Patient Trust Prayer of Teilhard de Chardin

The Patient Trust prayer by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin speaks to the struggle many of us face when things move slowly. We want answers now. We want results right away. But that is not how God usually works. God often leads us step by step, with no shortcuts. This prayer reminds us to trust that slow process.

Teilhard de Chardin was a Jesuit priest and scientist. He lived in the early 1900s and spent time thinking about both faith and science. He understood that growth—whether in nature or in the soul—takes time. His words reflect that gentle but real truth. In this prayer, he encourages us to be patient with how God works in our lives.

The prayer is not long, but it speaks to a deep struggle. We want to skip the hard parts. We want to be finished growing. But God invites us to stay in the moment, even when it is messy or confusing. Teilhard reminds us that we are not alone in that waiting. God is still at work.

This prayer is helpful for anyone who feels stuck or restless. It gives hope without rushing. It reminds us to keep going, even when the path is unclear. And it shows us that waiting can be holy, too. Even when we feel incomplete, we can still trust that God is leading us.

The Patient Trust prayer was written by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a French Jesuit priest and scientist. He lived from 1881 to 1955. He worked as a paleontologist and studied how the world and people change over time. Teilhard believed that science and faith could go together. He often wrote about how God works slowly in nature and in the human soul.

This prayer was found in his letters and writings. It was not published as a formal prayer at first. Over time, people began to share it because they found it helpful. Many who read it saw their own struggles in the words. It became known as the Patient Trust prayer because that is what it teaches—patience and trust.

The format is simple and clear. It reads like gentle advice. There are no flowery phrases. Instead, it feels like a quiet voice telling you to slow down and let God work. Each line builds on the next, showing how hard it is to wait and yet how important it is.

Today, this prayer is often used in times of change. People turn to it during big life decisions, times of stress, or when the future feels uncertain. It is a quiet reminder that God’s work takes time, and that is okay.

The Patient Trust prayer connects closely with many parts of the Bible. It reminds us of how often people in Scripture had to wait for God’s plan to unfold. Abraham waited for a child. Moses waited in the desert. Mary waited with trust after the angel spoke to her. These stories show that God often works slowly, but with care.

This prayer also speaks to the idea of hope. In Romans 8:25, St. Paul says, “But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.” Waiting is part of Christian life. It teaches us to rely on God’s timing, not our own. Youth today often struggle with waiting. They want answers fast. This prayer helps them slow down and listen for God’s voice.

In youth ministry, this prayer can be used in lessons about trust, patience, and vocation. It invites young people to be honest about their doubts and questions. It helps them feel safe in the process of growing, even when they feel unsure.

The Catechism reminds us that “prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God” (CCC 2559). This prayer does exactly that. It teaches young people to offer their unfinished lives to God. It helps them see that even in the waiting, they are being formed.

Above all, trust in the slow work of God.
We are quite naturally impatient in everything
to reach the end without delay.
We should like to skip the intermediate stages.
We are impatient of being on the way to something
unknown, something new.

And yet it is the law of all progress
that it is made by passing through
some stages of instability—
and that it may take a very long time.

And so I think it is with you;
your ideas mature gradually—let them grow,
let them shape themselves, without undue haste.

Don’t try to force them on,
as though you could be today what time
(that is to say, grace and circumstances
acting on your own good will)
will make of you tomorrow.

Only God could say what this new spirit
gradually forming within you will be.

Give Our Lord the benefit of believing
that his hand is leading you,
and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself
in suspense and incomplete.

Patient Trust

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What is the Patient Trust prayer?

This prayer is a short reflection written by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. It reminds us to be patient and trust that God is working in our lives, even when we don’t see it yet.

Who wrote the Patient Trust prayer?

It was written by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. He was a Jesuit priest and also a scientist. He believed that God works slowly, both in nature and in people.

Why is it called the Patient Trust prayer?

It teaches us to be patient with ourselves and with God. It reminds us that growth takes time and that we should trust in that slow process.

When should I pray it?

You can pray it when you feel stuck, worried, or unsure about the future. It is helpful during times of waiting, change, or decision-making.

Can this prayer be used with teens or youth groups?

Yes. It is very good for teens. It helps them understand that they don’t have to rush their lives. It teaches them that it’s OK to feel unsure while they grow.

Can I use the Patient Trust prayer in class or at church?

Yes. It can be used in catechism class, youth nights, retreats, or quiet prayer time. It works well for both personal and group reflection.

The Patient Trust prayer by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin speaks to those who feel stuck, rushed, or unsure of what comes next. It reminds us that growth takes time. We often want to jump ahead, but God works slowly and with care. This prayer invites us to accept that slow process.

Teilhard, a Jesuit priest and scientist, knew that real change doesn’t happen overnight. In the prayer, he encourages us to let our ideas and our faith grow gradually. We are called to trust God’s plan, even when it feels unclear or delayed.

This prayer is especially good for people in times of transition. It speaks to those facing big life decisions, doubts, or long waiting periods. It also reminds us that being incomplete is not a bad thing. God is still at work.

Youth ministers can use the Patient Trust prayer to help teens who are unsure about the future. It connects with themes like patience, trust, and spiritual growth. It is a helpful way to guide young people through times of change.

Have you ever felt like God was taking too long to act? The Patient Trust prayer might speak to that feeling. It helps us remember that we don’t need to rush. God’s work often takes time, and that’s OK. This prayer can bring peace during seasons of waiting.

If this prayer has helped you or someone you know, we’d love to hear about it. Please share your experience in the comments. Your story might help someone else who is waiting on God too.