PRAY BEFORE YOU DECIDE
Pastor JR
Have you ever looked back at a decision and wondered, why did I do that? It wasn’t because you weren’t intelligent enough or that you didn’t know enough, it’s because you moved before you prayed!
Some of our biggest regrets in life don’t begin with bad intentions, they begin with rushed decisions, a quick answer, an emotional reaction, a moment that we trusted our own understanding more than God’s direction.
But here is what we must understand, the battle for a wise decision doesn’t start when you are about to choose; it starts with the first voice you listen to, your emotions, your fears, your logic, everyone else’s opinion.
There is one simple prayer that will completely change how you make decision.
James 1:5 “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”
Before your next decision, read this slowly, out loud if you can, focusing on the words, pause and then pray, “Lord, before I choose what seems right, help me to choose what is right, give me the wisdom that only you can give.” Now pause and take a deep breath, don’t overthink it, don’t analyze it, don’t rush, just create space for God to lead before making a decision.
You are probably thinking, “why does reading one short passage of scripture change anything at all? It sounds too simple.” But both scripture and the way God designed the human mind points to the exact same principle. And it begins with something your brain does every single day; it listens and records repeated speech. The more you repeat the truth of God’s word, the more it creates a neuropathway that makes following your repeated truth, easier.
For a moment, forget the decision that you are trying to make; the job offer, the relationship, a financial choice, the opportunity, and let’s focus on how your mind makes decisions. Most people assume that we make decisions logically, but in reality, we often make decisions emotionally and justify those decisions later.
Your brain is constantly trying to save energy, it likes familiar patterns, it prefers quick answers over careful reflection, especially when you are under pressure, or afraid of making the wrong decisions.
Your mind wants to remove the uncertainty as quickly as possible, not because you are weak, but because that’s how we are wired. The faster your brain can close an open question, the safer it feels. But here lies the problem; quick doesn’t always mean wise. Sometimes the first answer that comes to your mind is simply the loudest thought, not the truest one. That’s why often times these are the decisions that we regret. Not because we didn’t pray, but because we didn’t slow down enough to get past our own thoughts.
That is why the exercise that we practiced is so important, it interrupts the rush and creates a small space between impulse and actions. Notice James didn’t say if anyone lacks knowledge, he says if anyone lacks wisdom. These are not the same thing; knowledge tells you what is possible and wisdom tells you what is right. Knowledge fills the mind; wisdom fills the heart.
James doesn’t tell us to figure it out first, he doesn’t say earn God’s guidance. He doesn’t say to be perfect before you ask. He simply says to ask. God is not reluctant to guide His children; he’s inviting them to bring Him into their everyday life.
We don’t pray, “God bless the decision that I have already made,” we pray, “lead me before I decide.” This one action repeated over time will change how decisions are made in your life.
James was not the only person in the Bible to understand this principle. There was a king who faced uncertainty every day. Surrounded by enemies, difficult choices, and impossible situations. But instead of asking God for immediate answers, David prayed something far more impactful.
Psalms 25:4-5; “[4] Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. [5] Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.”
Teach me, guide me, show me. David knew that without the practice of seeking God’s wisdom, his decisions would fail.
We don’t mind asking God to bless our plans but asking Him to replace our plans if they are not in His will is a much harder ask! David wanted the right path even if it required patience, even if it required waiting, or saying no to something that looked good. A good opportunity is not always a God given opportunity; every open door is not meant to walk through.
Sometimes wisdom means stepping forward and other times it means standing still. Don’t fall into the world’s trap of, “don’t miss the opportunity, act quickly.” The kingdom of God doesn’t operate on panic; it operates on peace. God doesn’t lead through pressure, He teaches through pressure, He leads through wisdom.
When you stop long enough to pray, you are saying “God, I trust your timing more than urgency.” And this simple act of faith can stop you from acquiring years of payments for something that you no longer use or want.
We should desire guidance in God’s truth, not guided by our feelings, our assumptions, nor the loudest voice around you: GOD’S TRUTH. Because feelings and circumstances change, God’s truth does not.
James taught us to ask for wisdom, David taught us to seek God’s ways before our own, and now Solom gives us the habit that connects both of them.
Proverbs 3:5-6: “[5] Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. [6] Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Place close attention to verse 6, “…in all you do,” the meeting that you are going into, the message you are about to send, the purchase that you are about to make, the conversations that you have been avoiding, the opportunity that seems too good to pass up, the difficult decision that no one can make for you. Seek His Will in All You Do!
Solom is not describing a once-a-year prayer, but a lifestyle. A created neuropathway that causes you to pause and follow the steps outlined in scripture.
- Ask of God’s wisdom
- Seek God’s guidance
- Don’t depend on your own understanding
This is a heart that invites God into everyday life. God is interested in your ordinary day, your conversations, daily routines, what to eat, when to go, and even where to shop; everything! This might sound trivial, but you are teaching your brain to stop making decisions on impulse and seek His will in all you do!
The next time you are about to make an important decision, don’t begin by asking what I want, or what is the smartest option. Instead, take a break, take one slow breath, then pray one small sentence. “Lord, lead me before I lead myself.” That’s it! No long prayer, no complicated words, just an invitation to allow God into your decisions. Now, remain silent for 5 seconds, this slows everything down and sometimes reveals a motive that you hadn’t thought about. It could be fear, pride, impatience, or just a desire to please people instead of pleasing God.
Please note: The wrong decision often feels urgent. Don’t wait because you’ll miss your chance. Pleasure makes every decision feel like an emergency. But wisdom is never in a hurry and is not driven by panic, it is willing to pause, pray, wait, and listen. This doesn’t mean that every decision should take weeks, it means we refuse to let anxiety become our counselor.
Solom says to not depend on your own understanding, he did not say ignore your understanding, because God has given us a mind to think and evaluate, and wisdom to learn. Solom reminds us that our wisdom was never meant to replace God’s. Our perspective is limited; God’s is not. We see today; He sees tomorrow and far into our future. We see the decision, but He sees where that decision leads. And when we acknowledge Him before we choose, we are humbly saying “God you can see where we cannot.”
- James teaches us to ask
- David teaches us to follow
- Solom teaches us to trust
God doesn’t want to control every decision; he wants to shape the heart of the person making the decision. Many of us pray, “God show me the right door” while God is patiently saying “first, let me shape the heart that is going to walk through it.”
I want you to try one simple habit this week, for the next 7 days before any important decision, large or small, pause for 30 seconds, read James 1:5, then pray, “Lord lead me before I lead myself.” Don’t ask for the easiest or fastest answer, ask for wisdom. Then, take one small breath, believe God will answer, and continue your day.