The second my daughters get in the door after day care, they’re asking for a snack. I’m usually cooking dinner already, and often I’m nearly finished. Do you think that matters to my toddlers?
I ask them to be patient while they wait, not just in this scenario but in other moments as well. But I can’t say I’ve always modeled patience perfectly for them. I don’t have the greatest patience myself. But patience is a fruit of the Spirit, a sign of God’s people. I know that I cannot magically become more patient. Patience is a practice, with some people born with more natural talent for it.
Below, I’ve crafted several prayers for you to pray for yourself and with your children on growing in patience.
A Prayer for Waiting
Dear Lord, remind me to not be anxious to see results or to get to the next step. Help me to dwell in the knowledge that You are faithful and that Your plans and purposes are tailored to how You have made me. I trust that You know the right timing. Increase my patience during this time. Lead me to walk in Your ways. Help me control my impulsiveness and anger, and turn me away from all evil. Grow my ability to lean on You and to let go of my idea of when all of this should happen. Let me look back to Your patience with me as I grow to bear this fruit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Based on Psalm 37. Use this prayer to ground yourself in God’s timing.
A Prayer for Confessing Anger
Heavenly Father, I confess that I am weak in patience and self-control. I can be hot-tempered. Sometimes I speak before thinking and sometimes I do things I am not proud of in moments when anger bubbles over. Forgive me, O Lord, for how I fall short of living out patience and self-control. Renew my spirit and draw me closer to Your Son, in whose name I pray. Amen.
Prayers of confession help us to clearly see our need for a Savior and help us turn away from sin. Modeling confession for our children reminds them that we all fall short and need God’s grace.
A Prayer to Increase Children’s Patience
Dear Jesus, give me strength to wait, peace with others, and joy when things are delayed. Amen.
Have your child repeat this prayer with you. The words are based on Romans 15:5, which states, “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus.” This verse reminds us that God is the one who gives us the endurance to pursue patience in any situation. May it work in the hearts of you and your children as a balm for when you need to endure in Jesus—patiently.
A Prayer for Teaching Patience
Teacher, give me wisdom for how to model and teach patience to my children. Give me restraint and help me to be quick to forgive when I just want to step in and “make things right” for my children. Let me lean on You for all that I need when I am doing the hard task of raising little ones who exude the fruit of the Spirit. Remind us all that Jesus is the ultimate model of patience, and let us feel the peace that surpasses all understanding. Guard our hearts and minds in the name of Jesus. Amen.
This prayer contains heartfelt words that connect me to my desire to raise God-fearing, Christ-centered children. As a pioneer parent, I feel ill-equipped to teach my daughters the faith. Maybe you are a pioneer parent yourself or maybe the practices you developed as a child have long-since fallen to the wayside. Either way, the Lord is with you as you strive to become more patient, gentle, and kind with your own children.
Scripture: ESV®.
Download the Everyday Faith Calendar for daily Scripture and prompts to help your family grow in patience.
