Do you need direction from the Lord concerning a specific situation but don’t know how to receive it? Do you desire to hear the Lord answer you whenever you pray? The good news is that you can have the answers you need and the rewarding prayer life you desire. When you pray, you can be confident that you will be able to identify the Holy Spirit’s voice and that you will receive the answers to your prayers.
by Kenneth Copeland
Colossians 1:9-10 reminds us that a rich prayer life is possible: “So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.”
The Apostle Paul wrote this passage to the church at Colossae to tell them exactly how he was praying for them. He wanted them to experience the same depth and richness that he and other believers experienced. He asked that they would have:
- Complete knowledge of God’s will
- Spiritual wisdom
- Understanding
Prayer is one of the best ways to receive these spiritual treasures. In Jeremiah 33:3, God promised, “Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.” Those “remarkable secrets” are “complete knowledge of His will, and spiritual wisdom and understanding.”
Gaining these spiritual treasures requires tenacity. It takes more than simply bowing your head before your meals or sending up a quick prayer when things get tough. It requires seeking the Lord continually. Below are three habits to help you receive the direction you need every day.
- Set Aside a Designated Prayer Time
This means keeping regular prayer times and studying the Word habitually. Setting aside daily prayer times allows you to focus on the Lord and your relationship with Him. Instead of simply coming to Him with a list of demands, you develop a relationship, and studying the Word helps strengthen that relationship. Through His Word, you begin to understand God’s will and His ways better as you strengthen your faith. You also allow Him to speak to you through His Word.
So often, people want to hear from the Holy Spirit without spending time developing that relationship. They want to treat God like a spiritual ATM. They’d like to drive up, punch in what they want, grab it and be on their way. But relationships take time. As you begin to commune with the Lord regularly, you begin to recognize the Holy Spirit’s voice more easily and hear Him more clearly.
If you want to develop your prayer life, begin by setting aside a designated prayer time. If you keep a calendar, then make an appointment with yourself. In addition to thanking and praising God for allowing you to come boldly before Him in prayer (Hebrews 4:16), begin praying Colossians 1:9-10 over yourself. Ask the Lord to “give you complete knowledge of His will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding” so that you “will always honor and please ” and that your life “will produce every kind of good fruit…”as you learn to know better and better.”
- Spend Time Reading God’s Word
During your appointed time, spend time in God’s Word. Read a chapter or two and stand in faith, believing that God will give you the revelation you need. Slow down, listen and tune in to what the Holy Spirit may be saying to you. This isn’t a time to rush. This is a time to focus on the Lord and listen to the Holy Spirit.
- Pray in Faith
After you read the Word, pray for a while in the Spirit and with your understanding (1 Corinthians 14:15). Pray in other tongues, and ask God to give you the interpretation. He’ll do it if you ask Him in faith. You might not always get the interpretation immediately, but if you will pray with expectation, it will come eventually. It might come as you’re driving to work or while you are at work. Or it might come gradually to your spirit over a matter of weeks, but one day you will have the answer to the situation you’ve been praying about.
See our popular infographic below to help you understand the benefits of speaking in tongues.
Mark 11:24 promises, “I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.” As you begin praying in faith for the direction you need, it will come. Trust God that His Word is true!
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Throughout Scripture we are reminded of God’s direction over our lives. He is our good Shepherd who leads us and He desires that we follow the path that leads to joy and contentment. When we pray for God’s guidance and for discernment through the Holy Spirit, we can rest assured that God will provide wisdom! We do not have to worry about our next step or about tomorrow because we know who guides our way! Do not rush your day without going before God to seek guidance!
Table of contents
A Short Prayer for Guidance
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your guidance. Forgive me for getting ahead of Your plans, and help me know when to stop and listen for Your direction. Your ways are perfect, Lord. Thank You for offering gentle grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
– Kristine Brown
Prayer for Guidance from the Holy Spirit
Lord, I pray you would move the Spirit more boldly in my life. I know that any sin can grieve and diminish the voice of the Spirit, and I pray against the temptation to sin. Help me crave your presence more than I crave sin. Help me grow in the fruit of the Spirit and so walk closer with Yourself. I pray for guidance from your Spirit- let your will and promises always be a meditation of my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
– Kenny Luck
A Prayer for Guidance When Life is Challenging
Lord, I’m here today with open hands and an open heart, ready to depend on you to help me through the day and all it will bring my way. Help me be like Nehemiah, help me come to you for guidance, strength, provision and protection. As I face tough choices and hard situations, help me remember my belovedness, help me remember that I am Your child and Your representative to the world around me. Help me live today in a way that brings honor to Your holy name. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
– Charles Stanley
Prayer for Guidance in the Day Ahead
Good morning, Lord! Today’s a new day, a chance for a new start. Yesterday is gone and with it any regrets, mistakes, or failures I may have experienced. It’s a good day to be glad and give thanks, and I do, Lord. Thank you for today, a new opportunity to love, give, and be all that you want me to be.
Today I want to start the day with you on my mind and in my heart. As I dress, let me wear the armor you’ve provided daily: the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the belt of truth, the shoes of peace, and the sword of the spirit—with prayer on my tongue: praise for you and petitions for those around me and those I meet.
Feed me today with your daily bread. As the Bread of Life, your food, like manna, will sustain me throughout any trials and hungers. Help me to set my thoughts on things above and to speak only what will help and encourage others. Keep me from putting my foot in my mouth, and help me guard the affections of my heart today, Lord. Make whatever work I do be marked with excellence rather than perfectionism, as I seek not to make a name, but to make a difference. Help me to treat each person I encounter as you would, with respect and love, forgiving others and asking for forgiveness myself when needed.
As I start this day, help me remember that I belong to you, and my desire is to act accordingly. Keep my feet from stumbling and my mind from wandering into distractions that could steal precious time and energy from the most important things you have designed for me. I’m proud to be your child, Lord. And I’m so grateful that you died for me—rising again on your own new morning—so that every day could be filled with the wonder of your love, the freedom of your Spirit, and the joy of knowing you.
I know earthly life is short and fleeting, Lord. But I want to live today as if it were the first or the last day of my life, giving thanks for every good and perfect gift you choose to give. Today, and every day, I want to live my life for you, Jesus. In your precious name, Amen.
– Rebecca Barlow Jordan
A Prayer for Discernment and Wisdom When You Need God’s Direction
Lord, thank You for the people You have divinely placed in my life who speak holy truth, love and words of wisdom. Give me a heart of discernment to know when You are using someone to speak instruction into my heart and my circumstances, and give me the strength and courage to follow through with that advice, even when it’s hard. Fill me with peace in knowing that even if I take a wrong turn, Your purpose will prevail. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
– Tracie Miles
This Beautiful Version of Psalm 23 Had Me in Tears from biblestudytools on GodTube.
Bible Verses about God’s Guidance
Psalm 25:4-5 – “Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
Psalm 16:7-8 – “I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Psalm 32:8-9 – “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.”
John 16:13 – “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”
What decisions and situations are you praying for guidance over? Join in our large praying community in the comments below and recieve encouragement!
This article is part of our larger Prayers resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can’t find the words to pray.
Prayer for Healing
Prayer for StrengthPrayer for ProtectionMorning PrayersGood Night PrayersThe Prayer of JabezShort PrayersThe Lord’s PrayerThe Prayer of St FrancisSerenity PrayerA Birthday PrayerSinner’s PrayerPrayer for ForgivenessPrayer for GuidanceIntercessory PrayerIrish Prayers and Blessings
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Rev came home from work with a bottle of wine in one hand and flowers in the other. And I burst into tears.
It was an I know your disappointed gift. And I was.
He’d only been a pastor for a couple of years. Our kiddos were little.
I grew up in Michigan and he was from Ohio. We were hopeful when a church in Michigan extended a Call for him to serve as their pastor. Hopeful that we might finally be able to move closer to home.
We went for a visit and fell in love with the area, the church, and the people. We were excited and sure we’d soon be calling the mitten state home.
Then due to circumstances here in St. Louis it became clear that we were needed here.
The wine and flowers said that St. Louis would be home a while longer.
Sometimes God’s direction with a Call or job is very clear. Sometimes it’s not. But His will… His commands to love, trust, and obey are never in doubt.
And I’m thankful for His direction.
Quotes – Direction From God is Perfect
“Experience has taught me that the Shepherd is far more willing to show His sheep the path than the sheep are to follow. He is endlessly merciful, patient, tender, and loving. If we, His stupid and wayward sheep, really want to be led, we will without fail be led. Of that I am sure.” ~Elizabeth Elliot
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Psalm 37:23
The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? Proverbs 20:24
Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:25
“With your unfailing love You lead the people You have redeemed. Exodus 15:13
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105
“Without the Way there is no going; without the Truth there is no knowing; without the Life there is no living.” ~Thomas A Kempis
Today I’m thankful for Jesus – the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
The Good News –
God wants us to know His perfect will. The Holy Spirit faithfully gives direction.
It is found in:
- God’s Word
- Life Circumstances
- The wise counsel of Godly men and women.
- God’s quiet voice during time spent in prayer.
God has a plan and purposes for each of His children. He won’t keep them a secret. He loves to guide and direct our steps according to His will.
Father, Thank you for the blessing of direction. Help me to know your will for me and forgive me for those times I’ve failed to follow You. Whether it’s because I didn’t know or because I didn’t care. I’m sorry. Your way is always best. Always. I will spend time in Your Word to know better. I will pray to know Your voice. I will slow down and wait on You. I need You. I need Your direction. Thank you Father for leading me in love. Thank you for Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life. In His name I pray. Amen.
Back to my story…
I’m thankful God kept us in St. Louis. It was a huge blessing and by His grace it didn’t take me long to realize it.
When has God clearly given you His direction?
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Quotes tagged as “direction” Showing 1-30 of 356
“I have come to accept the feeling of not knowing where I am going. And I have trained myself to love it. Because it is only when we are suspended in mid-air with no landing in sight, that we force our wings to unravel and alas begin our flight. And as we fly, we still may not know where we are going to. But the miracle is in the unfolding of the wings. You may not know where you’re going, but you know that so long as you spread your wings, the winds will carry you.”
― C. JoyBell C.
“Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four hour days.”
― Zig Ziglar
“Study the past if you would define the future.”
― Confucius
“Sometimes the slightest things change the directions of our lives, the merest breath of a circumstance, a random moment that connects like a meteorite striking the earth. Lives have swiveled and changed direction on the strength of a chance remark.”
― Bryce Courtenay
“I used to spend so much time reacting and responding to everyone else that my life had no direction. Other people’s lives, problems, and wants set the course for my life. Once I realized it was okay for me to think about and identify what I wanted, remarkable things began to take place in my life.”
―
Melody Beattie, The Language of Letting Go: Daily Meditations on Codependency
“Enlightenment is man’s release from his self-incurred tutelage. Tutelage is man’s inability to make use of his understanding without direction from another. Self-incurred is this tutelage when its cause lies not in lack of reason but in lack of resolution and courage to use it without direction from another. Sapere aude! ‘Have courage to use your own reason!’- that is the motto of enlightenment.”
―
Immanuel Kant, An Answer to the Question: What Is Enlightenment?
“Without you there would be no me.
I am everything reflected in your eyes.
I am everything approved by your smile.
I am everything born of your guidance.
I am me only because of you.”
―
Richelle E. Goodrich, Making Wishes
“If you do not know where you come from, then you don’t know where you are, and if you don’t know where you are, then you don’t know where you’re going. And if you don’t know where you’re going, you’re probably going wrong.”
―
Terry Pratchett, I Shall Wear Midnight
“Stop in somebody’s shadow to rest and cool down, and you are lost. No one can make anyone else happy.”
― Peter Deunov
“Real women fight for something, other than their own emotions.”
― Shannon L. Alder
“Inner guidance is heard like soft music in the night by those who have learned to listen.”
― Vernon Howard
“It is because Humanity has never known where it was going that it has been able to find its way.”
―
Oscar Wilde, The Critic as Artist
“But beware of this about callings: they may not lead us where we intended to go or even where we want to go. If we choose to follow, we may have to be willing to let go of the life we already planned and accept whatever is waiting for us. And if the calling is true, though we may not have gone where we intended, we will surely end up where we need to be.”
― Steve Goodier
“The compass rose is nothing but a star with an infinite number of rays pointing in all directions.
It is the one true and perfect symbol of the universe.
And it is the one most accurate symbol of you.
Spread your arms in an embrace, throw your head back, and prepare to receive and send coordinates of being. For, at last you know—you are the navigator, the captain, and the ship.”
―
Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration
“If you have no good drive in you, your life will not be steered through a good direction. It will miss its destined station. Passion or drive is what moves the vehicle of a fulfilled life.”
― Israelmore Ayivor
“Great artists make the roads; good teachers and good companions can point them out. But there ain’t no free rides, baby. No hitchhiking. And if you want to strike out in any new direction — you go alone. With a machete in your hand and the fear of God in your heart.”
―
Ursula K. Le Guin, The Language of the Night: Essays on Fantasy and Science Fiction
“How to win in life:
1 work hard
2 complain less
3 listen more
4 try, learn, grow
5 don’t let people tell you it cant be done
6 make no excuses”
― Germany Kent
“It is a mistake to think that moving fast is the same as actually going somewhere.”
― Steve Goodier
“No matter how tiny you look, you can lead huge men if you have what the huge men don’t have.”
― Michael Bassey Johnson
“My direction? Anywhere. Because one is always nearer by not keeping still.”
―
Sebastian Faulks, Engleby
“I’m yours. If you’ll have me, I’m yours”
―
H28, Dark
“God’s will is your deepest desires.”
― Dan Brown
“It is mental slavery to cling to things that have stopped serving it’s purpose in your life.”
― Chinonye J. Chidolue
“When your drive is moving your purpose, focus must hold the wheels else your might miss the way. And do you know what that means? Avoid Crash!!!. Stay focused!”
― Israelmore Ayivor
“Train up a child in such a way she or he should go; even when she or he is old she or he will not depart’ Proverb”
―
Santosh Avvannavar, God’s Table: The Last Supper
“It was a pity that there was no radar to guide one across the trackless seas of life. Every man had to find his own way, steered by some secret compass of the soul. And sometimes, late or early, the compass lost its power and spun aimlessly on its bearings.
Alan Bishop”
―
Arthur C. Clarke, Glide Path
“To ‘let go’ sometimes makes us feel like losers because it means giving up what truly we felt we had a right to. But true strength lies in resisting the urge to hold onto things and people that bring us down.”
― Chinonye J. Chidolue
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