The Power of Prayer

Power of Prayer is a dramatic performance that explores the true meaning and impact of prayer. The script follows nine individuals, each engaging in a conversation with God (represented by an off-stage voice). Through their interactions, they reveal common misunderstandings about prayer—treating it as a ritual, using it for personal gain, or failing to trust in God's will. As they progress, God gently corrects their perspectives, guiding them toward a deeper understanding of prayer as a conversation, a relationship, and an act of faith. The performance is interwoven with The Lord’s Prayer, sung without accompaniment, reinforcing the script’s message about trusting in God’s presence and guidance.

Cast: 9 m or f + VOG

• 9 actors plus OSV (offstage Voice of God)
• 1 or more singer, without accompaniment

Bible Reference: Matthew 6:9-13

Set: standard

Sound: wireless mics if available

Song:

• The Lord's Prayer

Lighting:

• wide spotlight for actors on one side of stage
• tight spot for singer at opposite side of stage

SFX: none

Props: none

Costumes: standard

Special Instructions: none

Time: 10

Sample of script:

(The stage is set with a wide spotlight on actors at stage left and a tight spotlight on the singer(s) at upstage right. The performance begins with a soloist singing The Lord’s Prayer a cappella.)

Singer: Our Father, who art in heaven,

(As the singer continues, Actor 1 steps into the spotlight, exhausted and hurried.)

1: Man, I’m tired! Some day! I’m bushed! I gotta get to bed! Oh, I guess I have to pray first. Ok, gotta make this quick!

VOG (Voice of God): What am I, an inconvenience?

1 (startled): Who said that?

VOG: It’s God. You were talking to me, I believe. In between the yawning and the complaining about how tired you were!

1: Look, I’ve had a hard day!

VOG: I’ll buy that. But who twisted your arm to make you go out paintballing?

1: Give me a break! All my friends were going. What was I supposed to do?

VOG: That’s pretty much a decision that’s up to you. Can’t see where you get off doing all the complaining though, after the fact.

1: Look, even though I am really tired, I did take time to do my prayers, didn’t I?

VOG: “Do” your prayers? I think I should be grateful, right?

Singer: Hallowèd be Thy Name.

(Actor 2 enters, lifting hands in reverence.)

2: Lord, I magnify Your name!

VOG: Really? I heard you using My Name earlier today. It was loud, but not exactly what comes to My mind when I think about having My Name magnified.

2 (confused): I beg your pardon? Exactly what do You mean by that?

VOG: This afternoon. You caught your finger in the car door, as I recall.

2: I’ll have you know that was very painful! (Pause) Sorry! It was just kind of a reflex action, er, word. Sorry, God!

VOG: I’ve already forgiven you. But maybe, next time, try a reflex word like “Ouch.”

Singer: Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.

(Actor 3 steps forward excitedly.)

3: God, tomorrow’s the big day! The race I’ve been training for all my life! All these years, training, the meets. And now I get to race in the 500-meter International Invitational!

VOG: I’m proud of you, (son/daughter)! Running in the big race has been your dream since you were a child, hasn’t it?

3: You gotta know it! This is what it’s all about! (Pause) I need You with me, tomorrow, at the race, God!

VOG: I’m always with you, surely you must know that.

3: Uhhh, no, You don’t understand. (Slowly) I need You with me. See, I’m up against that runner from Cuba. I’ve never beaten him. So, I (emphasizing) need You if I’m to win the race.

VOG: Excuse me? It’s you who’s running the race, not me.

3: You don’t understand. I am a Christian. The Cuban, he’s not one of ours.

VOG: “Ours”? Don’t know whether he’s one of “yours”, but I can guarantee you, he’s definitely one of “mine!” And just exactly what would you suggest I do at tomorrow’s race, assuming I was to do anything?

3: Oh, nothing major! Little head wind here, tail wind there, that’s all the advantage I need!

VOG: Weren’t you the one who prayed, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done”? Maybe change that to “your will be done”.

Singer: On earth as it is in heaven.

4: Lord, we pray for the end to all the troubles here in this hostile world.

VOG: It truly breaks my heart to see what’s going on. But, a question. What are you doing to improve what’s happening?

4: As if one person can make any difference! ‘Fraid not! It’s a disaster, and the only way to go is down!

VOG: But people all over the world are, in their own small way, making a difference!

4: A difference? Yah, right! One person alone, might as well forget it!

VOG: So you are just going to sit back and watch as my world suffers?

4: Look, surely you know, nothing would bring me more pleasure than to do my part.

VOG: Then why not. . . ?

4: God, You simply don’t know how bad things are here on earth!

VOG: Is this why they call me an all-knowing God?

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