This piece is the fruit of my July writing seminar, Apologetics for Writer. We were given 8 topics to choose from and worked with our group members to draft, revise, and fine-tune our pieces. Like last year’s poetry experience, this was enlightening and challenging. My chosen topic was: Isn’t prayer just wish fulfillment? Enjoy!
“Oh, how I wish ________.” Close your eyes and fill in the blank. Now blow out your candles, cross your fingers, click your heels three times, send it to the universe, or say a prayer. Each of these actions is the same, right? Aren’t they all equally effective? There is nothing wrong with wishing for some good to be received – to desire or hope for something good. In fact, Jesus asked the mother of James and John (Matthew 20: 21 NAB), “What do you wish?” We often hope for the healing of a loved one, to meet our future spouse, find a new job, receive a raise, or other “big ticket item” in our life to come to fruition.
What sets prayer apart from the act of simply wishing? First and foremost, God. God is not an abstract, cold entity; instead, He is a loving, merciful, and faithful Father who created you – who says, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you”(Jer 1:5). He desires to hear from you, to fulfill your needs, and always be with you. Prayer is how we can come before Him, open our hearts, and share our hopes and dreams. Prayer forges our relationship with God. You might ask, how is prayer different from making a wish?
Prayer takes many forms: praising who God is, thanking Him for all He has done for us, repenting for our failures and seeking God’s forgiveness, interceding on behalf of those we love, and petitioning God for our needs. Our prayer can and should include all these different forms of prayer. When we humbly petition our Creator, we begin the conversation that allows Him to purify our petition and uncover the root of what we seek.
Prayer, however, is more than a formula to get correct to ensure God gives us what we want; more accurately, prayer is the place to experience divine intimacy. In my life, prayer is where my heart beats with the heart of my Father in Heaven. It is a time of silence in which God touches the depths of my soul to reveal my deepest desires—not my wishes—but the core of my human needs—to be known, loved, and cared for. It is an encounter that attunes my heart to His heart and aligns my will to His will.
My time in prayer has deepened my relationship with God and helped me live more fully as a beloved daughter of a loving Father. The Lord has brought healing, peace, and freedom through this relationship. The more time I spend with the Lord in prayer, the more time I long to spend with Him. I know He delights in this desire. Does this mean He has answered every prayer the way I have desired? No. Often, His answers come much later than desired, but they are more beautiful and perfect than expected. During these times of waiting upon the Lord, my trust and reliance on Him deepened.
Perhaps at some point in time, you used to believe in God, but He seemingly let you down in a big way. So you gave up on prayer and God—you closed off your heart. I have experienced the heartache caused by His “No.” Like yours, my heart grows impatient when He gives the answer “Not yet.” This pain and frustration can make us put up walls. Maybe you have never truly encountered the Living God, and your heart is far from His — I’ve been there too. In both cases, such intimacy may seem impossible. Where to begin might be the question weighing on your heart.
One place to start is reading Sacred Scripture, but I realize this might be intimidating. Instead, you may be more comfortable starting with prayers provided by the Church; many comprehensive prayer books are available. I’d recommend you stop at your local Catholic bookstore and ask for their assistance. They will be delighted to help! However, those prayers may not resonate with you now, which is okay! It is important to “just do it!” Consider sending little arrow prayers to the Lord throughout your day: “Lord, I need help!” “What a beautiful sunrise, God. Thank you!” Perhaps you feel called to sit down, light a candle, and speak directly to the Lord.
However you choose to begin meeting the Lord in prayer, please know He is eager to embrace you with His love – to lower your walls. He desires to meet you in prayer. He only requires an invitation, an opening of your heart. Will you invite Him in?