of like getting my duty done.
(GOD Says) *Oh. All Right. Go on.
- I'm thankful for my many blessings...
(GOD Says) *Hold it. How thankful?
- What?
(GOD Says) *How thankful are you for your "Many blessings?"
- I'm... well... I don't know. How should I know? It's just part of the prayer.
Everyone always said that I should express
my thanks.
(GOD Says) *Oh well. You're welcome. Go ahead...
- Go ahead?
(GOD Says) *With the prayer.
- Oh yeah. Let's see... bless the poor and the sick and the needy and the afflicted...
(GOD Says) *Do you really
mean that?
- Well, sure I mean it.
(GOD Says) *What are you doing about it?
- Doing? Who, me? Nothing. I guess. I just think that it would be kind of nice if You got control of things down here like
You have up there, so people don't have to suffer so.
(GOD Says) *Have I got control of you?
- Well I go to church, I pay my tithing, I don't...
(GOD Says) *That isn't what I asked you. What about your
temper? You have a problem there, and your friends and family suffer. And then there's the way you spend your money... all
on yourself. And how about the kinds of books you read?
- Stop picking on me. I'm just as good as some of the rest of those I see every Sunday at church.
(GOD Says)
*Excuse Me. I thought you were praying for me to bless the needy. If that is going to happen, I'll have to have help from
the ones who are praying for it... like you.
- All right. I guess that I have a few hang-ups, now that You mention it. I could probably mention some others.
(GOD
Says) *So could I.
- Look, Father. I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot longer than usual. Bless the missionaries to be led to the
doors of the honest in heart.
(GOD Says) *You mean people like Ralph?
- Ralph?
(GOD Says) *Yes, the guy around the corner.
- "That" Ralph... but he smokes and drinks and never goes to church.
(GOD Says) *Have you ever looked in his
heart lately?
- Of course not. How can...
(GOD Says) *I have. I looked. And it's one of those honest hearts you were just praying
about.
- O.K. then, get the missionaries over there. Do you think I like having a non-member for a neighbor?
(GOD Says)
*Aren't you supposed to be a missionary? I thought I made that pretty clear.
- Hey, wait a minute. What is this? Criticize "me" day? Here I am, doing my duty, keeping your commandments to pray. And
all of a sudden you break in and start reminding me of all my problems.
(GOD Says) *Well, you called Me. And here
I am. Keep on praying. I'm interested in this next part. You haven't changed the order around have you? Go on...
- I don't want to.
(GOD Says) *Why not?
- I know what You'll say.
(GOD Says) *Try Me and see.
- Please forgive me of all my sins...and help me to forgive others.
(GOD Says) *What about Bill?
- See. I knew it. I knew You'd bring him up. Listen Lord, he told lies about me, and I got fired. All my co-workers think
I'm a first class creep, and I didn't do anything. I'm going to get even with him!
(GOD Says) *But your prayers.
What about your prayers?
- I didn't mean it.
(GOD Says) *Well, at least you're honest. I guess you enjoy carrying that load of bitterness
around, don't you?
- No, I don't. But I'll feel better as soon as I get even.
(GOD Says) *Do you want to know a secret?
- What secret?
(GOD Says) *You won't feel better. You'll feel worse. Listen to me. You forgive Bill and I'll
forgive you.
- No matter what?
(GOD Says) *No matter what.
But you're not through with your prayer yet. Go on.
- Oh all right... please help me to control my feelings and not yield to temptations.
(GOD Says) *Good. Good.
I'll do just that. But you stop putting yourself in all those places where you can be tempted.
- What do you mean by that?
(GOD Says) *Quit hanging around the magazine racks and spending so much time in front
of the tube. Some of that stuff is going to get to you sooner or later. You'll find yourself involved in some terrible things
before long... and don't use me for an escape hatch either.
- An escape hatch? I don't understand.
(GOD Says) *Sure you do. You've done it lots of times--you find yourself
in a crisis situation, then you come running to me. "Lord, help me out of this mess and I promise I'll never do it again."
It's amazing how the quality and intensity of your prayers improve when you are in trouble. Do you remember some of those
bargains you tried to make with me?
- Well I don't think... Oh... like the time Mom's visiting teacher saw me coming out of that movie about... Oh brother...
(GOD Says) *Do you remember your prayer? I do. "Oh God. Don't let her tell my mother where I've been. I promise
I'll go to nothing but "G" rated movies from now on. She didn't tell your mother, but you didn't keep your promise. Did you?
- No Lord, I didn't. I'm sorry.
(GOD Says) *So am I. Go ahead and finish your prayer.
- Wait a minute. I want to ask you a question. Do you always listen to my prayers?
(GOD Says) *Every word. Every
time.
- Then how come You never talked back to me?
(GOD Says) *How many chances have you given me? There's not enough
time between your "Amens" and your head hitting the pillow for me to draw a breath. How am I supposed to give an answer?
- You could, if You really wanted to.
(GOD Says) *No. I could if "you" really wanted Me to. Child, I always want
to.
- Father, I am sorry. Will You forgive me?
(GOD Says) *I already have. And thanks for letting Me interrupt. I
get lonely to talk to you sometimes. Goodnight. I love you.
- Good night, and I love You too.
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