Prayers are Not Wishes

Lessons from Kiki Volume 1

Today I want to introduce you to our sweet dog, Kiki. She came to us nine years ago as a gift from the organization Canine Companions for Independence. Kiki is trained as a service dog for my oldest daughter. When we first received her my daughter was not old enough to handle her independently, so I had the privilege of being her handler for seven years. I have a bond with this dog like no other animal I've ever loved. She has been a blessing to our family in many ways and God often uses her to teach me spiritual lessons, which I hope to share with you.

Kiki the wonder dog

Kiki has had a rough time recently. She started acting like she was in pain but we couldn't figure out why. She wasn't limping and she could jump into the minivan, but she didn't want to do much except lay around. After meals she would lay down next to her food dish when normally she runs to find a toy to bring to the person who gave her food - her way of saying thank you! Every once in a while she would let out a little yelp but we could never figure out what was hurting. I took her to the vet and eventually they found that she had developed an infection that was causing an abscess between her upper jaw and behind her eye. Eventually it spread to the top of her head and into her skin layers. The situation was looking very grim and since the infection wasn't responding to antibiotics we were very afraid we were going to lose her. I lost quite a bit of sleep praying for wisdom and begging God for more time with this wonderful dog. Mercifully, the vet found the right combination of medications and we were able to bring her home. She's been recuperating for several weeks. Part of the care she needs is soft food because of the pain in her mouth. Normally she eats kibble, but to soften it we first crush it and then soak it in warm water for a few minutes, which makes it just as soft as canned food.

Every morning I take Kiki's food bowl out to the garage and put her kibble into a cloth bag. Then I kneel on the concrete garage floor and use my small hammer to break up the kibble. Since I'm there on my knees, I take the opportunity to say some quick prayers for the day. A common one these days is, "God, can this end soon?" because after three months of crushing kibble, dosing with medications, and watching for signs of the infection and pain coming and going I'm very ready to just have my healthy pup again. The other day when I breathed "God, can this end soon?" a questioning voice chirped from somewhere over my shoulder. "Oh, you want the dog to end? Be careful what you wish for..."

I recoiled. No! I want her to be well, Lord, please!

My soul recognized the voice of Doubt and rebuked it. This is a prayer, not a wish! Get behind me, Doubt! My Father hears my prayers, He knows what I need, and He will answer with love.

A thistle seed. Can these carry wishes too?

Have you ever tossed a penny in a wishing well, or said "Wish I may, wish I might" when you see the first star at night? Maybe you've heard of saying a wish over a stray eyelash or a dandelion that's gone to seed and then blowing the wish away. Perhaps you've made a wish before blowing out your birthday candles. You might also be familiar with the saying, "be careful what you wish for because you just might get it." There are lots of funny jokes about people getting three wishes from a genie and asking for what they think they want only to have the genie misinterpret the wish and give them something entirely different.

A wish is a hope that something you want will be made real because of good luck or magical powers. (Cambridge Dictionary) Prayers are not wishes. Prayers are much more substantial than wishes. Prayers are directed not to a capricious unknown force, but to the all powerful, all knowing, all good Lord of the Universe. Prayer is voicing something you need or want to God, knowing that with Him all things are possible and that He works all things for good.

There is a scripture from the gospels where Jesus is teaching His followers about prayer. Matthew places it at the end of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:7-11). Luke includes it after the Lord's Prayer.

And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”  Luke 11:9-13, ESV

Did you ask for fish?

God is not a tricksy Genie who hears our prayers and thinks up a way to mess with us. He is a good Father who gives good gifts. If we ask for a fish, He will give us a fish. If we ask for an egg, He will give us an egg. Matthew records that if we ask for bread we will receive bread, not a stone. This does not mean that God is a vending machine. He knows what we actually need and what is best for us. In our limited perspective we might think that what we are praying for is just what we need, the very best fish, but God can see from His perspective that what we are asking for is actually a serpent that will harm us. He might say 'no,' or 'wait,' or 'how about this tasty fish instead,' but He will never answer without our best in mind.

Sometimes when we are most desperate it is hard to form into words what we need. Often my prayers are just a word or two. There have been times when I can't do anything but just bow and groan. The most wonderful promise that Jesus gives us is the gift of the Holy Spirit. Paul teaches us that the Holy Spirit helps us pray by interceding with "groanings too deep for words" and assures us that God makes "all things work together for good" for those who love God. (Romans 8:26-28)

Wishes are fun, but prayers are so much more powerful. We need not fear that our prayer is worded badly or that God will misinterpret our need. He wants us to ask, and as a Good Father He wants to give us what is best for us.

While I've been pondering these things, the following songs and scripture have come to mind. I hope you will listen to them and be reminded of the gift of prayer and our Good Father who answers each prayer with love.

Good Good Father by Chris Tomlin

Don't Stop Praying by Matthew West

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17 (ESV)

- KDL