Prayers

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What is the Almighty,
that we should
serve Him?
And what profit
do we get
if we pray
to Him?
[Job 21:15]
*************************
(Mopey face.)
(Glance up at ceiling vent.)
"I haven't prayed
very much.....
since, that sheister-VET*
incident,
LORD!"

"I know,
My child."

(Shrug.)
"I've prayed for a
couple FRIENDS.......
but, that's about IT."
(Pouty frown.)

[GENTLE NOD.]
"Good,
child."

"Yeah; but,
I'm still
MAD, about that
45 BUCKS."

[NOD.]

"How come,
You didn't DO
ANYTHING?"

[SILENCE.]

"And, I had been
PRAYING about my
kitty's FUR, for
a long TIME!"

[NOD.]

"And....not only,
didn't You HEAL HER;
but, Ya let that ganniff**-VET
take 45 BUCKS,
from ME!"

"Yes,
My beloved."

"You're WEAK!"

[PATIENT SILENCE.]

"WEAK!
And...FEEBLE!"
(Glare up at spot on the wall.)
"That's what I SAY!"

[PATIENT NOD.]

(Irritated squirm.)
"I wouldn't let that VET...
take care of that little
FROG, who lives OUTSIDE!"

[CALM NOD.]
[CHUCKLE.]

(Frown.)
(Fold arms together.)
"So.....Ya SEE,
LORD?
Why should I PRAY?"

[PATIENT GAZE.]

".....If, when I PRAY....
all it does, is make
things WORSE?"

[PATIENT PAUSE.]
"Are things really
worse,
My beloved?"

(Couple minutes of squinty
silence.)
"Well......YEAH!
I'm out 45 BUCKS!"

[PATIENT SIGH.]
[GAZE AT ONE OF
THE MAIN CONSTELLATIONS
IN THE SKY, OVER EARTH.]

"And, my CAT hasn't
gotten any of her FUR,
BACK!"

[PATIENT, LOVING GAZE.]

"I mean....You're in HEAVEN!
45 DOLLARS is a lot of
MONEY, DOWN HERE!"

[SMALL VOICE.]
"I'm Right Here,
My precious."

"Yeah...."
(Thoughful squint.)
"Yeah, but You don't
need any MONEY!
It's.....DIFFERENT!
You're just a SPIRIT!"

[SMILE.]
[CHUCKLE.]

(Peer up at ceiling fan.)
"SO?
WHAT'S the
point of PRAYIN'?"

[PATIENT PAUSE.]
"What is the point,
child?"

(Pout.)
(Shrug.)
(Mumble.)
"Dunno."

(Tender Voice.)
"Tell Me."

(Shrug.)
(Frown.)
(Shrug.)
(Look away.)
"I DUNNO."

[LONG PAUSE.]
"Well, then,
My child.
Maybe,
you should
pray
about it."
***********************
Rejoice always,
pray constantly,
give thanks
in all circumstances;
for this is the
will of God
in Christ Jesus
for you.
[1 Thessalonians 5:16-18]
__________________
*Veterinarian.
**Yiddish: thief.

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