Praying for Wisdom and Understanding in Scripture
Praying for wisdom and understanding is a recurring theme in Scripture, with various passages emphasizing the importance of seeking divine guidance. The book of Proverbs, for instance, exhorts readers to "get wisdom" and "get understanding" [3]. This pursuit is not merely intellectual but involves a deepening relationship with God.
In the Psalms, the psalmist expresses a desire to understand God's ways, praying, "Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts" [2]. This introspective prayer acknowledges the need for divine illumination to comprehend one's own heart and thoughts. Similarly, in Colossians 1:9, the apostle Paul prays that believers "may be filled with the knowledge of God's will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding" [8].
The biblical concept of prayer is understood as "converse with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him" [4]. This definition underscores the relational aspect of prayer, where individuals engage with God in a personal and intimate manner. Torrey's Topical Textbook highlights various aspects of prayer, including praying for divine teaching and direction, as seen in Job 34:32 and Psalms 27:11 [5].
Theological traditions interpret these biblical themes in various ways. For example, John Gill notes that praying for knowledge involves "importunately and fervently pray[ing] for" spiritual understanding [6]. Matthew Henry emphasizes the importance of being "filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" [7]. These interpretations underscore the significance of prayer in seeking wisdom and understanding.
The biblical wisdom literature, particularly Proverbs, highlights the value of wisdom and understanding. Proverbs 1:2 defines the purpose of the book as "to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding" [1]. The pursuit of wisdom is not limited to intellectual comprehension but involves a deepening fear of the Lord, which is "the beginning of knowledge" (Proverbs 1:7).
Sources
- Proverbs “to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding; -- Proverbs 1:2”
- Psalms “Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. -- Psalms 139:23”
- Proverbs “Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don’t forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth. -- Proverbs 4:5”
- 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”
- 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”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 2:3: Yea, if thou criest after knowledge,.... Of God, Christ, and the Gospel; not only bow the ear and bend the mind to these things, but importunately and fervently pray for them; not only attend the ministry of the word by men, but cry to God to give the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of divine and spiritual things; which supposes some sense of a want of it, an hearty desire for it, having some apprehension of the worth and value of it; and that it is to be had, as there is indeed great reason to hope for and expect it, Jam 1:5; and liftest up thy vo”
- Colossians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Colossians 1:9: The apostle proceeds in these verses to pray for them. He heard that they were good, and he prayed that they might be better. He was constant in this prayer: We do not cease to pray for you. It may be he could hear of them but seldom, but he constantly prayed for them. - And desire that you may be filled with the knowledge, etc. Observe what it is that he begs of God for them, I. That they might be knowing intelligent Christians: filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Observe, 1. The knowledge of our duty is the best k”
- Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 1:9: we also--on our part. heard it-- (Col 1:4). pray--Here he states what in particular he prays for; as in Col 1:3 he stated generally the fact of his praying for them. to desire--"to make request." might be filled--rather, "may be filled"; a verb, often found in this Epistle (Col 4:12, Col 4:17). knowledge--Greek, "full and accurate knowledge." Akin to the Greek for "knew" (see on Col 1:6). of his will--as to how ye ought to walk (Eph 5:17); as well as chiefly that "mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in H”