Ritualistically he prayed three times a day—before breakfast, before dinner, and before bed. His prayers this evening were effusive because it had been a productive day. The sermon he'd taped this afternoon for his television show had been particularly inspired. The subject had been tribulation. Not the Tribulation with a capital T as described in the New Testament's Book of Revelations, but the minor annoyances that occur in everyday life. He shared with his followers the solution to handling those persistent, nagging nuisances. "Give them to me," he'd implored in his sincerest voice. "Lay them on my shoulders." He went on to explain that this transference was possible only if the burdened one had absolute faith in him and his ability to improve one's quality of life. Actually, it wasn't that hard for him to sell the idea because he believed it. He could improve lives. He demonstrated a perfection to which his followers should aspire. He bestowed love on the unloved. His promise of a new world order gave hope to the hopeless.
