10 Prayers for Guidance from God's Wisdom and Help

Brannon Deibert

"Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:31-34 NKJV

"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV

In Scripture, we are reminded of God’s guidance in our lives. He is our good Shepherd who leads us and He desires that we follow the path that leads to joy and peace.  When we pray for God’s guidance and for discernment through the Holy Spirit, we can rest assured that God will bestow us with wisdom and the inspiration to live righteously!

As said in Matthew 6, it is God's will that we first seek His kingdom and righteousness above all other desires and aims. Do not let the distractions of the world mislead you from the kingdom of God and the path of righteousness we must seek. Thankfully, our Father in heaven will never leave or forsake us when we fall short of His glory (Romans 3:23) and will guide us back to righteousness if we but ask Him in prayer for guidance.

10 Prayers for Guidance and God's Help

We hope this collection of prayers for guidance will help you in praying for the Lord to guide your heart and mind. May you have faith that the Lord will answer your prayer for guidance as the Bible tells us "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7).

Prayer for Guidance from the Holy Spirit

Lord, I pray you would move the Spirit more boldly in my life. I know that any sin can grieve and diminish the voice of the Spirit, and I pray against the temptation to sin. Help me crave your presence more than I crave sin. Help me grow in the fruit of the Spirit and so walk closer with Yourself. I pray for guidance from your Spirit- let your will and promises always be a meditation of my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen - Kenny Luck

Prayer for Guidance and Protection

O Lord, our redemption. Be our protection. Direct our minds by your gracious presence. Watch over our paths and guide us with your love through the hidden snares of life. Fix our hearts on you as we go forward, and following in faith, arrive at your goal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Source: Mozarabic Liturgy

A Short Prayer for Guidance

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your guidance. Forgive me for getting ahead of Your plans, and help me know when to stop and listen for Your direction. Your ways are perfect. Thank You for offering gentle grace and guidance. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. - Kristine Brown

A Prayer for Guidance When Life is Challenging

Lord, I’m here today with open hands and an open heart, ready to depend on you to help me through the day, and all it will bring my way. Help me be like Nehemiah, help me come to you for guidance, strength, provision, and protection. As I face tough choices and hard situations, help me remember my belovedness, help me remember that I am Your child, and Your representative to the world around me. Help me live today in a way that brings honor to Your holy name. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. - Charles Stanley

A Prayer before Beginning Any Task

Almighty God, our help and refuge, source of wisdom and tower of strength, you know I can do nothing without your guidance and help. Help me and direct me to divine wisdom and power, that I may accomplish this task and whatever I may undertake to do, faithfully and diligently, according to your will, so that it may be profitable to myself and others, and to the glory of your holy name. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Source: Antiochan Orthodox

Prayer for Light and Guidance

O Lord, Enlighten our hearts by your holy radiance, Jesus Christ, that we may serve you without fear in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life. In him may we survive the storms of this world,
and by his guidance reach the country of eternal brightness; through your mercy, O blessed Lord, you live and govern all things, now and forever. Amen. Source: Leonine Sacramentary, fifth century

A Prayer for Discernment and Wisdom When You Need God’s Guidance

Lord, thank You for the people You have divinely placed in my life who speak holy truth, love, and words of wisdom. Give me a heart of discernment to know when You are using someone to speak instruction into my heart and my circumstances and give me the strength and courage to follow through with that advice, even when it’s hard. Fill me with peace in knowing that even if I take a wrong turn, Your purpose will prevail. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. - Tracie Miles

Prayer for Strength and Guidance

Lord God Almighty, shaper and ruler of all creatures, we pray for your great mercy, that you guide us towards you, for we cannot find our way. And guide us to your will, to the need of our soul, for we cannot do it ourselves. And make our mind steadfast in your will and aware of our soul’s need. Strengthen us against the temptations of the devil, and remove from us all lust and every unrighteousness, and shield us against our foes, seen and unseen. Teach us to do your will, that we may inwardly love you before all things with a pure mind. For you are our maker and our redeemer, our help, our comfort, our trust, our hope; praise and glory be to you now and forever. Source: Alfred the Great, 9th century

Prayer for Guidance in the Day Ahead

Good morning, Lord! Today's a new day, a chance for a new start. Yesterday is gone and with it any regrets, mistakes, or failures I may have experienced. It's a good day to be glad and give thanks, and I do, Lord. Thank you for today, a new opportunity to love, give, and be all that you want me to be.

Today I want to start the day with you on my mind and in my heart. As I dress, let me wear the armor you've provided daily: the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the belt of truth, the shoes of peace, and the sword of the spirit — with a prayer on my tongue: praise for you and petitions for those around me and those I meet.

Feed me today with your daily bread. As the Bread of Life, your food, like manna, will sustain me throughout any trials and hunger. Help me to set my thoughts on things above and to speak only what will help and encourage others. Keep me from putting my foot in my mouth, and help me guard the affections of my heart today, Lord. Make whatever work I do be marked with excellence rather than perfectionism, as I seek not to make a name, but to make a difference. Help me to treat each person I encounter as you would, with respect and love, forgiving others and asking for forgiveness myself when needed.

As I start this day, help me remember that I belong to you, and my desire is to act accordingly. Keep my feet from stumbling and my mind from wandering into distractions that could steal precious time and energy from the most important things you have designed for me. I'm proud to be your child, Lord. And I'm so grateful that you died for me—rising again on your own new morning—so that every day could be filled with the wonder of your love, the freedom of your Spirit, and the joy of knowing you.

I know earthly life is short and fleeting, Lord. But I want to live today as if it were the first or the last day of my life, giving thanks for every good and perfect gift you choose to give. Today, and every day, I want to live my life for you, Jesus. In your precious name, Amen. - Rebecca Barlow Jordan

Prayer for Spiritual Light

Almighty God, in you there is no darkness at all. Give us your eternal light. When we cannot see the way before us, may we continue to put our trust in you, that under your guidance and protection
we may be kept from falling this day, and finally, by your mercy, enter into our rest; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Source: Unknown

Prayers for Guidance: Sources

5 Prayers for Guidance - Receive God's Direction and Wisdom! - Crosswalk.com

"Guidance" prayers - acollectionofprayers.com

Photo Credit: ©Unsplash

This article is part of our prayer resources meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.

Prayers for Healing
Morning Prayers
Prayers for Family
Prayers for Surgery

Prayers for Strength
Night Prayers Before Bed
Prayers for Protection
The Lord's Prayer: Our Father

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