21 Days of Prayer and FastingSample

Patience

Our world is getting increasingly better at convenience. Consider online shopping versus the mall, on-demand versus the video store (remember those?) food delivery versus the grocery store or restaurant. With fast-paced technology and culture, it would be easy to fall into an entitled state of “my way, right away.”

One of the fruits of the Spirit–something produced in our life as a result of our time walking with God–that is easily overlooked is patience. Patience can be a subtle fruit because its presence doesn’t announce itself loudly, but WOW, is its absence obvious! One definition of patience explains that patience is “not the ability to wait, but how we behave while we are waiting.” This speaks to not just the action, but the attitude. When things don’t go our way or aren’t happening in our timeline, or when other people feel like an inconvenience–how do we act? Let’s make sure our actions and attitudes glorify God while we wait.

PRAYER:

Father, in a world growing obsessed with the instant, I want to find value in the process. God, I am ready to be inconvenienced in the name of growing the fruit of patience. The people and situations around me are not something to be bothered by but are a key to my assignment here on earth. I want to represent You by loving others enough to be interrupted. Help me to replace hurry with the Holy Spirit, and to grow in my faith and patience.