Children’s Story – A Poor Woman’s Prayer

A Christian lady who often helped the poor was sitting alone in her room one winter morning. Soon her daughter came into the room.

“My dear,” the mother said to her daughter, “I’ve been thinking about old Mr. and Mrs. Woods off and on all night. I know they are going through a hard time right now and they could use some help. I wish you would go to the store and buy some groceries to take to them.”

“Of course, Mother,” the daughter agreed. And she turned to leave.

“Oh, and maybe you should take this too,” her mother said, handing her a warm flannel skirt. “It’s cold, and Mrs. Woods might need it.”

The girl bought several bags of groceries and carried them to the house where Mr. and Mrs. Woods lived. She was just about to knock on the door, when she heard Mr. Woods’ voice inside. She could hear him asking God’s blessing on the food they were about to eat. She paused and waited until he had finished praying before she knocked.

As she entered the little home, sure enough, there was Mr. and Mrs. Woods at dinner. Mrs. Woods sat on one side of the table, and Mr. Woods sat on the other. On the table between them sat their dinner—one large apple! This was all the food the old couple had!

With tears in her eyes, the girl set the bags of groceries on the table. And as Mrs. Woods began to fix a nice meal, the young girl listened to their story and their grateful thanks. They told her how they had been sick and how Mr. Woods hadn’t been able to work for some weeks and how they were having a difficult time making ends meet. They told her how they had been pouring out all their troubles to God in prayer and how they had been trusting Him to send them help.

When dinner was ready and their visitor was about to leave, Mrs. Woods went with her to the door. “My dear,” she asked hesitantly, “did you bring the flannel skirt?”

In the excitement of getting the dinner ready, the girl had completely forgotten the skirt her mother had sent.

“Why, yes,” she said surprised. “I did bring you a flannel skirt. But why would you think that I had?”

“Because, dear,” said Mrs. Woods, “when I told the Lord yesterday that we had only one apple left, I also told Him that I needed a warm flannel skirt. And I was just wondering whether He had sent it with you or if He was planning to use someone else to bring it.”

Jesus said, “ ‘Do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” … Your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you’ ” (Matthew 6:31–33 NIV).