What does James promise?
5If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
James wrote to Christians going through trials. Read James 1:2-8. The wisdom he means is the kind you need in hardship: how to live faithfully in the middle of it. God gives it generously and “without reproach”. He does not scold you for asking.
What about “no doubting”? In verse 8 James calls the doubter “double-minded”, pulled two ways at once. Many readers take the contrast to be with divided loyalty rather than with having questions. You can ask with questions in your mind and still ask in faith.
Does Proverbs 3:5-6 mean God will tell you what to do?
5Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
6In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
These lines are part of a father's teaching to his son about a whole way of life. “He shall direct your paths” describes the course of a life lived trusting God. It is not a method for getting a yes or no on each choice. Not leaning on your own understanding fits well with asking wise people for advice.
Can you ask God to teach you?
4Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths.
5Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.
David asks to be shown God's ways and taught. Much of God's guidance in Scripture works like this. As you learn His character and His ways, you can see which choices fit with who He is.
How can you pray it through?
- Write the decision down in one sentence.
- List what you know of God's ways that bears on it: honesty, love for the people affected, promises you have already made.
- Ask God for wisdom, and ask one or two people you trust for their view.
- Pray through each option, noticing which ones you could choose with a clear conscience.
- Decide, and keep praying as you go.
For example: “Lord, I have to decide whether to take this job and move. Give me wisdom. Show me anything I am not seeing, and help me choose in a way that honours You and the people I love. Amen.” This is a prepared example. Put your own decision in it.
What if you are still not sure?
Sometimes two options are both good. Many Christians have found that when no choice is clearly wrong, they can choose freely and trust God with what follows. Plans can change along the way, too. Read Acts 16:6-10, where Paul's travel plans were closed off twice before a new direction opened.
If you would like help putting the decision into words, write a prayer. If the choice is keeping you awake, read what to pray when you cannot sleep.