Are you curious about what the Bible has to say about being prepared? In this series about creating a Family Emergency Preparedness Plan, we’re looking at valuable lessons and uncovering practical strategies so that you can plan and be prepared for whatever comes your way. Today I’m sharing a list of Bible verses about being prepared.

The concept of preparedness is prevalent in both our modern society and the pages of the Bible. Being ready for various situations is a principle that’s been around for ages and continues to hold importance today.

For Christian women and homemakers, who take on many roles in their daily lives, understanding the biblical perspective on being prepared can offer both practical and spiritual guidance. The Bible sheds light on the importance of preparing and planning ahead.

Join me as we explore what the Scriptures have to say about being prepared and ready, both for our daily challenges and our spiritual journey.

20 Bible Verses about Being Prepared

If you’ve ever wondered what the Bible says about preparedness, I’m sharing 20 verses about this topic below.

What the Bible Says About Preparedness

1. Proverbs 6:6-8: Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.
2. Proverbs 21:20: Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.
3. Proverbs 24:27: Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.
4. Luke 14:28-30: For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’
5. Matthew 25:1-13: The Parable of the Ten Virgins emphasizes being prepared for Christ’s return. The five wise virgins took oil in their vessels with their lamps, while the five foolish did not. When the bridegroom came, only those who were prepared went in with him.
6. 1 Peter 3:15: But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.
7. Ephesians 6:13-17: Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
8. 2 Timothy 4:2: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
9. Genesis 41:33-36: Here, Joseph suggests storing up grain during the seven years of plenty to be prepared for the seven years of famine. It’s a great example of foresight and planning.
10. Amos 4:12: Therefore thus will I do to you, O Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel!
11. Proverbs 22:3: The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
12. Exodus 12:11: This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the Lord’s Passover.
13. Matthew 24:44: So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
14. Proverbs 30:25: Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer.
15. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6: For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.
16. Luke 12:35-40: Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
17. 1 Corinthians 16:13: Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
18. Proverbs 27:12: The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the naive continue on and suffer the penalty.
19. Hebrews 11:7: By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.
20. 2 Chronicles 31:21: In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.

Remember, being prepared is not just about the here and now; it’s about setting a solid foundation for your faith journey. While being physically prepared and doing what you are able is important, being spiritually prepared is the only thing we can truly count on. I’m thankful that while we face an uncertain future, we serve a God who knows the beginning from the end and we can trust Him always.

More Preparedness Resources

• Family Preparedness Plan: A Guide for Homemakers
• Being Prepared and The Proverbs 31 Woman
• The Second Coming of Christ