How to Pray for Understanding

When a person is good at something, others attribute that to a person’s natural abilities such as knowledge, wisdom, intelligence, talent, and even understanding. However, whatever prowess a person has, it is no credit to their capabilities. A person has that prowess only because of God’s mercy. In other words, if not for the mercy of God, Who gives us our abilities, we wouldn’t have them. God is the source of everything. When we encounter troubles or problems, we are to seek God’s mercy and not try to deal with our problems using our wisdom or intellect.

That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

[Daniel 2:18]

One good example of this is Daniel. King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that no wise man in Babylon could understand or interpret. Daniel told his friends not to try to solve the mystery of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream with their intellect (they were wise men themselves) but rather seek God for mercy concerning the mystery of the dream because God is the source of everything.

What is a prayer for understanding?

Understanding is seeing or knowing the reason or meaning. It is also the discernment of evil and good. In 1 Kings 3:9, when King Solomon asked God for wisdom, he also asked God for an understanding heart so that he could discern good and evil. That is what differentiates understanding from knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is all about facts and information. However, just because someone knows certain information does not necessarily mean that they understand it. A person may “know” about algorithms but may not truly understand them—how they are made and how they work. On the other hand, wisdom is the application of understood knowledge. Going back to the example of an “algorithm,” it is applied to solve a problem by understanding it and knowing how it works.

Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

[1 Kings 3:9]

How does understanding apply to us Christians? The answer is simple. Understanding allows us to comprehend the things of God, Who God is, what is evil, what is pleasing in His sight, and the reason and meaning for everything God has told us. For example, knowing that God is holy is not enough. We should understand that God is holy and that sin cannot dwell with Him. If we understand that, it will reflect how we live our lives. Understanding also means knowing the reason and meaning behind God’s laws. For example, when God tells us not to worship other gods, he doesn’t give us this admonition without reason. There is reason and meaning behind it because He is the one true God and deserves to be worshipped. Also, understanding the things of God, such as what is wicked in His sight and what is righteous, allows us to distinguish whether a choice is evil or not. For example, if a classmate encourages you to cheat, you will already understand Who God is and His commandments, and you will distinguish cheating as an evil thing to do; therefore, you will turn away from it. 

And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

[Job 28:28]

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

[2 Timothy 3:16]

We must also realize that understanding is not centered on us but on God. We do not lean on our understanding but on God’s definition alone, and we acknowledge His paths. For example, a Christian and a non-Christian can have a different understanding of premarital sex. One understands it as something that is a sin, while the other sees it as something normal. That is why the fear of the LORD is always the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. One can understand worldly knowledge or worldly wisdom without being rooted in the fear of the LORD. The same applies to the God-given reason for everything in this world. For example, when it comes to gender, we lean on God’s reason and understand it, knowing that there are only two genders—male and female.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

[Proverbs 3:5–6]

Reading God’s Word is crucial for gaining understanding but, ultimately, understanding is something that God gives. That is why there are knowledgeable people who, despite their intelligence, can never comprehend the Gospel. If they truly understood the Gospel, they would repent and believe it. It takes the Holy Spirit to open their eyes for seeing and comprehending the Gospel.

In the same way, it is God who gives us understanding. However, just because God is the One Who gives understanding does not mean we are to be passive. We have to seek and get understanding also.

Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

[Psalms 119:104]

Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

[Proverbs 4:1]

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

[1 Corinthians 2:12]

Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

[Ephesians 4:18]

Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

[2 Timothy 2:7]

Why should we pray for understanding?

As mentioned before, understanding is crucial for knowledge and wisdom. We can apply wisdom to our knowledge when we understand what we know. For example, in Psalm 119:34, the psalmist wrote about asking God for understanding so that he may keep His laws and observe them with his whole heart. It takes understanding for us to see and behold the wondrous things of God’s laws, and because we have that understanding, we keep and observe those laws.

Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

[Psalm 119:18]

Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

[Psalms 119:34]

It is only when we have wisdom that knowledge makes sense to us. We see the meaning and reason behind the commandments of God. For example, when God commands us to be merciful to our enemies, it does not make any sense at first. But with the understanding that God gave us, we know that it is the right and holy thing to do because we reflect onto others what God has done for us, which is to have mercy despite us being sinners. It is also where we grow to be humble and Christlike. And it is a command from God, who is our LORD. It is in understanding the Gospel that we can make sense of why Jesus commanded us to make disciples and why the early Christians were willing to die for the Gospel (as we should as well). Indeed, the Gospel is the Good News worth spreading and dying for.

Understanding is also essential if we want to walk in wisdom. Wisdom is the application of knowledge. We do what we do, and this is wisdom because we understand why we should do it. That “why” should always be the fear of the LORD. We do something because it is right in God’s eyes. Knowing we should also turn our feet away from evil involves understanding. Apart from God being holy and hating wickedness, we know nothing good awaits those who walk in wickedness. 

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

[Proverbs 4:7]

Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?

[Proverbs 8:1]

Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

[Proverbs 23:23]

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

[Psalm 111:10]

Understanding also keeps us from the trouble that comes from answering others without understanding and being driven by temper. For example, if you talk to a person who does not try to understand what you say but only focuses on what he wants to say, you could feel that it is pointless to talk to the person. Also, the other person is at a disadvantage because he misses out on what he could and should have known if he had just tried to understand what you were trying to point out. An example of that is when you are arguing with someone. Restraining one’s words is being a person of understanding. For example, let’s say you are annoyed by someone and want to say something hurtful. Knowing that those words are hurtful and that you’ve restrained them means that you have understanding. A person without understanding will go ahead and say those words because he doesn’t truly understand the ramifications of what he is doing. The same goes for venting one’s anger. 

He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

[Proverbs 14:29]

He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

[Proverbs 17:27]

A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

[Proverbs 18:2]

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

[Psalm 34:13]

Godly understanding means fearing God. That is why it is essential to have a clear understanding—it changes the way we live our lives. If we fear God, we will live our lives wisely. The book of Proverbs always mentions insight or understanding when seeking wisdom.

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

[Proverbs 2:1-6]

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

[Proverbs 8:13]

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

[Proverbs 9:10]

The fear of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

[Proverbs 19:23]

How can we pray for understanding?

As mentioned before, understanding ultimately comes from the LORD. He is the source of everything; therefore, we are to pray to God and ask Him to give us understanding, just as King Solomon asked God for wisdom and an understanding heart. We are to seek God’s mercy in this regard because the understanding we have comes to us only because of God’s mercy. Here is an example of how you can pray to God and ask Him for understanding:

Heavenly Father, You are a merciful God from Whom everything comes. You are the source of all talents and abilities. Similar to King Solomon, I pray for an understanding heart, that I may always discern what is evil and righteous and that I shall always turn away from that which is evil in Your sight. Open my eyes and give me understanding whenever I study Your Word, and may the understanding of Your Word be translated into an obedient life toward You. Help me never lean on my understanding of things but always trust Your wisdom and acknowledge Your paths. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

[Proverbs 4:5]

Just as we ought to seek God’s wisdom, we are also to seek understanding, and the Bible says that we are to ask God for it. Though the Bible consistently teaches us to seek knowledge and wisdom, it also teaches us to seek understanding and be an understanding person. Seeking to understand more about who God is, the things of Him, His Word, and His commandments is something that pleases God. Understanding is essential for us to grow as Christians.