These Things We Pray

Many years ago, a film called “The Man Who Played God” was released. It featured the great character actor, George Arliss, playing the part of a prominent, rich musician. Because he was losing his hearing, the musician became embittered and cynical. Not only did he turn his back on his friends, he turned his back on God. He moved into a penthouse where he began to learn the art of lip-reading. From his penthouse window, overlooking a park, he would look through a set of high-powered binoculars and try to read people’s lips. One day he concentrated on a young man whose lips were moving in prayer. He determined what it was the young man was praying for and then dispatched his butler to deliver it to him. On another occasion he read the lips of a woman who was telling another about something she needed and wanted desperately. Again, the wealthy musician saw to it that the need was met. And each time he…