Patience of Hope
Your Nightly Prayer for May 23, 2025
by Britt Mooney
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
"We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1 Thessalonians 1:3
SOMETHING TO PONDER
I hate waiting. Most people do, I would assume. Whether long lines or stop-and-go traffic, it bothers me to wait for what’s next. I get places early or stay late to avoid rush hour. I seriously pay attention to the times Google tells me a business has the fewest customers and shows up then.
But sometimes, I can’t help it. Life happens, and I have to wait or be patient. I find it far easier to wait for something I really want.
Growing up, I learned not to pray for patience. I heard a pastor say once that he made the mistake of praying for patience, and God gave him a struggle or difficult people to deal with. I decided then not to make the same mistake. But like the rest of life, God still teaches me patience.
Patience sits first on the description of God’s love (1 Corinthians 13): “Love is patient, kind …” It’s fourth on the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): “Love, joy, peace, patience …” God loves us abundantly, and because he cares about our character and being, he teaches us patience. We learn the best by doing, not reading or spitting out answers on a written test. Jesus modeled discipleship as relational and constant action, failure, success, and reflection. They walked with Jesus and learned.
Because this world wants us to quit, endurance saves our lives (Luke 21:19), keeps us from giving up. According to the verse above, what inspires our endurance? Hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his goodness, mercy, love, and power, the Father promises a glorious end, and he keeps his promises. We don’t want to give up. If we do, we’ll lose out on the peaceful presence of God now and the glorious future awaiting us. Let God’s continual presence today and the secure future in Christ inspire you to keep going and win the prize. It’ll be well worth the wait.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
I confess I hate waiting, but you are worth it. You are patient with me, and your love calls me to be transformed into your likeness. Help me to trust in your timing, even when I’m weary. Teach me to endure with hope in you and your promises, not frustration. Overflow my heart with your love and the fruit of the Spirit, your divine character. Comfort me with your presence in the delay, and remind me that your promises won’t fail. Give me strength for today and hope for tomorrow in your Son.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. Have you ever had to wait a long time for something you really wanted? What happened when you got it?
2. How has God been patient and long-suffering with you through your life? Ask God to show you specific seasons or moments.
3. What are the struggles and difficult people in your life where God seeks to teach you patience and endurance? How can you show God’s long-suffering in those circumstances?
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Kinga Howard
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Originally published Friday, 23 May 2025.
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