A Good Prayer For Guidance

Guidance is something we all pray for at various points in our lives. Whenever we find ourselves in a situation where we have to make a choice or decision, we often need guidance. Guidance is needed not only when faced with a bad or good choice. We need guidance the most when deciding between two identical choices – when both seem to be ideal or bad – which makes it hard to decide and move forward. For example, which job should you accept if both are good choices? Another one is which political candidate to vote for when neither is a perfect public servant.

Father in heaven, I thank You because You are the God Who shows us how we should walk through Your Word. Your providential hand, which is always at work in every detail and circumstance of my life, is the same hand that guides me wherever I go. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Why do we need guidance?

There are many different circumstances in life for which we need guidance, but the problem comes when we find it hard to make a choice. Understandably, some people find it hard to make decisions, especially decisions that would significantly impact their lives.

For example, a student will surely think carefully about which course to take because that will impact his future career and the profession he might have for the rest of his or her life. A man must pray carefully about whom he should pursue as a wife among the many godly women he finds in church. Likewise, a woman must pick carefully among her suitors which one she should give her “yes” to since it will impact her future family. Even during an election, if both candidates do not seem a good choice, we need God’s guidance to vote for the best possible candidate.

The moments in life when we have to make a decision or choice, and that decision or choice has a significant impact on our lives, are the times when we need the most guidance. When you seek guidance from God and pray carefully to make a good decision, know that as you move forward with your choice, God’s providence is always at work for you. This means He is always working behind every circumstance and detail in your life. In (The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. Psalm 145:17), it is written that the Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all His works. This can give us peace as we ask God for guidance, decide, and move forward.

Heavenly Father, I thank You because as I encounter a fork in my life, Your providential care is always at work to guide me and work all things in my life for my good. Your providential work is righteous and kind. So, no matter where I end up, I have peace. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Where do we get guidance?

We ultimately get guidance from God. God is omniscient, which means He is all-knowing. His knowledge is exhaustive in that He knows what there is to know, unlike us, who get to grow in knowledge as we move up in education. For God, there is nothing to know because He already knows everything. His knowledge is eternal and infinite. There is nothing that can be excluded and that He cannot know. He knows everything at once. That is why God is first in our minds whenever we need or ask for guidance.

The good thing is that when we come to God to ask for guidance, He does guide us. He gives us wisdom, as written in James 1:5-6, so we may make the best and wisest choices. Not only does He give wisdom, but He also gives it generously to those who ask in faith. However, we have to ask in faith. God instructs us, teaches us how to go, and counsels us, as written in ( I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Psalm 32:8). 

When we ask God for guidance, we should first humble ourselves. It takes humility to acknowledge that we don’t have it all together and need God’s help, direction, wisdom, and guidance for whatever matter in life we are considering. It is written in (The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. Psalm 25:9) that God leads the humble in what is right and teaches the humble His way.

While God is our ultimate source of guidance, we must understand that He gives us the guidance we need through specific means. The primary means by which God guides us is through His Word, the inerrant and infallible Scriptures that are God-breathed, as written in (All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Most of the time, whenever we ask the question, “Lord, what is Your will in this?” God has already revealed His will through His Word. That is why we must soak in God’s Word as we seek God’s guidance about a particular matter. In (Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105), it is written that God’s Word is the lamp to our feet and the light to our path. Reading the Scriptures shows us which way we should go. As we seek God’s Word, the Holy Spirit guides us and brings His truth to our remembrance, as written in (But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26).

 

 

Prayer is also essential whenever we seek guidance. When we ask God for guidance, we seek it through the Word and prayer, which is when we humble ourselves and open up to God about certain circumstances that make it difficult to decide. In prayer, we let our heavenly Father know we need His guidance. Besides prayer, fellowship with fellow believers is also a way God can guide us. We sometimes get to see the wisest thing to do through the counsel we receive from godly men and women. In  (Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14), it is written that there is safety with the abundance of counselors.

Those are the different means by which we receive guidance from God, Who is the ultimate source of our support. It is important to note that we should primarily get guidance through the Word of God, which is the lamp to our feet. As we obey God’s Word and trust in it with all our hearts, rather than leaning on our own understanding, He will straighten our paths, as written in Proverbs 3:5-6.

Father in heaven, I thank You because You have given us Your Word, a lamp to our feet and light to our path. Your Word is breathed out from You; it is inerrant and infallible. It is tried and tested, and therefore we can trust it. I thank You because You have also provided us with fellow saints, whose counsel You also use to guide us. May I continue to seek Your guidance in prayer and soak myself in Your Word. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

How do we pray a good prayer for guidance?

We pray a good prayer for guidance to God by simply asking Him for guidance regarding the confusing circumstances in our lives. Here, your prayer can revolve around three things. The first one is asking God for guidance regarding that specific situation for which you need guidance, whether it’s choosing a college degree, accepting an offer abroad, whom to marry, etc. The second is praying that He will guide you and illuminate your path as you seek His Word. If we are soaked in God’s Word, we desire what He desires, and our decision will come from that heart. The third is for you to have the grace you need to acquire wisdom as you seek the counsel of godly men or women.

Below is an example of this prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come before You because I need Your guidance on whether or not I should work abroad and leave my work here. I am torn between these two good choices and therefore need Your guidance to make the best possible choice—the choice which would honor You the most. As I seek Your Word, may it shine light upon my path and base my decision on what You desire and will, as revealed in Your Word. Open my eyes, therefore, to the wonders and truth of Your Word and mold my heart to share Your desires. Give me understanding and wisdom as well as I seek the counsel of godly men in the church to whom I am accountable.

As you pray to God and ask Him for guidance, there is no need to rush things. It is okay if you don’t know immediately what to do after praying. Praying to God for guidance is what you continually do until you know how to move forward. It is okay to sometimes just surrender those questions to God. Making a decision, especially if it involves something big, can be overwhelming. However, in Psalm 23 we know that, in the end, Christ is our good shepherd Who holds us and guides us. No matter where you find yourself as you make decisions, His mercy and goodness follow you there.