Prayers for God’s Leading: James 1:2–5
Shaping a time of prayer for dwelling with Bible texts, prayer responses, songs of faith, and a concluding benediction.
A part of a series of prayer resources for those who are actively seeking God's leading in times of vocational discernment, including employers or search team members selecting new employees, students choosing a college or a major or a job after graduation, and people at every stage of life making choices about when to say yes and no. Each contribution in this series is an invitation to "pray our way deeply into scripture," letting the imagery and convictions of particular scripture texts inform our own prayers. The series as a whole is an invitation to explore multiple, complementary scripture texts over time as we seek to walk in step with God's Spirit. Each resource also features musical meditations from over 50 years of music making at Calvin University.
Orienting Scripture Text
O God, you are my God, I seek you,
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands and call on your name. —Psalm 63:1-4
Quiet Reflection
Prayer
Loving God,
When we are deciding what to do or whom to choose,
remind us that your covenanting love is better than life itself.
When we thirst longingly for you,
remind us that your covenanting love is better than life itself.
When our thirst is quenched and we perceive your beauty in fresh ways,
remind us that your covenanting love is better than life itself.
Calm our anxiety.
Help us to be patient when things go against us,
thankful when things go well,
and confident that nothing in creation
can separate us from this covenanting love.
Amen.
Central Scripture Text
My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. —James 1:2–5
Prayer
Great Giver of gifts, how grateful we are for the work of your Spirit in our lives. While we may think we know what you are calling us to do, if we are honest, we still have some questions. If we are honest, we are a little unsure of our next steps. If we are honest, we are sometimes afraid of the big tasks that lay before us. Lord, you have said that if anyone lacks wisdom that we should come to you. Here we are. Help us to be honest about our fears and to overcome them. Let our trust and confidence be firmly rooted in you. Help us to discern and understand our unique gifts. Help us to understand how and where to use them. And then, Lord, activate your gifts within us that we may fulfill your plans for us. Lord, use us for your glory and for the common good.
Amen.
—Michelle Loyd-Paige
Quiet Reflection
Musical Reflections
- 1989 Calvin Alumni Choir: "Go Where I Send Thee" (Alumni Choir, Anton Armstrong, conductor; Kim De Stigter, baritone; Debra Perry, accompanist)
Blessing
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. —Romans 15:13