A Prayer for Divine Guidance: Speaking with the Holy Spirit’s Wisdom

A Prayer

Dear God,

As I consider Peter’s words in Acts 2:14-41, please help me to understand how the Holy Spirit works in the world today. I love the idea that the Holy Spirit is with all Christians, but it is hard to wrap my brain around the cool things that your apostles did in comparison with the more minor things people are doing today. Did the disciples simply have more faith in the power of the Holy Spirit, or is it simply that Jesus gave them extra power outside of the typical gifts of the Holy Spirit?

In any case, I ask for the gift of words through the Holy Spirit. I am often timid in my speech, not liking to be found foolish. I find it easy to speak about you to people who already know you, but difficult to speak to those who are opposed to you. This seems like a natural feeling, but the Holy Spirit has the ability to help with the unnatural. I ask for wisdom regarding when to speak and what to say.

I love the fact that the Holy Spirit acted, Peter spoke, and then 3,000 people decided to be baptized, Churches that I have belonged to have been lucky to have a couple of baptisms per month, and many of those are infant baptisms rather than adult baptisms. I ask that you will help the Holy Spirit move and stir up the people in my community to desire a real relationship with you.

Just as the people in Jerusalem needed to hear the message about Jesus in their own language, people in my community have specific needs as well. These needs in my community probably aren’t a language problem, but seem to be more of a heart and attitude problem. In America, the culture is set against Christians, and part of that is our own fault. Forgive us for showing hate and anger, rather than the love of Jesus. Our focus often seems to be on the sins of our neighbors, rather than forgiveness that you ofter. This is so backwards!

I know that you love purity, but purity can only come with the knowledge that you are our savior! Until people recognize you as Lord, they may not recognize their sin, so it seems counterproductive to harp on the sins that they do not recognize as sins. Help all Christians to put first things first. Let us focus on being messengers of your salvation. Please soften the hearts of those around me and allow my words to penetrate through the barriers that have been erected. Your words are the words of life! Let me use these words effectively.

In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Respond

Please pray a prayer about allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to unbelievers. If helpful, you can use a prayer journal template.

As you consider the theme of the Holy Spirit giving words to Christians, are there any Bible verses that came to mind? If so, add a comment at the end of this post!