I am so excited to be doing this prayer challenge. If you ever wonder how I prepare for these prayer challenges, let me share with you. I pray about what God wants me to be intentional in prayer about, and then when He reveals something. I research it and consider how to best go to Him in prayer. Then once I get an idea, I actually do a Bible Study/Prayer Time with my children each day. I take the thoughts and ideas from that time with my children and turn it into a blog post, and prayer.
Then once I get them written, I invite the Facebook group to pray through them intentionally day by day. So, I actually pray each prayer twice, once when I write them, and once when I go through them with the group. It has been a huge blessing to me to see Yehovah God work in my life and answer so many prayers.
Today, my children and I read Galatians chapter 4, 2 Corinthians 6, and Ephesians 4. I hope you will take time to read and ponder these chapters too. They actually go together so well.
We then took time to pray for God to fill us with His Patience, long-suffering, forbearance. We discussed how patience is often linked to perseverance, and endurance. That it is very much about dealing with others in love, and allowing the Spirit of Unity to prevail in us.
We took a look at the Strong’s Concordance at Greek 3114-3117. If you have time take a look at them too.
from the same as 3116; to be long-spirited, i.e. (objectively) forbearing or (subjectively) patient:–bear (suffer) long, be longsuffering, have (long) patience, be patient, patiently endure.
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:
makrothumeō
1) to be of a long spirit, not to lose heart
1a) to persevere patiently and bravely in enduring misfortunes and troubles
1b) to be patient in bearing the offenses and injuries of others
1b1) to be mild and slow in avenging
1b2) to be longsuffering, slow to anger, slow to punish
Part of Speech: verb
Verses that we really thought on:
2 Corinthians 6:6
Ephesians 4:2
Colossians 3:12-13
Children often think of patience as waiting for something, and being still and quiet. But, this is not the type of patience Paul is referring to in these passages. He is talking about loving others even when you are annoyed by them, find them irritating, maybe even rude, or overbearing. He is talking about when you disagree about how to walk out God’s commands and Messiah’s love. Paul is telling us to put up with one another as we each grow and learn at different paces and in different ways. He is not saying to be silent about sin, but rather to be gracious as Messiah has been gracious with is.
He says, we are indeed made free in Messiah, so stop over-thinking and stop worrying if you are doing it exactly right, or if someone else is doing it different than you. Instead, speak truth in love, and trust that the Spirit of God will indeed move in the hearts of His children.
Prayer:
Yehovah God,
We thank you for your patience. We thank you for your Spirit that brings not only comfort, but bears with us in our slowness and ignorance. We ask that you would always help us share that same forbearance with those who are struggling to find and need support and encouragement. Let us bring Your patience to the world around us, especially to our families. May our spouses and children see You in us when we passionately endure with them in their learning and growing phases of life.
Father, also bring people into our life that will be patient with us, as we mature and grow in faith.
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