I am knee deep in need of a good prayer for knowledge and wisdom! I have had a steady line of difficult decisions to make and it is hard!

I don’t want to make the wrong one or overlook something. If only we could look into the future, right?

Thankfully, God can and He will lead us if we come to Him!

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)

What is Wisdom According to the Bible?

So, what is wisdom according to the Bible? This would be worth investigating before we begin praying for it. I found a great definition from KJV Bible dictionary.

“The right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them. This is wisdom in act, effect, or practice. If wisdom is to be considered as a faculty of the mind, it is the faculty of discerning or judging what is most just, proper and useful, and if it is to be considered as an acquirement, it is the knowledge and use of what is best, most just, most proper, most conducive to prosperity or happiness. Wisdom in the first sense, or practical wisdom, is nearly synonymous with discretion. “

Of course, wisdom is nothing if it does not include God, His word, and His nature. Solomon tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and we know from this definition that wisdom is the exercising of that knowledge.

Prayer for Wisdom and Knowledge at Work

I am a big believer in praying scripture. The Bible is the living word of God. It is His message to us and there is power in praying His word back to Him.

I first discovered this two years ago and talk more about my experience in “Why Praying the Psalms is a Blessing and How to Go About It”

Basically, you take a Bible verse and turn it into a prayer, personalizing the verse. I have chosen several verses that make great prayers for wisdom and knowledge at work.

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15-17)

Prayer: Dear Lord, you see everything going on at work, you know the hearts of men. I want to be wise in my dealings with people. It is my desire to be wise in my business and with the use of my money. Help me not to be foolish, but lead me on the path that is your will.

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. (Colossians 4:5-6)

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me with my coworkers and those I interact with today. May I speak your words and truth and treat others the way you want me to treat them. Help me to perform my tasks with wisdom and may wisdom rule my interaction with others.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.  This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.  For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.  Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13-18)

This prayer could end up being really long as James covers a lot! Let’s try to sum it up. If one part of this verse resonates with you more than another, pray those words.

Prayer: Lord, please give me wisdom in performing my duties at work and with my interaction with others. Please guard my heart against envy and self-seeking. Help me to be peaceable, gentle, full of mercy and good fruits. May my actions and words shine your light and love in my workplace.

The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility. (Proverbs 15:33)

Prayer: Lord, I acknowledge who you are. I recognize you as great and mighty and ruler of my life. Please fill me with your wisdom and knowledge. I wish to follow you in all humility and obedience.

Who is wise? Let him understand these things.
Who is prudent? Let him know them.
For the ways of the Lord are right; The righteous walk in them,
But transgressors stumble in them. (Hosea 14:9)

Prayer: Dear God, help me to walk in your ways, seek your truth and dwell in your righteousness. May I glorify you through my work day. Help me to use your wisdom with the decisions I need to make and the choices I have. Help me to keep your word as a guide throughout my work day.

Prayer for Wisdom and Knowledge in School

Whether you are in high school, college, or graduate school, prayers for wisdom and knowledge are important. Let’s keep praying scripture!

When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2)

Prayer: It is easy to want to be the best, Lord, please guard my heart from pride. Help me to be humble and obedient to you in all things.

A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart. (Proverbs 18:2)

Prayer: Lord, help me to be humble and not right in my own eyes. Help me to be silent and attentive when I need to learn and may my mouth only speak truth and wisdom.

He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed. (Proverbs 13:20)

Prayer: Lord, choose who I should associate with. Steer me away from fools or those who will turn me away from you. Surround me with godly and wise friends, those that love your truth and care about serving you.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Prayer: Lord, I trust you with my life and my future. I trust you now and forever. Guide me and show me your will for my life. I acknowledge you as God and Creator of all. I am nothing without you. I am not wise enough to lead myself. Show me what to do in the course of my life. I am limited in knowledge, but you know all things. I do not trust myself to make decisions because my view is so limited, but you know the present and the future. Only you can lead me.

Examples of Wisdom in the Bible

Now that we have a good prayer for knowledge and wisdom, let’s go over a few examples of wisdom in the Bible.

Who is the first person to come to mind when you think of examples of wisdom in the Bible? Solomon? Paul? Jesus?

Let’s compare two people who were in the same situation and how one was wise and one wasn’t.

Solomon: An Example of Wisdom in the Bible

The story goes that when King David died he handed his kingdom to Solomon. This young man understood the responsibility that came with ruling such a large kingdom. He also wanted to rule with the same strong faith as his father.

While in Gibeon to make sacrifices to God, Solomon has a dream. God says to him, “ask, what shall I give you?”

Can you imagine having God ask you that question?

Solomon doesn’t ask for riches or glory or longevity of life. His reply was humble.

“Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” (1 Kings 3:9)

This pleased the Lord and Solomon is granted his request, but God doesn’t stop there. He promises to make Solomon the wisest person to ever walk the earth AND riches and honor.

It is wise to ask for wisdom 😉

Solomon’s Son: An Example of How Not to Have Wisdom in the Bible

At Solomon’s death, the kingdom is passed onto Jeroboam. The people come to Jeroboam and ask him to rule kinder than his father had. They beg him to lighten their burdens.

Jeroboam has a choice. He can listen to the people or ignore them.

Jeroboam was not of the same mindset as young Solomon had been. He did not go to the Lord and worship Him. He did not ask God for guidance and wisdom.

He first went to the elder rulers of Israel and asked their advice (which is a good idea!). They told him to heed the request of the people.

Next, he went to his young friends he had grown up with. Their lack of knowledge and maturity is seen when they advise him to ignore the request of the people and make their burdens even heavier.

Unfortunately, Jeroboam listens to the wrong group of people and the country is split in two.

What can we learn from these examples of wisdom in the Bible (or lack thereof)?

That true wisdom comes from a love for God and a desire to obey Him.

God sees all, knows all, and ultimately holds all things in His hand. When we place our trust in Him, we are safe. When we ask for His guidance and wisdom, we will not be disappointed.

I hope this post provides you with a prayer for knowledge and wisdom as well as a few things to think about. I’d love for you to share your thoughts in the comments below!

Be sure to check out these posts!

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