A prayer for discernment and wisdom is crucial in navigating life’s difficult crossroads. As such, we need God’s guidance to help us traverse and withstand life’s shifting tides.
How many times have we come across people facing a myriad of deplorable consequences due to regrettable decisions they made? Some of us may have also fumbled through a few mistakes that led us to suffer painful repercussions without reprieve for months or even years.
Thus, considering the ramifications of misguided decisions in our lives, the necessity of asking God for discernment in every undertaking we commit to has never been more crucial.
Seeking wisdom through consistent prayer, asking God to endow us with keen insights as we go through life each day, is needed to prevent us from meandering down the wrong path, enabling us to escape a life wracked in pain, sorrow, and regret.
“Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” Proverbs 24:14
What Is the Biblical Meaning of Wisdom?
Wisdom is more than having profound knowledge and understanding of the complexities of life; it’s about having prudence and the ability to apply knowledge, biblical insights, and spiritual lessons to every hurdle we face.
It’s about viewing life through God’s lens, navigating life’s peaks and valleys through His perspective.
What Did Jesus Say About Wisdom?
In Matthew 11:18–19, Jesus defines wisdom by its fruits. If an action bears good fruits, it’s the result of applying wisdom— making critical life choices that reflect the heart of God.
“For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.“ Matthew 11:18–19 NIV
And despite the fact that the Lord ate and drank with sinners, He did not eat like a glutton nor drink like a drunkard. Such accusations were hurled at Jesus by His enemies — as a way of smearing His reputation due to their deep-seethed envy and resentment towards Him.
Moreover, Jesus exercised wisdom and discernment in dealing with the sinners he dined and drank with. As a result, He was able to influence them– transforming and leading them along the path of righteous living.
How Do I Ask God For Wisdom and Discernment?
When Solomon asked for wisdom instead of earthly pleasures, God was overjoyed. He was so pleased with Solomon’s plea that not only did He grant his request for wisdom, but He also lavished him with “riches, wealth, and honor.” 2 Chr. 1:12 NKJV
As it’s written:
“Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before these people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?”
Then God said to Solomon: “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life—but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king—wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like.” 2 Chr. 1:10-12 NKJV
The Wisdom of Solomon Prayer
Being a novice in leadership, Solomon was humble enough to recognize his foibles and inadequacies in leading God’s people. As such, He humbly sought God’s help to ensure He could govern his subjects with wisdom and integrity.
Seeking God’s wisdom is a sign of humility and faith in Him— a compelling reason why the Lord is most pleased when we turn to Him for guidance. He has a soft spot for the meek and the humble. He will surely bless us with spiritual wisdom and discernment if we ask Him in humility and meekness of heart.
For it is written:
“But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’” James 4:6 NKJV
“Then he said to me, ‘Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.’” Daniel 10:12 NKJV
A Prayer for Wisdom and Guidance
“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.”
Anyone who is genuinely asking God for wisdom will not leave empty-handed. Here’s a wisdom prayer you can pray before you dive into your day.
Father,
Today, I come before You in humility and lowliness of heart,
seeking Your grace to grant me the gift of wisdom and discernment
as I journey through the highs and lows of life.
Please guide me in the way of wisdom that
I may not veer away from the path that You set out for me–
for the wisdom that comes from You is the pathway to peace,
righteousness, and a well-lived life.
Help me view every situation I face
from Your perspective so that I may always exercise wisdom
and sound judgment in every decision I make.
Give me a teachable spirit and a humble and discerning heart
so that I may remain receptive and open to receiving
Your instructions and guidance.
Father, I pray that You will grant my request for spiritual wisdom,
as it will enable me to be truly transformed
into a vessel of Your love, light, and righteousness.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Can Wisdom Bring Happiness?
There isn’t a soul out there that’s not craving for a blissful life. It’s what everyone chases after.
And though the secret to happiness has been in plain sight the whole time, it still eludes most people’s grasp. In a nutshell, the pursuit of God’s wisdom is our blueprint to achieving genuine happiness– a life brimming with joy, eternally garbed in His radiant light.
As it’s written:
“Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain is better than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.” Proverbs 3:13-22 NKJV
To sum it up, our happiness hinges on our ability to make wise decisions, dodging adversities caused by folly and lack of sound judgment.
Who Did God Bless With Discernment?
Among God’s servants, Solomon was given the most wisdom and discernment.
His humility to admit his limitations and frailties in the face of the formidable
responsibility of leading God’s people brought joy to God’s heart. As a result, God gave Him more than what He asked for.
Bible Verses on Wisdom And Discernment
Consider these Scriptures for encouragement as you strive to seek God’s wisdom in everything you do.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7 NIV
The key to gaining spiritual wisdom is having a holy and reverent fear of God. If we brazenly defy God’s commands, committing horrid and abominable sins–then we don’t truly fear the Lord, nor do we hold Him in high esteem. As such, we are prone to making unwise choices, steering us into the path of self-destruction.
Given this, let us then strive to nurture a lifestyle of respect for the Lord and cultivate the fear of God in our hearts, preventing us from straying away from His will.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall [a]direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
As humans, we are inclined to trust in our own understanding, easily swayed by our own insights that we tend to veer off the path, spiritually weakened in the face of the enemy’s fiery arrows of deception. Thus, we end up ensnared by the agonizing consequences of our spiritual failure and missteps.
For this reason, God has cautioned us, time and again, to seek His counsel and trust Him with all our hearts. Because in doing so, we will not be susceptible to the sinister maneuvers of the enemy.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God..” Romans 12:2 NKJV
The necessity of renewing one’s mind is often emphasized in the Bible for a reason. As the old adage says: “The battle is in the mind.” Wisdom dictates that we should subject every thought to Christ to ensure our actions will reflect God’s heart and character. But should we allow the enemy to influence our thoughts, we are unwittingly handing him the power to obscure God’s truth, leaving us stumbling in utter darkness.
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NKJV
Being receptive to God’s Words is the key to gaining spiritual wisdom. What we feed and soak up in our minds influences our actions. It is, therefore, crucial to saturate our minds with God’s life-giving words so that we can walk as children of light, “ storing up God’s word in our hearts that we may not sin against Him” Psalm 119:11
My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3: 1-4 NIV
“The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” Proverbs 18:15 NKJV
Is Wisdom a Gift From God?
Wisdom is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Once we receive Christ as our Savior and remain steadfast in our commitment to live a righteous life, God’s wisdom will be made manifest in our daily walk with Him. As such, we can deftly brew up the best possible solution to deal with every trial life hurls our way.
If you have spent all your life chasing happiness, we know that such pursuit can sometimes lead us down a dark path filled with pitfalls. Hence, the Bible encourages us to pursue wisdom, for it is the pathway to achieving lasting happiness—an inner joy of the heart that no number of worldly pleasures can eclipse or surpass.