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Why Does Love Require Patience? | Guided Prayers · Central Christian Church

• 0:04
  SPEAKER_00: Today, as we begin, would you take a couple deep breaths?
• 0:10
  SPEAKER_00: Steady your heartbeat, quiet your mind, slow your body down.
• 0:16
  SPEAKER_00: Say out loud if you can, God, here I am.
• 0:26
  SPEAKER_00: The people closest to us often see us on both our best and our hardest days.
• 0:33
  SPEAKER_00: That's why love in those relationships requires patience.
• 0:37
  SPEAKER_00: God has shown incredible patience towards us, and he invites us to extend that same grace to others.
• 0:46
  SPEAKER_00: Paul knew this better than most, but if you know his story, you understand.
• 0:52
  SPEAKER_00: This is what he wrote to the church in Ephesus.
• 0:55
  SPEAKER_00: Be completely humble and gentle.
• 0:58
  SPEAKER_00: Be patient, bearing with one another in love.
• 1:03
  SPEAKER_00: Let's begin by thanking God for his patience towards us.
• 1:08
  SPEAKER_00: Remember how faithfully he has walked with you through every season.
• 1:13
  SPEAKER_00: Recall times that either in the moment or in hindsight, you know God was extra patient with you, loving and gentle.
• 1:46
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe a child, young or old, maybe a coworker, an old friend, maybe a nosy neighbor, maybe someone who you didn't necessarily choose to cross paths with, but are linked to right now.
• 2:02
  SPEAKER_00: Bring that honestly before God.
• 2:05
  SPEAKER_00: Ask him to replace frustration with grace and to help you respond with gentleness instead of reacting quickly.
• 2:13
  SPEAKER_00: Invite him to shape your heart to look more like his towards this person.
• 3:18
  SPEAKER_00: Take a deep breath and let God's patience toward you become the example for how you love others.
• 3:25
  SPEAKER_00: Inhale and say, Thank you for your patience.
• 3:34
  SPEAKER_00: Exhale and say, increase my own.
• 3:42
  SPEAKER_00: Again, thank you for your patience.
• 3:50
  SPEAKER_00: Exhale, increase my own.
• 3:58
  SPEAKER_00: Let's pivot a little bit now.
• 4:00
  SPEAKER_00: Do you know someone else struggling with relational strife or a difficult relationship or friendship?
• 4:07
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe they have confided in you?
• 4:09
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe they have made a passing comment?
• 4:12
  SPEAKER_00: Or maybe you just insightfully might guess that there is someone requiring more patience right now.
• 4:19
  SPEAKER_00: Would you take 30 seconds and pray for someone navigating tension within their family or close circle?
• 5:00
  SPEAKER_00: Help us reflect that same patience today.
• 5:04
  SPEAKER_00: If there is a relationship or scenario where we have been short, impatient, or curt, reveal that to us and give us a soft and humble heart.
• 5:15
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you that your patience towards us has no limit, no cap, and no bad days.
• 5:22
  SPEAKER_00: We are grateful and we love you.
• 5:25
  SPEAKER_00: Amen.