I Don't Wish, I Pray
In our world today, it's common to hear people talk about wishes and magical solutions to life's problems. The idea of a genie who grants wishes is a popular theme in stories and movies. But for believers in Christ, we have something far more powerful and reliable: a wonderful God who invites us to pray and trust in Him.
Prayer is not just a ritual or a way to ask for things we want. It’s a means of communicating with the Creator of the universe. In Philippians 4:6-7, we are encouraged, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This verse highlights that through prayer, we can find peace and relief from anxiety, knowing that God is in control.
Unlike a genie that grants wishes with limitations and conditions, God’s power and love are boundless. Ephesians 3:20 tells us, "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us." God's ability to bless us goes beyond our imagination. His plans for us are good, even when we don't understand them. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
A genie is a mythical figure that exists to serve and fulfill wishes. In contrast, our relationship with God is based on love, faith, and trust. 1 John 5:14-15 assures us, "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him." Our prayers are not just about getting what we want, but about aligning our hearts with God’s will and trusting in His wisdom and timing.
God's nature is compassionate, loving, and faithful. Psalm 145:8-9 declares, "The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made." Unlike the unpredictable nature of a genie, God’s character is unchanging and trustworthy. He knows what is best for us and acts out of His perfect love and justice.
Living by faith means trusting God even when we can't see the outcome. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." We don’t rely on wishes; we rely on God's promises, which are true and steadfast. His Word provides a firm foundation on which we can build our lives.
As believers, we don’t wish; we pray. We don’t depend on a genie; we trust in a wonderful God who hears us, loves us, and is powerful enough to do more than we could ever ask or think. Our faith in Him is based on a relationship, not transactions. Through prayer, we draw closer to God, align with His will, and experience His peace and provision. Let us continue to rely on our wonderful God, who is always faithful and always good.
Fifty years ago, I committed my life to serving the Lord. I hold an associate degree in Christian Education and a bachelor’s degree in Christian Counseling. I live by 1 Corinthians 9:16, Ephesians 3:7-8, and Colossians 1:28-29. In my retirement, I focus on studying and teaching God’s Word. Besides writing this Blog I maintain 3 Facebook pages dedicated to spreading the Word of God. Email: hopeinchrist2024@yahoo.com