20 Prayers for Patience and Understanding

1. Proverbs 3:5-6

Righteous God, I know that I must trust in You with all my heart and I know that I must not lean on my own understanding because the path that I choose will lead me down a road of destruction. It is foolish to let my heart guide my paths, so I place my life in Your hands. I pray that I never doubt in You and Your wisdom, instead I will acknowledge You in all my ways so that You can grant me patience and direct my paths in line with your word. Amen.

2. Jeremiah 33:3

God of wisdom, I call upon You and know that You will answer me and tell me the great and unsearchable things that I do not know. I thank You for divine understanding that reveals to me the things that I do not understand. I pray for patience and understanding in all areas of my life: my workplace, my home, my relationships, in all things. I thank You for allowing me to see things like You do. Amen.

3. Proverbs 14:29

Lord, help me to be patient with great understanding because an individual who isn’t and is quick-tempered, displays foolishness. I pray that here on earth, I reflect You in all ways and that Your understanding will govern my behaviour. Let patience have its way within my heart so that I can reflect a God-like patience to those around me. Let Your understanding shape me as a person so that I can reach and understand those who need You. Amen.

4. Ecclesiastes 11:5

Holy God, I pray that I humble myself right now. Although You have enabled me to think logically, practically and intellectually, You know all things. Just as I do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, I cannot understand the works of You – the Maker of all things – with my own knowledge. Your works require revelation and divine understanding, so help me in this area of my life and grant me patience and understanding. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

5. Proverbs 4:7

Father in Heaven, thank You for instructing me and teaching me in the way that I should go. I know that You will counsel me with Your loving eye upon me. I pray that my guidance comes solely from You and Your word. I pray that my patience and understanding comes from You and not from man, because man doesn’t know all things like You do. I will seek You for my wisdom and my understanding. Thank You, Lord. Amen.

6. Proverbs 21:2

Gracious Lord, sometimes I think that my own ways are right, but You weigh my heart and You know my intentions. Instead of my flesh being my internal guide, let Your Spirit instruct me on the way that I should go. I pray that I become sensitive to hearing Your instruction so that I know what to do. Lord help me to live righteously with You and set apart from the world. Teach me patience, I pray, Amen.

7. 2 Corinthians 4:18

Beautiful God, I pray that I fix my eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, because what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Lord, I pray that I do not operate under the temporary, but let my lifestyle come from understanding what is eternal. I pray that my focus never shifts from You because You are eternal, You do not fade away or change. Amen.

8. Proverbs 19:21

Father, many plans are in my heart, but I pray that Your purpose prevails. Let Your will be done in my life and let the plans that You have released in heaven, be aligned here on earth. I pray that I understand Your purpose for me so that I do not stray from it or forget it. Let my desires become aligned with Your purpose so that I am not conflicted in my lifestyle. This is the prayer of my heart. Amen.

9. Ephesians 1:17 & 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

Dear Lord, again I ask that You, my glorious Father, may give me the Spirit of Wisdom and revelation, so that I may know You better! I pray for divine understanding so that I can walk in all that You have called me to do and be. I pray that I hold on to what is good and reject every kind of evil; help me understand the things that are right in Your eyes. Amen.

10. Psalm 119:130

God of Wisdom, Your word says that the unfolding of Your words gives light; they give understanding to the simple. I pray that as I read Your word, I realize it on a deeper level so that I can walk in Your light and gain understanding. I pray that I do not become content with understanding at a surface level, instead I pray for an outpouring of patience, divine understanding and revelation in life. Thank you in advance, Lord. Amen.

11. Isaiah 55:9

Maker of all things, as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are Your ways higher than my ways, and Your thoughts than my thoughts. I pray for understanding so that I may walk in Your ways rather than my own ways and think in Your thoughts rather than my own thoughts. My way of thinking is limited, and my ways are immature and irresponsible. I thank You in advance for giving me understanding so that I can be more like You. Amen.

12. Psalm 37:7 & Philippians 1:6

Righteous God, I will be still before You and wait patiently for You; I will not worry when people succeed in their ways when they carry out their wicked schemes. I wait patiently for You because I know that You who began a good work in me, is faithful to complete it within me, I know that You shall succeed in Your ways and Your plans for my life. Amen.

13. Exodus 14:14

Mighty Warrior, I know that You will fight for me; I need only to be still. I pray that I remain patient because You are in full control of my battles. I know that I will have the victory because You fight for me and You never lose a battle. Increase my understanding when life becomes difficult, increase my trust in my trials. Let all my steps be guided by a patient heart. Amen.

14. Galatians 6:9

Heavenly Father, I pray that I do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time I will reap a harvest if I do not give up. I pray for an increase in my patience so that I can experience the fruits of my labor. I pray that I do not focus on the things that I see, instead let my mind be focused on You for You never fail. Amen.

15. Proverbs 16:32

God of Peace, Your word states that it is better to be a patient person than a warrior; it is better to have self-control than to conquer a city. I pray that I hold my peace and remain patient in all things. I declare that I will not react out of emotion, instead I will reflect and wait before I act. Patience is better to have than power, so Lord help me remain patient. Amen.

16. Habakkuk 2:3

Holy God, Your word states that the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it lingers, I must wait for it, for it will certainly come and will not delay. Lord, give me the strength to wait upon Your promises. Help me to stay patient when the end goal seems so far out of reach. Just as I must wait for Your revelation, I pray that I learn to wait patiently with understanding for all things to come to pass in my life. Amen.

17. Philippians 4:6-7

Prince of Peace, I will not be anxious about anything, instead in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, I will present my requests to You. I will not let fear or worry consume my life, instead I will wait patiently for Your peace. The peace that comes from You, transcends all understanding, and will guard my heart and mind. I thank You in advance for allowing me to feel peace and remain patient. Amen.

18. Romans 5:2-4

Glory be to Your matchless Name! It is through You, whom I have gained access by faith into this grace in which I now stand. I boast in the hope that Your glory gives me. Not only this, but I rejoice in my sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. Help me to endure my sufferings, help me to embrace each season in my life. Amen.

19. Romans 8:25 & Romans 12:12

Beautiful One, there are things that I hope for that I yet do not have, but Lord I will wait patiently for them. I know that everything comes according to its set time, therefore I will wait in peace knowing that Your will shall come to pass. Father, I pray that even in my affliction, I wait patiently. I declare that I will remain joyful in hope and faithful in prayer. Amen.

20. 2 Peter 3:9

Awesome God, You are not slow in keeping my promise, as I understand slowness. Instead You are patient with me, not wanting me to perish. I pray that as You are faithful to me, I remain faithful to You knowing that the things that I have not yet received shall come. Just as You are patient with me, I pray that I patiently await Your will to come to pass. Amen.