The Case of the
Missing Prayer List
Deep in the heart of the Bat cave, Batman & Robin are discussing the Biblical concept of prayer.
"Gee Batman, I have been here at SAGU for two semesters now, and I never had such a hard assignment before," said Robin.
Batman asked, "What are you trying to do?"
Robin looked puzzled and said, "Well, Dr. Amy Alexander, my English professor, wants a essay written on cause and effect, and I want to write on the effects of praying. You know! Prayer is the cause, and answers are the effect and in the process answer the question, why do we as Christians pray?
Batman asked in a puzzled tone, "Yeah?..., So what is the problem?"
"Well, I usually write only facts and what I can prove on paper, but I don't have documented proof that prayer works. How in the world am I going to prove that it works?"
Batman started to answer, "Well, the Bible says, 'he who seeks finds' that's a cause and effect. You just need to seek God for the answers and ........."
Ring! Ring!(Sounds the Bat phone)
"Batman here! Yes commissioner we're in the Bat cave now! Yeah..., yeah, What! "Batman shuddered! "We are on our way. We will meet you in your office in five minutes!"
"Holy interruption Batman! What was that all about?"
Batman sharply answered, "Quick, into the Batmobile we haven’t one moment to loose, I'll explain on the way!
While in the Batmobile,
Robin: "Atomic batteries to power. Turbines to speed."
Batman: "Roger ready to move out."
The Batmobile is screaming tires as they exit the Bat Cave!
Batman explains to Robin. "It appears that Dr. Guynes president of Southern Nazarene University called the commissioner about some very troubling news. It seems as though. . . ."
"Holy commonalty Batman, that the school I'm going too," Robin interrupted!
Batman replied, "Yea, I know, anyways its seems as though someone lost something very valuable to them. Dr. Guynes has a very important document and it has no name on it."
Robin asks, "Man that a big job, how are we going to find the owner?"
"We will have to see Robin. We will have to see." Uttered Batman.
Later in the office of Dr. Guynes, they receive the document and started conducting an examination of the evidence.
Dr. Guynes says, "Here's the document I told the commissioner about over the phone, I would appreciate it if you would take care of this matter for me Batman your the only I could think of that might be able to solve this dilemma."
"Look, Batman. It is a list of prayer requests that have been written down."
"Yes and quite lengthy too!" Batman added.
"Yes, and it has two columns, one for the request, and another for the answered prayers, which he or she has marked in a red ink with the words 'Praise God!' "Robin surprising says.
Dr. Guynes says, "This is of the up most importance Batman, after all losing a prayer list like this can make a big difference in life. Oh, and if you find him or her be sure tell that person that they need to start praying for the rich to leave their money to the students in their wills, so the cost of going here won't be so high."
Robin asked, "Does that even include millionaire Bruce Wayne as a part of that list."
Dr. Guynes replies in a low deep voice, "Hooo yes brother, we should not leave anyone out of our prayers, no matter how well-known he may be!"
Robin takes the list from Dr. Guynes.
"Well get right on it Dr. Guynes, come Robin lets go run some analysis of this back in the Bat cave!" Batman says in an order voice.
Back in the Batcave Batman & Robin began the examination of the list closely.
Robin says, "Look Batman, this person categorized the list by classes. One part of the list is for Old Testament Survey. And again the second column is full of answered prayers. See, one found a new job, another person's father had a leg that was healed and as a result he kept his job, another lady had some female problem and was healed, another received wisdom too, and..... "
"What are the other classes that are mentioned?" Batman interrupted!
"Well" said Robin, "There is a philosophy class also. And look, there is an answered column also. Hey! Batman listen to this, a person got saved in that class and another a lady received a healing, as well!"
"That's great Robin. Are there anymore classes mentioned?"
"Holy schedules Batman! This person has Dr. Amy Alexander for English also. This person must have her in an another class period. This also has answered prayers put down. In fact, a lady with a life threatening problem was healed in this class as well, and someone's friend named Gary got saved. Look! another person's friend got delivered from drugs and is now walking with the Lord. Another student received wisdom, and another. A person even got a house. A girl received God's will and a job opportunity for the summer. A person even got in touch with his unsaved family and the family is actually talking to him. Hey! Batman I just thought of something. What if we go talk to Dr. Alexander and ask her if she knows who this list belongs too."
Batman answered "I have already thought about that, but look what time it is. She would not be there at this time. Its too late. Besides I have put all the information into the Bat computer all the classes, and hopefully we will be able to make a match to someone who corresponds with it. Look ! Its coming out of the printer now."
"Holy cross-referencing Batman! That's a great idea! Why didn't I think of that? What does the print-out say?"
Batman replied, "There are two identical matches. It belongs to one of two people who live on campus. One person living in Davis dorm in room #413 and the other lives in Collins dorm room 217."
Robin looked disappointed. "How does that help us out? There are at least two people living in each of those room. Davis is an all guys dorm and Collins is an all girls dorm?"
Batman thought for a moment. "I got it!" Snapping his fingers together. "I have in my utility belt a Micro-Bat Modulating Computer, I'll just input all the room lists of everyone on listed in those two dorms. Then I'll run a cross-reference can on the hand writing that correlates with the occupants of those rooms and maybe we'll find the owner of the list."
Robin thought out loud. "How does a college student find so much time to pray anyway?"
Batman spoke up! "I found him, and I even know where he works. Quick Robin to the Batmobile!"
In the Batmobile, Robin asked "Gosh Batman where are we going, it's three o'clock in the morning."
Batman answered! "We are going to Crispy Creams Donuts to return the prayer list to the owner. He works there making donuts all night long.
Robin asked, "Man who in the world could have a job like that and go to full-time college?"
Batman said, "We shall see Robin. We shall see!"
The Dynamic Duo showed up at Crispy Cream. The owner of the list was praying and working in the back. He could be heard from the front of the store. Then Batman & Robin gave the list to him.
The owner said with a smile, "Man I don't know what I would have done without you guys. I thought I had lost it for good."
Robin asked, "What would you have done if you never found it. Stopped praying until you started a new list?"
"Stop praying?" the owner of the list snapped! "Why, no, of course not! There is too much to pray for to stop praying. There are over thirteen million deaf people in the U.S., and less then one percent is reached with the gospel. There are the Muslims allover the world who are lost. There are the millions of lost people in Russia, not to mention the lost people right here in the store. And let's not forget to pray for wisdom for all the teachers and dorm directors, pastors and all those people in authority leading God's flock. We could pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit when we study His Word, we could pray that........."
Robin interrupted and asked, "Why do you keep a list anyway?"
The owner replies, "Well, I thought it would be good to test if this prayer thing really works or not, so I started keeping a list this past semester to check the results. Maybe someday I just might write a paper on the documented proof that a prayer life works, and send it to my family in Denver, Colorado."
Robin mumbles to himself, "Wow!"
Batman interrupted, "Lets go Robin he needs to get back to work!"
Batman &Robin leave the store.
"Well that wraps up this case. Lets go home," said Batman.
"Hey, Batman," said Robin "I think I know what I am going to write about for Dr. Alexander!"
Batman asked, "Whats that?"
Robin replied, "Well you mentioned earlier that if we seek, we will find. Maybe I will write a cause and effect essay on seeking things and finding them. You know, the seeking is the cause and the finding is the effect. At least I know I can prove that. I can even use an illustration of losing a favorite coffee mug and then finding it after lots of searching."
Batman shook his head and answered, "Maybe that will work Robin, maybe that will work, after all that is something you can prove.
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