Prayers of Confession on Patience

God, there are times when we are impatient.

We are impatient with you.

We want to know all the answers.

We get frustrated when we don’t see your justice.

Your plans and your ways seem so distant to us.

Forgive us in the times when we give up on you.

Remind us of your presence

And allow us to see further into your kingdom.

We are impatient with others.

We want everyone’s priorities to be the same as ours.

We demand others listen to us, but often don’t make the time to hear them.

Release us from our impatience.

Have mercy on the people around us.

Fill us with your Spirit of love and peace.

In Jesus’ name we pray.

Amen.

(Assurance of Pardon/Forgiveness)

Remember this: God is patient and kind, not delighting in evil but rejoicing in the truth. God is quick to mercy, but slow to anger – even when so often we are the opposite!

God’s patience endures, even through death. God patiently outlasts your sins, which are forgiven through the cross of Jesus Christ. At the end of all things, love endures. Know that you are loved, you are precious in God’s sight, and rest patiently in that love, knowing that God is securely holding you and the whole world and will not let go.

Jacob Traeger

Heavenly Father, we confess we do not always understand Your ways. We are easily discouraged when life takes unexpected turns and our carefully laid plans and dreams come to nothing. We confess we are quick to give up when things get difficult. Forgive us. Grant us patience to wait for Your perfect timing. Open our eyes to recognize Your leading in our lives, and help us hear Your gentle whisper guiding us in the way You created for each of us. Then give us courage to step out in faith and obedience, even when we cannot see the outcome. In the Name of our Savior, Jesus, we pray, Amen.

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church

Gracious God, when I think of how you created all things in a step-by-step manner, I am reminded of my own impatience. There are so many times, Lord, when I want you to move at my pace, not yours. I confess that this is not only sinful but also silly. Do I really think my timing is better than yours? No, not when I step back and reflect. But in the rush of the moment, I can be painfully impatient. Forgive me, Lord.

Help me to trust that your ways are always the best, that your timing is always the best. Help me to see more clearly how you are at work in my life and through me in the lives of others. May I learn to be in synch with you and your ways, patient in my trust, expectant in my hope. Amen.

Taken from Mark D. Roberts, Life for Leaders, a Devotional Resource of the DePree Leadership Center at Fuller Theological Seminary

Almighty God, we come to You now as Your children because we know we are broken and sinful and need You so much. We have broken our relationship with You and have done things that have hurt You, others and ourselves. We have said ugly and mean words, and acted in judgmental and arrogant ways. We have been impatient and self-centered. We are sorry. Please forgive us. We repent and turn our faces toward You to receive Your love and forgiveness. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church

You have taught us to be patient and promised to supply our needs, O God. Yet we grow weary of waiting and restless with our wants. We blame our troubles on brothers and sisters, withholding from them the tolerance and care you have shown to us. O God, forgive our indulgence and help us to stand firm. In Christ you showed patience with the world in spite of the cross. Teach us to be patient, that in Christ we may have endurance in spite of our need.

James G. Kirk. When We Gather, Revised Edition: A Book of Prayers for Worship.