In response to that response, I would like to respond the following response….
Here are three reasons why we should pray for patience and the Bible is packed with scriptures to back it, up.
1. Praying for patience brings joy.
If you don't pray for patience, then you will never learn to rejoice in the midst of your tribulations.
(Romans 5:3)
"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience."
(Philippians 4:8)
(Philippians 4:8)
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-- meditate on these things."
(James 1:2-6)
(James 1:2-6)
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work (completed work, mature work), that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
2. Patience is a virtue, not a punishment.
It's also important to understand that the idea that "we only get patience from trials and tribulations" can be a little discouraging as a Christian. To me this places a negative tone on what it means to have patience. Its very hard to hear that we should not pray for patience from other Christians…and that they never do it either. If you are a young Christian and you are told that by a stronger and wiser believer, then this could be very damaging to their understanding of the Theology of Patience.
The tribulations that bring patience are to be gloried in because of the fruit they bring in our lives. Patience is a virtue and a "fruit of the Spirit" of God that we gain through praying for it and seeking it from the Holy Spirit.
(Gal 5:22-23)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience (longsuffering), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
(Romans 5:4-5)
4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
"We should not fear asking God for this quality we are supposed to have. In praying for it, He might also make the troubles we already face more profitable in our lives. If someone wants to pray for patience, it is probably because they are already facing troubles they do not know how to handle. Praying for patience simply means you are asking God to make His lessons more effective." Yes, patience is produced as a result of the trials and tribulations that we endure, but firstly, its a benefit that we gain from being tested. Also, we should never fear God's care over us. Yes, we should fear rebelling against Him (impatience). But, when we truly want Him to help us, He will not be cruel. He knows us, loves us, and cares about our concerns.
In Luke, God uses the father/son relationship to explain our relationship to our heavenly Father. The verse states:
2. Patience is a virtue, not a punishment.
It's also important to understand that the idea that "we only get patience from trials and tribulations" can be a little discouraging as a Christian. To me this places a negative tone on what it means to have patience. Its very hard to hear that we should not pray for patience from other Christians…and that they never do it either. If you are a young Christian and you are told that by a stronger and wiser believer, then this could be very damaging to their understanding of the Theology of Patience.
The tribulations that bring patience are to be gloried in because of the fruit they bring in our lives. Patience is a virtue and a "fruit of the Spirit" of God that we gain through praying for it and seeking it from the Holy Spirit.
(Gal 5:22-23)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience (longsuffering), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
(Romans 5:4-5)
4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
"We should not fear asking God for this quality we are supposed to have. In praying for it, He might also make the troubles we already face more profitable in our lives. If someone wants to pray for patience, it is probably because they are already facing troubles they do not know how to handle. Praying for patience simply means you are asking God to make His lessons more effective." Yes, patience is produced as a result of the trials and tribulations that we endure, but firstly, its a benefit that we gain from being tested. Also, we should never fear God's care over us. Yes, we should fear rebelling against Him (impatience). But, when we truly want Him to help us, He will not be cruel. He knows us, loves us, and cares about our concerns.
In Luke, God uses the father/son relationship to explain our relationship to our heavenly Father. The verse states:
(Luke 11:11-13)
"11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
The conclusion is, that if an earthly father will not answer his son cruelly when he asks for food, why should we expect our Father to be cruel when we honestly ask for help in some area? He will not upbraid or scold us when we ask for wisdom. I am confident that He will not treat us meanly if we ask for patience.
(James 1:5)
(James 1:5)
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, lwho gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
3. Patience exists soley because of the Character of God, not because of your trials.
The most important reason you should pray for patience is because patience is a grace that God brings to our lives. Patience is brought to you by the goodness of God and getting to know the character of God will show you that God's long-suffering and patience should lead you to desire those same traits. Gaining patience has little to do with your trials, it is more about wanting to mirror the character of Christ... 2 Peter 1:2-11 talks about the essential character traits that God has.
2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
So friends, before you think about telling someone not to pray for patience, please know that if they are a young believer, they might just believe you! Be careful about what "truths" you share and please make sure those come straight from the mouth of Christ…not just a theory that you heard somewhere or that you assume is right.
The Bible does not say that patience will bring you trials…it says that trials will bring you patience.
Cindy Brown
3. Patience exists soley because of the Character of God, not because of your trials.
The most important reason you should pray for patience is because patience is a grace that God brings to our lives. Patience is brought to you by the goodness of God and getting to know the character of God will show you that God's long-suffering and patience should lead you to desire those same traits. Gaining patience has little to do with your trials, it is more about wanting to mirror the character of Christ... 2 Peter 1:2-11 talks about the essential character traits that God has.
2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
So friends, before you think about telling someone not to pray for patience, please know that if they are a young believer, they might just believe you! Be careful about what "truths" you share and please make sure those come straight from the mouth of Christ…not just a theory that you heard somewhere or that you assume is right.
The Bible does not say that patience will bring you trials…it says that trials will bring you patience.
Cindy Brown
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