January 11, 2026

Daily Devotional:

“The Prayer for Perspective”

James 1:5 ​

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." ​

We often treat wisdom like a rare commodity, something we have to earn through decades of experience or hunt for in the deep corners of libraries. But James flips this perspective. He presents wisdom not as a trophy for theintellectually elite, but as a gift for the asking. ​

There's a beautiful promise tucked into this single verse; The condition is admitting need, for the starting point isn't "If any of you is an expert," but "If any of you lacks." God isn't looking for people who have it all figured out, rather He is looking for the humble heart that recognizes its own limits. In the character of the Giver, God gives "liberally." He doesn't ration His insight or give you "just enough" to scrape by. He is a generous Father who delights in sharing His perspective with His children.

There is safety in the asking because He gives "without reproach." This is perhaps the most comforting part. It means God won't roll His eyes at you. He won't say, "Are you back again with the same question?" or "You should know this by now." There is no shame in seeking His guidance. ​

Whether you are facing a massive career shift, a difficult conversation with a loved one, or simply the exhaustion of daily chores, you don’t have to white-knuckle your way through it. Wisdom is more than just "knowledge"; it is theability to see your circumstances through God’s eyes. Today, instead of trying to solve the puzzle on your own, stop and create space for a simple prayer of dependence to the Omniscient One.​