An Evening Prayer Confessing My Impatience

Patient God, I was not patient today.

I sighed in the line at the store.
I drummed my fingers at the red light.
I finished someone's sentence for them
because they were taking too long.
I was short with my own slow body, too.

And all day long, You were patient with me.
You waited while I hurried past You.
You have waited years for me to learn things
I could have learned in a week.

Forgive me for wanting the world to move at my speed.
Slow me down to Yours.
Let me see the people behind the delays,
tired, worried, doing their best, like me.

Tomorrow, when I start to tap my foot,
remind me how long You have waited for me,
and how kindly You have done it.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

When to Pray This

Pray this at the end of a day when you snapped at someone, sighed in a slow line, or hurried a person who needed time. Say it quietly before bed, and bring to mind the real moments you were short with others.

A Verse to Hold On To

"The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion." — Psalm 103:8 (BSB)