If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask

God, who gives generously to all without

Finding fault and it will be given to him.

James 1:5

If we would pray more for spiritual wisdom, we would receive more wisdom…and who wouldn’t want that? We are in a battle. The enemy does not want to give us back what he stole. Our prodigals don’t even realize they have been captured. They think it was their choice and they don’t think the enemy had anything to do with it. From their point of view, it was their decision. They let down their guard and the enemy swooped in and captured them. When praying for our prodigals, we need wisdom from God. We need it before entering the battle, and during the battle.

There are two kinds of wisdom: the world’s wisdom and the wisdom from heaven:

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good

works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish

ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and

selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For

wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always

sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

James 3:13-18 NLT

Remember Solomon? God came to him in a dream and said he could ask for anything. Solomon asked for wisdom: “Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong…” (1 Kings 3:9). Solomon knew he didn’t have the experience to govern the people rightly. He loved the Lord and wanted the Lord to help him. His selfless request pleased God and He not only gave him wisdom but also riches and fame! When Solomon woke up and realized it was a dream, he went and offered sacrifices and peace offerings.

Now listen to what Solomon says about wisdom:

Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding.

For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold.

Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

Proverbs 3:13-15 NLT

Finding wisdom gives you joy and is better than anything the world can offer. Wisdom brings joy and the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). It is our strength in the battle. We have the armor of God (Ephesians 6:14-18), we have the same authority in the name of Jesus that He gave His disciples in Matthew 10:1, and we can have wisdom for the asking. When we ask, we must have faith that God will deliver because He said He would. We know that God is not a man that He should lie nor a son of man that He should change His mind. Will He say something and then not do it; will He promise and then not keep that promise? (from Numbers 23:19). Wisdom will protect and guard you if you love it. In fact, the wisest thing you can do is to get wisdom (Proverbs 4:6-7).

So God our prayer is the one Solomon prayed….”Give us a heart to judge others correctly and to know the difference between good and evil, right and wrong” and also the prayer Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:17, “God, give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation that we might know You better.” And when you receive the wisdom you asked for, don’t forget to acknowledge where it came from.

How will wisdom help us in the battle we are fighting for the return of our prodigals? I’m sure there are many benefits but I am thinking of three:

1. We will be able to face reality with grace and know what our next step is

2. We will receive new strategies for fighting this battle. God doesn’t always do the same thing the same way every time. I will be introducing some strategies in the coming weeks.

3. God’s promises will come to our mind when we need them. They will hit the mark!

Wisdom is supreme!!