Cast: reader, sleeper, friend.  The reader is reading the lesson from the lectern in church.  The sleeper is initially beside him, joins in the Lord’s prayer, and then goes to a “bed” on stage.  The friend is outside the church behind a door which can be banged and is microphoned.  Props – chairs laid out as a bed; a loaf of bread.

 

Reader    One day, after Jesus had finished praying, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us how to pray.”  He said to                 them, “When you pray, say:

Reader/sleeper   Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as in                         heaven.  Give us today our daily bread.  Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.  Do not lead us               into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and for ever.  Amen               (Sleeper lies down in bed, and starts to snore loudly)

Reader     Now, just imagine …………….  (Friend knocks on door fairly quietly.  Sleeper carries on snoring.  Friend knocks                     again rather louder.  Sleeper wakes up with a start, sits up not sure what has woken him.  Friend knocks again.)

Sleeper    Who’s there?

Friend      It’s Chris from next door.  I was just wondering …..

Sleeper    Go away.  I’m asleep, and its late.

Friend      Could you lend me a loaf of bread.  My mate’s just turned up unannounced.

Sleeper    I said, “Go away!”  I’ll give you a loaf in the morning.

Friend      Be a sport, mate, and get it now.  He’s starving.

Sleeper    I’m asleep.  You’re too late.  (Friend knocks again much more loudly)  Shut up.  You’ll wake the cat!

Friend      (Knocking again)  I will wake the cat if you don’t get up and get it for me. (Pause, while there is no reply.  Knocking                 starts again and gets louder.)

Sleeper    Oh, all right then.  You win. (Gets up, grabs a loaf and stomps to the door, opens it and throws the loaf through it)

Friend      Thanks a million, mate.  Good night, then, thanks.

Reader     (Sleeper returns to bed)  So I say to you:  Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door                will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; whoever seeks finds; and the door is opened to anyone                    who knocks on it.  This is the Word of the Lord.

All           Thanks be to God.