"Pray"

When the straw boss looped that pony,

I thought he sure looks good,

And when I got him saddled up,

He acted like he should.

Then turned him around some,

Like I was taught to do,

And for a horse of this size,

He had some bend it’s true.

But I was new on this place,

And just getting to know,

The people and the horses,

And what they had to show.

So I didn’t really know this horse,

They said he’d been turned out,

But I really liked the look of him,

So far, so good, no doubt.

I’m a short-legged feller,

A bit short-coupled, too,

Can’t just step up on one,

Less he’s short-legged, too.

And this old pony’s on the tall side,

Just under sixteen hands,

But I led him to a little grade,

And hopped aboard as planned.

Looked like he tensed all over,

A-standin’ very still,

I noticed all were lookin’,

My mind began to fill,

With thoughts of fear and wonder,

But then I had no choice,

It was ride the ones assigned to you,

I had no vote, no voice.

And then that pony turned his head,

And looked right back at me,

Don’t know why he did it,

But maybe just to see,

The next one of his victims,

He gave a mighty grunt,

And you’d have thought they trained him,

To do a bucking stunt.

He flew so high into the air,

I saw no ground below,

Just as if a plane took off,

He wasn’t moving slow.

In midair somehow spun around,

That big, old horse could pitch,

And I was pullin’ leather,

And thinkin’ I might switch,

To workin’ at a town job,

That’s safer for your health,

Course cowboy pay is always short,

So I wouldn’t lose no wealth.

But now he’s buckin’ higher,

And harder with each jump,

And in my mind I’m prayin’,

With each hard jerk and bump.

And then all of a sudden,

When I’m about to fall,

He stopped buckin’ and just trotted off,

It really did beat all.

I wish I could claim cowboy skill,

But that’s just not the case,

He simply gave up buckin’,

Before I lost my place.

Gravity’s not kind to me,

At times just like a storm,

It’s blown me right onto the ground,

And, frankly, that’s the norm.

But this time it was different,

Could it have been my prayer?

I really don’t know if it’s true,

But starting then and there,

A big part of my cowboy plan,

When it comes time to ride,

I ask the Lord to help me,

I’m glad He’s on my side.

In fact I am learning,

To pray ‘bout everything

‘Cause horses just like life will buck,

We need the help God brings.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for…” (Matthew 7:7, NLT)

God is a good Father who wants to give His children good gifts. Thus, Jesus counsels His disciples to keep on asking, seeking, and knocking. This instruction about prayer is well-known, but not always understood. One thing this does not mean is that, if we persist, God is obligated to give us what we want. Not true. Use the parent analogy again. No matter how many times a child may ask for a certain toy or gadget, if it’s not in the best interest of the child, the parent doesn’t give it. The same is true with God. But the Lord has promised to meet all our needs, and if we delight in Him, to give us the desires of our hearts. We don’t manipulate God with faith and prayer, but we position ourselves to receive His best. At the end of the day after making our requests known, we pray His will be done. In so doing we are placing every situation in God’s hands and trusting Him to do what is best. The prayerful life is always the blessed life! Pray on.

Lord, teach us to ask, seek and knock, in Jesus’ name.

Art by R.S. Riddick, used by permission. Thanks, Mr. Riddick, and God bless you.