What Does the Bible Say About Praying For Wisdom?

James 1:5 ESV / 15 helpful votes

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

Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ...

James 3:17 ESV / 9 helpful votes

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV / 8 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Proverbs 9:10 ESV / 7 helpful votes

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Psalm 111:10 ESV / 7 helpful votes

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

Philippians 4:19 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 5 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

1 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

Ephesians 6:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Ephesians 3:14-21 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ...

Romans 8:26 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

Acts 4:12 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Isaiah 33:6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is Zion's treasure.

Isaiah 3:1-26 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For behold, the Lord God of hosts is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah support and supply, all support of bread, and all support of water; the mighty man and the soldier, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder, the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor and the skillful magician and the expert in charms. And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them. And the people will oppress one another, every one his fellow and every one his neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the despised to the honorable. ...

Proverbs 11:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.

Proverbs 1:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Psalm 119:105 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Job 28:28 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

Genesis 1:28 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

2 John 1:10-11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

2 Peter 1:21 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

James 5:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Titus 3:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,

1 Timothy 4:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

Colossians 4:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

Colossians 2:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Ephesians 6:17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

Ephesians 3:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

So that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 1:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

1 Corinthians 2:13 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

Romans 8:27 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Psalm 90:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Job 12:13 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding.

2 Chronicles 1:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?”

Ephesians 1:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

2 Corinthians 4:4-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 1:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.

Romans 16:17-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Romans 11:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

Romans 1:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you.

Acts 16:16-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.

Acts 7:1-60 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And the high priest said, “Are these things so?” And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’ Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. And after his father died, God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living. Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot's length, but promised to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him, though he had no child. ...

John 8:44 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Luke 2:52 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Mark 4:1-41 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. ...

Matthew 13:54 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works?

Matthew 12:50 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Proverbs 15:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 4:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.

Proverbs 3:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens;

Proverbs 2:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

Psalm 104:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

Deuteronomy 13:1-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him. But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has taught rebellion against the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of slavery, to make you leave the way in which the Lord your God commanded you to walk. So you shall purge the evil from your midst. ...

56 Bible Verses about Praying For Wisdom

James 1:5 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:17 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 9:10 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 111:10 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:19 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 3:14-21 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:26 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 4:12 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 33:6 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 3:1-26 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 11:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 1:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 119:105 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Job 28:28 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 1:28 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 John 1:10-11 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Peter 1:21 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 5:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 3:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 4:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 4:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 2:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:17 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 3:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 1:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 2:13 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:27 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 90:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Job 12:13 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Chronicles 1:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 1:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 4:4-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 1:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 1:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 16:17-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 11:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 1:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 1:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 16:16-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 7:1-60 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 8:44 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 2:52 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 4:1-41 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 13:54 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 12:50 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 15:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 4:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 3:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 2:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 104:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 13:1-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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