5 Verses to Pray When You Need to Be Patient

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I can be patient with people most of the time.

It’s a little easier now that our children are grown.

Although, I can still remember how daily demands and interruptions, bad attitudes (theirs and mine) and plain old mom exhaustion made for more than the occasional loss of my desired calm composed kindness.

Yep, being patient with our people, little and grown, is something that challenges us more often than we’d like but that’s not what I’m going to the Lord about today.

The patience I’m praying for is the kind you and I need when we’re waiting on our circumstances to change. When we’ve prayed and prayed and prayed some more. When we’re discouraged and frustrated because…

• the job doesn’t happen.
• the relationship isn’t restored.
• the baby hasn’t arrived.
• the behavior doesn’t change.
• the healing doesn’t occur.
• the bad habit taunts and haunts.
• the loved one continues to reject a relationship with Jesus.
• the loneliness continues.
• the __________________.

We all have circumstances, situations, and attitudes we want to be altered and adjusted. Things we’ve hoped and prayed for … for what seems like forever.

And yes, I see several of my own prayers on that list.

I’ll admit, even though I want to trust God’s timing, I can still grow discouraged and impatient.

I think the problem is…

1. I want God to fix things according to my desires and expectations.
2. I want it now and yesterday would be better.
3. I focus on the problem and not on the Lord.
4. I let my fears and feelings overshadow my faith.

So, I’m going to the Lord and asking Him to help me. I’m stopping to remember the countless prayers He’s answered in the past and I’m surrendering my timeline and asking Him to help me be patient in my current circumstances. I’d love for you to join me.

5 Verses to Pray When You Need to Be Patient

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
    and He turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
    out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
    and steadied me as I walked along.
He has given me a new song to sing,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what He has done and be amazed.
    They will put their trust in the Lord.

Psalm 40:1–3

Father, Forgive me! You have reached down and pulled me out of the pit of despair more times than I can count. And yet, I can so quickly and willingly jump back into that place of despair. Where doubt creeps in and faith trembles.

But when I think of all the ways You have shown me Your love and care. When I remember the countless prayers You’ve answered with blessings. When I recall all the times You’ve given me the strength I needed to be patient on difficult days of waiting … I know I can trust in Your love and faithfulness today.

I surrender my timeline to Your perfect timing. Place my feet on solid ground and fix my heart and mind on Your truth. By the power of Your Spirit, keep me focused in faith on who You are and all You’ve done … singing Your praise and proclaiming Your goodness.

(If we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.) And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.

Romans 8:25–27

Thank you, Father! Thank you! When I am impatient and disheartened, You are with me. Your Spirit within me knows my desires and my needs and when I can no longer put them into words … when I no longer know what or how to pray, Your Spirit prays for me according to Your will.

Please give me confidence as I wait that Your ways and timing are always best! Help me to trust Your plans as I live with faith one day at a time.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

Father, some days it feels like it takes every ounce of my energy to simply put one foot in front of the other but by Your grace, there are days when I have the strength and energy I need to run ahead with hope and courage.

But how I love those days when You help me soar above the challenges and wait with supernatural patience, peace, and strength. Your kindness and goodness overwhelm me. Hold me close and help me trust You to give me what I need right now.

May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.

2 Thessalonians 3:5

Father, Please fill me with a greater understanding of Your perfect love. The battle happening around me is hard. Help me remember that Your grace is sufficient. Help me to stay focused on Jesus, the One who gives and perfects my faith. He has already defeated this enemy. Help me remember how very much You love me!

Give me the patience I need to endure the difficult days. Hold me close and help me cling to the truth of Your Word and faithfully bring everything to You in prayer.

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all His glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father.

Colossians 1:11–12a

Father, You are able to give me everything I need to live with strength each day. You are able to help me endure when my circumstances seem like they are more than I can bear. You are the One who gives me patience when I have none of my own … when it feels like I just can’t wait any longer.

I surrender my impatience to You. Fill me with hope and joy as I trust Your perfect will and timing. You are my confidence today and forever. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Friend, waiting is hard!

But with God’s help, you and I can be patient as we wait. We can trust His perfect timing and love.

Again today!

We can rest in His love.

Be still and know that I am God!

Psalm 46:10a

We can trust His presence.

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us!

Psalm 46:11

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