Patience in Prayer

Patience in Prayer, that old, taken for granted virtue, one of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, is something we need all our lives, especially in building relationships with others.

When it comes to relationship with God, patience is a life-long learning experience for most of us. Prayer is the voice of that relationship with God. And most people of any age presume on God's immediate access.

"Help me God, to do this … to get that … to be taller, thinner, richer … And right away, please God. Now."

The need to look at the importance of patience in prayer keeps cropping up again and again in our lives.

For starters, prayer is personal. Jesus taught us that God is no geni with a bronze lamp for luck wishes. Rather God is so real, so full of love for us that we should relate to the Creator as "Abba" - our loving dad and parent.

Secondly, prayer is conversation. And while Jesus encourages us to bring anything in our hearts to God's attention, prayer, like any conversation has a kind of format. Speaking and then listening to what the other party has to say. Speaking and listening. Speaking and listening.

Thirdly, God's will - God who knows what is truly best for us - is a factor in prayer. Jesus taught us that building the kingdom of God is what He, and we, are all about. It is this reality of prayer that calls for developing some patience on our part.

We come honestly before God, for there is no other way. We open our hearts to God - whether in need, or simply out of love for Him, in praise. And we learn to wait for God's response.

As Jesus had taught us, in His own prayer: "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven."

Each time we pray the Lord's Prayer, we ask for the gift of patience in prayer. It is a lesson we need to learn over and over again, all life long.

| Top of Page |