I praise You, O Lord, for You are my Rock . . . my rudder in the storm. When I am sad or discouraged, You lift my sagging spirit. When I wait patiently for You, You turn to me and give an attentive ear to my cry. Therefore, I will keep my focus on You and will not be distracted by the things going on around me. I will await You in the morning, walk with You throughout the day and lay my head in your lap to sleep.
Help me understand why I cannot learn to be patient like You, who forgives my many failings and helps me up each time I fall. Waiting is so hard to do. Yet in the same way a farmer waits for spring to plant, summer to grow and fall to bring in the harvest, I must realize there are seasons in my life that must run their course before I can reap my harvest. I know that, when I keep Your commandments and endure patiently, I will abound in peace and joy. I see more clearly each day, that as one of Your children, patient endurance and faithfulness are a part of my calling. To finish whatever work You call me to involves hard work, following instructions, practicing self-control and PATIENCE.
I know that the trying of my faith develops perseverance and perseverance produces growth. Therefore, I must not succumb to difficulties and hardships. Instead, I must look to Your Word, retain what it tells me and keep pressing forward until my victory is won. Your Wisdom teaches me self-control, urges me to reach for the impossible and creates within me a hunger to be more like You. In my struggles, I must cling to You and ask until given … seek until found …and knock until opened. Help me maintain my joy throughout my suffering so that I can persevere to the end. Therefore, let me throw off the yoke of everything that hinders me … the sins that so easily entangle … and help me run with PERSEVERANCE the race marked out for me. And I know that You will bless me with abundance and compassion as my rewards.
I rest in peace, O Lord, when I place myself in Your arms where You strengthen me so I can overcome the obstacles in my life. Therefore, I will run and not grow weary … walk and not faint. In You, I will be enabled to do many things through Your power making itself manifest in me. Through Your Word, You will teach me the principles of endurance and standing by faith. For I know Your plans are to prosper me … so I can have hope … and a future filled with abundance and good health. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
James 1:3-4 … Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because You know the testing of Your faith works perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, lacking anything.