7 Powerful Prayers for Wisdom

Because God’s thoughts and ways are not our thoughts and ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), it’s important to pray that God will teach us how to live (Psalm 25:4-5). The godless wisdom of this world is considered foolishness in God’s sight. Proverbs 8:5 tells us to set our hearts on prudence—wise, good sense—so we will not act as fools.

Only in God will we find perfect wisdom. Almighty God is the source of all wisdom, and He is wisdom itself. The Bible says Jesus grew in wisdom as a human; and as the Son of God, Jesus became wisdom for us from the Father. The Holy Spirit is our wisdom teacher.

In the Old Testament, King Solomon requested a gift he valued above all—a wise, discerning heart. God answered his prayer, and that gift brought the king great insight, wealth, and fame. Many of the proverbs in Scripture were written by Solomon, such as Proverbs 4:5-7: “Get wisdom, get understanding... Do not forsake wisdom.”

James 1:5 instructs believers to ask for wisdom—to pray for it. God is generous to provide, and He wants His children to know and enjoy the wisdom that comes from Him. When praying for wisdom, seek it as great treasure. Turn your ear toward it—be attentive to it. Think in terms of buying up truth and wisdom, or investing in it to become wiser and wiser. Determine to develop a close relationship with God’s wisdom; and always base requests for wisdom in Scripture, looking into the Word of God as you pray.

The following are a few representative prayers for wisdom.

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Father God,

I want to please You. I want to honor You and bring glory to Your name. Sometimes I may not know exactly how to do that, so I pray for wisdom from heaven.

I know that genuine respect for You is the beginning of wisdom, so teach me humility as I pray. Help me remember that You are God and I am not. I know that proper fear of You—reverence in the presence of Your greatness, and awareness that You are evaluating my life—will motivate me to desire wisdom as a strong foundation for trusting and obeying You.

Father, give me knowledge of Your holiness, and help me consider what You are doing in our world and through my life. I know You are absolutely sovereign, and I cannot claim to be wise if I try to dodge Your plans. Help me view life from Your perspective—always keeping an eye toward eternity. As You show me Your majesty and power, please grant me wisdom so I can better magnify Your name.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

A Prayer for Wisdom to Make Wise Choices

Lord,

I know that wisdom will continue to grow as a byproduct of right choices and godly responses, and as I apply Your Word to my daily circumstances. I ask You to help me make good use of the wisdom You give me every day.

Sometimes my choices may not seem clear. You are not the author of confusion, but I know I have an enemy who wants to deceive and confuse me, so please instruct me and give me a heart for Your wisdom—a growing desire for understanding and insight. I know wise choices will watch over me, keep me safe, and fill me with joy, so guide every decision I need to make today.

Help me observe lessons from all You have created—the truth principles You have built into the universe. Let me learn from the wisdom of sowing and reaping, the importance of a strong root system in life, or learning industriousness from the ant. I pray each practical and spiritual choice I make will reflect Your perfect will.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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Father,

I don’t understand what’s happening in my life right now, and I’m uncertain about how to move forward. You tell me not to lean on my own understanding, so I submit to You now and ask you for clarity and direction. I trust You, and I’m going to listen carefully for Your voice so I can stay on track with Your Word.

The Psalmist says if I desire wisdom, I need to read and internalize Scripture, to meditate on its teachings and precepts. I know You desire to instruct me because You love me. You do not want me to be shaken or unsettled in difficulty or fear. I am seeking Your wisdom first, but also Father, teach me to listen to wise advice from others, and never neglect godly instruction from the counselors You send into my life.

I know that I can gain great wisdom by rubbing shoulders with those who are wise. Help me choose friends and role models who are prudent, discerning, and faithful to Your Word.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

A Prayer for Wise Use of Time and Resources

Dear God,

I know that my time here on earth is limited. I want to use each moment wisely. You caution Your children to make the most of every opportunity and not foolishly waste time. This is especially important as I live in a culture that does not honor You. I want to be careful to understand Your will so I can reflect who You are to those around me.

The writer of Proverbs says there is a time for everything. Help me recognize the seasons in my life so I can apply my heart to wisdom and cooperate with what You are doing in the world right now, and how You want to use me for Your Kingdom. Teach me good time management. I know there is time to do anything and everything You call me to do. Teach me to realize the brevity of life so I can determine to live each day in wisdom.

Help me wisely use the resources You’ve given me, too. The world offers much advice about the use of our resources, but I want to follow the wise counsel of your Word. I want to make smart financial decisions, manage the resources I have on hand to generously bless others, and invest money and things for Your use and glory. Give me wisdom to be a good steward of all You supply, including my spiritual gifts.

In Jesus’s name,

Amen.

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Lord,

We are Your handiwork, created for Your pleasure, and You have ordained daily work for each one of us. Before the foundation of the world, You also prepared good works for us to do. Give me wisdom as I work in my home, neighborhood, place of employment, or wherever You call me to serve each day.

I know that, ultimately, I work for You—I serve You. I know You can give wisdom for finding jobs, working with diligence, and bringing You glory in work and ministry as I serve in the name of Jesus.

I pray You will establish the work of my hands and make my efforts successful. Show me how to “sharpen the blade” of my work skills so I will prosper. I want to be truly competent and sought out by others—not for myself and my own glory, but to show others Your excellency through my life. I pray You will give me joy and a grateful heart in my work, and teach me how to avoid burnout as I seek Your wisdom for balance in my life. Give me strength for this day’s tasks.

When it comes to Kingdom work, I need Your wisdom there too. Your Word says we are wise when we capture souls for your kingdom—when we share the gospel message. Teach me how to speak Your wonderful words of life and model godly wisdom before others. I want a spirit of wisdom that will enlighten my eyes to know the hope I have in You—and I want that for others too.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

A Prayer for Wisdom in Relationships

Heavenly Father,

I need wisdom for all the relationships in my circle of life. I am grateful for the Bible’s instructions for healthy family life. I also want to develop relationships in the family of God, and to build friendships that will honor You while they refresh my soul. I need wisdom so I can interact with others in unity, respect, and love.

The world shares concepts for relationships that may not always align with Your Word, but I want You to be my instructor. Teach me how to clothe myself with Christlike compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, peace, and mercy. Show me how to encourage others, build them up, and offer gracious hospitality. Give me a tender heart to offer forgiveness, grace, and mercy.

I pray that my words will always be a fountain of wisdom bubbling up to encourage others, Father. But when necessary, teach me how to admonish those I love—speaking truth into their lives with compassion, always aiming to help and never hurt. Give me clear discernment to know when to use restraint and hold my tongue.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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Oh God,

How I need Your wisdom when it comes to tempering sinful appetites and desires. I want to behave myself and walk properly before You and others—not distracted by or giving in to the sins of the flesh. I need to be clothed with Jesus so I won’t dwell on how to gratify wicked impulses. I want to listen to wise advice and accept discipline so I’ll be counted as wise. I know when I love wisdom and develop good sense, I am loving my own soul. Instruct me, lead me, in straight and upright paths.

Your wisdom is far greater than my own, and it will help me shun evil. There is so much I need to avoid if I will be wise: bad company that corrupts good character and brings harm, easily angered people who can ensnare us into their ways, hurtful people—wicked men and adulterous women, promiscuity, and so much more. Dear God, I want to be self-controlled and pure so I will not dishonor You.

Your wisdom is better than all my foolishness, just as light is better than darkness. Your Word truly is a lamp for my journey. Help me live as a child of light with a teachable, obedient spirit.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Here’s a final thought. Praying for God’s wisdom will potentially bless us and bring honor throughout our lives; but how wonderful to know that—because God is wisdom—His wisdom will dwell with us throughout eternity!

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