skit outline:  "Prayers"

A little league baseball game.  last inning, 2 outs. Batter Jon steps 
up to the plate.
Jon (in a quiet moment before the pitch):  "Dear God, please help me
to get a hit this time.  I've struck out the past five times at the 
plate, and I feel lousy.  If I could just get one hit this time, that
would be great!  I pray you will help me.  Amen"

Mike (the pitcher, in a quiet moment before the pitch): "Dear God, 
please help me to strike this batter out.  I'm the worst pitcher in
the league, and if I loose this game, all my teammates will make fun
of me.  If I could just once strike SOMEBODY out, then that would be
great.  I pray you will help me, Amen."

Ball is pitched, batter swings and gets a homerun.  He runs around 
the bases praising God, and all his teammates cheer him on and shout
victory cheers as they exit the stage.

Pitcher's teammates make fun of him ("you stink!") and leave.

Mike:  "I think I'm gonna be sick!"

Mike sits down and looks depressed. "How come God never bothers to 
answer my prayers?"  

Donald walks up:  "Well Mike, that was a good game.  Too bad you guys
lost."

Mike:  I always loose.
Donald:  Cheer up Mike, remember, God loves you.
Mike:  Whatever....God loves EVERYBODY....
Donald:  Well, yeah, which includes you too.
Mike:  Right now I don't feel very included.  If God loves me, how come
I feel so lousy right now?  I can't do anything right...I just lost the
game.  But God loves Jon.  _HE_ got a homerun.  Everyone knows that
Jon is the disciple that Jesus loves...
Donald:  Mike, things will get better, I am sure of it.  You have to remember
that you are one of God's children, in good times and bad...here, take your
Bible...I have a feeling you will need it very soon...something tells
me you are about to have a spiritual struggle...

Mike (takes Bible) :  Thanks.

Next scene:

Donald leaves.  Satan enters.

Satan:  Hi. I'm Satan. I have come to tempt you.
Mike:   Wow!  I never knew Satan was a girl! (although I guess that makes  
sense...)
Satan:  I can disguise myself as many things.  Anyway, I saw the lousy
game you pitched.  You really stink.  And do you think God loves you?
No way, he thinks you stink too.  Look, I can change all that.  If you 
just trust in me, I'll make it so that you are the best baseball player
in the state.  And I'll even give you this trophy (the GCF ping pong 
trophy).  
Mike:  Wow!  The golden glove trophy award!  Could I really be a great
baseball player and have all that?
Satan:  Yes.  All you have to do is bow down and worship this trophy...
Mike:  Hmmm...sounds tempting...
Satan:  That's my busines...
Mike:  Maybe I should look in the Bible first.
Satan:  Don't read that!  The Bible is for losers...
Mike:  (reads some verse...perhaps reads "seek ye first the kingdom 
        of God, then all these things will be added unto you." Actually, 
        I'm not sure the best verse to use here.

Anyway, in the end, Mike should read a passage from the book of Daniel,
where Shadrack Meeshach and Oregano say to Nebuchadnezer "We will never
bow down to your idols, and our God is able to rescue us from the 
fire.  BUT EVEN IF HE DOES NOT, let it be known that we will only 
worship the true God of Israel..."  (my paraphrase).

**END**

 -mike neely