5 Useful Verses to Pray When You Need Wisdom
Without wisdom, life is often marked by a series of foolish choices and consequences.
You and I need wisdom! Ideally, it would be nice if everyone could be wise.
I’ve always understood wisdom to be “knowing what to do and doing it,” based on this dictionary definition…
Wisdom is defined as knowing the right thing to do or say based on gained knowledge and experience.
Google shared the following from Wikipedia…
Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge and experience effectively to make sound decisions and judgments. It often involves a combination of insight, understanding, and moral virtue.
But I’ve learned that kind of human wisdom isn’t enough.
The wisdom we truly need includes knowing and doing what God says is right and good. Got questions says it like this…
Wisdom involves seeing life from God’s perspective and acting accordingly. We must remove the shackles of earth-bound thinking and purpose to see life through a bigger lens. Those wanting to get wisdom from God are going to have to reject so-called wisdom from other sources.
The leaders of “The Way of Wisdom” Bible Study explain that wisdom is…
“Living God’s way in God’s world.”
And J. I. Packer wrote that we must be both humble and teachable if we want to know and apply Godly wisdom…
“Not until we have become humble and teachable, standing in awe of God’s holiness and sovereignty. Acknowledging our own littleness, distrusting our own thoughts, and willing to have our minds turned upside down, can divine wisdom become ours.” ~ J. I. Packer
We need wisdom, but not just any wisdom … we need Godly wisdom.
So, I’m turning to God in prayer, taking the counsel of James, and asking the Lord to bless us with Godly wisdom…
Prayers for Those Who Need Wisdom
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
James 1:5
Father God, there are so many voices telling us what to do. I want to make wise decisions, but it’s not always easy when there are so many differing beliefs and opinions.
I don’t want to rely on what the world says is right and good. I want to trust and obey You. I need wisdom. So, I come to You asking for the blessing of a SEEKers heart. Prompt me to read and study Your Word faithfully, so I can learn the divine wisdom You give. You are generous and good. Please guide me and help me live with godly wisdom. Amen.
If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.
Proverbs 9:12
Lord, I love the simple honesty of these words written by Solomon. I know there is great truth in them. I have lived out the consequences of foolish decisions, words, and actions in the past. It is always unpleasant and, at times, it has even been painful and lasting.
By Your grace, please give me the patience to pause and consider what You would have me do. Help me make choices that will glorify and honor You. And please protect me with Your wisdom, so that I may follow Your will in all I think, say, and do.
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom.
Psalm 111:10
All who obey His commandments will grow in wisdom.
Praise Him forever!
Father, thank you for telling us that the foundation of true wisdom begins with fearing You. Not being afraid of You as we would be of a bully or harsh manager. But having a heart that loves and respects You so much, we never want to disappoint You.
I love You, Lord. And because I love You, I want to KNOW everything I can about You. I want to KNOW Your instructions and obey them faithfully. You are my Creator, Savior, and Counselor. You are wisdom. Please help me build my life on the firm foundation of faith and live according to Your will. Amen.
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
Isaiah 55:8–9
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
Lord, when I look at the world You created, I am overwhelmed by the beauty, imagination, and creativity on display. You could have made a few varieties of creatures and a couple of kinds of plants, in just a handful of colors, and creation still would have been an amazing act.
But You created an assortment of living beings in colors too plentiful to count. You made it perfectly, knowing we would give in to sin because You wanted us to love freely. And when we failed, You sent Jesus to show us Your ways and the magnitude of Your love.
Please guide and direct me with Your wisdom and love. Bless me with an understanding of Your Word and give me everything I need to trust and obey You with all I am. Amen.
Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.
Proverbs 4:6–7
Love her, and she will guard you.
Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!
And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.
Father, I lift these words of Solomon as a prayer of submission. I need wisdom. Please help me SEEK to KNOW and LOVE You and Your wisdom. Guard my heart and mind as I deal with the enemy’s taunts and temptations. By Your grace, help me apply Your wisdom to my life that I might live with good judgment.
I give myself to You. Please use me for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
David wrote…
Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
Psalm 90:12
so that we may grow in wisdom.
Most of the things we chase after in life are temporary. Things like power, popularity, and possessions seem much less important when we look at our lives with godly wisdom.
The Spirit inspired Paul to write…
Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13
We have faith and hope because Your love and wisdom will never end and never fail.
When you and I need wisdom, may we faithfully SEEK godly TRUTH. May we grow in faith, live with love, apply godly wisdom, and look forward to our forever future with hope in Jesus, the One who makes all things possible.
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Seeking the wisdom that comes only from God is the highest goal and treasure we could ever have, Deb. May our loving Father hear our prayer! Blessings!