Karissa's Christian Website: God, The Great Provider (Inspiration Page 18)

Give Thanks

The Weight Of A Prayer

~ Unknown

A poorly dressed woman walked into a grocery store. She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries. She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work, they had seven children and they needed food. The grocer asked her how much she could spend and the woman answered, "I have nothing to offer but a little prayer."

The grocer scoffed at her told her he could not give her credit, as she did not have a charge account at his store. He then requested that she leave his store. Visualizing the family needs, she said: "Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can."

The grocer, who was not very sentimental nor religious, replied half-mockingly, "Ok, write your grocery list on a piece paper, and I'll weigh it. Whatever your list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries."

The woman hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed.

The eyes of the grocer showed amazement when the scales went down and stayed down. He then started putting the groceries on the other side of the scale. The scale did not move, so he continued to add more and more groceries until the scale would hold no more. The grocer stood there in utter disgust. Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with even greater amazement. It was not a grocery list, but a simple prayer that said: "Dear Lord, you know my needs and I am leaving this in your hands."

The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in stunned silence. The woman thanked him and left the store.

Only God who knows how much a prayer weighs.