Day 9: Give Me Wisdom
40 Days of Prayer & Fasting
Prayer Focus: Wisdom & Discernment
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God…”
James 1:5 ESV
Yesterday our prayer was, “Speak, Lord. I am listening.”
Today we pray:
“Lord, give me wisdom.”
There are moments when we simply don't know what to do. What should I say? How should I respond? Should I move or wait?
James gives us a simple answer: ask God for wisdom.
We don't have to have every answer. We can humbly admit:
“Lord, I don't know, but You do.”
Biblical wisdom is more than having information. It is knowing how to walk according to God's truth.
And sometimes wisdom isn't choosing between something good and something bad. Sometimes we need discernment to recognize what is best.
James describes “the wisdom from above” as pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, and full of good fruit (James 3:17 ESV).
Our prayer isn't:
“Lord, confirm what I already think.”
It is:
“Lord, help me see this the way You see it.”
Today We Fast Together
Today we are fasting together from sunup to sundown with liquids only.
When hunger comes, let it become a reminder to pray.
Jesus said:
“Man shall not live by bread alone…”
Matthew 4:4 ESV
Instead of simply counting the hours until you can eat, turn your hunger toward God:
Lord, I need You.
Lord, give me wisdom.
Lord, give me discernment.
Let physical hunger remind you of your deeper dependence upon Him.
Today's Prayer
Father, I need Your wisdom today.
You see what I cannot see and know what I do not know. Give me wisdom for the situations before me and discernment to recognize what is from You.
Help me know when to speak and when to remain silent, when to move and when to wait.
As I fast today, let every moment of hunger remind me how deeply I need You.
Correct my perspective where necessary and make me willing to follow Your wisdom instead of my own.
Lord, help me see things the way You see them.
In Jesus' name, amen.
Additional Scriptures
James 3:13–18
1 Kings 3:5–12
Proverbs 9:10
Philippians 1:9–10
Today's Challenge
Each time you feel hungry during today's fast, stop and pray:
“Lord, give me wisdom.”
Bring one situation before Him today and ask:
“Lord, help me see this the way You see it.”
