The Patience of God: Plead in Prayer
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The patience of God is a profound attribute that reflects His enduring love and mercy towards humanity. This divine patience is often demonstrated in the context of prayer, where believers are encouraged to plead with God, trusting in His perfect timing and wisdom.

Biblical Foundation

The patience of God is evident throughout Scripture, where He consistently shows forbearance and longsuffering towards His people. In the Old Testament, God’s patience is highlighted in His dealings with Israel. Despite their repeated disobedience, God remains patient, calling them back to repentance. In Exodus 34:6, God reveals Himself to Moses as "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth."

In the New Testament, the patience of God is further exemplified in the person of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Peter writes, "The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). This verse underscores God’s desire for all to turn to Him, highlighting His patience as an opportunity for salvation.

Pleading in Prayer

The act of pleading in prayer is a response to God’s patience, where believers are invited to bring their requests and burdens before Him. The Bible encourages persistent prayer, as seen in the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8. Jesus teaches that if an unjust judge can be moved by persistence, how much more will God, who is just and loving, respond to the pleas of His children.

In the Old Testament, the account of Abraham interceding for Sodom (Genesis 18:22-33) illustrates the power of pleading in prayer. Abraham’s boldness in negotiating with God reflects a deep trust in God’s character and patience. Similarly, Moses pleads with God on behalf of Israel, appealing to His mercy and covenant promises (Exodus 32:11-14).

The Role of Faith and Trust

Pleading in prayer requires faith and trust in God’s timing and purposes. The patience of God invites believers to wait expectantly, knowing that He hears and answers according to His will. James 5:7-8 encourages believers to be patient and stand firm, using the example of a farmer waiting for the precious fruit of the earth, illustrating the need for patience in prayer.

The Apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of perseverance in prayer, writing, "Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer" (Romans 12:12). This persistence is not a test of endurance but a demonstration of faith in God’s unchanging nature and His promises.

God’s Patience as a Model

Believers are called to emulate God’s patience in their own lives, particularly in their prayer life. Colossians 3:12 encourages Christians to "clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." By reflecting God’s patience, believers can approach prayer with a heart that is aligned with His will, seeking not only personal requests but also the advancement of His kingdom.

In summary, the patience of God is a central theme in the biblical narrative, inviting believers to engage in persistent and faith-filled prayer. Through pleading in prayer, Christians can experience the depth of God’s patience, trusting in His perfect timing and sovereign plan.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Jeremiah 15:15
O LORD, you know: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in your long-suffering: know that for your sake I have suffered rebuke.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Prayer Concerns Three.
... The widow must persist and plead because of the sort ... "And He is long-suffering over
them." That is God. ... the strong side of love, namely, patience, gentle, fine ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/prayer concerns three.htm

A Happy Boy.
... upon it, with much devotion kneel down, and with great patience and delight ... was
exceedingly importunate with God in prayer, and would plead with God at an ...
/.../wesley/stories of boys and girls who loved the saviour/a happy boy.htm

Twenty Fourth Sunday after Trinity Prayer and Spiritual Knowledge.
... Christ, for it compels heart and conscience to plead guilty in ... Gospel, what his faith,
love, hope and patience counsel, in fact, what God's will eloquently ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty fourth sunday after trinity.htm

Modern Examples of Prayer
... lack of fervour in secret prayer, especially when attempting to plead for the ... is
a remarkable example of a praying man of God. ... Such invincible patience and self ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/xi modern examples of prayer.htm

What Use Heavenly Contemplation Makes of Consideration, the ...
... for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it ... Though we remain unaffected
while we plead the case with ... yet, when we turn our speech to God, it may ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter xiv what use heavenly.htm

'The God of the Amen'
... 9. Point out that 'plead' is a forensic term. ... The word is frequent in Isaiah.
I. The reason for God's pleading. The ... IV. The patience. That ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the god of the amen.htm

Prayer for Ministers.
... To execute thy will. Compassion, patience, love and care,. ... Whate'er he may profess,
or plead,. An idol-shepherd proves. ... The sword of God shall break his arm,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 50 prayer for ministers.htm

The vineyard and Its Keepers
... bitter their hatred, the more does He plead, sending other ... That is the long-suffering
patience of God. ... the parable and to the facts of God's unwearied pleading ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the vineyard and its keepers.htm

The Providence Before us May have a Special Tendency to Improve ...
... lead him to urge them on his own Soul, and to plead them with GOD in Prayer; till
at length the Storm is laid, and Tribulation worketh Patience, and Patience ...
/.../4 the providence before us.htm

"Nothing is Impossible to Industry, "Said one of the Seven Sages ...
... unrelaxed and unrelaxable grasp, restless desire and restful patience. ... nation is
to prosper, Samuel must plead for it ... God will bless Paul, and the nations shall ...
/.../bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter vi nothing is impossible.htm

Resources
How long was Job's suffering? | GotQuestions.org

Why do so many people have to experience terrible suffering before death? | GotQuestions.org

Is Isaiah 53 'The Suffering Servant' a prophecy about Jesus? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Long-suffering

The Patience of God is Part of his Character

The Patience of God: An Encouragement to Repent

The Patience of God: Exercised Toward: His People

The Patience of God: Exercised Toward: The Wicked

The Patience of God: Exhibited in Forgiving Sins

The Patience of God: Illustrated

The Patience of God: Israel

The Patience of God: Jerusalem

The Patience of God: Limits Set To

The Patience of God: Manasseh

The Patience of God: Paul

The Patience of God: Plead in Prayer

The Patience of God: Salvation, the Object of

The Patience of God: should Lead to Repentance

The Patience of God: The Wicked: Abuse

The Patience of God: The Wicked: Despise

The Patience of God: The Wicked: Punished for Despising

The Patience of God: Through Christ's Intercession

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The Patience of God: Paul
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