Don’t Go It Alone – The Presidential Prayer Team

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. – James 1:5

Practical wisdom, which has been called “common sense,” is not acquired by people automatically. Some believe in learning from others’ mistakes while others adhere to a total reliance on experience to gain the skill needed to meet the trials of life. The old saying “every man is a fool or a physician at forty” indicates that some do not learn along that journey.

Solomon wrote that there was great value in gaining knowledge, but to live a godly life with wisdom – clarity of thought, clearness in judgment, and discernment – the Lord is required. The apostle James spoke to new Christian Jews with the same intent. The higher standard to which believers are called is the motivation to seek help from God who is ready and willing to supply generously all that is needed.

Humanity has a tendency to “go it alone,” but that can easily lead people astray in the experiences of life. On the other hand, those who put their confidence in God will ask Him to steady, to guide, and to control their will so that they might grow in wisdom in their walk with the Lord. James encourages the early Christians, and you, to be confident in your prayer requests, pray in submission, and expect God’s blessing in generous amounts. As you approach in humility, He will not turn you down.

As you pray for guidance, intercede for those who govern this nation, that they, too, may understand their need for the wisdom only God can give.

Today’s Verse: James 1:5

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: 1 Kings 3:3-15

³Solomon  loved the  Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. ⁴And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. ⁵At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon  in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” ⁶And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. ⁷And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. ⁸And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. ⁹Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

¹⁰It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. ¹¹And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, ¹²behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. ¹³I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. ¹⁴And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

¹⁵And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.