Pray for Wisdom

"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. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do." (James 1:5-8 NIV)

We can always use more wisdom, can't we :)? Indeed, we need God's wisdom to do God's will. Wisdom includes practical insight, discernment/sound judgment, and spiritual understanding. This is not a one-time thing. God doesn't fill us up with His wisdom once to last our whole lifetime. We must come back to Him again and again. This helps us realize our dependence on Him and it also builds our relationship with our Heavenly Father.

When we're facing trials, we need God's wisdom to know how to deal with them, how to endure, how we can have joy in the midst of them, and to see what God's purpose is in those trials. "The wisdom God gives is not necessarily information on how to get out of trouble but rather insight on how to learn from one's difficulties. It is not more information about how to avoid times of testing but instead a new perspective on trials. The wisdom of God begins with a genuine reverence for the Almighty and a steadfast confidence that God controls all circumstances, guiding them to His good purposes." (from my NKJV Study Bible's commentary) 

There are two conditions/requirements for receiving wisdom: 1. Ask God for it and 2. Believe/don't doubt. Pray with unwavering faith that stands firm in all the storms of life. God could simply give us the wisdom but He requires us to ask for it so that we recognize our need for it and understand & acknowledge where that wisdom is coming from. God is generous and He enjoys giving. He wants to give us wisdom because He is a loving Father desiring to see His children make wise decisions and live a blessed life. He gives wisdom generously to all who ask for it "without finding fault"/"without reproach"--without reminding us how we don't deserve it, without expressing disappointment about how foolish we are or how slow we are (at learning and trusting). When we pray for wisdom (or anything for that matter), we must not be "double-minded" (indecisive, wavering in mind, insincere, can't be trusted, uncertain, two-faced, divided in loyalties). Doubters are unstable/unsteady in all they do. Faith or lack of faith (doubt) will affect everything...our character, feelings, thoughts, actions, reactions, and prayers. God is a jealous God. He wants only our single-minded/undivided devotion. Doubt in our communication with God (our prayers) hinders our relationship with Him.

Prayer: Father, thank You for being patient, gracious, and generous with me! Please give me wisdom to do Your will, to know Your heart, to understand Your Word, and to learn what You want me to learn. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.