In the context of the Bible, the concept of "wishes" can be understood as desires or longings that individuals express, often in prayer or through their actions. While the term "wish" itself is not frequently used in many translations of the Bible, the underlying idea is present throughout Scripture, particularly in the form of prayers, blessings, and expressions of the heart's desires.

Biblical Understanding of Wishes

1. Desires of the Heart: The Bible acknowledges that humans have desires and wishes. In Psalm 37:4 , it is written, "Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart." This verse suggests that when one's desires align with God's will, they are more likely to be fulfilled.

2. Prayer as Expression of Wishes: Prayer is a primary means by which individuals express their wishes to God. Philippians 4:6 instructs believers, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Here, the act of presenting requests is akin to expressing one's wishes.

3. God's Will and Human Wishes: The Bible emphasizes the importance of aligning personal wishes with God's will. In 1 John 5:14 , it is stated, "This is the confidence that we have in Him: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." This highlights the belief that God listens to and grants wishes that are in accordance with His divine plan.

4. Warnings Against Selfish Wishes: Scripture warns against selfish or sinful desires. James 4:3 cautions, "And when you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures." This serves as a reminder that wishes rooted in selfishness are not honored by God.

5. Blessings as Fulfilled Wishes: In many instances, blessings in the Bible can be seen as the fulfillment of righteous wishes. For example, in Genesis 24:12-14 , Abraham's servant prays for success in finding a wife for Isaac, expressing a wish that is ultimately fulfilled by God.

6. Wishes for Others: The Bible also records instances where individuals express wishes for the well-being of others. In 3 John 1:2 , the apostle John writes, "Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers." This reflects a wish for the holistic prosperity of others.

7. The Role of Faith: Faith plays a crucial role in the expression and fulfillment of wishes. Mark 11:24 states, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." This verse underscores the importance of faith in the process of wishing and receiving.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not frequently use the term "wishes," the concept is woven throughout its teachings, particularly in the context of prayer, desires, and alignment with God's will. Believers are encouraged to express their wishes through prayer, ensuring that their desires are in harmony with divine purposes and characterized by faith and selflessness.1014. boulomai -- to will
... 1), like (1), planned (1), unwilling* (1), want (7), wanted (3), wanting (2), will
(1), willing (3), wills (3), wish (1), wished (1), wishes (1), wishing (3). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1014.htm - 9k

2172. euchomai -- to pray
... 2172 ("pray, wish for") is used of wishes necessarily God-, unlike the meaning
associated with the stronger, prefixed cognate (4336, "pray"). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2172.htm - 7k

4336. proseuchomai -- to pray
... 4336 (from 4314 , "towards, exchange" and 2172, "to wish, pray") -- properly, to
exchange wishes; -- literally, to the Lord by switching human (ideas) for as ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4336.htm - 9k

3803. pagis -- a trap, snare
... 3803 (from 4078 , " a trap") -- properly, a trap set for animals; (figuratively)
a that robs someone of their spiritual liberties (the Lord wishes to give). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3803.htm - 7k

2309. thelo -- to will, wish
... 1), unwilling* (11), want (52), wanted (15), wanting (3), wants (8), will (5), willed
(1), willing (15), wills (4), wish (24), wished (7), wishes (16), wishing ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2309.htm - 11k

2307. thelema -- will
... Neuter Transliteration: thelema Phonetic Spelling: (thel'-ay-mah) Short Definition:
will, wish, desire Definition: an act of will, will; plur: wishes, desires. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2307.htm - 7k

4335. proseuche -- prayer
... synagogue). Cognate: 4335 (from 4314 , "towards, exchange" and 2171, "a wish,
prayer") -- properly, exchange of wishes; . See 4335 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4335.htm - 7k

6634. tseba -- to be inclined, desire, be pleased
... Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to tsaba Definition to be inclined, desire,
be pleased NASB Word Usage desired (1), will (1), wished (4), wishes (4). ...
/hebrew/6634.htm - 6k

6310. peh -- mouth
... 1), spoken* (1), spokesman (1), talking* (1), taste (1), terms (2), told* (1),
two-edged (2), uniformly* (2), what they say (1), whenever (1), wishes (1), word ...
/hebrew/6310.htm - 7k

2654a. chaphets -- to delight in
... any pleasure (1), have...delight (2), have...pleasure (1), pleased (6), pleases
(7), take pleasure (1), take...pleasure (2), wish (2), wished (1), wishes (1). ...
/hebrew/2654a.htm - 5k

5315. nephesh -- a soul, living being, life, self, person, desire ...
... 19), slave (1), some (1), soul (238), soul's (1), souls (12), strength (1), themselves
(6), thirst (1), throat (2), will (1), wish (1), wishes (1), yourself (11 ...
/hebrew/5315.htm - 7k

4180. morash -- a possession
... Word Origin from yarash Definition a possession NASB Word Usage possession
(1), possessions (1), wishes (1). possession, thought. ...
/hebrew/4180.htm - 6k

1350. gaal -- to redeem, act as kinsman
... to redeem (2), kinsman (2), redeem (22), redeemed (25), redeemer (1), Redeemer
(18), redeems (1), relative (2), relatives (1), rescue (1), wishes to redeem (1 ...
/hebrew/1350.htm - 6k

To Him who Wishes for Martyrdom.
... LXII."To Him Who Wishes for Martyrdom. Since, O son, thou desirest martyrdom,
hear. Be thou such as Abel was, or such as Isaac ...
/.../commodianus/the instructions of commodianus/lxii to him who wishes for.htm

Wants and Wishes in Prayer.
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN LXIV. Wants and Wishes in Prayer. 8.6.8.6 James Montgomery.
Wants and Wishes in Prayer. What shall we ask of God in prayer? ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn lxiv wants and wishes.htm

Of the Different Desires and Wishes which Exist in the Powers of ...
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter XXXII. Of the different desires
and wishes which exist in the powers of the air. But ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxxii of the different.htm

Mattidia Wishes to be Baptized.
... Homily XIII. Chapter V."Mattidia Wishes to Be Baptized. When she heard this, she
said: "What, then, prevents me from being baptized this day? ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter v mattidia wishes to be.htm

Peter Wishes to Convert Faustus.
... Homily XV. Chapter I."Peter Wishes to Convert Faustus. At break of day
our father, with our mother and his three sons, entered ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter i peter wishes to convert.htm

Simon Wishes to Discuss with Peter the Unity of God.
... Homily XVI. Chapter I."Simon Wishes to Discuss with Peter the Unity of God.
At break of day Peter went out, and reaching the place ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter i simon wishes to discuss.htm

He Wishes, Indeed, to Compare the Articles of Our Faith to those ...
... Chapter XVII. He wishes, indeed, to compare the articles of our faith
to those of the Egyptians? He wishes, indeed, to compare ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xvii he wishes indeed.htm

He Wishes to have no Intercourse with those who Deny Divine Truth.
... Book XII. Chapter XVI."He Wishes to Have No Intercourse with Those Who
Deny Divine Truth. 23. With such as grant that all these ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter xvi he wishes to have.htm

Letter xi. --Good Wishes.
... ON THE ESTEEM FOR AND LOVE OF THIS VIRTUE. Letter XI."Good Wishes. ... Mutual good wishes
between souls who seek nothing but God alone. My very dear Sisters,. ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter xi good wishes.htm

Salutations and Good Wishes.
... Chapter V."Salutations and good wishes. Avoid those that deny the passion
of Christ, and His birth according to the flesh: and ...
/.../chapter v salutations and good wishes.htm

Wishes (37 Occurrences)
...Wishes (37 Occurrences). Matthew 5:40 If any one wishes to go to law with you and
to deprive you of your under garment, let him take your outer one also. (WEY). ...
/w/wishes.htm - 16k

Relationships (1 Occurrence)
... remoter ancestors. The wishes of a great-grandfather are respected long after
his death as the wishes of a father (Jeremiah 35:16). 2 ...
/r/relationships.htm - 38k

Curse (211 Occurrences)
... that it is possible to enlist the support of the superhuman beings with whom the
universe abounds, and to persuade them to carry out the suppliant's wishes. ...
/c/curse.htm - 46k

Salute (48 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To address, as with expressions of kind
wishes and courtesy; to greet; to hail. 2. (vt) Hence, to ...
/s/salute.htm - 19k

Adonijah (28 Occurrences)
... Their personal loyalty to him no longer restrained them from following their
own ideas, even though these were contrary to his wishes. ...
/a/adonijah.htm - 22k

Wished (31 Occurrences)

/w/wished.htm - 15k

Zenas (1 Occurrence)
... a Jewish rabbi. 2. Paul's Wishes regarding Zenas: It is not certain where
Paul was when he wrote the Epistle to Titus. But he directs ...
/z/zenas.htm - 10k

Owl (11 Occurrences)
... volume could be written on the eye of the owl, perhaps its most wonderful feature
being in the power of the bird to enlarge the iris if it wishes more distinct ...
/o/owl.htm - 18k

Outer (98 Occurrences)
... Outer (98 Occurrences). Matthew 5:40 If any one wishes to go to law with you and
to deprive you of your under garment, let him take your outer one also. (WEY). ...
/o/outer.htm - 37k

Joab (128 Occurrences)
... David sends ambassadors with his good wishes to Hanun on his ascending the throne
of the Ammonites; these are ill-treated, and war follows, David's troops ...
/j/joab.htm - 53k

What is compatibilism? | GotQuestions.org

Is it wrong to wish for something? | GotQuestions.org

Is belief in God nothing but wish fulfillment? | GotQuestions.org

Wishes: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus