Decision-making is a constant part of daily life. Whether you’re choosing what career to pursue, when to get married, what to eat, or whatever else, making decisions can be pretty challenging.
We often fail in our decisions because of doubt, which is one of the devil’s tricks to undermine our confidence and strength. However, you can be assured that you are not alone because God promises to always be with us.
Prayers for discernment can help you make the right decisions regarding different life issues. Here is a guide with seven incredible sample prayers for decision-making and wisdom.
Before you even start, save these prayers for God to take control of a situation.
1) Prayer for Discernment
“Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of this day. I humbly come before You, praying that Your Holy Spirit may guide me to the right path.
Lord, I pray that You may help me make the right choices in everything I do. May the work of my hands glorify and uplift Your holy name. And enable me to remain patient and dedicated to Your Word.
In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Amen.”
Original StAgnes.net prayer. Copying prohibited, except with source.
Many people think that discernment, being able to judge right or wrong, only relates to God’s Word and teachings. However, the truth is we need discernment in many situations of life so we can please God and meet our goals.
If you desire the gift of discernment or are stuck deciding what to do, you can confidently say the above prayer, and God shall guide you.
You can also accompany the prayer with a scripture such as Psalm 119:125, “I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.”
In 1 Kings 4:29, Solomon boldly asked for wisdom, and God added his influence, wealth, understanding, and other good things. It took the spirit of discernment for Solomon to understand God’s Word better and lead His people to the right path.
2) Catholic Prayer for Discernment and Wisdom
“O, Jesus Christ,
Take me, Your child, and guide me in the right ways so that my eyes may not desire evil nor my hands participate in it.
I humbly pray for the ability to discern and listen to the Holy Spirit and my guardian angel whenever they are guiding me. May my decisions be filled with Your divine wisdom and guidance to the glory and honor of Your name.
Thank You, Jesus.
Amen.”
Original StAgnes.net prayer. Copying prohibited, except with source.
Nothing is as crucial as walking in God’s divine wisdom in everything you do or say. When you have wisdom, you can understand your purposes in life from many different aspects, which is why Paul prayed for the Church in Ephesus (Ephesians 1:17).
The spirit of discernment and wisdom helps us act in favor of God’s Word while revealing His great plans for our lives. However, these gifts may not come naturally unless you ask for them as King Solomon did, and God shall grant you.
You can also acquire the favor of God’s gift of wisdom and discernment by living according to His teachings, reading the Word, loving Him, fostering a solid relationship with Him, and depending on Him and nobody else for guidance.
Also try these catholic Guardian Angel prayers for protection and help.
3) Prayer for Wisdom and Discernment in Scripture
“Christ my King,
Your Word says in Proverbs 3:5-6 that I should trust in You with all my heart and not lean on my own understanding. That’s why I kneel before You today, leaving everything unto You, praying for wisdom and guidance.
In all my ways, I acknowledge and believe that You will make my paths straight. Teach me to rely on Your wisdom whenever I lack it because You’re a generous giver.
Amen.”
Numerous scriptures teach about the importance of wisdom, discernment, and how to pray for it. The Bible also encourages us to desire these unique spiritual gifts so we may receive them whenever we pray.
But why do we need wisdom and discernment?
This pair of spiritual gifts boasts various benefits to the Christian life, including:
- Enabling you to operate with excellence in everything you do;
- Saving you from some costly problems, leading you to success concerning God’s will;
- Helping you discover the plans of the devil long before He executes them.
The book of Proverbs 4:7 illustrates that “the beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”
4) Simple Prayer for Making the Right Decision
“My God,
I appreciate Your goodness over my life and my family’s. Today, I pray that You may shine a light upon my mind and direct my decision.
Father, forgive me for the bad decisions I have made before and fill me with Your Holy Spirit and the gift of discernment. I reject the devil’s scheme to lead me to wrong choices in the name of Jesus Christ.
Be glorified.
Amen.”
Original StAgnes.net prayer. Copying prohibited, except with source.
Are you stuck at a crossroads, or made wrong decisions on various matters? Are you afraid to face the next milestone due to the fear of what may happen due to your choices? This simple and effective prayer will lead your heart to the right decisions.
As humans, we cannot evade decision-making. But while it might seem easy at times, remember all decisions have consequences, so don’t take it lightly.
The best way to prevent bad consequences of our choices is by asking the Lord to help us make the right decision.
When faced with a challenging issue, you can turn to God through the above prayer and ask Him to lead you to the right decision. Good decisions bring peace of mind and encouragement to others.
5) Prayer for Discernment and Decision Making
“Merciful God,
Many things are on the table waiting for my decision, which I cannot make alone. Therefore, I come before You, praying that You may bless me with the gift of discernment so I can make the right decisions.
Please allow me to judge every situation with wisdom and open my spiritual eyes to see beyond. I refuse to let my heart be troubled because of fear or the impact of poor decision-making.
In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Amen.”
Original StAgnes.net prayer. Copying prohibited, except with source.
When the Assyrian army threatened King Hezekiah of Judah, he sought God’s wisdom and guidance, praying for deliverance. In return, God answered him by sending His angel to destroy and defeat the Assyrian Army (2 Kings 19:14-19).
Like Hezekiah, believers can pray and believe in God’s power to lead their decision-making and discern different situations.
God is interested in our choices and actions and doesn’t just want us to make the right decisions but lead us as we make them.
We must also seek to understand different Biblical teachings concerning decision-making, wisdom, and discernment, such as the following scriptures: 1 Corinthians 2:14; Psalms 32:8; Psalms 29:9; Luke 22:42; and Proverbs 19:21.
I believe you will also love these prayers for faith and trust in God.
6) Short Prayer for Discernment
“Everlasting Father,
I come before You with thanksgiving because I am alive and healthy today. However, this day has been heavy as I strive to differentiate right from wrong.
Please fill me with the wisdom to discern so I can better understand and practice Your teachings. Father, do not allow me to deviate from my excellent relationship with You and others due to bad decisions.
I ask this in Your Holy Name.
Amen.”
Original StAgnes.net prayer. Copying prohibited, except with source.
If you look at today’s world, you can tell that nearly everyone is making decisions based on their own understanding. Very few seek spiritual discernment through prayers.
Bad discernment and decision making leads to divorces, poor parenthood, crime, and many other mishaps in society. Every believer needs the gift of discernment to make moral choices.
Even the Bible encourages us in Proverbs 3:21 to preserve sound discernment and judgment and not let them out of our sight.
They will be life for us and ornaments to grace our necks. Then we will go on our ways in safety, and our feet will stumble not.
7) Prayer for Decision Making and Wisdom
“O Lord,
Your Word says in Proverbs 2:6 that You grant wisdom, and from Your mouth comes knowledge and understanding. You know I dearly need understanding, wisdom, and knowledge from You to make good decisions.
I may not have answers to all situations, but I pray for Your grace and discernment in everything I do or say. Help me become a good listener and know what to listen to or ignore.
Please meet my need in Jesus’ name.
Amen.”
Original StAgnes.net prayer. Copying prohibited, except with source.
Everyone who acquires wisdom loves life, and He who cherishes understanding will soon succeed (Proverbs 19:8). Therefore, we should seek God’s wisdom even when we aren’t facing tough decisions or situations.
Life can throw many things which can make one feel overwhelmed and stressed. However, there’s no point in keeping silent and secluding yourself when you can seek God’s intervention and blessings through the above prayer.
The Lord says in His Word that:
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” — James 3:17.
Before you leave, save these morning prayers of gratitude.
How to Pray for Discernment?
The above prayers offer adequate guidance regarding praying for discernment. However, when praying for discernment, you should be willing and ready to let God take control of everything and endure the period with thanksgiving and patience.
How Many Prayers Should I Say?
You can say as many prayers as you desire because praying for discernment helps to strengthen your connection to the Creator and others. You are not restricted to how often you can talk to God or what to say in your prayers.
How Long Do These Prayers Take to Work?
There’s no specific period that prayers can take to work.
Psalms 102:16-17 assures us that the Lord builds up Zion, appears in His glory, regards the prayer of the destitute, and doesn’t despise their petitions. So rest assured that God is working on your case once you bring your petitions to Him.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, these prayers will bring you wisdom, discernment, and guidance next time you’re battling yet another tough decision.
As you pray, seeking support and counseling from professionals in these difficult moments is also advisable instead of secluding yourself. God is faithful and will guide you through!
