Prayer for God’s Guidance

Lord, Thou hast searched me and known me; Thou art acquainted with all my ways. Thou seest and knowest full well, O God, how earnestly I long to walk in Thy ways, and to live as Thou hast commanded Thy children to live, even as Jesus has given us an example. But alas, I find that only too often I am led aside from the right way by temptations of one kind or another.

Now it is my own evil heart that leads me astray through wicked desires; again, it is the world that incites me to evil by its bad example. If I follow either of them, I anger Thee, my God and Lord, and wound my own conscience. The nearer I approach to the world, the more I recede from Thee.

Therefore I beseech Thee, lead and guide me by Thy counsel. Thou hast said, I will guide thee with Mine eye. Behold me, Lord, and let Thy good Spirit lead me in the land of uprightness. I yield myself entirely into Thy hands. O God, who didst lead Thy people on dry foot through the Red Sea, and bring them unharmed through the wilderness into the Promised Land, lead me through the dangers of this life, through the wilderness and temptations of this world, with a good conscience, to the life eternal. I commit my heart, my mouth, my members, and my whole being unto Thee. Rule my heart and fill it ever with holy thoughts. Rule my members, that I may not stretch out my hands toward that which is forbidden, nor permit my feet to tread the ways of sin and death. Rule my lips and my tongue, that they may not utter curses or shameful, unchristian, and unbecoming words. Rule my whole life, that henceforth I may never intentionally sin against Thee, but may be a true and pious Christian.

O forsake me not if I should, in my weakness, strive against Thee; and do not leave me to the mercy of my own will and guidance. For if I lead myself, I shall be led astray. Give me grace to be circumspect in all my actions; and write Thy holy fear within my heart, that I may conduct my life entirely according to Thy Word and the example of Jesus my Saviour. Amen.