You're really coming up with some good ones, Angel.
David
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2006 10:47 AM
Subject: Thought-provoking version of The Lord's Prayer -


>
> > Thought-provoking version of The Lord's Prayer -as if in a conversation
> > with
> > God
> >
> > Our Father Who Art In Heaven.
> >   Yes?
> > Don't interrupt me. I'm praying.
> >   But -- you called ME!
> > Called you? No, I didn't call you. I'm praying. Our Father who art in
> > Heaven.
> >   There -- you did it again!
> > Did what?
> >   Called ME. You said, "Our Father who art in Heaven"  Well, 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 fulfilling a duty.
> >   Well, all right. Go on.
> > Okay, Hallowed be thy name . .
> >   Hold it right there. 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 in
the
> > world should I know? It's just a 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
before.
> > Thanks. 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? Why, 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. We're kinda in a mess down here you know.
> >   Yes, I know; but, 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 your
> > money
> > -- all on yourself. And what about the kind of books you read?
> >   Now hold on just a minute! 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, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you mention
it,
> > I
> > could probably name some others.
> >   So could I.
> > 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 to, you know, be really free.
> >   Good. Now we're getting somewhere.  We'll work together -- You and ME.
> > I'm proud of You.
> > Look, Lord, if you don't mind, I need to finish up here. This is taking
a
> > lot 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.
> > Hey, wait a minute! What is this? Here I was doing my religious duty,
and
> > all of a sudden you break in and remind me of all my hang-ups.
> >   Praying is a dangerous thing. You just might get what you ask for.
> > Remember, you called ME -- and here I am. It's too late to stop now.
Keep
> > praying.  ( . . pause . . ) Well, go on.
> > I'm scared to.
> >   Scared? Of what?
> > I know what you'll say.
> >   Try ME.
> > Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
> >   What about Ann?
> > See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Why, Lord, she's told
lies
> > about me, spread stories. She never paid back the money she owes me.
I've
> > sworn to get even with her!
> >   But -- your prayer -- What about your prayer?
> > I didn't -- mean it.
> >   Well, at least you're honest. But, it's quite a load carrying around
all
> > that bitterness and resentment isn't it?
> > Yes, but I'll feel better as soon as I get even with her. Boy, have I
got
> > some plans for her. She'll wish she had never been born.
> >   No, you won't feel any better. You'll feel worse. Revenge isn't sweet.
> > You know how unhappy you are --   Well, I can change that.
> > You can? How?
> >   Forgive Ann. Then, I'll forgive you; And the hate and the sin, will be
> > Ann's problem -- not yours. You will
> >   have settled the problem as far as you are concerned.
> > Oh, you know, you're right. You always are. And more than I want
revenge,
> > I
> > want to be right with You . . (sigh). All right . all right . . I
forgive
> > her.
> >   There now! Wonderful! How do you feel?
> > Hmmmm. Well, not bad. Not bad at all! In fact, I feel pretty great! You
> > know, I don't think I'll go to bed uptight tonight. I haven't been
getting
> > much rest, you know.
> >   Yeah, I know. But, you're not through with your prayer are you? Go on.
> > Oh, all right. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from
evil.
> >   Good! Good! I'll do that. Just don't put yourself in a place where you
> > can be tempted.
> > What do you mean by that?
> >   You know what I mean.
> > Yeah. I know.
> >   Okay. Go ahead. Finish your prayer.
> > For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and 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 want to please you now. I've really made a
> > mess
> > of things. I want to truly follow you. I can see now how great that
would
> > be. So, tell me . . . How do I make you happy?
> >   YOU just did.