Movement of Prayer: The Transformative Power of Prayer in Times of Decision
By Rev James Singh, Itinerant Minister
Prayer is not a mere ritual or tradition but the lifeline of your walk with God. It is how we align our hearts with His will and seek His guidance. There are no shortcuts. Without prayer, we risk being led by our own desires and human reasoning, which often leave us astray and unfulfilled.
The Bible offers many examples of how praying brings about change and victory. I would like to glean from the life of King David how prayer enables you to make the right decisions. David consistently sought God’s counsel before taking action, demonstrating victory and success.
Prayer is not just about seeking permission or enablement; it is also about seeking assurance, clarity, and God’s promise of the outcome.
David: A Model of Dependence on God
King David is an excellent example. He asked the Lord what he should do before acting. David never rushed into a confrontation with his enemies. He waited with his army until the Lord instructed him to advance.
1 Samuel 23:1-4, Then they told David, saying, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are robbing the threshing floors.” 2 Therefore David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines, and save Keilah.” 3 But David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” 4 Then David inquired of the Lord once again. And the Lord answered him and said, “Arise, go down to Keilah. For I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
David’s example compels us to ask: Do we act only after hearing God’s voice? Or do we rush ahead in our own strength, risking failure?
Notice two key points in this passage. First, in verse 2, David inquired of the Lord, and the answer was clear: “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” However, in verse 4, David inquired of the Lord again. This second inquiry is significant because the response was more detailed. This time, the Lord reaffirmed the command to attack and revealed the outcome: “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
This teaches us a crucial lesson: Prayer is not just about seeking permission or enablement; it is also about seeking assurance, clarity, and God’s promise of the outcome.
King David, though experienced in warfare, obeyed even when God gave unconventional instructions, such as waiting for the sound of marching in the tops of balsam trees before engaging in battle (2 Samuel 5:23-25). His obedience to God’s specific timing ensured victory.
David’s example compels us to ask: Do we act only after hearing God’s voice? Or do we rush ahead in our own strength, risking failure?
The Challenge of Waiting in a Fast-Paced World
In today’s high-tech, fast-paced society, waiting can feel like a complete waste of time. We live in an age of instant gratification, where we choose speed over wisdom. Yet David’s story reminds us that waiting on God is never wasted. Let me give you three simple keys to help you on this journey.
Take time to seek God, even when answers seem delayed. His timing is perfect, and His guidance is worth the wait.
Keys to Effective Decision-Making
1. Waiting on Him
Waiting is a spiritual discipline that builds faith and ensures alignment with God’s will. Isaiah 40:31 encourages us: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Waiting allows us to examine our hearts and listen for His voice. Are you at a crossroads, seeking direction for a major decision? Take time to seek God, even when answers seem delayed. His timing is perfect, and His guidance is worth the wait.
Including God in every decision, no matter how small, ensures we walk in His will.
2. Don’t Exclude God
Decisions made without consulting God can lead to untold pain and consequences. I have seen this happen repeatedly in the ministry, as people suffer the pain of excluding God in their seeking.
The story of Israel’s treaty with the Gibeonites in Joshua 9 is a cautionary tale: “The men of Israel… did not inquire of the Lord” (Joshua 9:14).
The Israelites, deceived by appearances, made a covenant without seeking God’s counsel. This mistake bound them to the Gibeonites and hindered their mission in Canaan.
Including God in every decision, no matter how small, ensures we walk in His will. Are you making choices independently, or are you seeking His wisdom even in the seemingly minor details?
Seeking advice from trusted spiritual leaders or mature believers can bring clarity and prevent costly mistakes.
3. Seek Wise Counsel
Proverbs 12:15 reminds us: “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.”
While prayer is foundational, God also provides wisdom through godly counsel. Seeking advice from trusted spiritual leaders or mature believers can bring clarity and prevent costly mistakes. Solomon warns against the arrogance of thinking we have all the answers. True wisdom lies in humility and a willingness to listen.
If you are facing a difficult decision, seek out those who can offer insights rooted in God’s Word. Their counsel can provide perspective and confirmation of God’s direction for your life.
King David’s life teaches us that success begins with seeking God’s guidance, waiting for His timing, and obeying His instructions.
Whether you are at a crossroads or navigating everyday decisions, take time to wait on the Lord, include Him in your plans, and seek godly counsel. As you do, you will experience the peace and confidence that come from knowing your steps are ordered by Him.
What decision lies before you today? Will you pause to seek Him first, or will you rely on your own strength? Choose to pray, wait, and trust—and watch how God transforms your path.
Whether you are at a crossroads or navigating everyday decisions, take time to wait on the Lord, include Him in your plans, and seek godly counsel.
Rev James Jagjeet Singh, is the overseer of Eagle’s Nest Church and an itinerant Evangelist under the Assemblies of God, Singapore. In this dual office, he carries a prophetic anointing and the fire of the Holy Spirit wherever he goes. His passion is to see revival come upon the churches. He graduated from Assemblies of God Bible College with a Bachelor of Theology. He is married to Rosie and together they have two children, Josiah and Sarabeth.
