There is an ancient legend about two angels who flew to earth to gather people’s prayers. Wherever people bowed in prayer--by their bedside at night, in a chapel, or on the side of a mountain--the angels stopped and gathered the prayers into their baskets. Before long the basket carried by one of the angels grew heavy with the weight of what he had collected, but that of the other remained almost empty.

Maybe you can guess why one basket was full, while the other remained empty. Into the first basket were put prayers of petition. “Please give me this . . . Please let me have that.” Into the other went the prayers that said simply, “Thank you.” 

“Your basket seems very light,” said one angel to the other. 

“Yes,” replied the one who carried basket containing the simple prayer “Thank you.…