Prayer for Divine Counsel and Wisdom
"¶ Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled." - 2 Samuel 17:15
Heavenly Father,
We come before You this day, acknowledging Your infinite wisdom and guidance in our lives. As we reflect on the words of 2 Samuel 17:15, where Hushai relayed the counsel of Ahithophel and the strategies he offered to Absalom and the elders of Israel, we are reminded of the importance of seeking Divine counsel in all our decisions.
Lord, just as Hushai stood firm and engaged with the priests Zadok and Abiathar to ensure that Your plans would unfold according to Your divine purpose, we too seek Your counsel in our lives. Illuminate our hearts, O God, with clarity and understanding. Let us not be swayed by the tempests of life, nor by the counsel of those who do not seek after Your heart.
Father, we recognize that in our day-to-day encounters, decisions must be made, and we often find ourselves at crossroads. It is in these moments that we ask You to help us lean upon Your divine understanding rather than our own limited perspective. Grant us the wisdom of Solomon, who, even in the face of daunting choices, turned to You for understanding. Help us to discern the voices that align with Your will and those that are merely echoes of worldly wisdom.
We pray for the spirit of discernment to guide us, to sift through counsel that may appear wise but is not rooted in Your truth. Make us humble listeners, attentive to Your voice. Just as Hushai’s wise counsel influenced the course of events, may our decisions also carry weight and impact the lives of those around us for good. Let our words be infused with grace and wisdom, leading others toward the Light of Christ.
Lord, we also lift up those in positions of influence — leaders, elders, and guides in our communities, just as Ahithophel was among the Israelites. We ask for Your hand upon them, that they may seek Your counsel in their decision-making processes. May they be surrounded by advisors who fear You and uphold Your truth, steering them away from paths that lead to destruction and instead guiding them toward righteousness and justice. Let their hearts be turned to You, O Lord, so that they may lead with integrity and wisdom.
In moments of confusion or turmoil, grant us the strength to remain steadfast like Hushai, who risked much to ensure the preservation of the future You had ordained. Teach us to trust in Your timing and to act in accordance with Your will, administering grace in situations where fear or doubt may seek to take root. Though there may be times when we feel outnumbered or overwhelmed, may we always anchor our faith in the belief that Your purpose cannot be thwarted.
We acknowledge, dear Lord, that Your plans often surpass our own understanding. Help us to yield to Your greater narrative, recognizing that our lives are woven into a larger tapestry that glorifies You. As we respond to the counsel and situation around us, give us hearts that remain teachable and pliable in Your hands.
In conclusion, Lord, we ask for peace in the decisions ahead. May our hearts be reassured in knowing that when we seek Your counsel above all, we are walking in the path You have paved for us. Let Your Kingdom come and Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
We thank You for being our steadfast guide, the source of all wisdom, and the strength of our hearts. In the blessed and holy name of Jesus, we pray,
Amen.
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2 Samuel 17:15 - "¶ Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled."
"¶ Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled." - 2 Samuel 17:15
2 Samuel 15:17 - "And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off."
1 Samuel 1:15-17
1 Samuel 17:15 - "But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Beth-lehem."
"And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off." - 2 Samuel 15:17
1 Samuel 15:17 - "And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?"
2 Samuel 1. 17-27
2 Samuel 22:17-20
2 Samuel 17:26 - "So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead."
2 Samuel 5:15 - "Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,"
2 Samuel 17:4 - "And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel."
2 Samuel 2:17 - "And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David."
2 Samuel 1:17 - "¶ And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:"
2 Samuel 2:15 - "Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David."
2 Samuel 15:15 - "And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint."
2 Samuel 17:17 - "Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by En-rogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David."
2 Samuel 16:15 - "¶ And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him."
2 Samuel 15:13 - "¶ And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom."
2 Samuel 15:37 - "So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem."
2 Samuel 15:29 - "Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there."
2 Samuel 8:17 - "And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;"
2 Samuel 17:7 - "And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time."
2 Samuel 22:15 - "And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them."
2 Chronicles 17:15 - "And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand."
2 Samuel 10:15 - "¶ And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together."
2 Samuel 17:24 - "Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him."
2 Samuel 16:17 - "And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?"
2 Samuel 7:17 - "According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David."
1 Samuel 2:17 - "Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD."