Counting My Blessings

5 Verses to Pray When You Need Wisdom & Discernment

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Deb
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What is discernment and why do you need it? Discernment helps us know the difference between truth and lies to give us the wisdom we need to make decisions. I can't do that on my own. I need help.

When was the last time you thought about your need for discernment?

Well, maybe we should begin by asking…

What exactly is discernment?

Got Questions defines it like this…

“Discernment is “the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure; an act of perceiving something; a power to see what is not evident to the average mind.” The definition also stresses accuracy, as in “the ability to see the truth.” Spiritual discernment is the ability to tell the difference between truth and error.”

Simply put … we need discernment if we want to live wisely. We need to be able to “discern” the difference between what’s true and what isn’t.

And most importantly, we need to KNOW God’s absolute truth to identify the enemy’s lies.

What is discernment and why do you need it? Discernment helps us know the difference between truth and lies to give us the wisdom we need to make decisions. I can't do that on my own. I need help.

So, we’re going to pause today and ask God to give us what we need to discern the truth to live with wisdom.

Verses and Prayers Asking God
for Wisdom and Discernment

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 

Philippians 1:9–10

When we love the Lord we want to KNOW His TRUTH. That means prayerfully studying His Word and asking Him to make us discerning and wise.

Father God, I want to know and understand what matters most to You. You created everything and You know what it takes to make Your creation work as You intended. And because of Your great love, You gave us Your Word to help us know the truth that never changes … the things that matter most.

By the power of Your Spirit, please make SEEKing You and Your truth the desire of my heart. Help me discern what’s most important now and eternally. Amen.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Romans 12:2

God wants so much more for us than this sinful world has to offer. He wants us to experience His best! That’s why He sent Jesus to save us from sin giving us a new and redeemed life. Spirit-led discernment guides us according to God’s perfect plans and purposes.

Father, thank you for sending Jesus into our sin-afflicted world to save us. Thank you for sending Your Spirit to transform us and turn us into people who KNOW, TRUST, and LOVE You.

I want to KNOW Your will … Your good, pleasing, and perfect will for me. I want to make Your Word the foundation of my life so that I might reject the behaviors and customs of the world. I want to trust and obey You. Please help me listen to and joyfully follow Your Spirit as He leads me along the path You have prepared. Amen.

Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. 

Colossians 2:8

How can you and I keep from following foolish philosophies and worldly nonsense? We let our faith roots grow deep building our lives on Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Lord, the news shouts foolish philosophies, false teachers promote worldly nonsense, and even church leaders who desire personal fame and popularity spread spiritual deceptions. I need discernment to reject their lies. I need deep roots grounded in faith, hope, and love … I need my life to be built on You, my Lord and Savior.

Please fill me with Your perfect and unfailing love. Please fill me with the Spirit of TRUTH so that I might focus my heart and mind on all that You want for me. Guide me and help me by Your grace. Amen.

Teach me good judgment and discernment, for I rely on Your commands.

Psalm 119:66

If we want good judgment and discernment we need to trust and obey God’s commands. It makes me think of an old hymn …

“Trust and obey.
For there’s no other way,
To be happy in Jesus,
than to trust and obey.”

Father, Your Word says that Your commands can be summed up in the word LOVE. You command us to have no other gods, to have no idols, to keep Your name holy, and to honor Your Sabbath day of rest. Jesus said that means loving You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

The rest of Your commands tell us how to love our neighbors as we love ourselves … to treat each other with compassion in everything we think, say, and do. Please help me. The enemy tempts us continuously with pride and selfishness. We need Your help to live the life of love that You desire for us. We need good judgment and understanding to reject the enemy’s lies and follow Your will. Amen.

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 John 4:1

How do we test every spirit? By asking … Do their words match God’s Word? Do they believe that Jesus is fully God and fully man? Do they believe that Jesus is the source of Truth and Life?

Father God, I want to KNOW You through Your Spirit. I need Him to teach me the TRUTH about Jesus. I do believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I believe Your Word is living and active … able to teach me and show me Your plans and purposes. I believe You want me to filter my thoughts through the filter of Your TRUTH.

Please guide me. Give me the wisdom and discernment I need each day and help me live every moment of my life for Your glory.

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name goes all the glory for Your unfailing love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 115:1) In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

What is discernment and why do you need it? Discernment helps us know the difference between truth and lies to give us the wisdom we need to make decisions. I can't do that on my own. I need help.

Take some time today to think about your need for discernment and wisdom, then trust God, who is loving and gracious, to answer your prayers and guide you through His Spirit.

God bless you with the good judgment and discernment you need to live wisely.

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Comments

16 responses to “5 Verses to Pray When You Need Wisdom & Discernment”

  1. Rita Chapman Avatar
    Rita Chapman

    I read your articles and learn so much from your devotional readings and life lessons.

    I notice 2 typos in this article. I always like when someone constructively helps me.
    The first typo is found in the 1st paragraph – “it” should be “if”.
    The second typo in this article is the reference to a bible verse. Now indicates “Romanz 12:2”. Should be “Romans 12:2”.

    Thank you so much for your easy to understand lessons and prayers that are always for me.
    Rita

    Reply
    1. Deb Avatar
      Deb

      Thank you for your encouragement, Rita, and for your heads up on my finger flying typos. Blessings to you!

      Reply
  2. Martha Orlando Avatar
    Martha Orlando

    I really enjoyed this post today, Deb. We must know God’s truth before we can have the gift of discernment.
    Blessings!

    Reply
    1. Deb Avatar
      Deb

      Thank you, Martha! It’s impossible to live with wisdom without discernment we are given from God’s Word of truth. What a wonderful gift He has given to us. Have a blessed weekend, dear friend!

      Reply
  3. Sue Avatar
    Sue

    What a wonderful post today! I love the prayers between verses. Learning and discovering God’s character is wonderful. He is the true one who is always here for us, no matter what. I hope that you and your Rev and Sadie have a beautiful, safe and healthy weekend. God Bless You my dear friend. Hugs!

    Reply
    1. Kathy Francescon Avatar
      Kathy Francescon

      Good morning, dear friend! Such lovely words from you today! I loved this post also! As I said to Deb, we are home now and though tired, the service and burial were meaningful and reverent, but it was sooo very cold at the cemetery. I am giving thanks and all the glory to God. I pray you are having a blessed day and hope you have a wonderful weekend wrapped in the comfort and love of our merciful Lord and Savior! I love you, and prayfully will be blessed to join in with you and Deb every post!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your love, concern, and prayers. I was a big part of helping me make it through with peace and calm. I keep you close in thought and prayers too! Thank you for being such a lovely friend. A blessing to my life, from God!! Hugs precious friend!

      Reply
      1. Sue Avatar
        Sue

        Hi Kathy,
        As usual, I am very glad to hear from you and to know that you and Ken are home safe and sound. I know that it was a hard situation for both of you. I am sure that the service was beautiful. It is so sad to lose our parents. I remember when Momma died, and Dad was already with the Lord, how lost I felt. Truly then did I feel like and orphan. I still miss them both so much. And, my sweet older brother left this world in February of 2022 to be with the Lord. I miss him so much. He and I shared so much about our childhood and growing up. Now the memories are there but I feel lost without him to share those “growing up” memories.
        Well, that is enough of my groaning.
        I am glad that you are back and so very glad to hear from you. I miss your notes and your comments. You, my friend, are filled with much Godly wisdom too. Encouragement is such a good thing and your comments and love is very encouraging to me and to those who read them.
        I am grateful for Deb and this site. I have made a wonderful friend in you. Being amoung Christian folks means so much and just what is soooo needed.
        I have prayed for you and Ken and the family, and your sister and your neighbors. Always know that you are in thoughts, prayers and in my heart.
        I hope that you have a very blessed weekend. Hugs and Love

        Reply
    2. Deb Avatar
      Deb

      Thank you, Sue. Your words of encouragement are always a day brightening blessing! Have a wonderful weekend. Hope the weather is beautiful there as well. Blessings and big hugs!

      Reply
  4. Kathy Francescon Avatar
    Kathy Francescon

    This post was so beautiful and so very important!! There are so many that corrupt the Truth of God’s Holy Word. I am keeping a copy of this and reread often. One person I spoke to recently, said he believed in God, but not the devil. I told him that he certainly needed to realize that satan is real and is out to devour everyone he can, and he is trying to devour you as we speak!
    We are back from Nashville, and decompressing. His dad’s service went well and I pray his soul is with God now. Have a blessed weekend dear friend and thank you for all you do to minister the TRUTHS OF GOD’s WORD TO US! Love you, Deb and so very thankful for you!

    Reply
    1. Deb Avatar
      Deb

      Hey, dear friend! I’m glad you are back at home safely and I love that the Lord gave you that opportunity to share His truth and plant a seed for further thought. Praying that it will begin to grow that inspires more seeking of our Lord’s truth and promises. Thanks as always and much love to you! Have a beautiful weekend.

      Reply
  5. Sandra Cox Avatar
    Sandra Cox

    I enjoy and treasure your email/devotionals. They are more often than not timely for what I need on the specific day they arrive. I appreciate your love for the Lord and your wisdom and the opportunity to be encouraged learn from you.

    Reply
    1. Deb Avatar
      Deb

      What a loving thing to say, Sandra. Thank you so much! I truly appreciate your visits and pray that the Lord will continually bless and encourage you!

      Reply
  6. Ana Cordova Avatar
    Ana Cordova

    What a great subject that I can relate to. That is my biggest sin quick to judge others. This definitely called me to trust in Jesus and the Holy Spirit to pray that they will always guide me to have a humble heart and grace for others. Please help me Lord Jesus to always seek you in order to have a good heart for discernment and judgment.
    Blessing Deb and all who follow your podcast.🙏

    Reply
    1. Deb Avatar
      Deb

      Hi, Ana. I struggle with that sin as well. I believe many of us do. I try to remember that only God knows the heart. That reminds me to remain humble before Him and hopefully before others as well. Oh, how we need His grace, mercy, and love. Blessings!

      Reply
  7. Lucia Avatar
    Lucia

    My spouse and I stumbled over here different website and thought I may as well check things
    out. I like what I see so now i’m following you.
    Look forward to finding out about your web page again.

    Reply
    1. Deb Avatar
      Deb

      Thanks for visiting, Lucia. I’m so glad you were blessed and look forward to getting to know you. God bless you!

      Reply

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