Prayers for guidance have sustained me over the last few years. If there is one thing that the covid pandemic has taught me, it's that I do not know what tomorrow may bring. I remember being so confident and believing I could accurately predict the future. So much of my time was focused on planning. Over the last two years, I have had to let go of my self-reliance and lean into the words of Jesus.
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:31-34
This encouragement from Jesus has helped me stop worrying about tomorrow and trust that He will lead me and guide me. This beautiful passage from the Psalms helps me understand that He will do this primarily through His word.
Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:97-105
The psalmist understands that we find direction by meditating on God’s word. However, that sounds a little too simple, and in reality, I don’t only meditate on His word, but I pray to Him for guidance. This helps me leave behind my self-reliance and trust in His ability to lead me. Below is a series of prayers that I hope will help you as you seek to be guided by our great Father, who loves us. If you’d like some more help meditating on God’s word, check out this post.
Dear Father, Your Bible states that You will always lead me. You do not abandon me as I go through life; instead, You remain with me at all times. You will meet my needs when I am upset and empower me when life wears me down. As you guide me into a life of fruitfulness and pleasure, please help me follow Your ways. May I be like the well-watered garden that flourishes because its roots are deeply embedded in Your love. Amen. Dear Lord, we thank You that your ultimate purpose triumphs even though we have our own ideas about how our lives should be and frequently go according to our plans. As we start out to create plans, we ask that You remind us to do so in accordance with your wishes, not our own. We pray that You keep us in mind while submitting every detail to serve Your bigger goal. Please match our emotions to Yours, our thoughts to Yours, and our will to Yours. Because Your methods are higher than ours, your plans are more significant than ours, and nothing is impossible with You. Every step of the journey guide us. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Lord, I'm here today with open hands and an open heart, ready to rely on You to get me through the day and all it has in store for me. Therefore, help me be like Nehemiah and turn to You for direction, strength, provision, and protection. As I confront difficult decisions and circumstances, remind me of my belovedness and that I am Your child and Your ambassador to the world around me. Help me to live today in a manner that honours Your holy name. Amen.
Dear Lord, things are tough right now, and life has taken a toll on me. I ask that You impart your wisdom to me as I know my own expertise has failed me many times. I must hear Your voice. Give me the wisdom to listen to Your voice and only Your voice. Speak to me in a manner that You know I will understand. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Lord, there are moments when I wish for a glowing neon sign or a cloud to guide me and affirm Your plan for the choices I must make. But it is Your presence that I genuinely want. So help me to relax in the knowledge that You are always with me and that if I slip or walk down the wrong road, You will bring me back to You. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Lord, good morning! Today is a new day, a new beginning. It's a beautiful day to rejoice and offer thanks, Lord, and I do. Thank You for today, a new chance to love, give, and be all you want me to be. Today, I want to start the day thinking about You and feeling Your presence in my heart. So let me put on the equipment You've given for me every day: 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. As I begin this day, remind me that I am Yours, and my objective is to live in Your ways. So keep my feet from tripping and my thoughts from straying into diversions that might take valuable time and energy away from the most essential things you've planned for me. Lord, I'm honoured to be Your child. Lord, I understand that worldly existence is brief and transient. But I'd want to live today as if it were the first or final day of my life, thanking You for every excellent and beautiful gift You chose to provide. I want to live my life for You, Jesus, today and every day. In Your cherished name, Amen. I hope these prayers for guidance help you in your journey of following Jesus. Photo by Joe Eitzen on Unsplash Photo by Olivier Guillard on Unsplash
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