Getting Service to Wait until SQL is running

I have a service that requires SQL to be running in order to function properly. If SQL comes up before the application server, the server will fail to connect every time until either the service or server is restarted. The web server piece works, which make the application think it's running, but when you try to connect, it fails. Is there way to get wait for SQL to be running before it starts? 

For example, if I patch the SQL server and the Application at the same time. SQL will almost always take longer, sometimes hours longer, to get done. It needs to be up before the application starts. 

I need to automate this process if at all possible. I'm open to any suggestions. Both servers are running Win2K12r2.