Don’t Make a Wish

August 8, 2026 // Memorial of Saint Dominic, Priest

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Matthew 17:14-20

Reflect on the Word //

I checked the patient portal once again for the test results. Is it too late to start praying for healing? The tests were run, the data was collected, and all I could do now was simply wait for the notification from the doctor. Or at least that is all I was doing.

When friends and family members get sick, I am quick to pray. Time before the Blessed Sacrament, Rosaries, and offering little sufferings are all ways that engage intercessory prayer for those who need healing. Yet when faced with my own small medical mysteries, I have taken the role of the investigator rather than the prayer warrior. I search with the misguided expectation that if I only work hard enough I will find the elusive answers.

My lack of faith leads me into the AI rabbit hole to discover ways of healing myself, rather than surrendering my fears and worries to my Loving God and waiting with patience.

Like the disciples in today’s Gospel, I am a woman whose faith is still insufficient. Not insufficient to work the miracle, because miracles are from God (not us), but rather insufficient in fully trusting the Lord that His will is best. Unanswered prayers can so often lead to anger, resentment, and disappointment, so it can seem safer to leave the prayer request unspoken. If I pray for healing and it doesn’t come, will the disappointment spark a spiritual revolt? I know that in my imperfect faith, sometimes I don’t pray because I am not ready to surrender the outcome.

When faced with deep desires, we petition the Lord, and surrender with faith that He will hear us. This does not mean that we expect Him to grant each wish like a genie in a bottle. We give Him our petition confident in His love for each of us, knowing that His plan is always best. A prayer isn’t a wish waiting to be granted. It is a conversation.

Relate to the Lord // Have a conversation with Jesus today. What do you want to share with Him?

Pray + Plan

About MaryRuth Hackett

View other posts from the author

Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett is a writer, national speaker, and podcast host covering topics in psychology and faith. She holds a PhD in Educational Psychology and works at the important intersection of faith and developmental science, blending them in the original harmony God intended. Dr. Mary Ruth is the author of Daughter by Design: Discovering Your Identity as God's Beloved Daughter, and co-coauthor of Spiritual Discernment for Beginners: Learning to Hear God and Defeat the Lies of the Enemy. She is a contributing author to All She Had and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her here.