Description

A prayer chain gone wild, the request message becomes really very different as it is passed on among people.

Cast: 11 m or f

Bible Reference: James 1:19

Set: standard

Sound: wireless mics if available

Song: none

Lighting: standard

SFX: none

Props: phones

Costumes: standard

Special Instructions: none

Time: 40

Sample of script:

(Alan is found placing a telephone call. Proceeding dialogue identifies the purpose.)
(Pauses for a brief moment waiting for person on other end to answer.)

Pastor Anderson: Hello?

Alan Smith; Uh, hello. Pastor Anderson?

Pastor Anderson: Yes?

Alan Smith: This is brother Alan Smith. I’m sorry for calling so late in the evening but I’d like to have my wife, Tammy put on the prayer chain. We’re getting ready to take her to the emergency room. She’s had a high fever for a couple days. We would really appreciate the church family’s prayers at this time.

Pastor Anderson: Oh, sure Alan. I’m very sorry to hear that she’s not feeling well. I’ll call our first member on the prayer chain and get our people praying. If there’s anything that I can do, please let me know.

Alan Smith: Thank you, very much, Pastor. We’ll keep in touch.

(Lights fade out on Alan. Pastor Anderson begins to dial a number on the telephone. pauses to wait for an answer. Lights up on Paul)

Paul Wright: Hello?

Pastor Anderson: Yes, hello. Brother Paul? This is Pastor Anderson calling.

Paul Wright: Oh, good evening Pastor.

Pastor Anderson: We need to get the prayer chain in motion at this time. Brother Alan Smith is taking his wife Tammy to the emergency room. She is running a fever and not feeling too well. We need to pray that the doctors will be able to help her and that she’ll be feeling better soon.

Paul Wright: Why, certainly, Pastor. I’ll call the next member on my list. We sure will be praying for Tammy.

(Lights fade on Pastor. Paul begins to dial another number. pauses for an answer. Lights up on Emma as she answers the phone.)

Emma Grindstone: Hello?

Paul Wright: Hello? Miss Emma? This is brother Paul. How are you this evening?

Emma Grindstone: Who?

Paul Wright: Brother Paul. Paul Wright.

Emma Grindstone: Who?

Paul Wright: Paul Wright…from the church.

Emma Grindstone: Oh, that Paul Wright. I am fine thanks for asking.

Paul Wright: That’s good. Why I’m calling…

Emma Grindstone: (interrupting Paul Wright.) …except my arthritis is flaring up something awful.

Paul Wright: Oh, I’m sorry to hear. We need…

Emma Grindstone: (interrupting again.) …and think I’m taking a touch of cold.
(Imitating a cough.)
These drafty days are terrible on a poor soul like me. Just terrible.

Paul Wright: Yes, they can be. Well, I hope you don’t end up catching a terrible cold.

(Emma is very consumed with her own problems i.e. sniffling and groaning.)

Paul Wright: Listen, Miss Emma, the reason I am calling is for a prayer chain request…

Emma Grindstone: (interrupting again) Oh, yes, I really should be put on the prayer chain. I’m just a’ ailing something awful.

Paul Wright: Well, Miss Emma, this request is for Tammy Smith.

Emma Grindstone: (acting surprised and somewhat put out.) Oh, her. Well, what’s wrong with her? I just saw her out the other day at the market. She can’t be feeling that bad.

Paul Wright: Well, she is running a very high fever and brother Alan is taking her to the emergency room to see a doctor.

Emma Grindstone: Oh, well I’m sure she’s fine. It’s probably just a touch of something. It’s us poor older folk who can’t handle this weather. It’s just awful, I tell ‘ya. Just awful. Why, just the other day I went out to get my mail and my poor knees…

Paul Wright: (interrupting in a gentle manner.) Well, I’m sure Tammy would appreciate your thoughts and prayers as well as passing this request on to the next person on the prayer chain. You’ll call the next person, Miss Emma?

Emma Grindstone: (with a “whatever” attitude.) Oh yes, yes of course.

(Lights fade on Paul. Emma puts down the phone and takes her time locating the list of phone numbers.)
(to herself) ) Well, I guess I have to call the next person. Now, let’s see, who would that be? (A sparkle comes to her eyes as she suddenly much better after seeing she will be calling a Sister of the Gossip Triangle.)
Oh, why yes. It’s Betty

(Picks up the phone and dials waiting for Betty to answer. Lights up on Betty as she answers.)

Betty Gossette: Hello?

Emma Grindstone: Betty, it’s Emma from the church. How are you doing Dear?

Betty Gossette: Oh, hello, Dear. I’m doing pretty good.

Emma Grindstone: Well, I’ve got a touch of cold today. I’m just ailing something awful.

Betty Gossette: Oh, my. I hate to hear that, dear. Hope you get to feeling better.