#965 Praying for One’s Academic Work

Dr. craig’s response

This is a question that I’ve wondered about over the years, Kai. It seems natural to pray to God to help me in my academic study, to give me insights and to guide me to the truth. The problem is that when I look at the work of many other fine, godly scholars, who must also pray about their studies, it’s evident that God is not guiding all of us because we disagree about key issues! It would be the height of presumption for me to think that God is guiding me to my conclusions, but not them.

Therefore, I no longer pray for such things. Rather, I pray for the personality qualities that will enable me to do good academic work. I pray for diligence, for perseverance, for discipline, and so forth. These sorts of personal virtues are things that God will inculcate in us.

From what you say about equations, I take it that you are studying mathematics. I doubt that God will favor you with special mathematical insight that is denied to others. Rather, I would encourage you to pray for those personal qualities that will help you to do first rate work. Obviously, you can thank God for the development of those personality traits that will make you a better mathematician.

It is also important in this connection to differentiate between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is a matter of the propositions that you justifiably believe. But wisdom is the ability to apply appropriately one’s knowledge. The Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Mere head knowledge is not enough. What we really want is wisdom, not merely knowledge. And the Bible promises that “If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him” (James 1.5). That is what you really ought to be praying for!