Praying for Freedom from Anger

You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love (Nehemiah 9:1). Your anger lasts only a moment (Psalm 30:5). Time after time You restrained Your anger and did not stir up Your full wrath (Psalm 78:38). Who knows the power of Your anger? For Your wrath is as great as the fear that is due You (Psalm 90:11).

Please, do not be angry with me (Judges 6:39). I know the day of the Lord is coming – a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger (Isaiah 13:9). I also know You are a gracious and compassionate God; slow to anger and abounding in love (Jonah 4:2). You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy (Micah 7:18). You, Lord, are slow to anger and great in power (Nahum 1:3); You do not harbor Your anger forever (Psalm 103:9). — How I long to be like You!

Heavenly Father, the hurts I have received and the frustrations I feel have caused anger to develop in my soul.  I bring my anger to You, and I ask You to replace it with Your healing love.  You are my Healer (Exodus 15:26) and at Your feet I place all of my inner hurts, frustrations, wounds and disappointments. Thank You for inviting me to cast all my cares upon You (1 Peter 5:7). 

Your Word tells me: a quick-tempered man does foolish things (Proverbs 14:17), and harsh words stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1), which only stirs up more dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel (Proverbs 15:18). It is better to control my temper (Proverbs 16:32), a glory to overlook an offense (Proverbs 19:11). You warn us to not make friends with a hot-tempered man, to not associate with one easily angered (Proverbs 22:24). Lord, keep me from being such a one! Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming (Proverbs 27:4), for an angry man commits many sins (Proverbs 29:22). You warn us not to be quickly provoked in spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools (Ecclesiastes 7:9).

Please help me to get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Instead lead me to be kind and compassionate to others, forgiving others as You forgive (Ephesians 4:31-32). Please teach me how to keep myself from hot tempers, hatred, cursing, and filthy language (Colossians 3:8).

Father, help me also to forsake judging and criticizing others, which lead to frustrations and anger (Matthew 7:1-2). I remember Your Word says that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment (Matthew 5:22), and to not take revenge but leave room for Your wrath, for it is written: “It is Mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord (Romans 12:19).

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: hatred, fits of rage, dissensions, (Galatians 5:19-20). I know I need to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, because my anger does not bring about the righteous life that You desire (James 1:19-20). Teach me, my loving Lord, to deal with anger in positive, constructive ways. With Your grace, I will never let the sun go down on my wrath again (Ephesians 4:26). 

It is my heartfelt desire to always follow Your perfect way and Will in all things, and to pursue the most excellent way of all – the way of love (1 Corinthians 12:31).  Thank You for lifting the burden of anger from me. Through Your guidance and leadership in my life, I know I will learn to refrain from anger and turn from wrath; and to not fret for it leads only to evil (Psalm 37:8).

Father, I thank You for Jesus who is my High Priest.  He understands my anger (Hebrews 4:15) and I believe He will lead me to freedom from its torment in my life.  Thank You, Lord God, for Your nurturing in my life.  I respond to Your love, dearest Father, and as I do so, the anger I was feeling is fading away (1 John 4:10).  Thank You, O sovereign Lord.