Topical Bible: Wisdom: Prayer for Spiritual

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In the Christian tradition, wisdom is highly esteemed as a divine gift that enables believers to discern and apply God's truth in their lives. The pursuit of wisdom is often intertwined with prayer, as it is through communion with God that one seeks and receives this spiritual insight. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on the importance of praying for wisdom, emphasizing its role in guiding believers toward righteous living and deeper understanding of God's will.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible frequently associates wisdom with the fear of the Lord, suggesting that true wisdom begins with a reverent relationship with God. Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." This foundational principle underscores the necessity of seeking wisdom through prayer, as it is God who imparts wisdom to those who earnestly seek it.

Solomon's Prayer for Wisdom

One of the most notable biblical accounts of praying for wisdom is found in the life of King Solomon. When Solomon became king, he recognized his need for divine guidance to govern the people of Israel. In 1 Kings 3:9 , Solomon prays, "Give Your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?" God responds favorably to Solomon's request, granting him unparalleled wisdom and understanding, as well as wealth and honor (1 Kings 3:12-13).

New Testament Encouragement

The New Testament continues to encourage believers to seek wisdom through prayer. James 1:5 offers a direct exhortation: "Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." This promise assures believers that God is willing to provide wisdom to those who ask in faith, highlighting the importance of prayer as a means of accessing divine insight.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is identified as a source of wisdom for believers. Jesus promised His disciples that the Spirit would guide them into all truth (John 16:13). The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this in 1 Corinthians 2:10-12 , where he explains that the Spirit reveals the deep things of God to believers, enabling them to understand spiritual truths. Thus, prayer for wisdom is also a prayer for the Holy Spirit's active work in the believer's life.

Practical Application

Praying for wisdom is not merely an intellectual exercise but a practical necessity for living a life that honors God. Believers are encouraged to pray for wisdom in various aspects of life, including decision-making, relationships, and moral discernment. The book of Proverbs offers practical insights into how wisdom can be applied in daily life, emphasizing the value of wise counsel, humility, and the pursuit of righteousness.

Conclusion

While the entry does not include a conclusion, it is evident that the prayer for spiritual wisdom is a vital aspect of the Christian faith, deeply rooted in biblical teaching and exemplified by figures such as Solomon. Through prayer, believers are invited to seek the wisdom that comes from God, enabling them to navigate the complexities of life with discernment and grace.

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Numbers 27:21
And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.
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Judges 20:18
And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first.
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1 Kings 3:7,9
And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
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1 Kings 8:36
Then hear you in heaven, and forgive the sin of your servants, and of your people Israel, that you teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain on your land, which you have given to your people for an inheritance.
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2 Chronicles 1:10
Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this your people, that is so great?
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Job 34:32
That which I see not teach you me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
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Psalm 5:8
Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before my face.
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Psalm 25:4,5
Show me your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.
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Psalm 27:11
Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of my enemies.
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Psalm 31:3
For you are my rock and my fortress; therefore for your name's sake lead me, and guide me.
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Psalm 39:4
LORD, make me to know my end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.
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Psalm 43:3
O send out your light and your truth: let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill, and to your tabernacles.
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Psalm 86:11
Teach me your way, O LORD; I will walk in your truth: unite my heart to fear your name.
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Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.
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Psalm 119:12,18,19,26,27,33,34,66,68,73,80,124,125,135,144,169, 171
Blessed are you, O LORD: teach me your statutes.
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Psalm 139:24
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
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Ephesians 1:16-19
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
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Ephesians 3:14-19
For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
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Ephesians 6:18-20
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
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Philippians 1:9,10
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
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Colossians 1:9,10
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
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Colossians 2:1-3
For I would that you knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
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Colossians 4:2-4
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
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2 Timothy 2:7
Consider what I say; and the Lord give you understanding in all things.
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James 1:5
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraides not; and it shall be given him.
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Library

A Short Method Of Prayer And Spiritual Torrents
... TO LEAD PEOPLE TOWARDS THIS FORM OF PRAYER, WITHOUT AMUSING ... TO DIVINE UNION, IN WHICH
WISDOM AND JUSTICE ... IN THE FOLLOWING TREATISE, ENTITLED "SPIRITUAL TORRENTS ...
/.../bouvieres/a short method of prayer and spiritual torrents/

Wisdom and Revelation.
... we come to this profound prayer which teaches the inmost secrets of the spiritual
life. (1) A Divine Gift. "May give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation ...
/.../thomas/the prayers of st paul/vii wisdom and revelation.htm

Of Vocal Prayer. ...
Holy Wisdom: or, Directions for the Prayer of Contemplation. ... extreme difficulty be
brought to begin a spiritual course with any kind of mere menial prayer. ...
/.../chapter ii of vocal prayer .htm

A Second Discouragement in Prayer Opposite to Perseverance, to Wit ...
Holy Wisdom: or, Directions for the Prayer of Contemplation. ... God's hands; and so
doing, she will, perhaps, more advance herself in pure spiritual prayer than if ...
/.../chapter vi a second discouragement.htm

Of Internal Prayer in General, and Principally of Internal ...
Holy Wisdom: or, Directions for the Prayer of Contemplation. ... that is, whosoever begins
a religious course of life must be taught spiritual prayer, and in ...
/.../chapter iii of internal prayer.htm

Of Reading, which is Next to Prayer. ...
Holy Wisdom: or, Directions for the Prayer of Contemplation. ... shall, being unprepared,
presume to a degree of prayer too sublime and spiritual for them ...
/.../chapter iii of reading which.htm

That Internal Prayer was the Practice of Ancient Hermits...
... since necessarily some employment besides prayer must be ... charity, in communicating
to them spiritual and heavenly ... by their zeal, labours, and wisdom the light ...
/.../chapter vi that internal prayer.htm

Internal Affective Prayer of Contemplation Hath Always Been ...
... with all the excellencies of it described in the Book of Wisdom (cap. ... that this fashion
of prayer calls souls from the spiritual exercises instituted by ...
/.../chapter vii internal affective prayer.htm

Sacred Poems and Hymns
... HYMN LXXII. Prayer for Increase of Holy Wisdom. HYMN LXXIII. ... HYMN CCCXX. Prayer
for Spiritual Light, Holiness, and Peace. HYMN CCCXXI. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/

A Change from Meditation to Prayer of the Will is Necessary in an ...
Holy Wisdom: or, Directions for the Prayer of ... rest in any degree of affective prayer;
because the nature of such intellectual and spiritual operations is ...
/.../chapter v a change from.htm