Developing Patience
My husband and I are conducting a purity workshop at our church this weekend. In our research and study we found the single believers are often frustrated while waiting for a mate. Unfortunately, many older believers encourage singles to get married far too soon.
(The Apostle Paul wrote…)
1 Corinthians 7:8-9
I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I.
But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
1 Corinthians 7:32-33
He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife
1 Corinthians 7:34
There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
While men and women are single, it is a wonderful time for the Lord to prepare them and mold them for marriage. As they seek God to cleanse them and help them become the kind of husband or wife that would bless someone, they will soon find they are not lonely. First the Lord will begin using them to bless others; then they will find they are content in Him and find comfort in Him. God’s love alone has the deepest power to fulfill us. We cannot know true love unless we know God. Eventually, in God’s plan and timing, He will bless them with a wonderful mate so that both their lives can be a witness for Him. If a marriage cannot glorify the Lord, then it would be better for the person to remain alone. (VowofPurity.com)
I ran across a prayer for developing patience while waiting on God’s timing for a spouse.
Father, I come before You in the name of Jesus. I desire to meditate, consider and inquire in Your presence. Waiting patiently for a marriage partner has become a challenge–a trial, sometimes leading to temptation. I am asking for Your help in developing patience, quietly entrusting my future to Your will. It is to you that I submit my desire to be married.
By Your grace I surrender my life — all my desires, all that I am and all that I am not–to the control of the Holy Spirit who produces this kind of fruit in me: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithulness,gentleness, and selfcontrol; and here there is no conflict. I belong to Jesus Christ, and I seek to live by the Holy Spirit’s power and to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of my life. In exercising self-control I develop steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness I develop godliness.
By faith I consider it wholly joyful whenever I am enveloped in, or encounter, trials of any sort of fall into various temptations. It is then that I am reminded to rest assured and understand that the trial and proving of my faith brings out endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that I may be perfectly and fully developed lacking nothing.
Father, fill me the knowledge of Your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding that I may live a life worthy of You and may please You in every way: bearing fruit strengthened with all power according to Your glorious might, so that I may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully give thanks to You Who qualified me to share in the inheritance of the saints in the Kingdom of light.
Father, I strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles me, and I run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before me. I look away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of my faith [giving first incentive for my belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection].
With patience I am able to persevere through the difficult times–times of anxiety and worry–and overcome the fear that I may never be married. I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of my testimony.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
-From Prayers that Avail Much: Commemerative Edition
Related Blogs
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- The Character of Patience is Molded Through Suffering
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