“The Empty Chair” is a moving and gentle play that explores the quiet strength of faith and the power of simple prayer. When a worried daughter calls a minister to visit her ailing father, a mysterious empty chair by the bedside reveals a beautiful and personal connection to Jesus. This heartwarming story invites young audiences to reflect on the meaning of presence, peace, and hope — even in the silence. Ideal for children’s theatre, classrooms, and faith-based performances.
CHARACTERS:
DAUGHTER
JOSEPH
MINISTER
SCRIPT:
ACT I – AT THE CHURCH
(The Minister is kneeling at the altar with his prayer book. The DAUGHTER rushes in, worried and out of breath.)
DAUGHTER: Excuse me… please… are you the minister?
MINISTER: (turns kindly) Yes, I am. What’s wrong, child?
DAUGHTER: It’s my father… he’s very sick. I think… maybe if you talk to him… if you pray with him… he might feel better.
MINISTER: Of course. Let me get my holy oil and my prayer book. We’ll go right away.
(They leave the church together.)
ACT II – AT THE HOUSE
(The Minister enters a quiet room. Joseph, an old man, is lying in bed. Beside the bed is a simple wooden chair. The Minister notices it.)
MINISTER: I thought you were expecting me… when I saw the empty chair.
JOSEPH: No… I wasn’t. Who are you?
MINISTER: I’m the minister. Your daughter asked me to come pray with you.
JOSEPH: Oh. I see. Please… close the door, will you?
(The Minister closes the door and sits beside the bed.)
JOSEPH: I’ve never told anyone this… not even my daughter. I never knew how to pray. I heard preachers speak about it, but I never understood. It always felt… distant.
MINISTER: You’re not alone in that feeling.
JOSEPH: Then, four years ago, a good friend told me, “Prayer is just a conversation. Imagine Jesus sitting in that chair… and just talk to him.” So I did. And I’ve been doing it ever since. Every day. Quietly. Just me… and the chair.
MINISTER: That’s a beautiful way to pray.
JOSEPH: I don’t want my daughter to think I’m losing my mind… but the truth is, it brings me peace.
MINISTER: Then keep doing it. You’re not alone. May I pray with you now?
(The Minister opens his prayer book, and they pray together. Afterward, he anoints Joseph with holy oil.)
JOSEPH: Thank you… I feel better already.
MINISTER: I’ll be praying for you every day.
(The Minister gently squeezes his hand and leaves.)
ACT III – THE NEXT DAY
(The Minister is in his study. The phone rings. He picks it up.)
MINISTER: Hello?
DAUGHTER: (sadly) It’s me… I just wanted to let you know… my father passed away this afternoon.
MINISTER: I’m so sorry. Was he at peace?
DAUGHTER: Yes. Before I left the house, he called me over, told me he loved me, and kissed me on the cheek. When I returned… he was gone.
MINISTER: He died peacefully then…
DAUGHTER: There’s one thing I don’t understand. I found him with his head resting on the chair… just like… he was laying it on someone’s lap.
(The Minister wipes away a tear, smiling softly.)
MINISTER: I think I understand exactly what happened. I wish we could all go like that. God bless us all!.
NARRATOR: This touching play reminds us that faith doesn’t need fancy words or places. Sometimes, it only takes a quiet space, a willing heart, and the belief that we are never truly alone. For one old man, prayer became a friendship — and in the end, that friendship brought him peace.
THE END
Author: Unknown
Adapted by: K I D S I N C O
MORAL: True companionship can be found in the quiet of our hearts.
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