(Click here for a printable list of verses.)

“Can I just do it MY way?”

My son truly believed his way was better, faster, and right!  What he didn’t realize was that as a seven year old, his understanding was limited and his view was short-sighted!

How I can relate!  How easy it is to rely on our understanding and therefore desire (or insist!) upon doing things our way!  Wisely, we are told to trust in the Lord with all our heart and to not lean on our own understanding.  “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV).  

How I long for His ways, His path, and His leading, both in my life and in the lives of those I love!

More and more I find myself praying just two simple words for my friends, my family, and myself.  “Lead me” (or lead him or her).  This simple prayer of humility and dependency, acknowledging my way is not better, faster, or right but is rather short-sighted and limited in understanding, is right where I need to be.

This is the posture of the psalmist.  Time and again he prayed to be led in His path, in His truth, in His commands, in His righteousness.

In times of needing help?  “Lead me.”

In times surrounded by the enemy?  “Lead me.”

When trouble strikes?  “Lead me.”

When our heart is troubled?  “Lead me.”

When we feel far from God?  “Lead me.”

When we don’t know His will?  “Lead me.”

Like the psalmist, may we, too, pray: “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.  May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.”  (Psalm 143:10 NLT)

For a list of the psalmist’s “Lead me” prayers, which we can make our very own, click here.