Young Adults' Group

Praying For The Lord’s Leading

by Pastor Mark
October 09, 2025

Seeking the Lord

When we face life’s challenges and need to make tough decisions, who do we turn to for guidance? Often, we turn to those who are close to us, such as our family members or friends. We also rely on ourselves, depending on our own perspective and wisdom. We tend to assume we can work things out on our own. However, we often find ourselves ending up in adverse situations.

When David and his men were fleeing from King Saul in the wilderness, David had to face various challenges and make difficult choices. One thing he sought to do in dealing with these situations was to seek the Lord for His leading.

1. The priority of seeking the Lord’s leading

1. David was informed that the Philistines were attacking the city of Keilah (1 Samuel 23:1).
   1. Keilah was one of the cities of Israel.
   2. The Philistines were robbing the city of its grain.
2. In response, David sought to give priority to prayer (1 Samuel 23:2).
3. He inquired of the Lord’s leading whether he should go and attack the Philistines: “Therefore David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?”” (1 Samuel 23:2)
4. The Lord answered in the affirmative…to attack and save Keilah.
5. David did not take anything for granted nor did he presume anything.
6. He sought the Lord’s leading first in making his decision.
7. Let us prioritise prayer and seek God’s leading as we face life’s challenges.

2. Seeking assurances of the Lord’s leading

1. The men of David responded negatively to God’s answer to attack.
   1. Fear had already gripped them, as they knew that Saul was seeking them (1 Samuel 22:23).
   2. They would become even more fearful if they were to attack the Philistines…to deal with more enemies.
   3. The fear of the men and their own human reasoning got the better of them.
2. Once again, David sought to turn to the Lord in prayer: “Then David inquired of the Lord once again.” (1 Samuel 23:4)
3. The Lord assured him that He would deliver the Philistines into his hands.
4. This further inquiry to God was needed for the confirmation of His leading.
5. Let us be diligent to seek God in prayer for His assurances of His leading.

3. Being diligent in seeking the Lord’s leading

When David heard that Saul and his men were coming to Keilah, he inquired of the Lord again (1 Samuel 23:10–13). He diligently asked the Lord whether Saul would come down and whether the men of Keilah would betray him and his men by delivering them into the hands of Saul. God replied in the affirmative and caused David and his men to flee from Keilah. God’s answer and leading saved David and his men. He did not assume things but sought diligently the Lord’s leading again and again in prayer. By following the Lord’s leading, he and his men were protected from the Philistines and from the ungrateful people of Keilah.

Let us be challenged to make prayer an integral part of our lives as we face life’s difficulties. Let us prioritise prayer by seeking the Lord first for His leading as we make vital decisions. Let us be diligent to seek His leading in all matters, even when others tell us otherwise.

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