A Pony Tale (1 Timothy 2:1)

FAITH

Faith was exploring through an area of the castle grounds that she had never been before. She came across the stable area, and heard the soft neighing of horses. Turning one of the corners, she saw Charity, grooming and rubbing down a beautiful small pony.

FAITH & CHARITY

"Who does that belong to?", Faith blurted out.

"I call her Blessing", said Charity, "she belongs to me"

"Belongs to you?", exclaimed Faith

"Yes, absolutely", Charity responded matter-of-factly,"Dad said all of us can have our very own pony; we just have to ask him"

THRONE ROOM

Faith didn't need another word. She bolted from the area, rushing headlong toward where she knew her father would be; the throne room. On arrival, she crashed through the throne room doors, ignoring all protocol and royal etiquette. She was bursting with excitement that couldn't be contained! The whole inner court stopped all their affairs of state, and matters of the kingdom, as tiny Faith raced hurriedly through the crowd, and jumped with exuberance, right into the lap of her father the king; seated on the throne.

DADDY

"Daddy, daddy!", Faith exclaimed, "Charity said each of us kids can have our very own pony, all we have to do is ask you. Can I, can I, can I have my own pony?"

The loving king was smiling from ear to ear, as he roared back in laughter.

PONY by FRIDAY

"Absolutely, Faith", he beamed. "I can have a brand new pony, of your very own, here by Friday. I will send one of the messengers to get you one from my private stables; now run along and play, and enjoy the rest of your day"

THANK YOU DADDY!

Faith was ecstatic! "Thank you daddy! Thank you for my very own pony!" She excitedly said, as she hurried out of the throne room just as fast as she came, still shouting out thanks to her daddy.

HER VERY OWN!

The rest of that day, and all that week, she told everyone she met about her new pony. "Daddy is getting me a new pony this Friday", she would say, and they all rejoiced with her too. She just couldn't contain her joy. She told the doormen and the soldiers; the page and the steward; the servants and the heads of state. Soon everyone in the kingdom, it seemed, knew Faith would have her very own pony on Friday!

A BEAUTIFUL PONY

Sure enough, Friday morning came, and she heard the soft neighing outside her bedroom window. She rushed into the royal courtyard, and there, still standing near her open window, was a royal messenger; lead rope in hand, that held secured at the other end, a beautiful baby pony; just for Faith! She saw her father looking on. "Thank you! Thank you daddy. Thank you for my pony", she shouted! This had been the best week ever!

1 TIMOTHY 2:1 has set forth the "ingredients" of prayer:

1) SUPPLICATION - (deeseis), [1162], meaning to present a particular need or insufficiency; a desire.

2) PRAYERS - (proseuche) [4335], meaning to make confident statements about oneself; to boast; brag; or to assert. This is a bold assertion of the facts, and translates over 80% of the time, into English, as the word "prayer".

3) INTERCESSIONS - (enteuxeis) [1783], meaning the bold; brash familiar speech of a very close communion among friends; or the blatant access of a child to his or her father, in unashamed intimate conversation, making request.

4) GIVING of THANKS - (eucharistias) [2169], meaning the thanksgiving and rejoicing expressed, because a request has already been granted.

THRONE ROOM of the KING

If we can view the imagery of a young toddler, boldly rushing into the throne room of the king; while counselors and advisors may be informing his majesty concerning matters of state, or bringing him abreast of current happenings in the kingdom, and suddenly, this very young child, who is the kings favorite, because of their innocence and unpretentious demeanor, and the kingly father's unreserved love and affection, for the child, takes total precedence of all that has been going on. All the affairs of the kingdom come to a halt, as the king's own precious child, jumps up on his lap, and blurts out their request for a pony. At that moment, the king has ears for no one else, and his sole attention is fixated on the specific wants of his child.

THANK YOU

The king grants the request for a pony, and the toddler, even though they don't physically see the pony, at that moment, run out of the throne room calling back, "Thank you Daddy! Thanks for the pony! Thanks very Much! I sure love you! Thank you!"

CONFIDENCE in HIS WORD

The child wouldn't run back into the king's presence, and start the whole drama all over again; making the same request. If some absurdity such as that took place, the kingly father would be gravely insulted, that their familiar child didn't believe them, or have confidence in their words, that what they requested was already granted, even though it may take some time to get the pony they wanted.

THE FATHER'S BLESSING

In reality, every time the child saw the king, in the hallways of the palace; in the courtyard; at the royal dinner table, with family gathered around, they would blurt out, "Thanks again for giving me the pony. I can't wait to see it! Will you teach me how to ride it?" Every conversation would be around the pony, and how much fun it was going to be to pet the pony; play with the pony; and enjoy the father's gift to the child. The child would be profusely grateful, and constantly thanking the father; wanting to know about the arrival of the pony; already knowing the color and details of the pony that they requested, but still so excited about being able to physically touch; see; and enjoy the father's blessing.

This is a dramatic illustration of the action of prayer.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours