As we step into the second and very practical half of our journey through Crisis Management for the Believer, I’m excited to turn our attention to, first, a cornerstone of the Christian life – prayer. Since the beginning of this series (you can catch up here if you are new or want a general overview), we have spent time unpacking principles to remember in crisis. Each of these principles help us to think what we should as we strive to “hold tight” and “stand” in the midst of touch circumstances. We have considered the importance of knowing how to assess the situation, seek wisdom, and trust God’s sovereignty. Now, we pivot to how we live out that trust in real time. And, it starts with prayer. In the midst of crisis, prayer is not simply a good idea – it’s our lifeline. Yet, if we are honest, when the storms hit, it is easy to forget even what God desires us to pray. Our minds race, our hearts pound, and our hands itch to do “something.” But Scripture calls us to pause, to lift our eyes, and to seek the One who holds all things together (Colossians 1:17). So today, let us explore how prayer anchors us in crisis and equips us to respond in a way that honors God.

Pray for Wisdom First

When crisis strikes – whether it’s a personal trial, a family struggle, or a much bigger upheaval around us – our first instinct is often to lean on our own understanding. We scramble for solutions, replay scenarios, or cling to what we think we know. But God offers a better way. James, the brother of Jesus, writes, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5). Did you catch that or do you need to read that verse again? God does not simply offer wisdom; He gives it generously, without finding fault.

You may be wondering, What is wisdom? That’s a great question with which to wrestle. Wisdom is the capacity God gives followers of Jesus Christ to take His Word and apply it to life’s various, and often messy, circumstances. It is less about head knowledge and more about living it out in real time. In the thick of a crisis, God provides the spiritual discernment to see how the Bible speaks to our situation. So when we pray for wisdom, we are asking Him to equip us with the skill to take what we know from Scripture and make a God-honoring next step – right where we are. Like a skilled sailor on a rough sea, we ask God to sharpen our capacity to discern and navigate wisely.

In a crisis, we need wisdom to see clearly, to discern what is true, and to respond in a way that reflects Christ. Maybe you are facing a health scare and do not know the next step. Perhaps a relationship has fractured, and you are unsure how to rebuild. Or, maybe the world around you feels like it is spinning out of control. Whatever it is, start here: pray for wisdom. Ask God to provide wisdom for your thoughts, your attitude, your words, and your actions. He promises to provide, and He never tires of our asking.

Pray with the Attitude of Christ

As we pray, there is a second step that shapes our hearts: adopting the attitude of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Recall the scene in Luke 22:42 – Jesus, facing the cross, prays, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Here, the Son of God prays – as fully human, wrestling with the weight of what’s ahead, yet fully surrendered to the Father’s plan.

As you pray with the attitude of Jesus in your own personal crisis, the crisis of this circumstance becomes easier to handle – not because the circumstances change, but because our perspective does. With this prayer and humble attitude, we begin to focus on God’s agenda more than our own. Let me be the first to admit: this is hard. When the doctor announces bad news, when the bank account dwindles, when a loved one walks away, our natural prayer is, “Lord, fix this – now!” Now, this is key to remember, there is nothing wrong with bringing our desires to God; Jesus did that too. In fact, we are invited to bring God all our burdens and requests in prayer (Matt 11:28-30; Phil 4:6-7; 1 Pet 5:7). But, the turning point comes when we echo His words: “Not my will, but yours.”

This kind of prayer reorients us. It reminds us that God’s plan is good, even when it is not what we would choose. It frees us from the tyranny of our own plans and plants us firmly in His care. And friends, that’s where peace lives – even in the storm (Phil 4:6-7).

The Challenge of Making Time

Now, let’s get very practical. It is one thing to say, “Pray for wisdom” or “Pray like Jesus.” It is another to actually do it. In the thick of crisis, chiseling out time to pray for God’s will above our own desires feels like a battle. The phone rings, the to-do list grows, and our emotions scream in distraction. Possibly we all have been here.

But here’s the truth: prayer is not a luxury we simply squeeze in when we can. It is the foundation upon which we build a godly response. So, how do we make it happen? Start small if you need to – five minutes of quiet, a whispered plea as you drive, rehearse a verse like Psalm 25:4-5 (“Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths”) scribbled on a sticky note. Bring your crisis to God, ask for wisdom, and surrender your will to His. God may not change the situation, but He will change you in it.

For each of us, the challenge is simple: pray! Not just once, not just when you are desperate, but as a habit of dependence on the God who sees you. Begin today, right where you are. Take a moment today and talk to God in prayer. Ask for wisdom. Yield to His will. Trust that He’s working in you in your situation, even when you have a hard time seeing it.