Prayer as a Means of Seeking Guidance in Life
Prayer as a Means of Seeking Guidance in Life
Prayer is a fundamental aspect of Christian life, serving as a means of communication with God. In the context of seeking guidance, prayer is understood as a way to "pour out the soul before the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:15) and "draw near to God" (Ps. 73:28) [1]. The Bible encourages believers to seek guidance through prayer, as seen in Sirach 51:18, where the author reflects on seeking wisdom openly in prayer before wandering about [2].
The Psalms are replete with examples of individuals seeking guidance through prayer. Psalm 119:45 expresses a desire to walk in God's ways, stating, "So that my way may be in a wide place: because my search has been for your orders" [3]. Similarly, Psalm 86:11 petitions, "Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth" [4]. These passages illustrate the biblical foundation for seeking guidance through prayer.
The Lord's Prayer, as taught by Jesus, provides a model for prayer that includes seeking guidance. The prayer begins with an address to God as "Father," emphasizing a personal relationship with God [6]. The petition "lead us not into temptation" (Matthew 6:13) can be seen as a request for guidance in avoiding sin and staying on the right path.
Christian traditions have long understood prayer as a means of seeking guidance. According to Calvin, believers should "commit their ways to God" and trust in His providence [7]. This sentiment is echoed in the writings of Matthew Henry, who notes that prayer is the appointed means of obtaining what we need, especially grace to obey God's precepts [9].
In times of affliction or uncertainty, prayer is often turned to as a source of comfort and guidance. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists various biblical references to praying for guidance and direction, including Job 34:32 and Psalm 27:11 [5]. The act of praying is seen as a way to humble oneself before God and seek His will.
The Bible also emphasizes the importance of having a "pure heart" when seeking guidance through prayer. According to 2 Timothy 2:22, believers are encouraged to "pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart" [8]. This highlights the need for sincerity and purity of intention when praying for guidance.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Prayer — Is converse with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him. Prayer may be oral or mental, occasional or constant, ejaculatory or formal. It is a "beseeching the Lord" (Ex. 32:11); "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:15); "praying and crying to heaven" (2 Chr. 32:20); "seeking unto God and making supplication" (Job 8:5); "drawing near to God" (Ps. 73:28); "bowing the knees" (Eph. 3:14). Prayer presupposes a belief in the personality of God, his ability and willingness to hold inter”
- Sirach “Sirach 51:18 (DRC) — When I was yet young, before I wandered about, I sought for wisdom openly in my prayer.”
- Psalms “Psalms 119:45 (BBE) — So that my way may be in a wide place: because my search has been for your orders.”
- Psalms “Psalms 86:11 (BSB) — Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth. Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affliction, Prayer Under — Exhortation to -- Jas 5:13. That God would consider our trouble -- 2Ki 19:16; Ne 9:32; Ps 9:13; La 5:1. For the presence and support of God -- Ps 10:1; 102:2. That the Holy Spirit may not be withdrawn -- Ps 51:11. For divine comfort -- Ps 4:6; 119:76. For mitigation of troubles -- Ps 39:12,13. For deliverance -- Ps 25:17,22; 39:10; Isa 64:9-12; Jer 17:14. For pardon and deliverance from sin -- Ps 39:8; 51:1; 79:8. That we may be turned to God -- Ps 80:7; 85:4-6; Jer 31:18. For divine teaching and direction -- Job 34:32; Ps 27:11; 143:10. Fo”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:9: 6:9-13 The Lord’s Prayer is similar in form to a common Jewish prayer (the qaddish). Jesus gave this prayer to his followers as a succinct expression of their new faith. 6:9 Pray like this: In contrast to the vain repetition of pagan prayers (6:7-8), “the Lord’s Prayer” is a model of simplicity. • Jews rarely addressed God as Father, but Jesus did so in every prayer but one (Mark 15:34). • may your name be kept holy: God’s name is profaned by the sin of his people (Isa 29:22-24; Jer 34:15-16; Ezek 39:7; Amos 2:7).”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 84.1: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1 1:26 3:22 9:6 9:6 9:6 14:13 Exodus 7:11 14:13 14:31 32:32 Leviticus 19:14 Deuteronomy 7:7-8 10:17 13:3 1 Kings 19:18 Job 4:18 Psalms 7:8 35:19 37:5 55:22 55:22 69:28 73:1-12 122:6 128:2 137:6 138:8 138:8 145:18 Proverbs 3:5 5:15 8:36 10:4 Ecclesiastes 9:3 Isaiah 11:4 26:9 30:15 30:21 33:22 42:1 45:23 48:11 50:5 53:1 55:11 55:13 60:2 60:2 60:2 64:8 Jeremiah 5:8 17:9 23:29 31:33 Ezekiel 11:20 Daniel 12:2 Hosea 1:10-11 Amos 9:36 Zechariah 14:8 Malachi 4:2 Matthew 5:11 5:14 5:15 ”
- 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 2:22: 2:22 those who call on the Lord: Cp. Ps 99:6; Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; 9:14, 21; 22:16; Rom 10:12-13; 1 Cor 1:2. • with pure hearts: Cp. 1 Tim 1:5.”
- Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 7:7: Our Saviour, in the foregoing chapter, had spoken of prayer as a commanded duty, by which God is honoured, and which, if done aright, shall be rewarded; here he speaks of it as the appointed means of obtaining what we need, especially grace to obey the precepts he had given, some of which are so displeasing to flesh and blood. I. Here is a precept in three words to the same purport, Ask, Seek, Knock (Mat 7:7); that is, in one word, "Pray; pray often; pray with sincerity and seriousness; pray, and pray again; make conscience of prayer, and be constant in it; make a”