Prayer for understanding

The crossroads of our life: starting in a new school, getting hired for a job, beginning a romantic relationship, getting married, building a family, and other important events are our turning points which could either lead to our growth or to our decline. These events in our lives can happen quickly without us knowing it. Some people undergo a series of discernment processes before making a choice, while some prefer to face this head-on without a second thought. And in the end, we tend to look back on our experiences and decisions in life, trying to make sense of them, yearning for meaning and trying patiently to learn from them.

In our quest for patience and understanding, we turn towards God, who is the Author of life, through silent prayer and reflection. We ask God to send the Holy Spirit to aid us in understanding and in searching for the meaning of the various major life events that we experienced. We also pray for acceptance and openness to own these unique experiences, for they contribute to developing our character, our values, and our identity. May this prayer for understanding and acceptance grant us an understanding mind and a patient heart to obtain the graces from God.   

Prayer for patience and understanding

Almighty Father, the Author of life,

I come before You seeking the grace of patience and understanding for the many things that are happening in my life. They seem to me like rabid dogs barking at me on all sides. I am trapped in my own anxiety and fears. I am afraid and paralyzed to move on. Come to my aid, Almighty Father, and may Your hand lead me through the darkness of ambiguity and restlessness towards the light of clarity and of purpose.

I am aware, Almighty Father, of the times when I act solely on my own without depending on Your providential guidance and counsel. The rashness of my actions and decisions has lead me to this confusion that I am experiencing. Your immense wisdom never failed to lead Your faithful ones in fulfilling Your divine plan for them. I wish to obtain the grace of patience and understanding of Your will that I may also be led by Your hand.

Almighty Father, may You free me from this useless anxiety and begin to be patient and to understand Your divine plan for my life. Allow my prayer to grant me peace of mind and serenity of the heart. Let my eyes see with faith all the different events which are unfolding in my life. May my realizations and reflections lead me towards the fulfillment of Your promise to me, an eternal life with You in heaven.

I ask all of this through Jesus’ name together with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

Amen.  

Short prayer for understanding

Almighty Father, may You grant me the grace of patience and understanding of all the things happening in my life. Let Your peace reign within me. Amen.

The Word of God

The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah a second time while he was still confined in the court of the guard: Thus says the Lord who makes it, the Lord who forms it to establish it—the Lord is his name: Call to me, and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

Jeremiah 33:1-3 NRSVUE

Prayer to Saint Monica for patience and understanding

Dear Saint Monica, the mother of the great Saint Augustine of Hippo, let my prayer come before you as I seek the grace of patience and understanding of the events happening in my life. I am troubled on all sides by my useless worrying and frightful imagination of my future. I am left confused and hopeless amidst the troubles of my life.

Saint Monica, your persistent prayers for the conversion of your son, Saint Augustine, was a known example of your expectant faith. You patiently prayed for your beloved son that he would turn his back on his sinful lifestyle and lead a holy Christian life. You were understanding towards the people around you, even when they ridiculed you for your unwavering faith. It was a long and difficult journey before you saw the fruits of your prayers: everything answered in God’s time.

Grant me the grace, Saint Monica, to emulate your patience and understanding of what is happening in my life through silent prayer and reflection. May I also be patient in understanding that everything happens in God’s time. May I remain steadfast in prayer so that I may continually be aware of God’s presence in my life. I hope to see the fruits of my prayers in the future so that I may continue to offer praise and sing songs of thanksgiving to the loving Father in heaven.

Saint Monica, pray for us.

Amen.

Further reflection

The crossroads of our lives are our turning points towards growth and maturity. These choices challenge us and free us from our comfort zones for our own good. These may seem frightening at first, but we should never fear, for God is in control. We may not understand what is happening now in our lives, but God has planned everything for us. We only need to cooperate in His grace and listen to His words through constant prayer.

We seek to understand everything that is happening around us. It is in our nature since we are rational beings. Making sense of it gives us the confidence to face the unknown. But when our limited human capabilities fail, we lose hope and fall into fear and despair. During these moments, we turn to God in prayer. Let us allow His light to shun the darkness of ambiguity. Let us allow His hand to lead us through the thickets of difficulties. Let His words penetrate our clouded minds and troubled hearts. May we always turn to prayer in seeking the grace of patience and understanding. The future of our lives is already in God’s care, and we only need to cooperate in His grace.