Prayer library
A Prayer for Wisdom
The Bible says that if we lack wisdom, we simply ask God, who gives it generously. This is a prayer for the discernment only He can give.
Father, I need wisdom beyond my own.
You promised to give it freely to all who ask, so I ask.
Show me what is true, and give me courage to walk in it.
Quiet the other voices so I can hear Yours.
Make me wise with Your wisdom. Amen.
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
James 1:5
You don’t have to pray alone
On The Living Bread you can ask the family of God to pray for you and watch prayers be answered, or pray for someone else who needs it today. It is free, and you are welcome exactly as you are.
This prayer at a glance
| Prayer for | For Wisdom |
|---|---|
| Lines to pray | 5 |
| Anchored in | James 1:5 |
| Time to pray it | about a minute, slowly |
| Related prayers | 3 |
Read it in context
Read it beside its neighbours. These are the passages readers most often set next to this one.
- Proverbs 2:3-6
- John 15:7
- Jeremiah 29:12-13
- Proverbs 3:5-7
- 1 John 5:14-15
- Matthew 7:7-11
- 2 Chronicles 1:10
- James 3:17
- 1 Kings 3:7-12
- John 14:13
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY.
Questions people ask
What Scripture is a prayer for wisdom built on?
It rests on James 1:5. The prayer above is written in plain words around that passage, and the verse is quoted from the stored text, not from memory.
What if I have no words to pray for wisdom?
Start with the first line of the prayer above and stop there if that is all you can say. God hears the first honest sentence. You can also ask the family of God on The Living Bread to pray with you and for you.
Can I pray this for someone else?
Yes. Change the first person to their name and pray the same lines for them. Praying for others is part of loving one another, and you can ask the family of God to join you.
Pray this
Lord Jesus, you see For Wisdom and you know every person there by name. We bring you wisdom, guidance, strength. Teach us to love one another, as you have loved us. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Live this
Take one step this week.
- Pray the lines above once today, out loud if you can, and read James 1:5 in your own Bible.
- Tell one trusted person that you are praying about wisdom, and ask them to pray with you.
- Write down one thing you notice this week, so that you can thank God by name when it comes.
Where this fits in the walk with Christ
Nothing here is a finish line. It is one door into a life with Christ and with His people.
