Chicago Police Sergeants' Association

Rabbi Moshe Wolf

So, Whose Praying For You??

I was stopped on the street by a member of our flock and was asked, "Rabbi, my close friend is over burdened and in great pain with many of life's challenges, what can I do to help?” My response was "sometimes in life the best thing we can do for a friend in need, is say a prayer for them. Let me explain with a short parable. Prayers on an Island...

A voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea and only two of the men on it were able to swim to a small, desert like island.

The two survivors, not knowing what else to do, agree that they had no other recourse but to pray to G-d. However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful, they agreed 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, another ship was wrecked, and the only survivor 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 shelter, clothes, more food. The next day, like magic, all of these were given to him. However, the second man still had nothing.

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 and decided to leave the second man on the island. He considered the other man unworthy to receive G-d'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?"

"My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them," the first man answered. "His prayers were all unanswered and so he does not deserve anything."

"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." "Tell me," the first man asked the voice, "What did he pray for that I should owe him anything?"

"He prayed that all your prayers be answered." ....End of parable.

For all we know, our blessings are not the fruits of our prayers alone, but those of another praying for us.

Remember, when you bring sunshine to the lives of others, you can't keep it from yourself.

My prayer for you today is that the Lord answers all your prayers. Amen.

Some points to ponder re: faith and prayer in our lives.
Funny how long it takes to serve G-d for an hour, but how quickly a team plays 60 minutes of basketball.
Funny how long a couple of hours spent at prayer are, but how short the same hours are when watching a ball game.
Funny how people can't think of anything to say when they pray,
but don't have difficulty thinking of things to talk about to a friend.
Funny how hard it is to read an extra chapter in prayer, but
how easy it is to read 100 pages of a best selling novel.
It is funny how people want to get a front seat at any game or
concert, but scramble to get a back seat at worship services.
Funny how hard it is for people to learn a simple Psalm
well enough to tell others, but how simple it is for the same people to
understand and repeat gossip.
Funny how people believe what the newspaper says, but
question what the Bible says.
Funny how everyone wants to go to heaven provided they do
not have to believe, or to think, or to say, or do anything.
FUNNY, ISN'T IT? .....Just a little something to keep your heart smiling and your brain thinking.
Spread the Word and give thanks to the Lord for He is good and there is plenty for what to be thankful.
Thanks for all that you do, your work is noble and sacred.

May G-d bless you and keep you safe. Amen.

Compliments of your Chaplain,
Rabbi Moshe Wolf
773-463-4780
or e-mail:


HOME MEMBERS WHAT’S NEW ALERTS/NOTICES UPCOMING EVENTS GOLF OUTING PENSION NEWS LEGISLATIVE RETIREES MEETING SCHEDULE NEWSLETTER EXECUTIVE BOARD CONTACT CONTRACT CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS CHAPLAIN'S CORNER IN MEMORIUM PHOTO GALLERY LINKS	Chicago Police Sergeants' Association Rabbi Moshe Wolf So, Whose Praying For You?? I was stopped on the street by a member of our flock and was asked, "Rabbi, my close friend is over burdened and in great pain with many of life's challenges, what can I do to help?” My response was "sometimes in life the best thing we can do for a friend in need, is say a prayer for them. Let me explain with a short parable. Prayers on an Island... A voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea and only two of the men on it were able to swim to a small, desert like island. The two survivors, not knowing what else to do, agree that they had no other recourse but to pray to G-d. However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful, they agreed 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, another ship was wrecked, and the only survivor 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 shelter, clothes, more food. The next day, like magic, all of these were given to him. However, the second man still had nothing. 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 and decided to leave the second man on the island. He considered the other man unworthy to receive G-d'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?" "My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them," the first man answered. "His prayers were all unanswered and so he does not deserve anything." "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." "Tell me," the first man asked the voice, "What did he pray for that I should owe him anything?" "He prayed that all your prayers be answered." ....End of parable. For all we know, our blessings are not the fruits of our prayers alone, but those of another praying for us. Remember, when you bring sunshine to the lives of others, you can't keep it from yourself. My prayer for you today is that the Lord answers all your prayers. Amen. Some points to ponder re: faith and prayer in our lives. Funny how long it takes to serve G-d for an hour, but how quickly a team plays 60 minutes of basketball. Funny how long a couple of hours spent at prayer are, but how short the same hours are when watching a ball game. Funny how people can't think of anything to say when they pray, but don't have difficulty thinking of things to talk about to a friend. Funny how hard it is to read an extra chapter in prayer, but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a best selling novel. It is funny how people want to get a front seat at any game or concert, but scramble to get a back seat at worship services. Funny how hard it is for people to learn a simple Psalm well enough to tell others, but how simple it is for the same people to understand and repeat gossip. Funny how people believe what the newspaper says, but question what the Bible says. Funny how everyone wants to go to heaven provided they do not have to believe, or to think, or to say, or do anything. FUNNY, ISN'T IT? .....Just a little something to keep your heart smiling and your brain thinking. Spread the Word and give thanks to the Lord for He is good and there is plenty for what to be thankful. Thanks for all that you do, your work is noble and sacred. May G-d bless you and keep you safe. Amen. Compliments of your Chaplain, Rabbi Moshe Wolf 773-463-4780 or e-mail:
	© Chicago Police Sergeants' Association