Is it okay to wish for something?

Quick answer

Wishing is fine, but it is better to pray and trust in the God who knows even our longings and desires. We should be so in tune with God that what we wish for aligns with His desires for us and others.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible guides us on what is acceptable to wish for and what isn’t. We’re to wish for wisdom (Proverbs 24:14), the salvation of others (Romans 10:1), spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 14:1), the revelation of who God's children are (Romans 8:19), and the day of the Lord (2 Peter 3:11–12). Jesus wished for our devotion, rather than being lukewarm, in our love for Him (Revelation 3:15–16). Jesus is also the example we look to regarding submitting our wishes to the Father’s will: When He was about to be crucified, He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, wishing that there was a way that the cup could pass from Him, but ultimately wanting God's will above all (Matthew 26:39). We should know God well enough to understand His will and align our desires with His. When we have the right heart motive, our perspectives, intentions, and wishes are pure (1 John 5:15).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

Many of the Proverbs tell us to desire wisdom (Proverbs 2:1–6; 8:10–11; 16:16; 24:14).

Wishes that are covetous or rooted in greed are not aligned with God's Word (Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21). Wishing for sinful things, such as another person's spouse or wealth, are misdirected and not in line with God's will.

As we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will cultivate the right desires in us, desires that are in line with His will for our lives: "Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

We should wish for that which aligns with God’s will, such as others’ salvation (Romans 10:1), spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 14:1), knowledge of who God's children are (Romans 8:19), and Jesus’s second coming (2 Peter 3:11–12).

Jesus modeled this kind of wishing for us. His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane was that He would not have to endure what was coming, but He ultimately wanted God's will above all (Matthew 26:39).

Desires that are of the world, such as wealth, lead to evil (2 Timothy 6:9–10).

Jesus advised us to not worry about material needs, but to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). When we seek God’s will first, our desires will be satisfied, if not in this life, then the next.

Jesus desired us to love Him with intensity (Revelation 3:15–16).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

You may do it when you blow out birthday candles, throw coins in a fountain, or see a shooting star: Wishes at those times aren’t serious, and only children think they might come true. Wishes, when we’re adults, are grander. Maybe you want that promotion at work, a new sports car like your friend just bought, or to win the Mega Millions jackpot.

What we don’t realize is that many of those adult wishes are just as trivial as those from our childhood. That can happen when our desires are worldly, rather than godly. Reading Scripture and coming to know God’s will helps us to steer our desires to the proper place and lay up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19–21).

Besides, worldly wishes can easily become covetous. We see what others have, and we start wishing it was ours. Christians, though, should want to share the real treasure that we have: the gospel.

Christians already have the greatest treasure; our wish should be to share it with others.

UNDERSTAND

Wishing itself is not wrong, but our wishes should align with God’s will and desires.

The Bible warns against covetous or greedy wishes.

Believers should delight themselves in the Lord and trust Him with their desires and longings.

REFLECT

How have your wishes and desires changed as you’ve grown in your relationship with God?

What practices help you tune your heart so that your wishes align more closely with God’s will?

How do you handle feelings of envy or covetousness when you see others with things you desire?

ENGAGE

How can we support each other in cultivating godly desires, rather than worldly wishes?

How can you follow Jesus’s example in Gethsemane when it comes to submitting personal wishes to God’s plan?

What role does Scripture play in reshaping our perspective on what we truly need versus what we want?