
Amen! An Interrupted Prayer
By Ted Gibbons
My Dear Father in Heaven…
Yes?
Could we have a little quiet around here? I’m praying.
But you called me
Called you? Called who? I didn’t call anybody. I’m praying. My Dear Father in Heaven…
There, you did it again.
Did what?
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. I don’t feel good about going to sleep if I don’t.
Oh. All right. Go on.
Are you kidding?
You did want to talk to me, didn’t you?
Well—yes
Here I am. Talk
I’m thankful for my many blessings.
Hold it! How thankful?
What?
How thankful are you for your ‘many blessings?’
I’m – well – I don’t know. It’s just part of the prayer. Mom always told me that I should express my thanks.
Oh. Well, you’re certainly welcome. Go ahead.
Go ahead?
With the prayer.
Oh, yeah. Let’s see – bless the poor and the sick and the needy and the afflicted…
Do you really mean that?
Sure I mean it.
What are you doing about it?
Doing? What am I doing about it? Nothing, I guess. I just think that it would be kind of nice if you got control of things down here. I don’t like to see people suffer.
Do I have control of you?
Sure. I go to church. I pay my offerings. I don’t…
That isn’t what I asked you. What about your temper? You don’t even have control of that, and your friends and family suffer. And then there’s the way you spend your money – all on yourself. And how about the kind of books you read? And the movies you see?
Well, Father, I think I’m as good as most of the people I see at church every Sunday.
And you are, but I thought you were praying for me to bless the needy. If that is to happen, I’ll have to have help from the ones who are praying for it. Like you.
I understand. I guess I have a few hangups. Since you brought it up, I could probably mention some others.
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.
You mean people like Ralph?
Ralph?
Yes. The one you’ve taught your little brother, Joey, to call ‘Beer-belly Ralph.’ The one around the corner.
That Ralph? Ralph Swenson? You’ve got to be kidding. He hasn’t been sober since he was sixteen. And he thinks anyone who goes to church is a hypocrite.
Why?
I don’t know.
It couldn’t have anything to do with the names the neighborhood kids call him, could it?
OK. I get the message. I’ll tell Joey to cut it out.
By the way, have you taken a look at his heart lately?
His heart?
I have. I’ve looked. And it’s one of those honest hearts you were just praying about.
Well, then, do something about it. Do you think I like having an atheist for a neighbor?
Aren’t you supposed to share the gospel? I thought I’d made that pretty clear.
That’s scary. I wouldn’t have any idea how to approach him.
Try a little tolerance and friendship.
Father, wait a minute. I know I’m not perfect. But I am here doing my duty, keeping your commandment to pray, and all of a sudden, you’re here, reminding me of all my problems.
You called me here, remember? Keep on praying. I’m interested in the next part. You haven’t changed the order around have you?
I don’t want to go on.
Why not?
I know what you’ll say.
Try me and see.
Please forgive all my sins, and help me to forgive others.
What about David?
See! I knew it! I knew you’d bring him up. Listen, Lord. He told lies about me and I lost my job – the best job I ever had. Everyone in that office thinks I’m a first-class creep, and I didn’t do anything! Am I supposed to let him get away with that?
But your prayers. What about your prayers?
I didn’t mean the part about forgiving.
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.
Do you wanna know a secret?
What secret?
You won’t feel better. You’ll feel worse. Listen to me. You forgive David, and I’ll forgive you.
Forgive me? For what?
Do you really want the whole list?
All right, nevermind. But Lord – I don’t think I can forgive David.
Then I can’t forgive you.
Why not?
Because I hate to encourage hypocrisy.
Oh all right. Please help me control my actions and not yield to temptations.
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?
Quit spending so much time scrolling on social media, and be more careful what you click on. Some of that stuff is going to get to you sooner or later and you’ll find yourself involved in something terrible, and when you do, don’t use me for an escape hatch.
An escape hatch? I don’t understand.
Think about it. You’ve done it lots of times. You put very little effort into our relationship until you find yourself in a crisis, then you come running. I know just how your mom feels.
My mom?
Your mom. The only time you talk to her is when you need something. As a matter of fact, it’s amazing how quickly the quality and intensity of your prayers improve when you are in trouble. Do you remember some of those bargains you wanted to make with me?
Bargains? No – well, I don’t think – oh, yeah, like the time mom’s friend saw me coming out of that one movie – oh brother!
Do you remember your prayer? I do. You said, “Dear Father, 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, Father, I didn’t. I’m sorry.
So am I. Go on and finish your prayer.
No, wait. I want to ask you a question. Do you always listen to my prayers?
Every word, every time.
Why haven’t you answered me before?
How many chances have you given me? There’s not enough time between your “Amen” and your head hitting the pillow for me to take a breath. How am I supposed to give an answer?
You could, if you really wanted to.
No, I could if you really wanted me to. Child, I always want to.
Father, I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?
I already have. And thanks for letting me interrupt. I get lonely to talk to you sometimes. Good night. I love you.
Good night. And I love you, too.
Photo by Diana Simumpande on Unsplash