Wisdom
- Rob Johnson
- Feb 12
- 2 min read
Three Types of Requests – When petitioning the Lord, it’s helpful to think about the following categories of requests.
Is it something the Lord has already promised? If for example, we are asking for forgiveness as believers, He has promised it’s done (1 John 1:9). Praying for what He has promised – that’s a prayer with a 100% ‘yes’!
Is it something that goes against the Lord’s character? We don’t need to say much here, but obviously, if we are praying for something evil or wrong, that’s a prayer with a 100% ‘no’.
The in-between – If we are praying for almost anything else, like health, etc., then it falls into the category of conditional answers. He may not heal us, He may not give us the new job, etc. (but He will provide peace and His other promises). We should pray confidently that He will hear us, but we also pray with deference to His will and His wisdom.
Why wouldn’t we?? – I want us to focus this week on one of those promises that falls into the first category. Wisdom. “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God and He will give it to you” (James 1:5, NLT). The prayer prompts below aim to anchor our requests in the Word and to challenge us to rely on His wisdom more routinely than we may …
Prayer Prompts
Early morning yielding – As you get up each day, think of one or two items in your schedule and bring them to the Lord in prayer. It can be big or small things. Ask for wisdom to know what to do, to say, to think, etc.
Spiritual wisdom – Pray for spiritual wisdom and insight that grows your understanding of God and His ways (Eph 1:16-17).
Wisdom discernment – Pray for insight to tell the difference from worldly ‘wisdom’ and true wisdom from above; that which is pure, peace-loving, gentle, willing to yield, and full mercy (James 3:17).
Know how good we have it! – As you read the Word, listen to Christian music, go to church – pray that you see more deeply “the wonderful things God has freely given us” (1 Cor 2:12-14).
Teach each other – Pray that you will be able to share “all the wisdom He gives” and that God will send people in your life that can do the same to you (Colossians 3:16).
