You may be praying for a prodigal. You may be crippled with anxiety about your daughter’s mental health. You may be simultaneously furious and terrified about your son’s self-destructive behavior. You may be so bewildered by your child’s struggles that you don’t know whether to pull them into your arms or kick them out of the house.
The King James translation has a vivid word for patience: longsuffering. As much as we love our children, only the Holy Spirit can give us what we need to suffer long and suffer wisely for their sake. We “have need of endurance,” and when we come quickly to the end of our feeble strength, only God can give it.
Years ago, I found this definition of perseverance: “steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success; continuance in a state of grace leading finally to a state of glory.” I know I am not steadfast; I need constant reminders that in Christ, I live in that state of grace that is leading to glory. So I mine the Bible for strength and encouragement, and I have found it in these verses. I hope they help you endure in prayer, in faith, in suffering, and in peace.
Lord, make us steadfast, we pray.
… We also glory in tribulation, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint… (Rom. 5:3)
For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold to the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end… (Heb. 3:14)
… I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep what I have committed to him until that Day. Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. (2 Tim. 1:12-14)
… Pray(ing) always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints… (Eph. 6:18)
But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them… (2 Tim. 3:14)
My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed, we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord- that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. (James 5:10-11)
Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. (2 Thess. 2:15-17)
But for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, to brotherly kindness love. (2 Pet. 1:6)
As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you; continue ye in my love. (John 15:9)
Because you have kept my command to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I come quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. (Rev. 3:10)
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed in Him, “If you abide in my Word, then you are my disciples indeed.”(John 8:31)
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit; for with Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5)
Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise… But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. (Heb. 10: 35-36)
And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14: 21-22)
God… will render to each according to his deeds; eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor and immortality. (Rom. 2:6-7)
Moreover brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you… (1 Cor. 15:1-2)
Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. (2 Cor. 1:21-22)
(He will) …present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight- if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel… (Col. 1:21-23)
And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. (Heb. 3: 5-6)
And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Heb. 6:11-12)
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast… (Heb. 6:19)
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. (Heb. 10: 23)
Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James 1:4)
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin… Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, that that which is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord; looking careful lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled… (Heb. 12:1-15, selected)
Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith- the salvation of your souls. (1 Pet. 1:3-9)
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ… Therefore brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble, for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. (2 Pet. 1:5-8; 10-11)
Therefore, beloved… Be diligent to be found by him in peace, without spot and blameless, and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation… Beware lest you fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked… (2 Pet. 3:17-18)
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Rev. 2:10)
But hold fast what you have til I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps my works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations… I also have received from my Father, and I will give him the morning star. (Rev. 2:25-28)
When he (Barnabas) came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose. (Acts 11:23)
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain for the Lord. (1 Cor. 15:58)
Be not carried about with strange and divers doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace. (Heb. 13:9)
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed unto the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our profession. (Heb. 4:14)
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Gal. 5:1)
And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we will reap, if we faint not. (Gal. 6:9)
Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Eph. 6:13)
Being confident of this very thing, that He who hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ… (Phil. 1:6)
Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. (Phil. 4:1)
For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. (1 Thess. 3:8)
… Hold fast to what is good. (1 Thess. 5:21)
And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom… (2 Tim. 4:18)
Holding fast the faithful word as he had been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. (Titus 1:9)
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. (Heb. 2:1)
Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all you do be done with love. (1 Cor. 16:13)
Here are a list of the words and phrases the Bible uses to describe patient endurance:
Persevere
Be watchful
Continue in the things you have learned
Suffering and patience
Endure
Be diligent
Hold fast
Overcome
Abide
Through many tribulations enter the kingdom
Patient continuance in doing good
STAND
Established; sealed
Continue in the faith; grounded and steadfast
Immoveable
Abounding in the work of the Lord
Committed
Hold fast to the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end
Diligence to the full assurance of hope til the end
Confidence
Run with endurance the race set before us
Strengthen the hands, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet
Looking careful
Kept by the power of God
Yet believing
Beware last you fall from your own steadfastness
Be faithful unto death
Keep My works
Continue ye in my love
With purpose of heart cleave unto the Lord
Stand fast in liberty
Patience have her perfect work
Preserve
Hold fast the faithful Word
We persevere in God’s strength, not our own, but – such grace!— we also reap the rewards of perseverance:
Character
Hope
Blessing
Knowing He is compassionate and merciful
Kept from the hour of trial
Glory, honor, and immortality
Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee
Holy and blameless and above reproach in His sight
Comfort
Partakers of Christ
Inherit the promises
Be healed
Great reward
Neither be barren nor unfruitful
Crown of life
The morning star
Power over the nations
Inherit all things
Your labor is not in vain
I will be your God and you will be my son
Withstand the evil day
Be confident
Exhort and convince the gainsayers
Perfect and entire, wanting nothing
Delivered from every evil work
Established in every good word and work
The end of your faith, the salvation of your souls
Live
Free…
