CEBU, Philippines - Kim and Ray were very close buddies.
They were neighbors, studied together, graduated and worked together afterwards.
One time they planned to enjoy a vacation and took on a sea voyage to explore different places. Unfortunately, their ship met a storm and was wrecked in the middle of the ocean. Most of the travelers were unable to save themselves, but Kim and Ray, who knew how to swim, managed to save their lives, by swimming to an isolated island.
They were very happy and thanked God for saving them. However, the island looked like a deserted place with hardly any trees, and a very dry atmosphere that no living organism could survive. They could do nothing but pray to God to save their lives.
Kim and Ray sincerely prayed to God. But nothing happened even after a couple of days. Later on, they decided to split ways to the opposite ends of the island and challenged themselves as to whose prayer would be more powerful.
The buddies divided the deserted island into zones and each went to his designated place. There, alone, each offered his prayers to God.
Kim prayed to God for food for him to survive. To his big surprise – although he was wishing for it – he came upon a pile of fruits and vegetables on the sea shore.
After a few days, he was becoming lonely and requested God to send him a beautiful girl to be his wife. Just after a few hours, another ship got wrecked near the side of the island where Kim was. The only one who survived was a beautiful girl! He married the girl.
After a few days, he prayed to God for shelter and more food. Kim’s prayers were all granted by God.
Almost a month had passed and Kim wished to go home to his hometown. He prayed for God to send a ship to take him and his wife home. A ship came, and Kim took his wife aboard.
But just before the ship could leave, a voice sounded! “Are you going alone, leaving your dear companion here?”
Kim looked around and asked, “May I know who this is and whom you are referring to? I have my wife with me!”
The voice replied, “I’m the One to whom you offered your prayers, whom you requested to save your life, and whom you requested for food and shelter and, of course, for a wife!”
Kim quickly bowed on his knees and said, “Thank you God!”
God asked him, “But why do you leave your companion here?”
Kim was getting confused. Then God added, “Don’t get so excited, my son. Your prayers were not the ones I answered and fulfilled. I was only fulfilling Ray’s prayers. He prayed only one thing to me! He asked me to fulfill all of your prayers. This was his only prayer.”
Kim broke into tears and rushed to the other side of the island. He realized that he did not even think about his best friend Ray, and was happily enjoying life with all the blessings that came his way.
He could not find Ray anywhere and he was prompted to ask God, “Where is Ray?”
God replied, “I took him with Me. I thought the man with the golden heart should be with Me sooner! But I would fulfill all your prayers as I promised him!”
Kim was completely broken and realized that his friend’s prayers were the more powerful – because it was totally selfless. (www.kidsworldfun.com) (FREEMAN)