Seeking God's Guidance Through Prayer and Discernment

Seeking God's guidance is a fundamental aspect of Christian life, often pursued through prayer and discernment. The Bible commands believers to seek God ^[7], a directive that encompasses seeking His name, His word, His face, His strength, and His commandments ^[7]. This pursuit is not merely an intellectual exercise but an active engagement with the divine, involving prayer, petition, and a diligent heart ^{[4, 8]}.

Prayer is a primary means by which believers seek God's guidance. It is commanded in scripture, with passages like Isaiah 55:6, Matthew 7:7, and Philippians 4:6 urging believers to pray ^[3]. Prayer is to be offered to God, to Christ, and to the Holy Spirit, and it is through Christ that believers gain access to God ^{[3, 6]}. The act of prayer is described in various ways, including bowing the knees, looking up, lifting up the soul and heart, pouring out the heart or soul, calling upon the name of the Lord, and crying to God ^[3]. These descriptions highlight the deeply personal and often emotional nature of prayer.

The Bible provides numerous examples and exhortations concerning prayer for guidance. When facing affliction, believers are encouraged to pray for God to consider their trouble, for His presence and support, for divine comfort, for mitigation of troubles, for deliverance, for pardon from sin, and for divine teaching and direction ^[5]. Psalm 139:23 expresses a prayer for guidance and self-examination: "Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts" ^[1]. This reflects a desire for God to reveal any hidden sin or misguided thoughts, aligning the individual's will with God's. Similarly, Psalm 25:4, as interpreted by Keil & Delitzsch, shows a prayer for instruction in God's ways, recognizing that while God's will is in His written word, God Himself is the necessary expounder for its right understanding and living application ^[13].

Jesus provided a model for prayer in what is commonly known as the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). This prayer, similar in form to Jewish prayers of the time, offers a succinct expression of faith and a pattern for how believers should approach God ^[9]. It emphasizes simplicity over "vain repetition" ^[9]. A notable aspect of Jesus's prayer life was his frequent address to God as Father, a practice less common in Jewish tradition but central to Jesus's relationship with God ^[9].

The New Testament further emphasizes the importance of prayer in seeking guidance. Ephesians 6:18 calls for "all prayer and petition, praying at every time in the Spirit, and watching to this same thing with all perseverance and petition concerning all the saints" ^[2]. This verse underscores the continuous, Spirit-led, and persistent nature of prayer, not only for personal guidance but also for the wider community of believers. The apostle Paul frequently concluded his letters with prayers for peace and grace, such as in 2 Thessalonians 3:16, where he prays for the "Lord of peace" to grant peace "always by all means" ^{[10, 11]}. This reflects a recognition that true peace, both inward and outward, comes from Christ and is essential for navigating life's challenges ^[11].

Discernment, often intertwined with prayer, involves seeking God's will and understanding His leading in specific situations. This process requires diligence in seeking God, which includes seeking His word, His precepts, and His kingdom ^[7]. John Gill, commenting on Jeremiah 29:13, notes that when individuals seek the Lord "aright," they will find Him as a God who hears prayer, bestows favors, grants His presence, and provides grace ^[15]. This "right" seeking involves approaching God through Christ, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, with faith and fervency ^[15].

The concept of "seeking God" also implies a commitment to self-examination. Lamentations 3:36 encourages believers to "search and try our ways" ^[12]. This involves looking for comfort and instruction in God's love, the covenant of grace, and the Scriptures, even amidst afflictions ^[12]. Such introspection, coupled with prayer, helps individuals align their actions and desires with God's revealed will.

Access to God for prayer and discernment is a privilege granted through Christ. Romans 5:2 states that believers "have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand" ^[6]. Ephesians 2:18 clarifies that "through him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father" ^[6]. This access is not earned but is a gift of God, made possible by Christ's sacrifice and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit ^[6]. It is a confident access, as Hebrews 4:16 encourages believers to "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" ^[6].

The practice of seeking God's guidance through prayer and discernment is a continuous journey. It requires a diligent heart, a willingness to examine one's own ways, and a persistent reliance on God's word and the Holy Spirit's leading ^{[8, 12, 2]}. As Matthew Henry notes, prayer is not only a commanded duty but also the "appointed means of obtaining what we need, especially grace to obey the precepts" ^[14]. This highlights the practical necessity of prayer in living a life that honors God and follows His guidance.

Sources

Psalms “Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. -- Psalms 139:23”
Ephesians “Ephesians 6:18 (LITV) — through all prayer and petition, praying at every time in the Spirit, and watching to this same thing with all perseverance and petition concerning all the saints.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer — Commanded -- Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7; Php 4:6. To be offered To God. -- Ps 5:2; Mt 4:10. To Christ. -- Lu 23:42; Ac 7:59. To the Holy Spirit. -- 2Th 3:5. Through Christ. -- Eph 2:18; Heb 10:19. God hears -- Ps 10:17; 65:2. God answers -- Ps 99:6; Isa 58:9. Is described as Bowing the knees. -- Eph 3:14. Looking up. -- Ps 5:3. Lifting up the soul. -- Ps 25:1. Lifting up the heart. -- La 3:41. Pouring out the heart. -- Ps 62:8. Pouring out the soul. -- 1Sa 1:15. Calling upon the name of the Lord. -- Ge 12:8; Ps 116:4; Ac 22:16. Crying to God. -- Ps 27:7; 34:6. Drawing”
Daniel “Daniel 9:3 (BSB) — So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.”
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”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Access to God — Is of God -- Ps 65:4. Is by Christ -- Joh 10:7, 9; 14:6; Ro 5:2; Eph 2:13; 3:12; Heb 7:9, 25; 10:19; 1Pe 3:18. Is by the Holy Spirit -- Eph 2:18. Obtained through faith -- Ac 14:27; Ro 5:2; Eph 3:12; Heb 11:6. Follows upon reconciliation to God -- Col 1:21,22. In Prayer -- See Prayer. De 4:7; Mt 6:6; 1Pe 1:17. In his temple -- Ps 15:1; 27:4; 43:3; 65:4. To obtain mercy and grace -- Heb 4:16. A privilege of saints -- De 4:7; Ps 15:1; 23:6; 24:3,4. Saints have, with confidence -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; 10:19,20. Vouchsafed to repenting sinners -- See Repen”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Seeking God — Commanded -- Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7. Includes seeking His Name. -- Ps 83:16. His word. -- Isa 34:16. His face. -- Ps 27:8; 105:4. His strength. -- 1Ch 16:11; Ps 105:4. His commandments. -- 1Ch 28:8; Mal 2:7. His precepts. -- Ps 119:45,94. His kingdom. -- Mt 6:33; Lu 12:31. His righteousness. -- Mt 6:33. Christ. -- Mal 3:1; Lu 2:15,16. Honour which comes from him. -- Joh 5:44. Justification by Christ. -- Ga 2:16,17. The city which God has prepared. -- Heb 11:10,16; 13:14. By prayer -- Job 8:5; Da 9:3. In his house -- De 12:5; Ps 27:4. Should be Immediate. -- H”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
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).”
2 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Thessalonians 3:16: 3:16 The final prayer echoes Jesus’ blessing in John 14:27 (cp. Num 6:26) and contrasts with the situation these believers faced in Thessalonica (2 Thes 1:4-10; 1 Thes 2:14). Paul was always conscious of the Lord Jesus’ presence with his people (Rom 15:33; Phil 4:9).”
2 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 3:16: Lord of peace--Jesus Christ. The same title is given to Him as to the Father, "the GOD of peace" (Rom 15:33; Rom 16:20; Co2 13:11). An appropriate title in the prayer here, where the harmony of the Christian community was liable to interruption from the "disorderly." The Greek article requires the translation, "Give you the peace" which it is "His to give." "Peace" outward and inward, here and hereafter (Rom 14:17). always--unbroken, not changing with outward circumstances. by all means--Greek, "in every way." Most of the oldest manuscript”
Lamentations (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Lamentations 3:36: Let us search and try our ways,.... stead of murmuring and complaining, let us search for something that may support and comfort, teach and instruct, under afflictive providences; let us search into the love of God, which, though it cannot be fully searched out, it will be found to be from everlasting to everlasting; and that all afflictions spring from it; and that it continues notwithstanding them: let us search into the covenant of grace, in which provision is made for afflictions in case of disobedience, and for supports under them: let us search the Scriptu”
Psalms (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Psalms 25:4: Recognising the infamy of such black ingratitude, he prays for instruction as to the ways which he must take according to the precepts of God (Psa 18:22). The will of God, it is true, lies before us in God's written word, but the expounder required for the right understanding of that word is God Himself. He prays Him for knowledge; but in order to make what he knows a perfect and living reality, he still further needs the grace of God, viz., both His enlightening and also His guiding grace.”
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”
Jeremiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Jeremiah 29:13: And ye shall seek me, and find me,.... When persons seek the Lord aright, they always find him; a God hearing prayer; a God in Christ; bestowing favours upon them; granting them his presence; indulging them in communion with him; and favouring them with fresh supplies of his grace, and everything needful for them; every mercy, temporal and spiritual; that is, when they seek him in Christ, who is the only way to the Father, under the guidance and influence of the blessed Spirit; in the exercise of faith upon him and his promises; with fervency of spirit and ardour o”

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