There is a story about how God sent two angels to earth to listen to the prayers of humanity. One angel was asked to collect all the prayers in which people asked God for something.
There is a story about how God sent two angels to earth to listen to the prayers of humanity. One angel was asked to collect all the prayers in which people asked God for something. The other angel was asked to collect all the prayers of thanksgiving.
The two angels descended on earth and began their task. They agreed to meet in a month with their findings. The angel collecting prayers asking God for something soon became extremely busy. There were prayers that people had to help them earn more money, or get a windfall, or win a lottery. There were prayers for God to cure people of illnesses. There were many prayers for improved health of one’s children, spouse, parents, siblings, relatives, and friends. The angel filled the basket with prayers that people had for worldly objects such as a bigger house, new car, latest computer, jewellery, expensive clothing and new toys for their children. Some people prayed to God for a husband or wife, for children or for better relationships.
In the meantime, the other angel travelled far and wide looking to fill the basket with prayers of thankfulness. One day passed, then two days and then the third, but no prayers of gratitude were heard. The angel visited the young and elderly, men and women, people of all countries, all religions and all classes. Still, not a prayer of thankfulness was heard. All that this angel heard were prayers asking for things. Wondering whether s/he was missing something, this angel contacted the other angel to ask whether his/her basket of prayers was getting filled.
“Oh yes! I have not only filled one basket, but many more,” said the angel. “But I too have not heard any prayers of thankfulness,” s/he added.
For the rest of the month, the two angels fulfilled their mission and were ready to return to God. The angel collecting prayers of request was laden with many baskets. The angel collecting prayers of thankfulness hardly had any in the basket. There were a few prayers of thankfulness, but a tiny amount compared to the prayers of requests.
When God was presented with these findings, he sighed. “This is nothing new,” said God. “You now have a taste of what it is like being God. People are always praying for something from Me, which is all right because at least they are thinking of Me. But few ever thank Me.”
This story illustrates our human condition. In life, many people request others to do something for them, but how many people take an equal amount of time to thank them Similarly, we pray to God for so many things that we want, but how many take the time to thank God The post office receives many letters from children addressed to Santa Claus before Christmas. Yet, after Christmas, children typically do not send a letter to Santa thanking him for what the gifts.
The next time the two angels are sent by God to come to earth, let us not disappoint the one collecting prayers of thanks. Let us be among those who can thank God for the many gifts we have received-for our human birth, for our health, for our food, clothing and shelter, and for our families. Let us also thank God for our education and for our jobs. However, let us not thank God merely with words but with our deeds. We can thank God by leading ethical lives of non-violence, truthfulness, purity, humility and selfless service. The deed most appreciated by God is meditating daily so that we can connect with the inner light and sound which is the means by which we can return to our “true home” in the shortest possible time.
Sant Rajinder Singhji, head of Sawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission, can be contacted at www.sos.org
