Morning Prayer For Clarity And Discernment

Clarity and discernment are two things that we need and apply, not just whenever we need to make a decision but also whenever we need to make sound judgments or examine something. In life, especially regarding serious matters, we cannot just take things at face value. We must cross-examine the things, decisions, and circumstances we come across.

Father in heaven, help me always to be prudent, constantly exercising discernment to test things and holding fast to that which is good. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

What does the Bible say about discernment?

The Bible always teaches us to exercise discernment. In (Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. John 7:24), it is written that we ought not to judge by appearances, but we ought to judge with the right judgment. In the New Testament, the Greek word used for “discernment” is “anakrino.” It simply means “to determine” or “to examine.” That is why John 7:24, which talks about having the right judgment, also pertains to discernment.

In other words, discernment is making sound judgments—properly examining and determining things. King Solomon was an excellent example of a Bible character who exhibited discernment. In 1 Kings 3:16-28, two prostitutes came before King Solomon to bring up a case in which the two prostitutes claimed to be the mother of a child. Both prostitutes had just given birth, but the child of one of the prostitutes died. The first prostitute claimed that the other prostitute took her son while she was asleep and replaced him with the other prostitute’s dead son. The second prostitute claimed that her son was the one who was alive, and the first prostitute’s son was the one who was dead. 

It was kind of a tricky situation for King Solomon, for which he needed to exercise discernment and good judgment. King Solomon determined who the birth mother was by testing the women with a proposal of cutting the child in half with a sword. The first prostitute, who claimed her son was alive and was replaced with a dead one, told King Solomon that she would be willing to give up her son if it would spare him from being cut in half. The second prostitute, on the other hand, agreed to the murder, selfishly saying that the child should belong to neither of them. Given their responses, it is obvious who the birth mother was. 

What King Solomon did is an excellent example of discernment. It was written in the passage that all of Israel heard of King Solomon’s judgment. Wisdom and discernment are never separated. Whenever we exercise discernment, we also exercise wisdom. Like King Solomon, we should discern things by exercising wisdom and making sound judgments. 

As Christians, we are expected to be discerning. The Bible says in Matthew 10:16 that we should be wise as serpents yet innocent as doves. In (That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Philippians 1:10), Paul prays and admonishes the Philippian church to abound more with knowledge and discernment. We should also seek and ask God for discernment so that we may make sound judgments and approve that which is excellent, pure, and blameless for the day of Christ.

Father in heaven, help me to be like King Solomon—to have good discernment by exercising wisdom and properly making sound judgments. Give me an understanding of the mind to distinguish between good and evil. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

When do we use discernment?

We should use discernment at almost every moment of our lives and make sound judgments and wise decisions. However, the more important the matter is, the more we need to exercise discernment. 

For sure, clarity and discernment are something that we apply whenever we are trying to make a decision. One example is a woman being courted by a man in the church. She ought to properly apply discernment by carefully determining if the man’s intention toward her is indeed a lifelong commitment or if he is testing the waters. Once she can discern which is which, she can see more clearly and decide. We use discernment, especially when it comes to complicated situations, as in the example of King Solomon.

It also applies when making decisions in terms of things outside the church. A business person should be wise by examining whether a person making a business proposal is genuine and not a scammer. A student may exercise discernment by making a sound judgment as to which school to go to for college, which may impact his or her career.

Discernment is also something that we use regarding spiritual things. When we listen to a preacher, we don’t accept everything they preach. We apply spiritual discernment by testing whether the preaching is in line with what Scripture says. It is written in (Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1) that we should test whether something is from God.

We also use discernment when we evaluate our motives as we’re planning to do something. We do this by going to the Word of God, which discerns the thoughts and intentions of our heart, as written in Hebrews 4:12.

Father in heaven, help me always to exercise discernment in my life and distinguish good from evil. As I determine which option is good, give me the strength to act on it. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

How do you pray in the morning for clarity and discernment?

There are two verses that give us good examples we can follow when we pray for discernment. The first one is from (Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 1 Kings 3:9), where King Solomon asks God for the understanding of the mind to discern between good and evil. In other words, when we pray for discernment, we also pray for understanding so that we may exercise discernment and distinguish good from evil, as written in Hebrews 5:14.

The other example is from (I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies. Psalm 119:125), where the psalmist prays to God, asking Him to give him discernment so that he may understand His statutes. When we understand God’s statutes or His Word, we can discern things according to His Word. That is why the Bible says in Hosea 14:9 that the Word of God is right for discerning.

We pray for clarity and discernment in the morning by asking God to help us to understand and make sound judgments in determining which option is best for a specific matter. Determining what is good in a specific case gives us clarity as to what choice we should make or action to take. 

Below is an example of a morning prayer for clarity and discernment:

Heavenly Father, give me understanding and insight as I decide whether I should let this man court me. Help me examine his intentions carefully, make a good assessment, and pursue what is best by applying wisdom. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

As Christians, we always exercise discernment because it is our goal to always do that which is good in the sight of God. In the end, our motive is to honor God. The Bible also says in Romans 12:9 to hate that which is evil and cling to what is good. We know what evil and good are through discernment and seeking the Word of God.