Cultivating Patience
A Practice of Patience
Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him.
- Psalm 37:7
The Welcoming Prayer teaches us the gentle art of patience—meeting and embracing each moment exactly as it is rather than rushing toward what might be. Like the stillness the psalm invites us to enter, this contemplative prayer practice helps us wait with quiet attention.
Begin by settling into a comfortable position and bringing to mind a situation where you feel impatient or unsettled. Rather than trying to fix or change the situation, simply welcome it. You might say silently, “Welcome, frustration” or “Welcome, uncertainty”—whatever you are experiencing in this moment.
At first, many find this welcoming counterintuitive. Our natural impulse is to resist what makes us uncomfortable. Yet, paradoxically, welcoming our impatience often help it loosen its grip. Like a tightly clenched fist that relaxes when we stop trying to hold on, our resistance often softens when we stop fighting it.
As you sit with what arises, notice where you feel this in your body. Welcome these physical sensations too. Perhaps tension in your shoulders, a clenched jaw, butterflies in your stomach, or heat in your face. Then, ever so gently, begin to let go of your need for the situation to be different. This isn’t resignation, but rather a deep trust that God is present in our yielding.
This practice reminds us that patience grows not by forcing it, but by practicing presence to what is. End by resting quietly, trusting that each time you welcome what is, you strengthen your capacity for patience.
Making it Personal: When might you pause for this welcoming practice? What situation in your life needs this gentle acceptance? What happens when you welcome rather than resist your impatience? How might regular practice help you cultivate more patience in daily life?
Listen To Our Lent Podcast Episodes
We also invite you to listen to the Living Compass Spirituality and Wellness Podcast hosted by Scott Stoner. This is a year-round, weekly podcast; however, during Lent, there will be two new episodes each week to enrich your experience of our Lenten readings on Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit.
You can listen to the podcast on our website by clicking HERE. You can also find this podcast in your favorite podcast listening app (Apple, Google, Spotify, etc.)—just search for Living Compass Spirituality and Wellness