The Biblical Call for Wisdom (2 Chronicles 1:10–12)

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?” God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.”
—2 Chronicles 1:10–12

So this is a parallel passage to 1 Kings 3. It’s one of the most famous parts of Solomon’s life when, at the beginning of his leadership as king, he asks for one thing from God: wisdom, for knowledge to govern, to lead his people well, out of all the things he could have asked for. Imagine you were suddenly placed in position as king. You’re a king, you have a kingdom, and you can ask for one thing.

What would you ask for? Would it be wisdom? That’s what Solomon asked for, and it’s pleasing to God. And God says, because this was in your heart, and not for more possessions or wealth or honor, the life of those who hate you, like revenge against these others. You’ve not even asked long life for yourself. You’ve asked wisdom and knowledge for the good of others. And God says, I’m going to give you that and more.

And when I think about this verse and then James chapter 1 that brings this reality right into our laps, God tells us in the New Testament that He will give His wisdom generously to everyone who asks for it. So this is a no-brainer for us today, and may it be a no-brainer for us every day. God, we pray for wisdom today.

And of all the things we could ask for right now, we pray for this one thing. We pray that you would be pleased and honored in our desire for it, and you would answer us according to your Word, not just for our sake, but for the sake of those around us whose lives we affect, ultimately for your glory. God, we pray for wisdom.

We pray for knowledge. We pray for discernment in each of our lives. Discernment between good and evil. Discernment based on your Word to walk in step with your will. And we praise you, God, for your promise to give us the wisdom we need. We look at all that’s going on in our lives, on our plates, even just today.

And we say, we can do nothing without you. And we don’t want to do anything without you. We need your wisdom in our lives. In every decision we make, we pray that you would deliver us from ourselves and from our foolishness. We pray for wisdom in every interaction we have today, every decision we make, every thought we have, every desire. God, we pray, help us to live with wisdom.

And to the extent to which you’ve given us leadership opportunities or influence in others’ lives, God, we pray for wisdom to know how best to lead well. God, we pray for leaders over us to have wisdom. Please give them wisdom.

A Prayer for the Aluo People

God, as we pray for unreached people around the world, for the Aluo people of China today, for 28,000 of them in the southeastern portion of China, God, we pray for wisdom today.

For all those who are working for the spread of the gospel in China, for all our brothers and sisters there. God, give them wisdom. Direct them, guide them, lead them, protect them, provide for them in every way they need for the spread of the gospel all across that country and beyond. Oh God, we ask, we intercede for wisdom for all those who are working for the spread of the gospel among unreached people. Even as we pray, you give us wisdom.

Wherever we might live, to share the gospel with people around us. God, help us to live wisely today and tomorrow and the next day and to look to you continually for wisdom, to ask you and to trust your promise to give us exactly what we ask when we ask for wisdom. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.