A Prayer for Patience for the Good God Promises

　　By Keri Eichberger

　　Bible Reading

　　“I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.” - Lamentations 3:24-25

　　Listen or Read Below:

　　It’s been a really hard year. One of the hardest I can remember actually. And right now, the hope-light within me seems to be dimming a little more each day. I know God is good. I know he has me in his hands. But, as the disappointment and difficulties linger longer and longer, my patience thins. How do we hold on? How do we swell with hope and joy when our hurt seems to overpower the encouragement we desperately try to cling to? I don’t know about you, but I’m really good at wearing a smile. I mean, who wants to be friends with a Debbie Downer anyway? But on the inside, regardless of how justified I am to feel defeated and deflated, the long struggles of life can eat me alive.

　　Do you feel any of this? Do you know God is good and trust he has good in store for you, but right now, through a tough season or situation, you are really struggling to rest in patience for his promises to prevail? For specks of the goodness you long for. For relief from the struggle and deep breaths of refreshment to renew your sorrowful soul? I know. Me too. We all want the good God has promised. And we all wish we could be more patient. So what do we do? I believe we need to keep clinging… to God.

　　Patience is extremely difficult for me too, but I must keep clinging. I recently placed a bookmark in my Bible, in Lamentations 3, highlighting verses 24 and 25 to remind me that the Lord is our portion. We all need to remember this. Holding on to reassurance that he is and will provide our exact needs each day. True, maybe not all of our wants—though some may come our way—but he provides the perfect portions we need now, and he will provide every necessary portion for our tomorrows. Those days and places ahead that deep down we question will hold any light at all.

　　Therefore, we are to wait for him. Because we know—and his trustworthy word says so— that God’s portion is now and then. This is the hope we can cling to. He is the hope we can cling to. A hope that will fortify our patience as we hold tight to it. And we keep seeking him. Because these words of truth also remind us that the Lord is good to those who do. And yes, we will find goodness even today as we seek him, cling to him, keep placing our hope in him.

　　Let’s pray:

　　Father God, You are a good, good father. A God of good, good promises. I know this, but so often I get overcome with persisting, painful circumstances and seasons. Seasons my patience becomes so thin that I find myself beyond frustrated by the wait. Weak, deflated, and sometimes down in the dumps of defeat. I place a smile on my face while I roam the world around me, yet inside I feel so desperate to bear witness to your provision I could burst. But Lord, you are my portion this very day. You have provided all I’ve ever needed, and you won’t stop. Give me confidence in this truth. For this, I am so very thankful. Lord, I will seek you, cling to you, place my hope in you. And I know you are good to those who do. For this also, I am so very thankful. In your providing name, Amen.