Prayer Challenge
28 Days of Prayer
- Pray to gain wisdom
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5)
Devotional
Have you ever felt like you didn’t know what to do? Maybe you’re facing something today that has you so worried that you feel frozen. These moments come to everyone at different times in life. Sometimes they’re small, but often, we feel like our circumstances are too big for us to even know where to begin. In these moments, you need wisdom. Not just what you know from what you have experienced – you need something bigger, something God-given.
In the Bible, wisdom is God-given and God-centered discernment regarding the issues we face each day. In James, we are told that we can ask for wisdom and God will give it to us! What does this wisdom look like? Well, this type of wisdom will glorify God, it will perfect you, and it will work in ways that you might not on your own. God’s wisdom is different than ours! The Bible says in Isaiah 55 that His ways are higher than our ways. Sometimes the wisdom of God might not make sense to us in the moment, but when we look back on it, we may be able to see what God was doing. Ultimately, the wisdom that comes from God will make us more like Jesus.
How do we know this wisdom from God? Ask yourself these things: Does this glorify God? Does this wisdom match up with Scripture? Does this wisdom make me more like Jesus (loving, kind, humble)? It may be important to talk with someone you know who loves Jesus and loves you about the situation you are in. But don’t hesitate to ask God for wisdom. He promises He will provide it without reproach. God is the most powerful source of wisdom you will ever find, and He is ready to share it with those who love Him and ask.
Almighty Father, you are greater than my circumstances. Today, when I make decisions, help me to use your wisdom, not my own. I recognize that your ways are higher than mine, so teach me to see each situation today as you would see it. Forgive me for the times when I thought my wisdom was better than yours. Teach me to trust you, and grant me your wisdom today. In Jesus name, Amen.
Parent Prompt
What does it mean to be wise? Does wisdom mean knowing all the answers or the right thing to do for everything?
Together as a family discuss and write in your family prayer journal some situations or problems that you’re needing some extra wisdom for. Maybe you aren’t sure how to handle a difficult situation with a friend at school. Or maybe you’re wondering if you should keep playing a sport. Or maybe science class is hard and you’re needing extra wisdom on how to study better to improve your grade. Whatever it is, write it down in your journal together as a family.
Pray for each of those situations specifically and ask God to guide your heart, mind and future steps. And thank God for freely giving us wisdom to help us make decisions to reflect Christ more.