Being Patient in Prayer

There is something strange that we are all constrained too. It’s called time. God created it, He masters it. He is not stuck in it or rushed by it. We are. At times, like when we are in the room waiting for news about a loved one who has gone into surgery, time seems so painfully long. There’s also when we find ourselves with a tight deadline or when we spend good quality moments with our families and friends. It seems like there could never be enough hours in a day.

Waiting on God can be hard. Especially when expecting the fulfillment of a promise, or an answer to a prayer. Perhaps God has already answered but we have failed to recognize His answer because it doesn’t look like anything we would have expected. God is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. That does not mean He will do the very same thing He did the last time or for our neighbor.

Here’s a very helpful verse to go through while we’re waiting on God: “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” – 1 Peter 5:10, NIV

Peter encourages us to consider that our pain will not last. It will not remain this way. No matter what you are going through, take heart! It is only for a little while. Only for a while, baby. No more, no less. Paul puts it this way: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18, NIV

Whether a season of intense business, or of patiently waiting on God, I want to invite you to do the following: enjoy the given moment. If you’re a busy bee, consider slowing down a bit to smell the roses. Our lives as we know them are temporary. I don’t know about you, but I want to enjoy every tender sweet bite of that cake. If you’re not married, enjoy going out with friends, serving with all the time you want, staying late after church just to enjoy good fellowship with your faith family.

If you have a family of your own, take time with them. Put your phone away. You don’t need to Instagram all of it. Prepare your husband’s favorite meal, dress in whatever you like the most. Listen to your children while looking at them in the eyes. Never mind the bills, or the fight you had with your sister. You’ll take care of those in time. Take a deep breath. It will get better.

Prayer

Father God we come to you today because we need you. We need you to help us discern the season. We want to know when to wait on God and when to act. Help us remember our sufferings are only for a while. Lord, teach us to be patient in waiting, and to learn to live in the very season we are in. We don’t want to miss any of it. Give us Your peace and Your wisdom, God. In Jesus’ name. Amen!