Scriptures and Prayer to Smooth Out the Path Ahead

There may be times in our lives where we are on a bumpy road or know we are headed for one. God never promises that we won’t have trouble or problems (Jesus warned us we would in John 16:33). However, he does promise us that he will never leave us alone and that we can rely on his presence and help through the troubles. We may still have to take that path, but he can smooth out the path ahead.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)

“…for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]. So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6 (AMPC)

The Lord tells us throughout scripture that he can smooth out the path ahead for the righteous. The Holy Spirit has reminded me of these verses on several occasions when I was preparing to encounter something difficult ahead, and he prompted me to pray these scriptures back to God. There is power is praying with scripture to back up the prayers!

Scriptures about how God will smooth out the path ahead

There are several verses God making rough places smooth. Some specifically say, “smooth out the path ahead” or “make the rough places smooth”. Others say he will make things level, make paths straight, or straighten things that are crooked or curved. Basically, the messages are that he will make things smooth, level, straight, and remove some of the obstacles or things in the way. In essence, he can make the road a little easier.

Smooth paths

“But for those who are righteous, the way is not steep and rough. You are a God who does what is right, and you smooth out the path ahead of them.” Isaiah 26:7 (NLT)

“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16 (NIV)

“I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars.” Isaiah 45:2 (NASB)

“And I will make my mountains into level paths for them. The highways will be raised above the valleys.” Isaiah 49:11 (NLT)

“Go out through the gates! Prepare the highway for my people to return! Smooth out the road; pull out the boulders; raise a flag for all the nations to see. The LORD has sent this message to every land: “Tell the people of Israel, ‘Look, your Savior is coming. See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.’” Isaiah 62:10-11 (NLT)

Preparing the way for the Lord

Parts of scripture mention smoothing out paths to prepare for the coming of the Lord and for His salvation. It states that the crooked roads will become straight, the rough ways become smooth, and all the people will see God’s salvation. God will smooth out the path ahead, and this will be a living testimony of God’s grace, love, and multi-faceted salvation. This will point people to God, and He will receive praise because of it.

“A voice of one crying out: Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. Every valley will be lifted up, and every mountain and hill will be leveled; the uneven ground will become smooth and the rough places, a plain. And the glory of the Lord will appear, and all humanity together will see it, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 40:3-5 (CSB)

“The valleys will be filled, and the mountains and hills made level. The curves will be straightened, and the rough places made smooth.” Luke 3:5 (NLT) (*See also Matthew 3:3, Mark 1:3, John 1:23)

“As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God’s salvation.’” Luke 3:4-6 (NIV)

Straight level paths (other places or versions say)

Parts of scripture declare that the Lord will make our paths straight or level. It even addresses how God establishes and blesses paths and removes obstacles. Below you will find some of these scriptures (some listed more than once in a different translation).

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.” Psalm 107:6-7 (NIV)

“They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son.” Jeremiah 31:9 (NIV)

“The path of the righteous is level; you make level the way of the righteous.” Isaiah 26:7 (ESV)

“The path of the righteous is level; you clear a straight path for the righteous.” Isaiah 26:7 (CSB)

“Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.” Psalm 27:11 (ESV)

“Teach me your way, LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.” Psalm 27:11 (NIV)

“The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the LORD, And He delights in his way [and blesses his path].” Psalm 37:23 (AMP)

“LORD, lead me in your righteousness because of those who wait to ambush me, remove the obstacles in the way in which you are guiding me!” Psalm 5:8 (NET)

Take Some Practical Steps to Pray to Smooth Out the Path Ahead:

Prayer is extremely powerful and produces results (James 5:16)!  Here is a prayer that you can pray to God during times where the road ahead might be potentially rough or problematic for you or someone you know and love. This prayer is based upon the scriptures listed above.

• First, pray this prayer (below) on behalf of yourself or others (insert “me”, another person’s name, “him”, “her”, “them”, etc.). Additionally, feel free to screenshot this prayer or image to save and use for future reference.

Prayer to Smooth Out the Path Ahead

Lord,

I pray that you will smooth out the path ahead of _____, and please make the rough places smooth. Lead and guide me/them along unfamiliar paths. Help me/them to trust you, lean on you, and obey you so that you will make my/their paths straight and level. Please order and direct my/their steps and bless the path ahead of me/them. I ask that you remove any obstacles in the way in which you are guiding me/them. I know with you Lord that the crooked roads can become straight and the rough ways can become smooth and all the people will see your salvation. This will be a living testimony of your grace, love, and multi-faceted salvation. This will point people to you, and you will receive praise because of it. Help these next steps to be smooth and peaceful as I/they walk along this difficult path. I ask this is Jesus’ name, Amen.

• Next, forward this prayer to others that you know that may find this prayer helpful or encouraging and/or to let them know that you are praying this on their behalf.

• Finally, feel free to check out these other posts with prayers and scriptures that might also be helpful:

Scriptures for Troubling Times

Scriptures for When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed

Prayer for a Time of Crisis

Scriptures About Direction From God

A Prayer for Caregivers

Scriptures for Waiting on God

Scriptures About Hope

Prayer for Your Finances

Praying a Hedge of Protection

Scriptures to Help When You Feel Attacked or Persecuted

Scriptures About the Lord is My Helper

What areas do you need God to smooth out the path ahead of you?  Share it with us by leaving a comment below. 

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If you have benefited from this post or if you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward and share this post with them via the sharing links below! “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)