The Power of Prayerful Patience
OPENING PRAYER:
Gracious God, as we dive deeper into Your Word today, help us to understand the power of prayerful patience. May we learn to wait on You with hope and expectation. Amen.
"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes."
This psalm, attributed to David, encourages believers to trust in the Lord and to wait patiently for His intervention, even when faced with the apparent success of the wicked.
Psalm 37:7 (NIV)
REFLECT:
In his message, Pastor Elliott illustrated the importance of prayerful patience through the story of his mother, who prayed consistently for him during his time of rebellion. Her patience was not passive but was an active engagement with God, trusting Him to work in her son's life. This kind of patience requires a deep reliance on God and a willingness to wait for His perfect timing.
In Psalm 37, David reminds us to be still before the Lord and to wait patiently for Him. This stillness is not inactivity but a posture of trust and surrender. It is about bringing our concerns to God and leaving them in His capable hands. When we are tempted to fret or take matters into our own hands, we are called to remember that God is in control and that His plans are for our good.
Prayerful patience transforms our perspective. It shifts our focus from our circumstances to God's faithfulness. As we wait on Him, we are reminded of His past faithfulness and His promises for the future. This patience is a powerful witness to those around us, demonstrating our trust in a God who is always at work, even when we cannot see it.
I WILL STATEMENT:
I will take action by patiently sitting at the feet of Jesus.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Father, thank You for the gift of prayer and the peace that comes from trusting in You. Help us to wait patiently for Your intervention, knowing that You are always faithful. Amen.