Praying for Patience

I NEVER pray for patience is one of those things that Christians often say in kind of a kidding way. They say that if they do they will get circumstances put in their way that will try them.

I hear God saying, “What kind of Father do you think I am?” That makes me think of a scripture in the gospels, I’ll use Matthew 7:9-11, “Which of you, if your son asks for bread will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will our Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! And another scripture in James 1:17, Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. Patience is one of those good gifts.

So do you think that when we ask for patience He will put obstacles in our way to teach us a lesson? I think that when we pray for patience, which by the way is a fruit of the spirit, He will guide us patiently and teach us compassion for people. He will help us to understand where people are coming from and how we can maybe bless them with a smile when the line isn’t moving as fast as we would like or the person at the red light doesn’t move we want them to. I think praying for patience can open the door to seeing people as God sees them and learning to love at all times.

So when we pray for patience are we just wanting God to flip the patience switch in us so that we can go through our day patient and happy? Or are we really asking for the annoying people to get out of our way so that we can be patient? Are we looking to be changed instantly or to be guided and to learn the ways of the Kingdom. These are questions I have been asking myself lately.

I think that when we pray for patience He teaches us compassion. When we pray for joy He teaches us gratitude. When we pray for self control He teaches us how to live in the spirit and so much more. He is a good Father who wants us to display the fruit of the spirit and to live holy and righteous lives. We can’t do that in our own power but He will empower us to do that. He will lovingly and patiently guide and teach us and all we have to do is say yes.