"Why A Rope, Son?"

After saying his nightly prayer, little Johnny said to his Dad, “I'll be right back.”

“Where are you going?” asked his Dad.

“To get a rope,” he quickly replied.

“Why a rope, Son?” he wondered.

“Well, Dad, you promised me that Jesus would answer my prayers. I asked him for a pony tonight and I need the rope to tie the pony to my bed when it comes.”

Now that's faith. Asking God for a pony and then running to get a rope. But that is what happens when we take God at His Word. Jesus said, “You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you will have it.”

Contained in the word “anything” is the word “everything.” And when Jesus made that statement He would have us to understand that our prayers are to be motivated by asking for things that have God’s best interest at heart. Certainly when we pray we are to ask for the desires of our hearts, but we must always place His will above our wants, His good above our greed and ask for His wisdom so that we can recognize the needs of His Kingdom first and foremost.

Is it wrong to ask God for a pony? Of course not. He created the little ponies and He wants us to enjoy all of His creation. But if spending time enjoying the pony causes us to stop reading the Bible, praying, worshiping, serving and obeying Him, we have the wrong priorities and we need to give up our “ponies”.

Prayer: Give us the boldness, Father, to pray sincerely, confidently, expectantly and with determination for those things that will honor You and enrich our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:17-27