What is patience? I believe it is a blessing from God, to be able to endure waiting without becoming annoyed or upset, or to persevere calmly when faced with difficulties. The bible teaches ?For you have need of patience, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promises? (Hebrews 10:36). To be able to endure being hurt, provoked, hated, persecuted for the sake of Jesus Christ. In our trials our Lord Jesus will deliver us; the bible teaches ?but you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra ? what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution? (2 Timothy 3:10-12). See, patience is another key to a successful prayer life and to being able to make it through life, "Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience," (James 1:3) "But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing," (James 1:4).

"We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you." (Col. 1:3)

What is patience? I believe it is a blessing from God, to be able to endure waiting without becoming annoyed or upset, or to persevere calmly when faced with difficulties. The bible teaches ?For you have need of patience, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promises? (Hebrews 10:36). To be able to endure being hurt, provoked, hated, persecuted for the sake of Jesus Christ. In our trials our Lord Jesus will deliver us; the bible teaches ?but you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra ? what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution? (2 Timothy 3:10-12). See, patience is another key to a successful prayer life and to being able to make it through life, "Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience," (James 1:3) "But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing," (James 1:4).

If we are praying for a loved one and God is not answering our prayers right now, then we can become frustrated. We can get caught up in listening to others when they say ?It doesn?t work, believe me I?ve tried,? but it probably was the person not being very patient and waiting on the Lord?s timing. ?Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting, patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand? ( James 5:7, 8 ). Until we leave this earth either by death or rapture we are to be in prayer patiently waiting. I can testify as well as many others that prayer is not a joke and it does work if you are willing to understand that your prayer life is based on the Lords will for you. We want Him to water us with His precious patience that we can bear fruit and know Him better by speaking with Him in prayer.

Patience in prayer is a virtue, it?s a goodness that God can develop in us to better our walk with Him. I?m sure there are some of you who are reading this teaching that are impatient and become annoyed at waiting. But in order to allow Jesus to work patience in you and through you, you must be, first, willing to say ?Ok Lord, I will utilize (As a Christian) your power and practice.? We are empowered by the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit dwells within us and we need to listen and obey. ?But you beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit? (Jude 1:20). When you are being tested with a situation, be alert, be aware and listen when the Holy Spirit tells you ?Don?t open you mouth right now, be silent.? ?Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints? ( Eph.6:18 ).

Patience is very important when walking with the Lord Jesus and important as a testimony to others. We see in the news today what happens when we don?t practice patience and that?s only a little bit of what goes on. We go through life always busy, working all day and if you have a family, usually your nights are busy. We must also be practicing patience at home with our spouse, with our children or relatives staying at our home. Are you making an effort to be patient and forgive? ?And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses? (Mark 11:25). We need to remember what can hinder our prayers form being heard.

And in closing, it will be a process, sometimes hard, sometimes good, Job says ?Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity? (Job 2:10)? ?And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope? (Rom.5:3, 4). ?For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope? (Rom.15:4).

(Read 2 Corinthians 6:4-10).



Written by Michael J. Martinez

Founder and Pastor of Guiding Praying Light Ministry

www.glprayingministry.com

Copyright? 2004-2005 GLPM ? All Rights Reserved ? Michael J. Martinez 2/24/05

Copyright © by Access Christian All Right Reserved.

Published on: 2005-03-23 (2985 reads)