Divine Direction

#1. Hearing and Following God’s Voice

Hearing and following God’s voice is essential for every believer’s journey. In a world full of noise and distractions, it’s important to stay connected to God’s guidance, which leads us on the right path. The Bible promises in Psalm 32:8 (TPT) that God will instruct us and guide us along the way, and in John 10:27, Jesus tells us that His sheep know His voice. But hearing God’s voice requires being intentional—seeking Him, listening, and responding to what He says.

We see powerful examples of this in the life of Daniel. When faced with the pressure of interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Daniel didn’t rush for human advice. Instead, he sought God earnestly, and God revealed the secret to him in a vision (Daniel 2:19). Daniel was sensitive to God’s voice and responded with thanksgiving. This teaches us the importance of seeking God first in times of uncertainty and trusting Him to reveal His plans.

Another example is when Daniel warned King Nebuchadnezzar to change his ways after receiving a message from God (Daniel 4:24-27). Though the king heard the message, he didn’t follow through, and it led to his downfall. This reminds us that hearing God’s voice is not enough; we must also act on it.
Lastly, in Daniel 7:1, Daniel received a vision from God and made sure to write it down. This shows us the importance of being intentional about capturing what God speaks to us, so we can remember and follow His direction, even when it’s challenging.

In our own lives, we must ask God to help us stay sensitive to His voice. It’s about being open to His guidance, tuning out distractions, and being obedient to what He says, knowing that His direction always leads us to the best outcome. Let’s remain connected to God’s voice, trusting Him to guide us through every step of our journey.

Here are some key scriptures:

• Scriptures:
  • Psalm 32:8-9 (TPT)
  • John 10:27
  • Isaiah 30:21

Hearing and Following God’s Voice

• Verse: Daniel 2:19 (NKJV) – “Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven.”
• Application: Daniel was sensitive to God’s voice and sought Him earnestly when faced with the challenge of interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. When God spoke to Daniel through a vision, he recognized it as God’s guidance and responded with gratitude. We too can learn to be attuned to hearing and following God’s voice, even in moments of great pressure.

Hearing and Following God’s Voice

• Verse: Daniel 4:24-27 (NIV) – “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king… Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed.”
• Application: Daniel faithfully relayed God’s message to King Nebuchadnezzar, urging him to follow God’s direction by renouncing his sins and practicing righteousness. Although the king initially heard this divine warning, he failed to follow God’s voice, leading to his downfall. The theme of hearing and following God’s voice is central to this story, as Nebuchadnezzar’s failure to heed the warning demonstrates the consequences of ignoring divine direction

Hearing and Following God’s Voice

• Verse: Daniel 7:1 (NIV) – “In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying in bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream.”
• Application: Daniel received this vision directly from God, showing that he was attuned to hearing and understanding God’s communication through dreams and visions. His obedience to write down and record the vision reflects the importance of hearing and following God’s voice when He reveals His divine plans, even when they seem mysterious or difficult to interpret.

Prayer – Hearing and Following God’s Voice

1. Psalm 32:8 (TPT) – “I hear the Lord saying, ‘I will stay close to you, instructing and guiding you along the pathway for your life. I will advise you along the way and lead you forth with my eyes as your guide.’

• Prayer: Father, thank you for your promise to stay close to me, instructing and guiding me along the pathway of my life. Help me stay close to you, always sensitive to your instruction and leading. Father, according to Your promise advise me concerning ……. I receive the grace to follow your direction without hesitation. In the name of Jesus, amen.
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2. John 10:27 (NKJV) – “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

• Prayer: Lord, thank you for the assurance that I am known by you. Help me discern your voice clearly amidst the noise of life. Give me the grace to follow your guidance, knowing that you lead me into peace and safety. In the name of Jesus, amen
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3. Isaiah 30:21 (NIV) – “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'”

• Prayer: Heavenly Father, I ask for the clarity to recognize your voice in every situation. Grant me the wisdom to hear You clearly and to walk in the way You are leading me. even when the path seems uncertain. In the name of Jesus, amen
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4. Daniel 2:19 (NKJV) – “Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven.”

• Prayer: Father, as you revealed secrets to Daniel, I pray for divine revelations in my life. Open my heart to receive your guidance in times of challenge. Concerning this situation (mention them) let secrets be revealed to me. My response is to bless You and act according to Your instructions. In the name of Jesus, amen
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5. Daniel 4:24-27 (NIV) – “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king… Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed.”

• Prayer: Father, help me renounce anything in my life that blocks me from hearing and following your voice. Give me the humility to heed your warnings and walk in righteousness. In the name of Jesus, amen
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6. Daniel 7:1 (NIV) – “In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying in bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream.”

• Prayer: Father, help me to be sensitive to Your voice in every way You choose to speak, whether through dreams, visions, or Your Word. Give me the discipline to capture and follow through on the instructions You give in the name of Jesus.
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#2. Making Right Choices

Life is full of big and small decisions, and our choices shape our future. The Bible gives us wisdom on how to make the right choices, guiding us to seek God’s direction in every decision. Proverbs 19:20 reminds us to listen to advice and accept correction so that we can grow wise. Yet, we must also be aware of decisions that seem right but lead to the wrong path. (Proverbs 14:12).

Making the right choices isn’t always easy, especially when we’re faced with pressure or tempting shortcuts. Daniel’s story gives us practical examples. When he and his friends chose to follow God’s dietary laws in Daniel 1:12-13, they decided to honour God, even though it might have been hard. That decision brought them favour. Later, when Daniel was faced with the threat of death, he made the choice to pray and seek God’s revelation rather than acting impulsively (Daniel 2:16). And when Daniel was told he couldn’t pray to God or he would face the lion’s den, he made the bold decision to continue honouring God in prayer, trusting Him completely (Daniel 6:10).

These events show that making the right choices sometimes means standing firm in faith, even when the world pushes us in a different direction. It’s about seeking God’s wisdom and trusting His plan for our lives. As we pray, we ask God to help us make choices that align with His will, to guide us away from wrong associations, and to give us the strength to follow through with the right decisions, no matter the cost.

In every decision, big or small, let’s commit to seeking God’s wisdom and trusting His direction, knowing that His way always leads to life and blessing.

• Here are some scriptures for your meditation:
• • Proverbs 19:20
  • Proverbs 14:12
  • Proverbs 13:20
  • Psalm 119:133

Making Right Choices

• Verse: Daniel 1:12-13 (NKJV) – “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you.”
• Application: Daniel and his friends made a bold choice to follow God’s dietary laws even though it was not the easiest decision to make considering the fact that they were in captivity. The result of their decision is in v 15 “And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies.”

Making Right Choices

• Verse: Daniel 2:16 (NIV) – “At this, Daniel went into the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him.”
• Application: Faced with the threat of execution, Daniel made the right choice to seek time to pray and ask for divine revelation rather than act hastily. This decision showed trust in God’s direction and led to the revelation of the king’s dream. His choice to depend on God’s wisdom rather than his own understanding reflects the importance of making choices aligned with divine guidance.

Making Right Choices

• Verse: Daniel 6:10 (NIV) – “…he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”
• Application: Faced with the decree that no one should pray to any god or human except the king, Daniel made the right choice to continue praying to the One true God. His decision to honour God rather than submit to the king’s decree reflects the importance of making righteous choices, even in the face of danger

Prayer Points For Making The Right Choices

1. Proverbs 19:20 (NIV) – “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.”

• Prayer: Father, grant me the humility to listen to wise counsel and accept correction. Help me make decisions that reflect Your wisdom and lead me to paths that bring success in alignment with Your plan for my life. In the name of Jesus, amen

2. Proverbs 14:12 (NIV) – “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”

• Prayer: Lord, protect me from the deception of choices that seem right in my own eyes but lead to destruction. Give me discernment to see beyond appearances and make decisions that align with Your truth. In the name of Jesus, amen

3. Proverbs 13:20 (NIV) – “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”

• Prayer: Father, open my eyes to recognize the right people to walk with. Lead me away from wrong associations that may influence my decisions negatively, and surround me with wise and godly counsel that will help me make choices that honour You. In the name of Jesus, amen
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4. Psalm 119:133 (NIV) – “Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.”

• Prayer: Lord, order my steps according to your Word. Help me to make choices that reflect Your will and let no sin or temptation lead me astray. Guide me in the path of righteousness.
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5. Daniel 1:12-13 (NKJV) – “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you.”

• Prayer: Father, give me the courage to make decisions that honour You, even when they go against the norm.

 6. Daniel 2:16 (NIV) – “At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him.”

• Prayer: Lord, in moments of pressure and challenge, help me to pause and seek Your guidance before acting. Teach me to make decisions in faith, trusting in Your wisdom and timing rather than relying on my own understanding.

7. Daniel 6:10 (NIV) – “…he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”

• Prayer: Father, strengthen my resolve to make righteous choices, even in the face of opposition. Give me the boldness to seek You first and remain faithful to You, regardless of the pressures or consequences. In the name of Jesus, amen

#3. Overcoming Aimless Pursuits and Deception

Our life’s journey is filled with distractions that can lead us down paths of aimless pursuits or even deception. These aimless pursuits may seem like good opportunities at first, but they can pull us away from God’s purpose for our lives. The Bible warns us about this in
1 Corinthians 9:26, where we are reminded not to run aimlessly but with purpose. We are also cautioned in 2 Corinthians 11:3 about being deceived as Eve was, and Jesus himself warns in Matthew 24:4 to stay vigilant so we don’t fall into deception.

To overcome these distractions and stay focused on what truly matters, we must hold on to God’s wisdom and seek His direction daily. Daniel is a great example of someone who overcame both aimless pursuits and deception. When he and his friends refused to follow the ways of the Babylonian magicians and enchanters, they chose instead to pursue God’s wisdom, and God granted them a favour. Likewise, when Daniel was faced with life-threatening challenges, he remained focused on God, avoiding the deception of the world around him.

Just like Daniel, we must reject worldly distractions and commit to following God’s plan. Whether it’s the lure of success, power, or fitting in with the crowd, we are to remain vigilant and grounded in God’s truth. As we pray, we should ask God to deliver us from aimless pursuits and to protect us from deception, trusting that He will guide us in the right direction and help us make choices that align with His purpose.

• Here are some key scriptures for your meditation:
  • 1 Corinthians 9:26
  • 2 Corinthians 11:3
  • Matthew 24:4
  • 1 Timothy 4:1

Overcoming Aimless Pursuits and Deception

• Verse: Daniel 1:20 (ESV) – “And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom.”
• Application: Daniel and his friends did not follow the ways of the magicians or enchanters but pursued the wisdom that came from God. They avoided aimless pursuits and the deception of the Babylonian culture by holding fast to God’s wisdom and direction. Their pursuit was focused and intentional, leading to divine favour.
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Overcoming Aimless Pursuits and Deception

• Verse: Daniel 2:27-28 (NIV) – “Daniel replied, ‘No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.'”

• Application: Daniel acknowledged that no human wisdom or aimless pursuit of magic could reveal the king’s dream. He overcame the deception of the Babylonian magicians and pointed directly to God as the only source of true wisdom. Our prayer is to avoid deception and aimless pursuits by relying on God’s direction. The Bible tells us to repent from dead works. Let us pray that we will not pursue things that have no value, rolling stones that gather no moss. Having an appearance of busyness but nothing to show for it.
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Overcoming Aimless Pursuits and Deception

• Verse: Daniel 6:7 (NIV) – “The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den.”
• Application: The officials sought to deceive the king and trap Daniel by creating a law they knew Daniel would not obey. However, Daniel was not deceived or drawn into aimless pursuits of self-preservation. Instead, he stayed true to his faith and continued to seek God. In the times we are in, there are laws and decrees issued that clearly go against the will of God. These laws have consequenced when not adhered to. A few years ago churches were forced to choose between accepting the LGBTQ community or loose grants. Some churches made the bold decision to let go of those needed grants and preserve their kingdom values, while some others succumbed.
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Overcoming Aimless Pursuits and Deception

• Verse: Daniel 7:18 (NIV) – “But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever—yes, forever and ever.”
• Application: In contrast to the chaotic rise and fall of the kingdoms represented by the beasts, Daniel’s vision points to the eternal stability and truth of God’s kingdom. In all that we are doing we must never lose sight of life hereafter. We must focus should focus on the lasting kingdom of God rather than being deceived by the temporary, aimless pursuits of earthly kingdoms. May God help us all.

Prayers to Overcome Aimless Pursuits

1. 1 Corinthians 9:26 (NIV) – “Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.”

• Prayer: Father, deliver me from aimless pursuits. Help me to run with purpose and clarity in every area of my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

2. 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NIV) – “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”

• Prayer: Lord, protect my heart and mind from deception. Keep me from being led astray by the enemy or by distractions that pull me away from my devotion to you.

 3. Matthew 24:4 (NIV) – “Jesus answered: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you.'”

• Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me stay vigilant and discerning. Give me the wisdom to recognize false teachings and deceptive paths, so I may not be misled. Open my eyes to the truth and keep me grounded in Your Word. In his journey of life Father, deliver me from deceptive people in Jesus’ name.

4. 1 Timothy 4:1 (NIV) – “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”

• Prayer: Father, help me remain steadfast in my faith. Guard my heart against the teachings of deceiving spirits and protect me from being swayed by false doctrines. Keep me rooted in the truth of Your Word.

5. Daniel 1:20 (ESV) – “And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom.”

• Prayer: Lord, grant me wisdom and understanding that surpasses the wisdom of the world. Help me avoid the aimless pursuits and deceptions of this age, and instead, pursue your wisdom that leads to favour and success. In the name of Jesus.

6. Daniel 2:27-28 (NIV) – “Daniel replied, ‘No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.'”

• Prayer: Father, I acknowledge that only you can reveal the mysteries of life. Keep me from chasing after false wisdom or aimless pursuits. Help me rely solely on your divine guidance and trust in your revelation for my life.

7. Daniel 6:7 (NIV) – “The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict… that anyone who prays… shall be thrown into the lions’ den.”

• Prayer: Lord, when faced with the schemes of the enemy, give me the strength to stand firm in my faith. Protect me from deception, and let me not compromise my relationship with you, even in the face of danger. I overcome every deception of he enemy by he blood of Jesus.

8. Daniel 7:18 (NIV) – “But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever—yes, forever and ever.”

• Prayer: Father, help me keep my eyes fixed on your eternal kingdom. Guard me from being consumed by the temporary, aimless pursuits of this world. Let me live with the understanding that your kingdom is everlasting, and may I invest my life in what truly lasts. Amen.

Conclusion and Thanksgiving:

As we conclude this Prayer Watch on Divine Direction, let us take a moment to give thanks to God for His ever-present guidance and faithfulness. We thank Him for speaking to us, for leading us with clarity, and for aligning our hearts with His perfect will. Like Daniel, we can trust that as we have sought Him in prayer, He has heard us and will continue to reveal His path for our lives.

Father, we are grateful for your wisdom, for the peace that comes with knowing you are leading us, and for the confidence that you will guide us in every decision we make. We thank you for protecting us from deception and for directing our steps toward your purpose. As we go forward, we commit to staying sensitive to your voice. We trust, in your timing, and walk in obedience to your Word. Thank you, Lord, for the divine direction that brings clarity, peace, and purpose to our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Invitation to Join Communion Hour

As we conclude our prayer watch, I invite you to join me and other Watchers as we break bread together in a special time of communion. Breaking bread is a powerful reminder of the covenant we have with Christ, and it seals every prayer and declaration we have made this weekend. Together, we will partake in the Lord’s Supper, trust in His sacrifice and rejoice in the assurance that He will direct us. 

I will be live on Facebook and YouTube on Friday, September 6th, at 1 PM EST/ 6 PM WAT (Nigeria).

All handles are @thewatchersprayerministry.