American Reformation Church Prayer Journal 115
ARC Prayer Meeting:
This past Sunday we expounded on Proverbs 2:10-12, when wisdom enters our hearts. Proverbs 2 teaches us that wisdom is not merely something we learn—it is something God must work into our hearts. And this is where prayer becomes essential.
Solomon called us to seek wisdom as hid treasure. He let us know the Lord is the only One that can impart wisdom into our souls. And then speaks of the incredible benefits that come to our souls once wisdom has penetrated our hearts, not just our heads.
We have all heard the saying “knowledge is power” and we are living in a time when those who control information rule the world. We also know from the Apostle Paul, that knowledge in and of itself can puff up the egos of men. He stated, “Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies (1 Corinthians 8:1). The truth is we can possess information without possessing wisdom.
Solomon understood this firsthand. When God offered him whatever he desired, Solomon asked for an understanding and wise heart to govern God's people (1 Kings 3:9).
Once wisdom enters the heart, knowledge does not puff up, but becomes pleasant to our souls. There is a progression: Wisdom enters the heart → knowledge becomes pleasant to the soul → discretion governs our lives life. and remember discretion is the ability to recognize what should or should not be done in certain situations.
Discretion that preserves us and understanding that keeps us enables us to recognize danger before we enter it. So many times, we pray for the Lord to get us out of trouble, but prevention is better than a cure. When we pray and seek God for wisdom to enter our hearts, our prayer life will change with it.
Verse 12 gives the ultimate purpose for seeking God to impart His wisdom into our hearts, “To deliver you from the way of evil.” God's wisdom doesn't merely help us succeed. It helps us avoid destruction. There are roads that look attractive but end in ruin. That is one of the reasons why Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13).
There is a remarkable connection between Proverbs 2 and the Lord's Prayer. The wise man is not the man who thinks he can navigate life without God. The wise man is the man who knows he cannot—and therefore prays.
Closing Prayer:
Father, give us wisdom that enters our hearts, understanding that governs our minds, and discretion that directs our steps. Make us love what is right and hate what is evil. Keep us from deceptive people, destructive paths, and foolish decisions. Teach us to pray before we act, to seek Your wisdom before trusting our own understanding, and to walk faithfully in Your ways. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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