Bible-based prayers for “Faith and guidance”, to read or listen to.
When I have to decide
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
Wise Father, I have to make an important decision and I don't know which way to choose. I go over it again and again, and my own reasoning isn't enough. You promise to teach me the way I should go and to guide me with your eye upon me. I acknowledge you as Lord of this decision and of my whole life. Light up my thoughts, put my priorities in order and give me peace about the right path. Put wise people at my side who will give me good advice. If I make a mistake, I know you can straighten my steps. I choose to follow you. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Good God, I want to know your will, but I often confuse it with my own desires or with what people think. Renew the way I think. Let me not be shaped by the hurry and the values of this world, but by your Word. Teach me to discern what is good, acceptable and perfect in your sight. Give me a heart ready to obey even before I understand everything. Speak to me through Scripture, through prayer and through the counsel of mature believers. And when you see me straying, correct me with love. Through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
Lord Jesus, I want to believe, but today I have doubts. There are questions I can't answer and moments when I feel you are far away. Like that father who asked you to help his son, I tell you honestly: I believe; help my unbelief. Thank you for not rejecting me for doubting. Come close to me in the midst of my questions. Give me patience to seek answers, honesty to talk about my doubts with someone I trust and humility to accept that I won't understand everything. Strengthen my faith in your love, which is firmer than my feelings. Amen.
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
Eternal God, I want to grow in faith like a tree planted by the water. I don't want a shallow faith that dries up at the first heat. Let my roots go deep into your Word and into prayer. Give me perseverance in simple habits: reading the Bible, talking with you, gathering with other believers and serving. In times of drought, when I feel nothing, hold me up so that I keep trusting. May my life bear the fruit of love, patience and kindness, not to show off, but so that others may come to know you. Blessed is the one who trusts in you. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
Risen Lord, just as you opened the minds of your disciples so they could understand the Scriptures, open mine today. Sometimes I read the Bible and don't understand, or I get distracted, or it seems distant. I want to know you through it. May your Holy Spirit enlighten me as I read. Give me a hunger for your Word and patience to study it calmly. Help me find good resources and ask those who know more. Let me not stop at information, but may what I read transform the way I live. May every page lead me to you. Amen.
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Teacher and Lord, you said that whoever wants to follow you must take up their cross daily. Today I want to begin again to walk behind you. Help me stop putting my plans and my comfort at the center. In the small things of this day, at home, at work and on the street, teach me to choose what you would choose. Give me a humble heart to serve, forgive and love without expecting anything in return. When following you is hard, remind me that you went ahead. I don't want to admire you from a distance, but to go with you. Sustain me with your Spirit. Amen.
