Day 13 Prayers for Patience

Pray for patience in their recovery process, both for them and for those supporting them.

Romans 12:12

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

Today we are breaking one of my cardinal rules - Never pray for patience! Patience is one of those things that we pray for that hardly ever comes the easy way. Rather than just bestow patience upon us, God tends to give us opportunities to practice patience and build that skill as if it were a muscle. Recovery is a great opportunity to practice patience because it hardly ever goes as quickly as we would like. It involves submitting to a process that is in complete opposition to what is comfortable and easy for us. Treatment centers have rules that can make our loved ones feel like they are being treated like children. As loved ones, those rules and processes can frustrate us because some of it can seem excessive. The thing about it is that these programs (assuming they are reputable and successful) do this all day, every day and know what works. If there is a rule in place, there is a reason for it and it is in everyone’s best interest to exercise patience and practice submission to the process.

It is possible to get clean without actually getting recovery. Some people report the desire for drugs and/or alcohol being magically taken away and it certainly does happen that way occasionally. Recovery, though, involves a deep cleaning of our hearts, minds, and spirits. It is an extensive process and it takes time to see the full extent of change this process offers. If we don’t get the recovery part of the process we will most likely just trade one addiction for another or one unhealthy coping mechanism for another. There are no short-cuts or corners to be cut here. It is going to take time to work through a lifetime of disfunction and it is going to take time to rebuild trust, confidence, integrity, etc.

The Bible says in Lamentations, “Let us examine our ways and test them and let us return to the Lord.” This is exactly what is going on as we seek Jesus and work the 12-steps. We all need to be continually testing ourselves and returning anything that is not reflective of our love and worship of God back to Him. God calls us to do this whether or not addiction has ever been a part of our story. Not having suffered with addiction gives us the opportunity to stay in denial in our own life. Our disfunction isn’t costing us our kids, our marriages, our jobs, or our freedom so we can tell ourselves that we are just fine and that we do not have a problem. The fact of the matter is that we all have sin and bondage in our lives that God is wanting to take from us. So while we wait patiently (or not so patiently) for our addicted loved ones to seek help and get through this process, let us pray and ask God to show us where we need to submit to Him and what He would have us work on. We can start by seeking out Celebrate Recovery, Recovery Alive, or Al-Anon meetings that work with the loved ones of addicted adults. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, as loved ones, the best gift we can give them is a healthier, more whole loved one to come home to and to support them through their recovery.

May God bless you on this journey!

Precious Heavenly Father,

We come before You today, lifting up our loved ones who are on the difficult journey of recovery from addiction. Lord, we ask that You grant them the gift of patience—patience with themselves, with the process, and with the time it takes to heal.

Help them to understand that recovery is not always quick or easy, but remind them that every small step forward is a victory. When they feel frustrated, discouraged, or weary, fill them with hope and perseverance to keep moving forward. Let them know that You are walking with them through every trial and triumph, guiding them toward healing.

Father, we also pray for patience for those who are supporting and loving them through this journey. Give us the grace to stand by their side with understanding hearts, offering encouragement without judgment. Help us to trust in Your timing and to remember that Your work in them is unfolding, even when the progress seems slow.

Let Your peace fill the hearts of all who are involved, reminding us that through You, there is hope, strength, and patience to endure the process. Help us to lean on You for guidance, knowing that You are faithful and will see us through to complete healing.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Galatians 6:9

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Ecclesiastes 7:8

"The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride."

Ephesians 4:2

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

James 1:3-4

"Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Psalm 37:7

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes."