Power of Prayer in Decisions

Overview

This article emphasizes the importance of prayer in decision-making and offers four specific prayers for wisdom, discernment, direction, and peace, encouraging believers to seek God's guidance in all choices.

The Importance of Prayer in Decision-Making

• Every decision, big or small, is significant to God and should be brought to Him in prayer.
• Relying on God's guidance reduces stress and anxiety associated with decision-making.
• Practicing prayer before acting helps develop a habit of seeking divine counsel.

Prayers for Wisdom

• Ask God for wisdom as promised in James 1:5-6:

  "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. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."

• Seek biblical perspectives over worldly advice when faced with choices.

• Rely on God's unfailing love and forgiveness during confusing times (Psalm 86:5):

  "O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help."

• Remember scriptures affirming God as the source of true wisdom:

  • Proverbs 3:7 (NLT): "Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil."
  • Proverbs 2:6 (NLT): "For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding."
  • Proverbs 2:10 (NLT): "For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy."

Prayers for Discernment

• Pray for the spirit of discernment to clearly understand God’s will in each situation.
• Be willing to follow God's guidance even if it requires courage or is misunderstood by others.
• Ask for patience to wait for God's timing and clarity.
• Relevant scriptures:
  • Psalm 119:125 (NLT): "Give discernment to me, your servant; then I will understand your laws."
  • Proverbs 5:1-2 (NLT): "My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel. Then you will show discernment, and your lips will express what you've learned."
  • Hosea 14:9: "Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them."

Prayers for Direction

• Seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance to choose the right path among many options.
• Use scripture for instruction and reassurance when uncertain.
• Trust God’s plan and ask for help in overcoming doubt and confusion.
• Relevant scriptures:
  • 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: "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."
  • Isaiah 48:17: "This is what the Lord says your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go."

Prayers for Peace

• Pray for peace after making decisions, asking God to bless the outcome if it aligns with His will.
• Request strength to move forward confidently and not dwell on past choices.
• Ask for freedom from doubt and for the ability to rest in God’s presence and guidance.
• Relevant scriptures:
  • Proverbs 10:22: "The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it."
  • Colossians 3:22: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
  • James 3:17 (NLT): "But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere."

Hearing God's Voice in Decisions

• The Holy Spirit lives in believers, guiding them in truth and empowering wise choices.
• Developing sensitivity to God's voice comes through patience, Bible study, and prayer.
• God works through believers to fulfill His purpose, making His guidance accessible to all.
• Relevant scriptures:
  • John 14:16-17 (NLT): "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you."
  • Philippians 2:13: "It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."
  • Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NLT): "And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations."
  • Proverbs 19:21: "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."

Recommendations / Advice

• Make it a habit to pray before making any decisions, regardless of perceived importance.
• Study scripture regularly to become more attuned to God's guidance.
• Trust that God’s wisdom, discernment, direction, and peace are available through ongoing relationship and prayer.

Additional Resources

• Access related articles and prayer resources for further encouragement in prayer and decision-making.

Prayers for Wisdom

• Proverbs 3:7 (ESV):
  "Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil."

• Proverbs 2:6 (ESV):
  "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."

• Proverbs 2:10 (ESV):
  "For wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul."

Prayers for Discernment

• Psalm 119:125 (ESV):
  "I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies!"

• Proverbs 5:1-2 (ESV):
  "My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge."

• Hosea 14:9 (ESV):
  "Who is wise? Let him understand these things; who is discerning? Let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them."

Prayers for Peace

• James 3:17 (ESV):
  "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere."

Hearing God's Voice in Decisions

• Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV):
  "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."