Should I Pray for my Horse?

Does the idea of praying for your horse seem silly or completely reasonable? Well, you may already know my opinion on the topic, but I would like to show what scripture says on the topic. Like my pastor always says, “Speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent.” (Thank you, Pastor Larry)

I recently experienced an answered prayer with my horse and I believe that God is not offended by those kinds of prayers. There was a time in history where someone’s livelihood was reliant on a horse. That may still be true for some. But with the advancement of automobiles, horses have not been necessary for the majority. But God cares and continues to care for His equine friends. And more than that, He cares for the things you care about. I hope this article encourages you!

Should I pray for my horse? What does the Bible say?

Philipians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

This is my favorite verse for this topic because it solidifies the core intent of our prayer life. It doesn’t beat around the bush. In everything pray. I believe that nothing is too small or too great to pray about. That God cares about every detail of our life. And believe it or not, that includes your relationship with your horse. Particularly if He can use your relationship with your horse to draw you closer to Himself.

But to dive into this verse a little more, I’d like to point out that it begins with saying “be anxious for nothing.” So if there is something that has you worried or fearful about regarding your horse, then by all means bring that to the Lord in prayer. And let your requests be made known to Him. Be specific in your asking. Tell God your exact problem and ask Him for guidance on how to fix it.

And don’t forget to give thanksgiving. It’s an offer of praise that is due to God. Our horses are a gift from Him. Be thankful for even the difficulties and what He is able to teach you through them. It may seem counterintuitive to be thankful for difficulties, but it’s actually quite Biblical. (see next verse)

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

We see that the apostle Paul was imprisoned and was still able to give thanks for his circumstances. He saw the larger picture. That his imprisonment opened doors for him to preach the gospel and to write the letters that he did. If you are following God’s will and find yourself in a painful trial, then perhaps it is a necessary trial. Trust God and give thanks. We may not know everything this side of Heaven.

Ephesians 6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition.

Praying in the Spirit? What does that even mean? Well, first off, you must believe and have faith in who you are praying to. All believers have the Spirit of God living inside them. So, when you pray, do it from your heart, with feeling. It’s not a checklist to get through. It’s a mindset that is why it says at all times. Let your heart be Spirit led.

We interact with our horses a certain way. We do it with love and care. At least we should. Treat your prayers the same way. It should be done with feeling. The words don’t have to be perfect. In fact, they don’t even have to be audible.

Proverbs 27:23 Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds.

We not only need to bring our troubles to the Lord, but do our do-diligence when it comes to caring for our horses. But I love this verse and it’s such a reminder that it is a responsibility that God has given us to care for his creatures. And that encompasses praying for them and talking to God about them. I myself could do better about that. So I hope this encourages you to do so as well.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

Sometimes it’s so easy to either look to the internet for answers or jump into something before we ever think about bringing a situation to the Lord. But again, God wants to be involved in the small details. He wants to be involved in your life and in your relationship with your horse.

I have found that the equestrian world can be a tad cruel, especially with the internet. If someone has hurt you by something they’ve said, I want to offer some words of comfort because they don’t know you or your situation. Nobody is perfect, and no horse is perfect. We all are on a journey of horsemanship and at different stages. In this space, I want to encourage and inspire others. That is my core purpose with The Narrow Trail. I hope these verses help you in your relationship with your horse. God Bless!

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.