Patience is the greatest prayer

Our patience is tested every day as we go through the path of life. Like in a relationship, we cannot help that there’s always a conflict, especially if our pride gets in the way and we always assert that we are always right; or when we are waiting for a job that seems obscure, or when we are caught in horrendous traffic, or our prayers are not answered yet. All of these undermine our patience. However, an adage reminds us: “Good things happen to those who wait.” Gautama Buddha said, “The greatest prayer is patience.”

I was touched on the endless love of Violeta Bayawa, one of the semi-finalists of “Tawag Ng Tanghalan” in the TV show “Showtime.” Her songs expressed her love for her husband that is still burning within her heart and soul.  He left her for another woman when she was three months pregnant.  Now that she is 70 years old, she is still hoping that her husband would come back to her arms.  During the show, a video of her husband was shown. Her face beamed with happiness upon seeing him and listening to his compliment. She asked her husband to spend time with her and their daughter while there’s still time.

Life is full of struggles. When you are struggling with anything in life, here are these prayers for patience as shared by Lori Freeland of www.crosswalk.com:

• Give Me Strength:  “Lord today is rough and I haven’t even climbed out of bed. There’s too much clouding in my mind, too much to face, and I can already feel the meltdown brewing inside. I don’t have enough patience with me or anyone else – to make it through the morning, let alone the day. Would you lift me up and carry me through the day. Thank you for never being tired or drained.”

• Guide My Marriage: “Lord, I don’t feel humble or gentle or patient today when it comes to my spouse. It’s not just the big things – although they never seem to go away – it’s also the little things that pile up and chisel at my smile. Sometimes it’s hard to remember the days when the relationship was easy and fun. Walk between us today, Lord. Speak peace into our hearts. Give us an infinite amount of patience when it comes to understanding each other. Draw us back to the days when being together didn’t feel so hard. Thank you, Lord, that You are in this relationship. Thank You, Lord, for cheering me up.”

• Help Me be Patient with My Children:  “Lord fill me with everlasting patience and drown my anger with your peace. Help me parent my kids the way you parent me – with kindness and love. Thank you for giving them to me.”

• Carry Me Through Crises: “Lord, everything is falling apart inside me and around me. I don’t know what to do. Please wrap your arms around me and don’t ever let me go. Slow my racing heart. Clear my spinning mind. Calm my frantic lungs. I need your patience to breathe through this moment and make it to the next. Thank you for being a God of the moment, a God who cares, a God able to guard my heart and mind. Thank you, Lord, for walking with me in every moment of my life. I love you Lord.”