In our fast-paced world, impatience is a common struggle that many of us face daily. Whether it’s waiting in line at the grocery store, dealing with slow internet, or managing delays at work, the tendency to become impatient can lead to frustration and stress. These moments of impatience not only affect our mood but can also impact our relationships and overall well-being.
To combat this, turning to a prayer for patience can be incredibly helpful. Prayer allows us to pause, reflect, and seek divine guidance and strength. By incorporating a prayer for patience into our daily routine, we can find the calm and resilience needed to navigate life’s challenges more gracefully. This practice helps us to align our hearts with God’s will, reminding us that patience is a virtue that can be cultivated with His help.
James 1:4 (WEB) provides a powerful scriptural foundation for this practice: “Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” This verse emphasizes the importance of allowing patience and endurance to develop fully within us, leading to spiritual maturity and completeness. By seeking patience through prayer, we invite God to work in our hearts, helping us grow in faith and character.
The purpose of this post is to explore how a prayer for patience can transform our daily interactions and help us manage challenges more effectively. We will delve into specific prayers, examine the teachings of James 1:4, and provide practical tips for incorporating patience into your life. Join us as we discover the profound impact that a prayer for patience can have on our journey toward becoming more patient and spiritually grounded.
Related: Prayers for Different Situations
A Prayer for Patience
Heavenly Father,
I come before You today seeking the gift of patience. In a world that moves so quickly, I often find myself struggling with impatience and frustration. Lord, help me to slow down and embrace the peace that comes from trusting in Your perfect timing.
Your Word in James 1:4 reminds me, “Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Help me to understand that patience is a vital part of my spiritual growth. Teach me to endure with grace and to find strength in Your promises.
Lord, fill my heart with Your calming presence. When I am tempted to rush or become irritated, remind me to pause and seek Your guidance. Let Your Spirit guide my thoughts and actions, helping me to respond with kindness and understanding in every situation.
Thank You for Your unwavering patience with me, Father. May Your example inspire me to extend the same patience to others. As I go through each day, let my heart be anchored in Your love, finding the patience I need to navigate life’s challenges.
In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Amen.
Take a Moment for Reflection
We invite you to take a few moments to pray and reflect on these words. Consider the areas in your life where impatience often arises and ask God to fill those moments with His peace and understanding. Let the promise of James 1:4 resonate in your heart, reminding you that patience is a journey of growth and faith. May this prayer for patience be a source of comfort and strength as you navigate the challenges of waiting with a patient heart.
Explanation of the Prayer for Patience
Opening with a Request for Patience
The prayer for patience begins with a heartfelt request: “Heavenly Father, I come before You today seeking the gift of patience.” This opening line is significant because it acknowledges our need for divine assistance in cultivating patience. By directly asking God for this virtue, we demonstrate our dependence on His strength and guidance, recognizing that true patience often requires more than just personal willpower.
Addressing the Struggles of Modern Life
The next part of the prayer addresses the common struggles we face in a fast-paced world: “In a world that moves so quickly, I often find myself struggling with impatience and frustration. Lord, help me to slow down and embrace the peace that comes from trusting in Your perfect timing.” Here, we acknowledge the external pressures and internal responses that challenge our patience. By seeking God’s help to slow down, we open ourselves to the peace that comes from trusting in His timing, rather than rushing through life on our terms.
Invoking Scriptural Guidance
The prayer for patience then references James 1:4: “Your Word in James 1:4 reminds me, ‘Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.'” This scriptural foundation reinforces the prayer’s message, reminding us that patience and endurance are crucial for spiritual growth and maturity. By incorporating this verse, we align our desires with God’s will, seeking to become “perfect and complete” through the practice of patience.
Seeking God’s Calming Presence
“Lord, fill my heart with Your calming presence. When I am tempted to rush or become irritated, remind me to pause and seek Your guidance.” This part of the prayer for patience emphasizes the importance of God’s presence in calming our spirits. By inviting His presence into moments of frustration, we can find the strength to pause, reflect, and respond with patience. It highlights the need for a continuous connection with God, especially during challenging times.
Guidance in Thought and Action
“Let Your Spirit guide my thoughts and actions, helping me to respond with kindness and understanding in every situation.” This request underscores the practical application of patience. By asking for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we seek to transform our immediate reactions, ensuring that our thoughts and actions reflect God’s love and patience. This transformation is essential for maintaining patience in daily interactions and challenges.
Gratitude and Inspiration
The prayer continues with gratitude: “Thank You for Your unwavering patience with me, Father. May Your example inspire me to extend the same patience to others.” Acknowledging God’s patience towards us not only fosters gratitude but also serves as a model for our behavior towards others. By reflecting on God’s patience, we find inspiration to practice the same virtue in our interactions.
Conclusion with a Petition for Strength and Serenity
“As I go through each day, let my heart be anchored in Your love, finding the patience I need to navigate life’s challenges.” The prayer concludes with a request for God’s love to anchor our hearts, providing the foundation for patience. This closing petition encapsulates the essence of the prayer for patience, seeking divine strength and serenity to face daily challenges with a patient and calm spirit.
Discussing the Calming Effects
Alleviating Impatience Through God’s Presence
Focusing on God’s presence, as emphasized in the prayer for patience, can significantly alleviate impatience. When we invite God’s calming presence into our lives, we shift our focus from the stressors and frustrations to the peace that comes from His companionship. This shift helps to reduce the immediate reactions of impatience and replaces them with a sense of calm and trust in God’s timing.
Fostering a Sense of Calm
Invoking God’s peace is a crucial aspect of the prayer for patience. The request for God to “fill my heart with Your calming presence” highlights the transformative power of divine tranquility. Unlike temporary solutions, God’s peace offers a deep, abiding calm that can sustain us through prolonged periods of waiting and uncertainty. This divine peace helps to center our minds and hearts, enabling us to respond to life’s challenges with grace.
Practical Guidance for Patience
By asking for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our thoughts and actions, we seek practical ways to exhibit patience. This part of the prayer for patience emphasizes the need for divine intervention in our daily interactions. It encourages us to act with kindness and understanding, transforming potential moments of impatience into opportunities to reflect God’s love. This practical guidance is essential for integrating patience into our everyday lives.
Encouraging Gratitude and Reflection
Expressing gratitude for God’s patience with us fosters a reflective attitude. Recognizing the ways we benefit from God’s patience inspires us to extend the same grace to others. This gratitude also reinforces our reliance on God, reminding us that His example is the ultimate standard. By incorporating this gratitude into our prayer for patience, we build a habit of reflecting on God’s goodness and applying it in our interactions.
Anchoring in God’s Love
The concluding petition for strength and serenity underscores the importance of grounding ourselves in God’s love. When our hearts are anchored in His love, we find the strength to endure challenges patiently. This anchoring effect is a central theme in the prayer for patience, providing a stable foundation for developing this vital virtue.
In summary, the prayer for patience is a powerful tool for fostering a patient and calm spirit. By breaking down each part of the prayer, we see how it addresses our struggles, seeks divine peace, and encourages practical application. Focusing on God’s presence and promises, this prayer can transform our approach to impatience, helping us grow in faith and character.
A Look at James 1:4 (WEB)
James 1:4 (WEB) states: “Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
The Book of James, written by James, the brother of Jesus, is a letter addressed to the early Christian communities scattered among the nations. This epistle is rich with practical advice on living a faithful Christian life amidst trials and temptations. James 1:4 is part of a broader passage that begins with an exhortation to consider it pure joy when facing various trials because these trials test faith and produce endurance.
In the context of James 1:4, the early Christians were enduring significant challenges and persecutions. James encourages them to let endurance have its “perfect work” so that they might become “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Here, “perfect” does not imply flawlessness but rather spiritual maturity and wholeness. The trials and difficulties, when endured with faith, contribute to the believers’ growth and character development, making them more resilient and steadfast in their faith.
Application
ames 1:4 offers profound encouragement for believers to cultivate patience and trust in God’s timing. Here’s how this verse can be applied to our daily lives and our practice of a prayer for patience:
Embracing Trials as Growth Opportunities
James 1:4 teaches us to view trials and challenges as opportunities for spiritual growth rather than mere inconveniences. When we encounter difficulties, our natural reaction might be impatience or frustration. However, this verse encourages us to see these moments as chances to develop endurance. By doing so, we allow God to work within us, strengthening our faith and character. Incorporating this perspective into our prayer for patience can help us shift our mindset, viewing challenges through the lens of growth and divine purpose.
Allowing Endurance to Work
The phrase “let endurance have its perfect work” suggests that endurance is a process that requires time and patience. This means we must be willing to endure discomfort and delay, trusting that God is at work in our lives. Our prayer for patience can include a request for the patience to let endurance work fully within us, acknowledging that this process is essential for our spiritual maturity.
Becoming Perfect and Complete
James 1:4 assures us that the outcome of enduring trials with patience is becoming “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” This promise encourages us to trust in God’s plan, even when it’s not immediately clear. By incorporating this promise into our prayer for patience, we can remind ourselves that patience and perseverance lead to a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with God.
Trusting in God's Timing
One of the key lessons from James 1:4 is the importance of trusting in God’s timing. Trials often make us impatient because we want immediate solutions. However, this verse encourages us to trust that God’s timing is perfect. When we pray for patience, we are also praying for the faith to trust that God knows what is best for us and that He will fulfill His promises in His own time.
Practical Application in Daily Life
Incorporating the teachings of James 1:4 into our daily lives can transform our approach to challenges. Here are some practical steps:
- Daily Reflection: At the end of each day, reflect on how you handled trials and challenges. Did you respond with patience and trust in God’s timing? Use this reflection to guide your prayer for patience.
- Scripture Meditation: Meditate on James 1:4 regularly, allowing its message to sink deeply into your heart and mind. Let this verse guide your responses to difficulties.
- Support and Community: Share your journey of cultivating patience with a faith community. Encourage each other to persevere through trials and celebrate the growth that comes from endurance.
In summary, James 1:4 offers valuable insights into the importance of patience and endurance in the Christian life. By viewing trials as opportunities for growth, allowing endurance to work within us, and trusting in God’s timing, we can become spiritually mature and complete. Incorporating these principles into our prayer for patience can help us cultivate patience and deepen our faith, enabling us to navigate life’s challenges with grace and resilience.
Related: A Prayer for Anxiety Relief
5 Different Prayers for Patience in Different Situations
Prayer for Patience at Work
Heavenly Father,
In the midst of my busy workday, I often find myself feeling stressed and impatient. Help me to remember that You are with me in every situation. Grant me the patience to handle demanding tasks and challenging colleagues with grace and understanding. Let Your peace fill my heart, so I can approach my work with a calm and composed spirit. Guide my actions and words, making me a reflection of Your love and patience in my workplace.
In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Amen.
Prayer for Patience with Family
Dear Lord,
Family relationships can sometimes be challenging, and I struggle with impatience in these moments. Please grant me the patience to handle conflicts and misunderstandings with grace and love. Help me to listen with empathy and respond with kindness. Let Your Spirit guide me to be a source of peace and harmony in my home. Teach me to value and cherish my family members, reflecting Your love in all our interactions.
In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Amen.
Prayer for Patience in Traffic
Lord,
Sitting in traffic often tests my patience and leaves me feeling frustrated. Help me to find calm in these moments of delay. Grant me the patience to remain composed and courteous to others on the road. Let this time be an opportunity to reflect on Your blessings and seek Your presence. Fill my heart with peace, and remind me to trust in Your perfect timing, even in the small delays of life.
In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Amen.
Prayer for Patience with Yourself
Heavenly Father,
I often find it difficult to be patient with myself as I strive for personal growth and self-improvement. Help me to remember that progress takes time and that You are guiding my journey. Grant me the patience to accept my imperfections and to treat myself with kindness and compassion. Let Your love fill my heart, giving me the strength to persevere and the grace to forgive myself when I fall short.
In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Amen.
Prayer for Patience in Waiting
Dear Lord,
Waiting for answers and outcomes can be incredibly challenging, and I often struggle with impatience during these times. Help me to trust in Your perfect timing and to find peace in the waiting. Grant me the patience to endure delays with grace and to remain hopeful in Your promises. Let Your presence be my comfort, reminding me that You are always with me, working for my good.
In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Amen.
These prayers for patience in different situations can help you navigate various challenges with grace and resilience. By incorporating these prayers into your daily routine, you can seek God’s guidance and strength, fostering a deeper sense of peace and patience in all aspects of your life.
Personalizing Your Prayer for Patience
Encourage Individual Connection
To make your prayer for patience more impactful, it’s essential to personalize it to address the specific areas where you need patience. Here are some ways to tailor the prayer to your unique circumstances:
- Identify Specific Situations: Reflect on the areas in your life where impatience frequently arises. This could be in your relationships, workplace, daily commute, or personal growth journey. By pinpointing these situations, you can address them directly in your prayer.
- Direct Your Requests: Modify the prayer to focus on these specific areas. For example, if you struggle with patience at work, ask God to help you remain calm and composed during stressful projects or interactions with colleagues.
- Include Relevant Scripture: Incorporate Bible verses that resonate with your personal struggles. If James 1:4 speaks to you, use it as a foundation for your prayer, reminding yourself of the importance of endurance and spiritual growth.
Example:
“Lord, help me to be patient with my children when they test my limits. Grant me the grace to respond with love and understanding, as I trust in Your timing and guidance.”
Use Personal Experiences
Incorporating personal reflections and specific details into your prayer for patience can make it more meaningful and relevant to your life. Here’s how you can do that:
- Reflect on Past Experiences: Think about times when you were particularly impatient and how it affected you and those around you. Include these reflections in your prayer to acknowledge your growth areas.
- Express Gratitude for Progress: Recognize and thank God for the progress you’ve made in developing patience. This not only reinforces positive behavior but also helps you see how far you’ve come.
- Be Honest and Vulnerable: Share your true feelings with God, whether it’s frustration, hope, or gratitude. Being open and honest in your prayer strengthens your connection with God and allows you to receive His peace more fully.
Example:
“Father, I remember how impatient I was during my last job search, feeling frustrated with every delay. Thank You for teaching me to trust Your timing. Help me to carry that lesson forward as I face new challenges.”
Regular Practice
Making the prayer for patience a regular ritual is crucial for its effectiveness. Consistency in prayer not only reinforces your faith but also continually invites God’s presence and strength into your life. Here’s how to establish this practice:
- Set a Specific Time: Choose a time each day for your prayer for patience. It could be in the morning to start your day with God’s strength, or in the evening to seek His peace before bed.
- Create a Prayer Space: Designate a quiet, comfortable space for your daily prayer. This can help you focus and make your prayer time more special and intentional.
- Use Reminders: Set reminders on your phone or place notes in visible locations to prompt you to pray daily. Consistency builds a habit, making it easier to maintain this practice over time.
- Journal Your Prayers: Keeping a prayer journal can help track your prayers and reflections. Writing down your prayers allows you to look back and see how God has answered them over time, reinforcing your faith and gratitude.
Example of a Daily Ritual:
- Morning Prayer: Begin your day with the prayer for patience, asking for God’s strength and patience to face the day’s challenges.
- Evening Reflection: End your day by reflecting on how God provided patience throughout the day, thanking Him for His presence and guidance.
Detailed Daily Example:
Morning Ritual:
- Start with a calming activity such as a few moments of deep breathing or reading a Bible verse.
- Say the personalized prayer for patience: “Lord, as I start this day, help me to be patient in all my interactions. Let Your peace fill me, especially when things don’t go as planned.”
Throughout the Day:
- Use short prayers during moments of stress: “God, grant me patience in this moment.”
- Carry a small token (like a cross or a scripture card) to remind you to stay patient.
Evening Reflection:
- Review the day in your prayer journal. Note moments where you felt impatient and how you handled it.
- Thank God for the strength and patience He provided: “Thank You, Lord, for helping me stay calm and patient today. Continue to guide me as I grow in this virtue.”
By personalizing your prayer for patience, reflecting on your unique experiences, and making it a regular practice, you can cultivate a deeper, more resilient faith. This daily ritual will help you draw closer to God, find peace in His promises, and face life’s challenges with renewed patience and grace.
Related: A Prayer for Peace of Mind
How to Deal with Impatience
Understanding God’s Timing
One of the fundamental aspects of dealing with impatience is understanding and accepting God’s timing. Not all of our desires and goals are achieved immediately or in the way we expect. The Bible frequently reminds us that God’s ways and timing are perfect, even when they differ from our own plans. Isaiah 55:8-9 (WEB) states, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” says Yahweh. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
When we offer a prayer for patience, we must remind ourselves that delays and waiting periods are part of God’s greater plan. These times can be opportunities for growth, reflection, and strengthening our faith. By trusting in God’s timing, we can find peace and reduce the frustration that comes with impatience. Embracing the concept that everything happens according to God’s perfect schedule allows us to let go of the need for immediate results and rest in His promises.
Practical Tips:
- Reflect on past experiences where waiting led to better outcomes than you initially anticipated.
- Meditate on scriptures that emphasize trust in God’s timing.
- Include in your prayer for patience a request for understanding and acceptance of God’s timing.
Maintaining Faith
Maintaining faith during times of impatience is crucial for spiritual growth. It can be challenging to remain steadfast when our patience is constantly tested, but persistent prayer and faith are essential. The prayer for patience can be a powerful tool in keeping our faith strong, especially when answers are not immediately apparent.
James 1:3-4 (WEB) reminds us, “knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” This passage encourages us to see trials of patience as a means to develop endurance and spiritual maturity. By maintaining faith and continuing to pray, we demonstrate our trust in God’s greater plan and His faithfulness to see us through.
Practical Tips:
- Start each day with a prayer for patience focused on patience and trust.
- Surround yourself with a community of faith that encourages and supports you during challenging times.
- Keep a journal of answered prayers and instances where maintaining faith led to positive outcomes.
Seeking Additional Help
While prayer is a powerful method for addressing impatience, it can be beneficial to combine it with other supportive practices. Managing impatience often requires a multifaceted approach that includes mindfulness, counseling, and other techniques.
Mindfulness Practices: Mindfulness can help you stay present and manage impatience by grounding you in the current moment. Techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and mindful observation can reduce stress and promote patience. By integrating mindfulness practices with your prayer for patience, you can enhance your ability to stay calm and composed.
Counseling: Seeking guidance from a counselor or therapist can provide additional strategies for managing impatience. Professional support can help you understand the underlying causes of your impatience and develop coping mechanisms. Combining counseling with your prayer for patience can provide a holistic approach to dealing with impatience.
Support Groups: Joining a support group can offer communal encouragement and shared experiences that can help manage impatience. Sharing your journey with others who understand can provide new perspectives and practical advice.
Practical Tips:
- Incorporate short mindfulness exercises into your daily routine, such as deep breathing or a brief meditation before starting your prayer for patience.
- Schedule regular sessions with a counselor or therapist to discuss and work through issues related to impatience.
- Find or create a support group within your community or church where you can share your experiences and find mutual encouragement.
Example:
“Father, help me to stay present and patient in the moments when I feel most restless. Guide me to resources and people who can support me on this journey. Let my prayer for patience be a constant reminder of Your presence and peace.”
In summary, dealing with impatience involves understanding God’s timing, maintaining faith, and seeking additional help when necessary. By incorporating these strategies into your daily life and making your prayer for patience a central part of your routine, you can cultivate greater patience and resilience. Trust in God’s perfect plan, continue to grow in faith, and utilize available resources to manage impatience effectively.
Practical Tips for Cultivating Patience
Mindfulness and Meditation
Mindfulness and meditation are powerful techniques for staying present and managing stress. By focusing on the present moment, we can reduce anxiety about future events and decrease frustration with current situations. Mindfulness involves paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without judgment. This practice helps you become more aware of your impatience triggers and develop strategies to manage them.
Techniques:
- Deep Breathing: Take slow, deep breaths to calm your mind and body. This can help reduce immediate feelings of impatience.
- Body Scan: Focus on different parts of your body, relaxing each one in turn. This helps to ground you in the present moment.
- Guided Meditation: Use apps or online resources for guided meditations focused on patience and relaxation.
Incorporating these mindfulness practices into your daily routine, alongside your prayer for patience, can enhance your ability to remain calm and composed in stressful situations.
Related: 5 Ways of Christian Meditation
Setting Realistic Expectations
Setting realistic expectations is crucial for cultivating patience. Unrealistic goals and timelines can lead to frustration and impatience. By learning to set achievable goals, you can manage your expectations and reduce the stress associated with unmet targets.
Tips:
- Break Down Goals: Divide larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks. This makes progress more visible and less overwhelming.
- Adjust Timelines: Be flexible with your deadlines. Allow extra time for unexpected delays or obstacles.
- Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge and celebrate small achievements along the way. This reinforces positive progress and keeps you motivated.
Integrating these strategies into your prayer for patience can help you maintain a balanced perspective and approach your goals with a calm and patient mindset.
Developing Empathy
Developing empathy involves understanding and considering others’ perspectives. This can significantly reduce frustration and impatience in interactions with others. When we empathize with others, we are more likely to respond with kindness and patience.
Ways to Develop Empathy:
- Active Listening: Pay close attention to what others are saying without interrupting. This shows respect and understanding.
- Perspective-Taking: Try to see situations from others’ viewpoints. This helps to build compassion and patience.
- Reflective Responses: Respond to others with understanding and empathy. Acknowledge their feelings and experiences.
By incorporating empathy into your daily interactions and including it in your prayer for patience, you can foster more harmonious relationships and a more patient attitude.
Patience is a Choice, Not a Personal Trait
Patience is often seen as a personal trait that some people naturally possess while others do not. However, patience is actually a choice that we can cultivate and develop. Recognizing that patience is a choice empowers us to take control of our reactions and responses.
Why Patience is a Choice We Make
- Mindset Shift: Viewing patience as a choice shifts the responsibility from inherent traits to personal actions. This perspective encourages proactive efforts to cultivate patience.
- Behavioral Practice: Just like any other skill, patience can be developed through practice and repetition. The more we practice patience, the more naturally it comes to us.
- Empowerment: Understanding that patience is a choice gives us the power to change our reactions. It enables us to take responsibility for our responses and improve them over time.
By recognizing that patience is a choice, we can actively work on developing it. Including this understanding in your prayer for patience can reinforce your commitment to becoming more patient and resilient.
In conclusion, cultivating patience involves mindful practices, setting realistic expectations, developing empathy, and understanding that patience is a choice. By incorporating these practical tips into your daily routine and your prayer for patience, you can enhance your ability to remain calm, composed, and patient in various situations. Trust in God’s guidance and embrace the journey of developing patience with faith and perseverance.
Conclusion
Seeking patience through prayer is essential for cultivating greater resilience and peace in our daily lives. Incorporating a prayer for patience into your daily routine allows you to draw on God’s strength and guidance, helping you navigate life’s challenges with calm and grace. By turning to prayer, you invite divine presence into moments of frustration, transforming them into opportunities for spiritual growth.
James 1:4 reminds us to “let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” By consistently applying the principles of this verse, we can develop a deeper, more mature faith. Regularly offering a prayer for patience helps reinforce our trust in God’s timing and fosters a patient, resilient spirit.
Remember, patience is not merely a personal trait but a choice we can actively cultivate. By choosing to practice patience, we take control of our reactions and allow ourselves to grow in faith and character. This understanding empowers us to transform impatience into opportunities for growth and reflection.
Closing Blessing
May the Lord bless you with patience and perseverance each day. May His presence be your constant source of strength and serenity. As you honor Him with your daily prayer for patience, may you experience the fulfillment of His promise in James 1:4: “Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” May His peace and patience flow through you, empowering you to face every challenge with faith and grace.
Amen.
By making patience a choice and integrating prayer into your daily life, you can cultivate a resilient and peaceful spirit. Trust in God’s perfect timing and embrace the journey of becoming more patient and spiritually grounded.
Related: A Prayer for Forgiveness
