Prayers and wishes

During one of last week’s football games the commentator was telling the story of one of the players who had a hardship. After explaining the story he said something along the lines of, “Our thoughts and prayers are with you,” except he said… “prayers and wishes.” I get it that people are tired of hearing “thoughts and prayers” because it’s a phrase that’s way overused in society today, especially when people need prayers and thoughts, but also “money and work and help and encouragement.” So the announcer guy might have just been trying a new phrase that wouldn’t be dismissed by those hearing it. My immediate thought, though, was that he’s equating a prayer with a wish.

That ticks me right off! Not because someone else thinks of prayers as wishes, but because I wonder how many of my prayers, if you were to read them off a piece of paper, would look a lot like a Christmas wishlist.

God, forgive me for coming to you with a list of “wants.” Help me to remember you’re constantly involved in my life and YOUR wish is that I live as a new creation. When I pray, help me to listen as much as I talk. Remind me of your love, faithfulness, and protection as I acknowledge my lowly status, my ineptitude, and my need for forgiveness and fortress. You are not the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Who you are is one that answers prayers from believing hearts, even if it’s not what I’d wish for.

Thanks for dropping in…

-Out of the Wilderness