Praying Through Life’s Decisions
Praying Through Life’s Decisions by Cynthia Greene
Throughout our lives we face countless decisions. As believers, we desire the Father’s direction, guidance and help. Proverbs tell us “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:6). In these times we sometimes are not sure how to pray and trust in the Lord. Doubts and fears often creep into our thoughts and we don’t always clearly hear His voice.
Below are Scriptures and practical ways to pray when you have a decision to make.
1. Pray for Guidance
“I will instruct and teach you in this way that you are to go; I will give you counsel;
My eyes will be watching you.”” (Psalm 32:8, CJB).
Breaking down this scripture:
“I will instruct and teach you”–God teaches us through his Word, which provides us instruction on living a godly life. We must become students and spend time in the Scripture in order to align our thoughts, words and actions with His truth. God teaches us through inspired Biblical teachers, life experiences, suffering, and counsel from wise mature believers.
“I will guide you”—Psalm 119:105 says “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” A lamp lights the path of the next steps–not the entire journey. We walk in faith when we take the next step, trusting God to guide us in His path.
“I will keep my eye on you”—Hebrews 13:5 reminds us that God will never leave or forsake us. 2 Chronicles 16:9 says: “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” God watches over those who trust and obey Him. As we keep our eyes on Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2), we can know that God’s loving attention is on us. This gives us hope and courage to move forward.
Sample Prayer:
Lord, teach me the way I should go. Counsel me according to Your wisdom, not my own understanding.
2. Pray for Trust Over Understanding
“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).
Proverbs 14:12 reminds us that “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Many options may appear right but they can lead to negative outcomes and consequences. God has a plan and purpose for each of us. “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope,” (Jeremiah 29:11).
When we place our trust in God rather than human reasoning, we will be drawn to set aside time for prayer and Bible Study. These are the building blocks to gaining Godly wisdom and discernment that is needed for good decision-making.
Sample Prayer:
Father, help me to trust You with all my heart. Guard me from leaning on my own limited understanding. I ask that you direct my path in this decision.
3. Pray for a Listening Heart
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’” (Isaiah 30:21).
How does God speak to us? How do we hear His voice? Through His Word, His Holy Spirit and his Peace. We have to choose to turn our ears toward Him and quiet the distractions of the world to focus on His teaching.
Sample Prayer:
Lord, please quiet the distractions of the world so that I can hear Your voice. Help me to be sensitive to the prompting of Your Spirit. Lead me to the voice of the true Shepherd (John 10:27) and give me peace when I walk in your ways.
4. Pray for Spiritual Maturity
“But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14).
As Christians mature our godly wisdom and discernment should grow stronger. Seeking out the deeper truths of God’s Word helps us to distinguish between God’s way and man’s way.
Sample Prayer:
Father, give me your wisdom and discernment. Search my heart and make me clean. Keep me from deceptions and lies that lead me away from you. Open my eyes to clearly see Your truth and help me know good from evil and choose what is in Your will and plan for me.
5. Pray for Open and Closed Doors
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).
“Enter by the narrow gate, for wide it the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction…” (Matthew 7:13)
When facing decisions there often are many possible “doors” before us. However, not every open door is from God. Through prayer, we draw closer to Him and His Will becomes clearer. We want all our choices in life to align with God’s Way.
Sample Prayer:
Lord, open the doors You have prepared for me, and make it clear the which doors are closed and are not in your plan or will for me. Help me to walk faithfully in your path and trust you.
6. Pray for an Undivided Heart
“Teach me Your way, Lord, that I may walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name” (Psalm 86:11).
Breaking down this scripture:
“Teach me Your Way”—God’s way does not come naturally to us, we must be taught. Spending time in His Word places His commands and scriptures in our hearts and minds.
“Walk in Your truth”—To actually walk and live in God’s way requires action on our part. The book of John reminds us that Christ is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
“Give me an undivided heart”—We are called to, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5). We cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). We are to completely surrender to God and obey Him.
“That I may fear Your name”—We read in Isaiah 66:2, “This is the one to whom I will look; he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” In the New Testament we read, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you. (Philippians 2:12-13) The fear of His name means that we are recognize His power, His might and His complete control over all things. This godly fear leads us to humbly worship and praise Him above all else.
Sample Prayer:
Lord, teach me how to think, act and speak according to your way. Help me to love others as you love me. Help me to surrender my heart and soul to you and give me courage and strength to follow and obey you. Reveal Your power and might and help me to humbly worship and praise you.
Led By The Shepherd
Decision-making does not have to be overwhelming or fearful. Instead, choose to see each decision as opportunity to draw closer to God. We grow and mature as we pray for His guidance, lean on His understanding, listen for His voice, grow in discernment, and trust Him to reveal the open doors that align with His plan and purpose for our lives.
This process leads to peace, confidence and trust in The Almighty Father who created us and faithfully guides us into His truth and wisdom. In every decision, we can rest in His faithful care, knowing he directs our steps through His perfect love and wisdom.
We are under His watchful eye and are never alone.
Psalm 23 reminds us:
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.