We join with you in this desire to not follow your own personal goals but to be led by the Lord, and we thank God that you have come in Jesus' name, for it is only through Him that we have access to the Father.
We hear your heart in Proverbs 29:18, and we want to gently bring the full counsel of Scripture to this verse so your seeking is grounded in truth. In the World English Bible that verse says Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint, but one who keeps the law is blessed. The vision spoken of there is not primarily a mystical picture or personal dream, but the revealed word and counsel of God. Without God revealing Himself and His will through His word, people wander without restraint and perish. With His revelation and obedience to it, there is life and blessing. So your prayer is right at its core, you are asking not to live by your own understanding but by what God reveals.
We rejoice that you quoted James 1:17, Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow. We cling to that same truth that our Father does not change like shifting shadows, and we can trust Him to lead us faithfully. We also remember Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. And Psalm 32:8, I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will counsel you with my eye on you.
We do want to encourage you with balance from Scripture about visions. God certainly has given visions in the past and has promised in Acts 2:17, It will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams. Yet we are also told in Hebrews 1:1-2 that God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, and in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. This means we do not need to chase a visionary experience to know God's will, we seek God Himself, and He speaks most clearly and surely through His written word, confirmed by His Spirit, through prayer, and through godly counsel. Any vision or impression must be tested against Scripture, for 1 John 4:1 tells us to test the spirits whether they are of God. We lovingly caution you not to make personal goals or even the desire for a vision an idol, but to surrender all to Christ and let Him define the vision for your life, which will always align with holiness, obedience, and love for Him and for others.
We also rejoice that you desire a God given vision rather than mere personal ambition, for Jeremiah 29:11 says For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future. When we delight ourselves in the Lord and abide in His word, He shapes our desires to match His purposes.
So we pray together with you now.
Heavenly Father, we thank You that You are the Father of lights with whom there is no variation nor turning shadow, and that every good and perfect gift comes from Your hand. We thank You that You have not left us without revelation, but have given us Your word and Your Son, and Your Holy Spirit to guide us. Lord, we lift up this dear one to You who longs to see with Your eyes and not merely pursue personal goals. Purify this heart, Lord, and remove any striving or selfish ambition. Give clarity and revelation according to Your will, not for spectacle but for obedience. Teach and instruct in the way to go, counsel with Your eye upon us, and make the path straight as we trust You with all our heart. If it pleases You to give a vision, dream, or clear direction, let it be unmistakably from You, confirmed by Scripture, bearing the fruit of peace and holiness, and let it be received with humility and obedience. Above all, give a deeper love for Jesus Christ Himself, that knowing Him would be the greatest vision of all. Help this life to be one that keeps Your law and walks in Your blessing. We ask that You fulfill what You have purposed, for Your glory and for good. We pray all these things in the mighty and powerful name of Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.
