Description

When we pray do we talk naturally friend to friend, or asking “Santa favors”?
Or just the same old rote method of “doing prayer”?
What if we are praying, and since God hears every prayer, and pays attention, (as He always does), . . What would happen if He immediately answers back?
Do we maybe react with . . . “Hey God, I am really too busy for small talk . ..  can you fix me up with this must have thing, quickly please.”
Or what if we speak in the language of hundreds of years ago: “I beseech you Father, please bringeth to me your bounty everlasting!” I mean, wouldn’t God be likely to reply . .  “What-ith art thou saying-eth?”
Seems we often pray without thinking of the words we use. God wanted us to pray from the heart. Simply to talk to Him. The Lord’s Prayer was only a guideline to help us get started.

Cast: 7 (m or f)

• (number of actors could be reduced)
• Harried Housewife
• Actor 1
• Actor 2
• Actor 3
• Actor 4
• Child, (very key role)
• VOG Offstage Voice of God (male)

Bible Reference: Matthew 6:1-13

Set: blank

Sound: wireless mics if available

Song: none

Lighting:

• tight spot on the person speaking, leaving rest of stage in darkness

SFX: none

Props: none

Costumes: standard

Special Instructions:

• Individual actors will quickly, directly into the spotlight, leave quickly upon completing
• Leave a few seconds between each actor, and after VOG offstage.
• Suggested display a graphic of person in prayer
• Words displayed on screen throughout the message: “AND HE TAUGHT THEM TO PRAY”

Time: 7

Sample of script:

Harried Housewife: Children, please play quietly!
(looks at watch, reacts, looks upward, folds hands), speaks:
Our Father. .

VOG (Offstage voice of God): Yes, I’m listening.

Housewife, frustrated: Not now, can’t you see how busy I am?

Housewife turns, walks out of spot

Actor1 walks into spot, says: Who art in heaven . . .

VOG: But, I’m right here beside you, can’t you feel my closeness?

Actor1 takes a step back, says: I’m not really comfortable with closeness, no, heaven, that will be fine.

Actor1 walks out of spot

Actor2 walks into spot, says: Hallowed be thy name . . .

God: Which means?

Actor2 frowns, shrugs shoulders, says: I really don’t know for sure. But it’s a good Christian thing to say!

Actor2 walks out of spot

Actor3 walks into spot says: Thy Kingdom come, (smiles), oh, and God, quickly please!
I have a final tomorrow and I haven’t kinda got around to studying . . .

God: And you want my kingdom to come?

Actor3 walks out of spot

Actor4 walks into spot says: Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done . . .

God: Really, so you will be comfortable with whatever is My will in your life? Hmmmmm.

Actor4, makes time out sign, says: Hey, whoa, just a minute here, I mean, I meant . . . . . . . . Look, before you do anything rash, we’d best talk this over, OK?