by Peachy (Singapore)
Dear God, I come to you as I am — tired, confused and demoralized. Lift me up Lord. Strengthen me with your Holy Spirit and bless me with your graces so that I can carry on until I see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I feel my crosses now are too heavy to carry. I surrender them to You and help me get through all my work troubles. Bless me with wisdom so that I can put all my worries and problems in proper perspective.
Make me more patient so I can hold on until you turn things around for my favor. This I ask through Your Son Jesus Christ, my friend and savior. Amen.
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Thank you, Lord, for being there for me and allowing me to cry out to you in my times of need.
It is amazing to me that the Lord of the Universe would take time to listen to me and to care about what I say.
God, there are things happening around me right now that I do not understand. Some of these things make me feel weak, helpless and afraid.
Even in the midst of this, I know that you are the Lord.
I know that the situation is in Your hand, and I trust You. I beseech you for strength and for wisdom that I would be able to endure this situation and be able to handle it in a way that would bring glory to Your name.
In Jesus name. Amen.
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Have you ever found yourself asking God for strength and wisdom? I know I have (quite often in fact). Whenever I’ve found myself facing a difficult decision and in need of some major clarity or when I’m battling a significant disappointment and need some serious mental muscle, I’ve prayed for strength and wisdom. Maybe you have too. If you have, think about the last time you did pray for these things and ask yourself how God answered them. Were you happy about response you got? Did you see the value it in? I think these are important things we think about.
There’s a big misconception that if you ask God for something like wisdom, He’ll provide you with an immediate boost right away. While that does sometimes happen, more often than not there’s nothing immediate about His response. In fact, I’ve found that He usually doesn’t response in the way we might expect. I can’t think of a time when I’ve woken up the next morning after pouring my heart out into prayer and found that I had what I was seeking. It takes so much more.
I believe there’s a reason for that. If God immediately gave us everything we asked for, would there be a need for faith? Probably not. That’s because faith doesn’t work that way. It’s not built with quick little victories, but with long, drawn-out grudge matches. So how does God give wisdom and strength to those who ask for it? I can’t speak for everyone, but for me it’s always come from God working through a significant life event. Let me give you an example.
There was a time when I asked God to provide me with strength. There was a really important relationship that was breaking down I was desperately trying to fix. Unfortunately, everything I did seemed to make things worse. It was extremely discouraging, but I knew that I needed to strength that only God could give to make it through. God did respond, but it wasn’t in the way that I was hoping for. In fact, things for the most part got worse. Frustration, discouragement, and bitterness continued to mount all the while things were getting extremely stressful for me at work. It seemed that instead of throwing cold water on the situation, God cranked up the heat.
Fortunately, this past Sunday, I realized something about that situation as my pastor gave a sermon on Joseph in the book of Genesis. I realized that God had answered my prayer for strength. He used my difficult and challenging situation to build the strength that I was seeking. No, He didn’t crank up the heat, but He made sure that I was in a position to grow. There’s a verse in Romans 8 that I absolutely love and one that I highly recommend committing to memory. Verse 28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Here’s another translation I really like, “We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.”
In other words, God works through our situation, often in ways we really aren’t looking for and ways that aren’t particularly comfortable. Wisdom is the same way, it’s not imparted with ease, but usually with a tough lesson. I hope that doesn’t discourage you from asking God for strength and wisdom. I truly believe that they’re great things to pray for, it would just be foolish to pretend that they are acquired easily. God will answer your request, but be prepared for a bit of a holding pattern for a time. Be at peace and know that God is working in your situation.
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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!
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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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