During a terrible storm, a ship was wrecked leaving only two survivors who swan to a small, desert like island. Not knowing what else to do, the two men agree that they had no other recourse but to pray to God. However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful, they agree to divide the territory between them and stay on opposite sides of the island.
The first thing they prayed for was food. The next morning, the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the land, and he was able to eat its fruit. The other man's parcel of land remained barren.
After a week, the first man was lonely and he decided to pray for a wife. The next day, there was a woman who swam to his side of the land. On the other side, of the island, there was nothing.
Soon the first man prayed for a house, clothes, more food. The next day, like magic, all of these things were given to him. The second man’s side of the island remained a void.
The first thing they prayed for was food. The next morning, the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the land, and he was able to eat its fruit. The other man's parcel of land remained barren.
After a week, the first man was lonely and he decided to pray for a wife. The next day, there was a woman who swam to his side of the land. On the other side, of the island, there was nothing.
Soon the first man prayed for a house, clothes, more food. The next day, like magic, all of these things were given to him. The second man’s side of the island remained a void.
Finally, the first man prayed for a ship, so that he and his wife could leave the island. In the morning, he found a ship docked at his side of the island. The first man boarded the ship with his wife, but, decided to leave the second man on the island. He considered the other man unworthy to receive God's blessings, since none of his prayers had been answered.
As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a voice from heaven booming, "Why are you leaving your companion on the island?" The first man replied; "My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them. His prayers were all unanswered and so he deserves nothing. “
As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a voice from heaven booming, "Why are you leaving your companion on the island?" The first man replied; "My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them. His prayers were all unanswered and so he deserves nothing. “
"You are mistaken!" the voice rebuked him. "He had only one prayer, which I answered. If not for that, you would not have received any of my blessings."
The first man asked the voice; "What did my companion pray for that I should owe him anything?"
The voice responded; "He prayed that all your prayers be answered."
The voice responded; "He prayed that all your prayers be answered."
For all we know, our blessings are not the fruits of our prayers alone, but those of another praying for us; a thought worth giving consideration.
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