A Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are a wonderful God who consistently embodies the fruit of the Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-23. Even though we often rebel against you, you respond with patience, gentleness, self-control, and, above all, love. Even when we give you little reason to demonstrate these qualities, you continue to show peace, kindness, and faithfulness to each of us. When we choose to follow you, it brings you immense joy.
You set the perfect example, and yet I fall short. I confess that patience is a significant weakness for me. I struggle with waiting—whether it is for a poorly timed dinner, news about a situation, or the resolution of a health issue, I want things to happen immediately. Please help me grow in patience. Teach me to be patient with those who sin against both me and those I care about. You are patient beyond measure with me, so help me reflect even a fraction of that love and patience toward others.
I also ask for your guidance in developing the rest of the fruit of the Spirit. I need more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control being produced from my life! These are the traits of someone I aspire to be—and someone I would deeply value as a friend. Thankfully, I already have that friend in you, Jesus. You are the only one who perfectly lived out each of these qualities every day of your life on earth. Let your life be my guide and your character my inspiration.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Respond
Please pray a prayer about developing the fruit of the Spirit.
If you aren’t sure where to begin, you can use the ACTS method: Adoration, Confession, Thankfulness, and Supplication:
- Adoration: Praise God. Does this topic bring any specific characteristics of God to mind?
- Confession: Tell God that you are sorry for specific sins. Does this topic bring any specific sins to mind?
- Thankfulness: Show gratitude towards God. Does anything from this topic inspire gratitude?
- Supplication: Make requests for yourself and for others. Does anything from this topic inspire a prayer?
If helpful, you can use a prayer journal template.
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English Standard Version (ESV): Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.
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