Before the decision, the conversation, the conflict, or the next big step—stop. You don’t have to know everything. You just need to ask the One who does. James 1:5 reminds us that God generously gives wisdom to those who ask. Today’s Monday Motivator will inspire you to experience God’s wisdom—today.

How to Ask God for Wisdom When You Don’t Know What to Do

Years ago, when the Powerball jackpot reached a then-record $1.5 billion, people stood in lines across the country hoping to purchase the winning ticket. The odds? About one in 292 million. Still, millions played. As one person told me, “If I don’t buy a ticket, I can’t win. It’s worth a shot.”

Thankfully, when it comes to something infinitely more valuable—the treasure of God’s wisdom—you have far more than a shot. You have a promise. If you know Christ, the treasures of His wisdom are already available to you. You don’t have to beat astronomical odds. You don’t have to be lucky. You don’t have to possess exceptional intelligence, advanced degrees, or decades of life experience. You simply need to recognize your need, come to God, and ask.

When it comes to God’s wisdom, you don’t have odds to beat—you have a promise to believe.

Why God Wants You to Ask Him for Wisdom

Solomon understood the priceless value of wisdom. When God essentially offered him anything he wanted, Solomon asked for an understanding heart. God was pleased with that request. Later, Solomon filled Proverbs with invitations to pursue this treasure:

“Make your ear attentive to wisdom.”

“Seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures.”

“The Lord gives wisdom.”

And, very simply: “Get wisdom!”

God is not playing hide-and-seek with the wisdom we need. He wants us to seek it, value it, and receive it.

What James 1:5 Says About Asking God for Wisdom

This truth becomes even clearer in the New Testament. James was writing to Christians who were scattered, struggling, and facing significant trials. In other words, people much like us. His instruction was remarkably simple: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5). Newsflash: “Any of you” includes you.

You do not need a human intermediary. You don’t have to go through a pastor, priest, theologian, or spiritual expert. Just ask. Directly. Humbly. Earnestly. Expectantly.

The Bible teaches that when believers lack wisdom, they should ask God for it in faith. James 1:5 promises that God gives wisdom generously and without reproach.

The longer I live, the more frequently I find myself doing exactly that. Partly because I am increasingly aware of how much wisdom I lack. But even more importantly, I have a deepening confidence in God’s readiness to give it.

The longer I live, the less confidence I have in my own wisdom—and the more confidence I have in God’s willingness to give His.

Why Asking God for Wisdom Is a Command

Interestingly, James’ instruction to “ask” is not merely a helpful suggestion. It is a command. God is essentially saying, “When you don’t know what to do, ask Me.” Yet when life becomes confusing or painful, asking God is not always our first response.

We call a friend. Search Google. Listen to a podcast. Read another book. Sign up for a seminar. Or perhaps we simply distract ourselves through entertainment, busyness, hobbies, or endless scrolling.

Some of these resources can certainly be useful. God often gives wisdom through wise people and helpful information. But none of them can replace the one thing Scripture tells us we must do: Ask God.

Why? Because wisdom is not simply information. Ultimately, wisdom comes from a Person.

Why You Can Trust God to Give You Wisdom

Our confidence in prayer is never based on the eloquence of our words, the intensity of our emotions, or even the urgency of our circumstances. Our confidence rests in the character of God. James says God “gives generously to all without reproach.”

I love that. God does not reluctantly dole out a tiny ration of wisdom. He gives generously. And He gives without reproach. In other words, when you come to Him saying, “Father, I don’t know what to do,” He doesn’t respond: “You again? You should have figured this out by now.”

Instead, the heart of our gracious Father is essentially: “I’m glad you asked.” That should transform the way we begin every challenging day, difficult conversation, important decision, and uncertain season.

God is infinitely more willing to give wisdom than we are inclined to ask for it.

How God’s Wisdom Glorifies Jesus

There is another reason God delights to answer this prayer. His wisdom in us glorifies His Son. The New Testament tells us that Christ Himself is “the wisdom of God.” He has become our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30). Colossians tells us that in Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). Theologian Matthew Henry affirmed, “The treasures of wisdom are hidden not from us, but for us, in Christ.”

Think about that. Every treasure of divine wisdom is found in Christ. And if you belong to Christ, Christ lives in you through His Spirit. Jesus promised His disciples that the Spirit would dwell within them, guide them into truth, and glorify Him. This means we are not spiritual orphans trying to navigate life with our own limited resources. The Spirit who revealed the wisdom of Christ during His earthly ministry now dwells within every believer.

His wisdom can shape our thinking and even govern our emotions. His wisdom can guide our words and transform our relationships. His wisdom can direct our decisions every day. And when people encounter something in us that cannot be explained by mere personality, education, or experience, Jesus gets the glory.

God gives us wisdom not merely to make our lives work better, but to make Jesus more visible through our lives.

How to Receive God’s Wisdom: Access, Abide, Ask

Some years ago, a friend invited our family to attend a presidential debate. Security was understandably intense. There was no possibility of simply walking through the doors. We needed credentials. Someone with the right connections had provided our access.

In a far greater way, Jesus is our access to the limitless treasures of divine wisdom. So how do Christians seek God’s wisdom? Access God through Christ, abide in Christ, and ask God specifically for the wisdom you need.

Access God Through Christ

Through Christ, you have access. Then Jesus tells us to abide: “Abide in me, and I in you…. Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:4–5). To abide means to stay connected—to derive our life from Jesus just as a branch derives its life from the vine. Supernatural wisdom flows from His life into ours because His life is in us.

And then we ask. Faithfully. Consistently. Specifically. Expectantly.

Abide in Christ

Perhaps you are facing today’s challenges, and the perplexities of this season feel beyond you. That realization may be the doorway to wisdom. You don’t have to figure everything out. You don’t have to pretend you know. You don’t have to manufacture an answer. You have access to Christ. Abide in Christ. Then ask.

Our inadequacy is not an obstacle to divine wisdom; it is often the doorway to experiencing it.

Ask God for Wisdom

So before you make that decision, send that email, enter that meeting, address that conflict, respond to that child, confront that problem, or carry that burden another step, stop and pray: “Lord, I need Your wisdom.”

Then believe His promise: “Let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” It’s a prayer God loves to answer. The power of His transforming grace always follows.

A Prayer for God’s Wisdom

When you don’t know what to do, Scripture’s first response is not to figure everything out for yourself but to ask God for wisdom.

A Monday Prayer

Father, I confess my need for wisdom beyond myself. Thank You that I do not have to persuade You to help me. You invite me—even command me—to ask. Thank You for giving generously and without reproach. Today I choose to abide in Christ and depend upon Your indwelling Spirit. Give me wisdom for my decisions, words, relationships, responsibilities, and challenges. May Your wisdom become evident through my life so that Jesus is increasingly seen and glorified through me. Amen.

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* This article is a distillation of concepts in the book Transforming Wisdom by Daniel Henderson.

For more resources on the concept of biblical wisdom and similar content, including the book Transforming Wisdom and a new small group study, visit our store.