15 Prayers for Guidance When You Need Direction from God

Praying for guidance helps us to live by faith and not trust our own knowledge. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5). Discover powerful prayers for guidance in this collection to pray that God will lead you to know Him and attain salvation.

God's guidance is a central part of the Christian faith. For believers, it is a reminder that God is always present and willing to help us make the right choices in life. It is an assurance that whatever challenges we face, we can find the strength and courage to overcome them with God's help. God's guidance comes in many forms, from the still small voice of conscience that speaks to us in moments of doubt to the Bible, which contains God's Word and teachings. We can also receive God's guidance through prayer, meditation, and fellowship with other believers. Ultimately, it is up to us to follow God's guidance and put it into practice in our daily lives. With faith and obedience, we can trust that God will lead us on a path of peace and purpose.

Throughout Scripture, we are reminded of God’s direction over our lives. He is our good Shepherd who leads us if we look to Him for guidance. The Bible teaches us that God's plan leads to joy and contentment. When we pray for God’s guidance and discernment through the Holy Spirit, we can rest assured that God will provide wisdom! We do not have to worry about our next step or tomorrow because we know who guides us! Do not rush your day without going before God to seek guidance.

Simple Prayers for Guidance

Psalm Prayer for Guidance: Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Prayer for Direction: Lord, please guide my steps, shine your light upon my path, and show me the way I should go. Fill my heart with your peace as I make decisions and lead me in the right direction. Amen.

Prayer for Daily Guidance: Dear Lord, in my daily tasks, guide my thoughts and actions so that I can perform my work with purpose and love. Help me see my role in your greater plan, and encourage me to fulfill my duties joyfully. Thank you for being my ever-present help. Amen.

We have created a beautiful PDF version of these prayers to download and keep with you throughout the day as you seek God's leadership and direction.

A Prayer for God's Guidance

Dear Lord, I come to you today asking for guidance. I feel lost and overwhelmed, and I need your help finding my way. Please open my eyes and heart to the direction you want me to take. Help me to make wise decisions that will lead me closer to your path for my life. Give me the strength and courage to persevere when times are difficult. Lead me with your truth and love so I may live a life that brings glory to your name. Thank you for your guidance and protection. Amen.

A Short Prayer for Guidance

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your guidance. Forgive me for getting ahead of Your plans, and help me know when to stop and listen for Your direction. Your ways are perfect, Lord. Thank You for offering gentle grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. - Kristine Brown

Prayer for Wisdom

As we begin to take steps toward our purpose, we ask that you give us wisdom. As your Word promises us, we ask in faith that you will give us wisdom in every small and large decision as we step into our purpose. We thank you that we don’t have to rely on our own understanding, as your wisdom will guide us to our exact purpose. Thank you that we can come to the throne and ask anything. We ask for your guidance and thank you for the gift and power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, amen. - Alisha Headley, Prayers for Finding Purpose

God, I Need You

Dear Lord, I need You today. I need Your direction. Your counsel. And I need Your wisdom. I believe that You, the Counselor, are in me. Guide me today in Your will. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. - Anne Graham Lotz

Prayer for Direction 

We thank you that even though we have our own idea of how our life should look, often setting out according to our plans, your ultimate purpose prevails. We ask that you prompt us when we set out to make plans that we make them according to your will, and not our own. We ask that you remind us to come alongside you as we surrender every detail to fulfill your greater purpose. Please align our hearts with yours, our ideas with yours, and our will with yours. For your ways are higher than ours and your plans are greater than ours, and nothing is impossible with you. Lead us every step of the way. In Jesus' name, Amen. - Alisha Headley, Prayers for Finding Purpose

Prayer for Guidance from the Holy Spirit

Lord, I pray you would boldly move the Spirit in my life. I know that any sin can grieve and diminish the voice of the Spirit, and I pray against the temptation to sin. Help me crave your presence more than I crave sin. Help me grow in the fruit of the Spirit and so walk closer with Yourself. I pray for guidance from your Spirit- let your will and promises always be a meditation of my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen - Kenny Luck

A Prayer for Guidance When Life is Challenging

Lord, I’m here today with open hands and an open heart, ready to depend on you to help me through the day and all it will bring my way. Help me be like Nehemiah, help me come to you for guidance, strength, provision, and protection. As I face tough choices and hard situations, help me remember my belovedness, help me remember that I am Your child and Your representative to the world around me. Help me live today in a way that brings honor to Your holy name. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. - Charles Stanley

A Prayer for Uncertainties

Father, my heart is filled with fear.  It seems like I am drowning in the uncertainties of my life.  Lord, help me to surrender my fears to You.  Strengthen me to face each one and walk through it, knowing that You are with me. I choose to trust You and doubt my fears.  I choose against stress and for peace.  I choose You, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen. - Mary Southerland

For Direction in Decisions Ahead

Lord, sometimes I would love a blinking neon sign or a cloud to guide me and confirm Your will for the decisions I face. But Your presence is truly what I desire. Help me rest, knowing You are always with me, and if I stumble or go down a wrong path, You will lead me in Your way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. - Tracie Miles

Thank You for Wisdom

Jesus, Thank You for giving us what we need most.  Often, we think we need knowledge, wealth or happiness, when what we really need most is wisdom.  Thank You for loving us so much that You give wisdom generously and without finding fault.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen. - Beth Mabe Gianopulos

For Godly Wisdom and Discernment

Lord, thank You for the people You have divinely placed in my life who speak holy truth, love and words of wisdom. Give me a heart of discernment to know when You are using someone to speak instruction into my heart and my circumstances, and give me the strength and courage to follow through with that advice, even when it’s hard. Fill me with peace in knowing that even if I take a wrong turn, Your purpose will prevail. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. - Tracie Miles

A Prayer for When You Don't Know What to Do

Dear Lord, times are really hard right now and life has really got me down. I don’t know what to do. I ask that You bestow Your wisdom upon me. I don’t want to lean on my own knowledge anymore, because it has let me down so many times. I need to hear Your voice. Give me the discernment to hear Your voice and Your voice alone. Speak to me in the way You know I will hear you best. I also pray for Your Will, Lord. I give You the praise and the glory in my circumstances because I know that I am exactly where You want me. I know this is to teach me something or to help me to grow. No matter what, I trust you and ask You to show what is best in this situation. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen. - Carrie Lowrance

Prayer for Guidance in the Day Ahead 

Good morning, Lord! Today's a new day, a chance for a new start. Yesterday is gone and with it any regrets, mistakes, or failures I may have experienced. It's a good day to be glad and give thanks, and I do, Lord. Thank you for today, a new opportunity to love, give, and be all that you want me to be.

Today I want to start the day with you on my mind and in my heart. As I dress, let me wear the armor you've provided daily: the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the belt of truth, the shoes of peace, and the sword of the spirit—with prayer on my tongue: praise for you and petitions for those around me and those I meet.

Feed me today with your daily bread. As the Bread of Life, your food, like manna, will sustain me throughout any trials and hunger. Help me to set my thoughts on things above and to speak only what will help and encourage others. Keep me from putting my foot in my mouth, and help me guard the affections of my heart today, Lord. Make whatever work I do be marked with excellence rather than perfectionism, as I seek not to make a name, but to make a difference. Help me to treat each person I encounter as you would, with respect and love, forgiving others and asking for forgiveness myself when needed.

As I start this day, help me remember that I belong to you, and my desire is to act accordingly. Keep my feet from stumbling and my mind from wandering into distractions that could steal precious time and energy from the most important things you have designed for me. I'm proud to be your child, Lord. And I'm so grateful that you died for me—rising again on your own new morning—so that every day could be filled with the wonder of your love, the freedom of your Spirit, and the joy of knowing you.

I know earthly life is short and fleeting, Lord. But I want to live today as if it were the first or the last day of my life, giving thanks for every good and perfect gift you choose to give. Today, and every day, I want to live my life for you, Jesus. In your precious name, Amen.
- Rebecca Barlow Jordan

A Prayer for Discernment and Wisdom When You Need God’s Direction

Lord, thank You for the people You have divinely placed in my life who speak holy truth, love and words of wisdom. Give me a heart of discernment to know when You are using someone to speak instruction into my heart and my circumstances and give me the strength and courage to follow through with that advice, even when it’s hard. Fill me with peace in knowing that even if I take a wrong turn, Your purpose will prevail. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
- Tracie Miles

Bible Verses About God’s Guidance

Psalm 25:4-5 - "Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."

James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

Psalm 16:7-8 - "I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Psalm 32:8-9 - "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you."

John 16:13 - "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come."

What decisions and situations are you praying for guidance over? Join in our large praying community on Crosswalk Forums and recieve encouragement! Click HERE.

This article is part of our larger Prayers resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray. 

Prayer for Healing
Prayer for Strength
Prayer for Protection
Morning Prayers
Good Night Prayers

Now available is our new Daily Prayer devotional! An easy way to find start your day with prayer, read today’s prayer and sign up to receive by email.

Photo credit: @Unsplash/Jeremy Bishop; Video credits for audio, video, photos: Soundstripe, Storyblocks, LightStock, ThinkStock

This article is part of our Prayer resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.

The Lord’s Prayer
Prayer for Peace
Morning Prayers
Good Night Prayers

Prayer for Healing
Prayer for Protection
Prayer for Anxiety
Prayer for Strength

Now available is our new Daily Prayer devotional and podcast! An easy way to start your day with prayer: read or listen to today’s prayer and sign up to receive it by email.