10 Prayers for Patience
Patience is hard.
In our fast-food, drive-thru, one-day-Amazon-delivery world, it’s a lost art. A muscle we don’t like to exercise often. Yet as Christians, we’re called upon to use that muscle. God desires for us to wait steadfastly upon Him and be longsuffering with each other. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12).
Patience hurts.
A few years ago, I broke my ankle. After weeks of healing from surgery, it finally got cleared to bear weight. That first second my foot hit the floor, fire burned up my calf and my ankle wobbled. It took weeks of physical therapy and painful repetition to get back into walking shape. But the more I practiced, the easier it got. Building patience is kind of like that.
Patience is something God understands.
After all, He deals with us 24/7. I can only imagine how much I test Him weekly, daily, even hourly—yet He never wobbles under the weight. He has an endless supply of patience, and He’s willing to share.
That’s where we have the opportunity to learn from Him. Just as it took time and persistence for my ankle to heal, it takes practice to grow in patience. We often want quick fixes and immediate results in our lives, especially when we’re struggling emotionally or spiritually. Christian counseling is one resource that reminds us that healing and growth often come through perseverance and waiting. Counseling can help us navigate our challenges while keeping our focus on God’s plan and His perfect timing.
Patience doesn’t mean passivity; it’s active trust. It means surrendering our own timelines and placing our faith in the One who knows the beginning and the end. It’s a discipline that refines our character, builds endurance, and deepens our relationship with God. The more we lean into Him, the more He strengthens our ability to wait well, even when it’s hard. And just like with physical therapy, each step we take gets us closer to being spiritually fit for the journey ahead.
When you find yourself struggling, here are 10 prayers for patience. Jump Over to CROSSWALK to read the rest.
2 Comments
Kim Graff
I read your article about 10 Things Every Wife Should Be Doing for Their Husband. It mentions how the wife should still do these things even if the husband doesn’t(2 wrongs don’t make a right). What do you do about a spouse who has addiction issues(alcohol, vape, spending, etc) that are destroying his business and family?
Lori Freeland
Hi Kim,
Thanks for reaching out. Most of my articles are written assuming there aren’t major issues like addiction. That can make it difficult. In situations like that, counseling might be an option. And quiet prayer to change your husband’s heart. I’m not saying that lightly. My husband and I had struggles for the first half of our 28-year marriage. We’ve been through a lot together. There aren’t always easy answers.