Ask, and it will be given to you.
Heavenly Father,
I need Your wisdom. You promise to give it generously when I ask, so I'm humbly asking.
Please give me wisdom that is pure, peaceful, fair, and kind—wisdom that produces good fruit. Help me understand the times I live in and know what to do.
I don't want the world's wisdom. I want Yours. Show me Your will and help me walk in it.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Solomon was young. He had just inherited the throne of Israel from his father David—a kingdom surrounded by enemies, filled with political intrigue, and burdened with the responsibility of leading God's chosen people. The weight on his shoulders was immense.
One night, God appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon could have asked for anything—riches, long life, victory over his enemies, the death of those who opposed him. But instead, he answered:
“Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
God was pleased. He said, “Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people... therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you.” And because Solomon asked for wisdom, God also gave him what he didn't ask for—riches, honor, and a legendary reign.
James tells us there are two kinds of wisdom: earthly wisdom and heavenly wisdom. Earthly wisdom is “unspiritual, demonic,” characterized by envy and selfish ambition. But the wisdom from above is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” — Proverbs 2:6 (CSB)
Daniel had this wisdom. The Bible says he had “insight into all visions and dreams.” When King Nebuchadnezzar demanded that his wise men not only interpret his dream but tell him what he had dreamed, everyone panicked. But Daniel asked for time, prayed with his friends, and God revealed “the mystery” to him in a night vision. Daniel responded with praise: “He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things.”
You need this wisdom too. In a world filled with confusion, deception, and conflicting voices, you need divine wisdom to navigate life. You need wisdom to raise your children, wisdom to make decisions, wisdom to discern truth from lies, wisdom to know when to speak and when to remain silent, wisdom to recognize the enemy's schemes and stand firm in faith.
The good news? God gives generously to all without finding fault. You don't have to earn it. You don't have to be perfect. You just have to ask in faith, believing that He will give it. This is His promise to you.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
“So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself... I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart.”
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
“We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God's wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.”
Break free from spiritual bondage
Open my eyes, Lord, that I may see
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things
Oh, how I love Your law!
When I am weak, then I am strong
The prayer Jesus taught His disciples