prayer for guidance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prayer for guidance" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where someone is seeking direction or wisdom, often in a spiritual or reflective manner. Example: "Before making the important decision, she offered a prayer for guidance." Alternative expressions include "request for direction" and "plea for wisdom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

After some prayer for guidance, I realized that these spaces were not really churches.

Huffington Post

Baker told ABC that she reached a point in her life last year when she was no longer satisfied with her job or her love life, and turned to prayer for guidance.

Huffington Post

The determinist will still select the fish over the wood pigeon, he or she just will not cast the runes seeking instruction, offer up a quick prayer for guidance, or invoke this as proof of either God or free will.

British Journal of Social Psychology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"If anything, they earned my prayers for guidance and mercy from God to guide them," she said. .

Huffington Post

In an episode that King saw as a turning point, he receives a phone call threatening his family and sits at his kitchen table in doubt and prayer, looking for guidance.

The New York Times

"Only a prayer for Divine guidance which Judge Bradley uttered as he knelt in the dust of a country road sobered the mob," reported the Pittsburgh Press, decrying the event as a harbinger of "open revolution".

Vice

You may ask for general well-wishing prayers, or for guidance from God for something specific you are struggling with in your walk with God.

WikiHow

During an opening prayer, he asked for guidance to root out violence, bigotry and racism.

The Guardian

He could always be counted on to provide those granite qualities to the countless people who relied on them when it mattered the most".. "We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Chicago's Catholics and everyone grieving the loss of Cardinal George, including the many members and supporters of SNAP who are faithful Catholics who relied on George for guidance and prayer.

Los Angeles Times

Ask for guidance through prayer and be open and honest with all your desires to Christ.

WikiHow

It was a prayer from my girlhood, a prayer for peace and comfort and guidance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prayer for guidance", consider the context and ensure it aligns with the overall tone and message. It is best used when referring to seeking help or direction in a spiritual or reflective manner.

Common error

Avoid using "prayer for guidance" in purely secular contexts where a more general phrase like "seeking advice" or "looking for direction" would be more appropriate. The term carries a religious connotation that may not be suitable for all situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prayer for guidance" functions as a noun phrase. It commonly acts as the object of a verb (e.g., offer, seek) or follows a preposition (e.g., in, during). Ludwig examples show it denoting the act of seeking help or direction from a higher power.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prayer for guidance" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express seeking direction or support from a spiritual source. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use across various contexts, from news to personal reflection. While generally neutral in tone, its formality can vary. It's important to consider the context and audience to ensure appropriateness. Ludwig's analysis confirms the phrase's common usage, although alternatives may be preferable in secular settings. The related phrases offer a variety of ways to express the same sentiment with different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeking divine direction

Replaces "prayer" with "seeking" and "guidance" with "divine direction", emphasizing a more active search for direction.

asking for spiritual insight

Substitutes "prayer" with "asking" and "guidance" with "spiritual insight", focusing on gaining understanding from a spiritual source.

requesting celestial guidance

Replaces "prayer" with "requesting" and "guidance" with "celestial guidance", suggesting guidance from a higher power or the heavens.

entreating for divine counsel

Replaces "prayer" with "entreating" which sounds slightly more formal, and "guidance" with "divine counsel", which focuses on advice.

soliciting heavenly advice

Replaces "prayer" with "soliciting" and "guidance" with "heavenly advice", which implies active seeking of advice from a divine source.

appealing for higher wisdom

Substitutes "prayer" with "appealing", and "guidance" with "higher wisdom", emphasizing the desire for profound understanding.

beseeching for spiritual leading

Replaces "prayer" with "beseeching" which sound slightly more emotional, and "guidance" with "spiritual leading", highlighting the desire to be led spiritually.

imploring for sacred direction

Replaces "prayer" with "imploring" which sounds urgent, and "guidance" with "sacred direction", focusing on the sanctity of the direction sought.

seeking enlightenment through faith

Replaces "prayer for guidance" with a phrase that emphasizes the process and source of enlightenment.

looking for direction from above

Replaces "prayer for guidance" with a phrase that highlights the source of the direction.

FAQs

How can I use "prayer for guidance" in a sentence?

You can use "prayer for guidance" in sentences like: "Before making a significant decision, she offered a prayer for guidance", or "He turned to prayer for guidance during a difficult time".

What are some alternatives to "prayer for guidance"?

Some alternatives include "seeking divine direction", "asking for spiritual insight", or "requesting celestial guidance", depending on the specific context.

Is "prayer for guidance" formal or informal?

The level of formality depends on the context. It's generally appropriate in religious or spiritual settings. In secular contexts, alternatives like "seeking advice" may be more suitable.

When is it appropriate to use "prayer for guidance"?

It's appropriate when seeking spiritual or divine help in making decisions, overcoming challenges, or understanding a situation. However, consider your audience and the setting to ensure it aligns with their beliefs and expectations.