PRAYING FOR HELP AS WE ADMIT OUR ANGER

It's almost impossible to watch the evening news without seeing one or more individuals or groups who are clearly very angry.  We live in a world that seems to have forgotten how to disagree without being angry.

Anger also commonly masks other feeling including fear, anxiety, guilt, shame, embarrassment, betrayal, jealousy, sadness, hurt, and worry. We would do well to search our hearts to find out what is really going on inside us and deal with that rather than simply expressing anger about something in our circumstances.

Jesus said:  “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell. Matthew 5:21-22

And the Bible also teaches us: You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

Heavenly Father, We ask forgiveness for the times we have reacted in anger and caused harm to others.  Please show us the underlying root of our destructive anger.  Our desire is to have peace in our hearts and to treat others with respect.  We choose to “put off” anger and rage which hinders our relationship with you and with others. Help us to “put on” our new self which is clothed in righteousness and holiness.  Make us more like you.  We ask these things in the precious name of Jesus.  AMEN

Stress is a huge factor behind anger.  Are we willing to identify stress in ourselves and deal with whatever the source of it is?  The key to handling stress is to lean on God’s power at the initial stage of any problem.  God's strength comes as He stabilizes our emotions with His peace, infuses our hearts with His joy, and provides us with His wisdom to deal with any hardship in life. 

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Philippians 4:6

Heavenly Father, When we feel overwhelmed and life has lots of stress, help us to first seek Your perspective on the troubling issues.  Help us to let go of anger and stress and rest in Your promise to make a way forward.  Open our hearts and minds to receive Your wisdom, comfort and strength.  Amen.

Let’s be people of peace rather than those who are filled with anger.  Let’s pray for any angry people we see today in person on in media.  God wants less anger in our world.  Let’s join Him in this work.