The Dilemma of Prayer
(A drama about prayer)

Director's Notes:
A follow-up to the Dilemma drama. This also uses pre-recorded voice over. so see that drama for more information. These are always fun to do especially when the character is way off target. This drama is intended to expose erroneous thoughts about prayer: God listens better in church, God delights in a more sophisticated prayer, a more sophisticated prayer accomplishes more than a simple one, God answers prayers immediately, etc...

The other thing about this one is that it requires some music dubbed in to the tape to make it really affective. I've noted the areas where you should add it. I like to use music from the King of Kings soundtrack available anywhere (Amazon is a good place to go...)

I've recorded it HERE if you wish to use it. Simply right click on the link, select 'Save Target As...', and save the MP3 file to your hard drive...

Cast:
Dave: A normal guy at church

Props:
Chairs
Pre-recorded V.O. tape

Setting:
Church

(LIGHTS UP CENTER STAGE where Dave is standing after just singing the last song. Note that all audio is strictly pre-recorded V.O.)

Dave: Okay, that was alright. A little bit O singing in the morning. Yeah, that felt pretty good. Okay, let’s see what’s next. (checks program) Okay, prayer.

Dave: Well, that’s appropriate now isn’t it. Time to pray at church. I mean that’s where we should pray, right? At church. I mean, God is at His best when we talk to Him at church. He listens better and, if I’m not mistaken, He will answer prayers at Church ten times more often than if I pray at home, in bed, if I don’t fall asleep when praying that is…

Dave: Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I mean, don’t they call that ‘Resting in the Lord’ or something. Anyway, I’d best not waste time thinking about that now. I’ve got to take big-time advantage of this prayer session before it’s too late.

Dave: Okay, what should I pray about? Well, in my small group, we’ve been talking a lot about being a better Christian and being more joyful. So that’s what I need to pray about. I been kinda low lately so I need joy. But not any joy.. I need some instant joy so here we go.

Dave: (closes eyes and prays) Dear Jesus, I pray that you would make me a better Christian and give me lotsa joy right now. In your name I pray, Amen.

Dave: (looks up) Hmm… I don’t feel much different. What went wrong? I should be feeling a flood o’ righteous joy right now. Hmmm. Okay, well, I must have done something wrong. Think. Think. Think. Ah, I got it. Silly me. I’ve been a Christian for 10 years now. That prayer was a 'year one' prayer. Way too simple. He’s expecting more from me. Okay, let’s try this again, okay God, just forget that last prayer and let’s do a do-over. Here we go.

Dave: (closes eyes and prays) Dear gracious Father, I come to you in prayer and ask that you would grant to me, your lowly servant, a heart that seeks you in this corrupt world of sin and bestow upon this one a joy that surpasses all human understanding. A joy that is deeper than the deepest sea. A joy that You have promised to all who boldly approach Your throne. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Dave: (looks up) Okay, wait for it. It’s got to make it’s way down from heaven so give it a couple seconds… Hmmm. Don’t feel it. It should have been here by now. I mean, it was a pretty darn good prayer and I did pray it here in church. Man, what am I doing wrong? Okay, think. How was my position? Pretty good I think – hands clasped, head down, eyes closed. Hmmm, that all checks out. Well, I guess the problem is still in the prayer. While it was a good prayer, it probably wasn’t quite up to par. Maybe a 'year six' prayer. Yep, that’s it. I need a 'year ten' prayer! Okay, here we go…

Dave: (closes eyes and prays – angelic soundtrack playing in the background) Dear Lord of Hosts, Almighty Jehovah, Ancient of Days, Hear me and know thine servant! Oh ye who didst strike down the Philistines and who delivered thine servants from the fiery furnace and didst bring low the Pharisees and Sadducees outside the Damascus gate and who didst show the Revelations of the apocalypse to thine prophet (especially that part when the four horsemen come riding out of the sky – that’s cool) Oh yes, hear my petition and supplication as Thine gracious mercy has brought unto this lowly man justification and sanctification and, yea verily, saved my from the fiery realm of Gehenna and brought me life eternal and everlasting. O ye who art omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent and any other omni’s that I’m missing, bestow until me either through thine Spirit of Holiness or through thine angelic hosts of seraphim and cherubim, thine great blessings of the joyful, joys of unbridled joyfulness so that I might walk close to thee not unlike Enoch whom thou didst love and take from this world. Yea, verily, grant this servant this boon, O Great Yahweh! AMEN, Amen, and amen.

Dave: (looks up and waits a long time)

Dave: (rolling up sleeves) Okay, looks like we’ve got to play hardball. Here, we go! (Start a stronger part of the sound track)

(LIGHTS OUT FAST)

END

© 1999 Dave Marsh