“Prayer for Guidance and Direction” is a critical look at how God guides men. And He does this through His Spirit.
I like to use the Google Maps App whenever I hit the road. This is because the App is a very useful help in navigating to places that I have never been to. And it is also able to inform you on traffic conditions and alternative routes.
However, this App is only useful as long as I am on the move to my destination. Therefore, if I am stationary, it will not give me any or further directions. But if I am on the move, then it will instruct me as I move. That is, the next instruction is based on my fulfillment of the current instruction. So, it will not tell me to turn to the right yet I have not gotten to the turn.
Therefore, I have to keep moving according to the App’s instructions. Only then can I successfully get to my destination.
”6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Acts 16:6-10English Standard Version (ESV)
In Acts 16:6-10, you can clearly observe that Paul was directed to go and preach in Macedonia. This was not in his original plan/intention.
Therefore, while Paul was on the course of his second missionary journey, he was directed by God to go to Macedonia via a vision. He had initially intended for him and his companions to visit the churches that they had planted in their first missionary journey. Paul desired to strengthen their faith.
Pray for Specific Guidance and Direction
However, God’s plan was for Paul to go to the Macedonians and preach the gospel to them. That’s why God spoke to him in a vision.
Initially, God, through His Spirit, would keep him from preaching the gospel in certain areas. The Spirit would also not permit him to go into certain places. But when it came to the Macedonians, Paul received a vision.
Therefore, at the basic level, the Holy Spirit guides and directs you through prohibitions and denials. However, at the advanced level, He guides and directs you through dreams and visions (Job 33:14-18).
So, make a prayer for guidance and direction from God. Pray for Him to direct and guide you through dreams and visions (Joel 2:28). For this is how Paul found himself in Macedonia.
