Prayer for patience

“Lord, our God! Strengthen our faith so that patience may be with us. By your patience, we live. By your patience, we walk.

Give us the patience to persist in our goals. Keep us from sin and make us an instrument of your peace and love.

Help us, in your mercy, to learn tolerance so that we may be in your peace. It is through your patience that hope enlightens us and understanding arises in the depths of our souls.

We are grateful for all the gifts with which you enrich our lives, but we ask you to protect us with patience with one another, so that we may be with you, as much as you are with us today and always. Amen.“

Patience is a virtue that often seems unattainable in a world marked by haste, immediate demands, and the constant search for quick results. However, the prayer presented here—“O Lord, our God! Strengthen our faith, that patience may be with us…”—offers a profound reflection on the role of patience in the Christian life. It invites us to recognize that patience is not just a human quality, but a divine gift that comes from God. As we analyze each phrase of this prayer, we will explore its theological meanings, its practical implications, and its relevance to our spiritual journey.

“Lord, our God! Strengthen our faith so that patience may be with us.”

The prayer begins with a direct invocation to God, acknowledging Him as Lord and Creator. This approach reflects the centrality of God in our lives and the total dependence we must have on Him. The first petition— “Strengthen our faith so that patience may be with us” — establishes an essential connection between faith and patience.

In the Bible, faith and patience are closely linked. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the substance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Patience, in turn, is the ability to wait confidently for God's promises, even when they are not yet visible. James 1:3-4 teaches that the testing of faith produces perseverance, and this perseverance must be carried out until it reaches its fullness.

Therefore, asking God to strengthen our faith so that patience may be with us is to recognize that we are incapable of developing these qualities on our own. It is necessary for the Holy Spirit to work within us, shaping our character and enabling us to face life’s challenges with calm and confidence.

“By your patience we live. By your patience we walk.”

These two phrases highlight our absolute dependence on God’s patience. He is the upholder of all things (Hebrews 1:3), and His patience is the foundation upon which our existence rests. Romans 2:4 reminds us that it is by God’s patience and kindness that we are led to repentance. If God were not patient with us, we would have no opportunity to grow spiritually or experience His saving grace.

The idea that we “live” and “walk” because of God’s patience underscores that our entire Christian journey is grounded in His mercy. In Lamentations 3:22-23, the prophet Jeremiah declares: “It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, for his compassions never come to an end; they are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.” This truth should fill us with gratitude and humility, reminding us that everything we are and have comes from God.

Furthermore, these words challenge us to imitate God's patience in our dealings with others. Ephesians 4:2 exhorts Christians to “bear with one another in love,” demonstrating patience even in the face of failures and differences.

“Give us the patience to persist in our goals.”

Here, the prayer addresses the importance of patience in our purposes and goals. Many times, we give up on our dreams and projects because the results take time to appear. However, this petition reminds us that patience is essential to achieving any worthy goal.

In Galatians 6:9, Paul writes: “And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up.” This verse reinforces the idea that patience is essential to reaping the fruits of our efforts. Just as a farmer needs to wait patiently for the harvest after sowing, we also need to trust that God will fulfill His plans in our time.

Asking God to grant us patience to persist in our goals is an acknowledgement that our strength and determination come from Him. Without His help, we can easily succumb to discouragement and frustration. But with His guidance, we can keep moving forward, knowing that He is with us every step of the way.

“Keep us from sin and make us an instrument of your peace and love.”

This part of the prayer expresses a deep desire for sanctification and service. Asking God to keep us from sin is an acknowledgement of our vulnerability to human temptations and weaknesses. Psalm 119:11 reminds us that hiding God’s Word in our hearts is essential to avoiding sin. Furthermore, James 4:7 instructs us to resist the devil, knowing that he will flee from us.

At the same time, the prayer asks God to transform us into instruments of His peace and love. This reflects Jesus’ call in Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Being an instrument of peace means seeking reconciliation, promoting harmony and spreading the love of Christ everywhere.

This duality—being kept from evil and being used for good—is central to the Christian life. We must constantly seek to purify our hearts while making ourselves available to serve others with compassion and kindness.

“Help us, in your mercy, to learn tolerance so that we may be in your peace.”

Here, the prayer emphasizes the importance of tolerance as a means of achieving inner and communal peace. Tolerance does not mean approving wrong behavior, but rather exercising patience and understanding toward the imperfections of others. Ephesians 4:32 exhorts us to be “kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.”

Learning tolerance is a process that requires humility and self-control. Proverbs 19:11 states: “A man's discretion defers anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression.” This biblical wisdom reminds us that patience and tolerance are marks of spiritual maturity.

Furthermore, being “in your peace” suggests that genuine peace can only be found in fellowship with God. John 14:27 says: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” When we seek God's peace, we find tranquility even in the midst of adversity.

“It is through your patience that hope enlightens us and understanding arises in the depths of our soul.”

This phrase connects God’s patience with hope and spiritual understanding. God’s patience is the foundation upon which our hope is built. Romans 8:25 teaches us that if we hope for what we do not see, we wait patiently. This hope is not vague or uncertain, but is grounded in God’s unfailing promises.

The “understanding that arises in the inward parts of the soul” refers to the spiritual revelation that God grants to those who seek His presence. Isaiah 26:3 states: “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” When we allow God to teach us through His patience, we begin to better understand His plans and purposes for our lives.

This spiritual understanding brings clarity and direction, helping us navigate life’s challenges with wisdom and discernment. It also enables us to see beyond our present circumstances, keeping our eyes fixed on eternity.

“We are grateful for all the gifts with which you enrich our lives, but we ask you to protect us with patience with one another, so that we may be with you, as you are with us today and always. Amen.”

The prayer concludes with an expression of gratitude and a final petition. Recognizing the gifts God has given us is an essential practice in maintaining a perspective of gratitude. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 instructs us to “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

However, the prayer goes beyond personal gratitude, asking God to preserve patience between us and others. This reflects the importance of interpersonal relationships in the Christian life. Colossians 3:13 reminds us: “Bear with one another and forgive one another if anyone has a grievance against someone. Just as the Lord forgave you, so you also must forgive.”

Finally, the prayer expresses the desire to be in constant communion with God. The phrase “as much as you are with us today and always” echoes Jesus' promise in Matthew 28:20: “And behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” This assurance should comfort and encourage us, reminding us that God never abandons us.

Conclusion

The Prayer of Patience is an inspiring model of communicating with God. It combines worship, confession, petition, and gratitude, reflecting a God-centered life. Each phrase of this prayer invites us to trust in God’s patience, seek His guidance, and cultivate patience in our own lives.

May we incorporate these principles into our daily prayers, asking God to strengthen our faith, free us from sin, and transform us into instruments of His peace. May we learn to practice tolerance and wait patiently for God’s promises. And above all, may we live in communion with God, trusting that He is with us at all times.

Amen.