When we’re angry, praying is often the last thing we’re thinking about. It can be hard to find the words we need for our prayers for anger.
But pausing, taking a breath and praying is the best thing we can do.
There are different kinds of anger of course. In the Bible we do see instances of righteous anger; this is the kind of anger that stirs us into positive action. But mostly when the Bible talks about anger, it is the kind that leads us to act out in the wrong kinds of ways.
Selfish Anger
This kind of selfish anger clouds our perspective of God. We stop relying on Him and give in to the temptation to rage. This is something that may feel good initially but achieves very little in the long run. In fact, we can often do things in anger that we later regret, like violence, overreaction or poorly chosen words. And like all sin, it redirects our focus away from God and His goodness.
Thankfully, God’s grace is sufficient and we can always return to Him in prayer. Below we’ve gathered some prayers for anger of different kinds, that you can use to recenter your heart and soul when you find anger has taken control.
Prayer For When Things Are Out Of Our Control
Lord, help me to be calm when things are out of my control. You know what they are. Although anger may be my natural response, help me to keep it under control.
When my anger comes from not being able to control a bad situation, give me Your peace. Help me to focus on the things I can control, like the tasks on my desk and the chores for the day. I have the power to do these well and to commit them to You as worship. Help me to focus on these things.
I know that out of control, wrathful anger is not the state of mind You want for me. Psalm 37:8 implores me to “refrain from anger” for it “leads only to evil”. James 1:20 warns me that “human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires”. Lord, I want to live a righteous life and I want to please You. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I can see the good things You have given me and the path You have set out before me. Help me to refrain from anger, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Prayer For anger At Other People
If there is one form of anger that most grieves Your heart, Lord, it is anger and bitterness towards others.
In Ephesians 4:26, You teach me, “do not let the sun go down on your anger”. Help me to go to sleep with a peaceful mind and a humble spirit, leaving any quarrels in the past. Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:22-24 to reconcile with others before I commit to worshipping You, particularly those I am close to. If I have bitterness in my heart, it is very difficult to come before You in awe and reverence. Lord, present me with opportunities for reconciliation.
If someone has wronged me, been unkind to me or caused me some minor grievance, give me the strength to forgive them. Lord, You love justice but let my anger be proportionate to the sin. It’s better for me to have a loving heart towards my enemies than to hold on to bitterness and resentment. Rather I should “be patient, bearing with one another in love”as it says in Ephesians 4:2.
God, I pray for those people I am angry with, for whatever reason. I pray that You would soften my heart towards them and help me to move on from this. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Prayer To Remove The Spirit Of Anger
Lord, forgive me for the times I have given in to anger, malice, wrath or fury. For when I have let my emotions get the better of me and lost control. Have mercy on my soul and show me Your kindness.
God, I know that sometimes it feels like getting angry is the correct response to a situation, whether it’s in my control or not. But I know from Ephesians 4:31 that beyond an initial reaction, anger, bitterness and malice are not of You.
Instead, God, fill me with Your Spirit so that I can exhibit the qualities that you desire. Galatians 5:22-23 says that “the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”. I long to be more like You, Lord, and to know the fruits of the Spirit in my daily life. Instead of anger, give me self-control and peace. Help me to approach individual situations with wisdom and a calm head. All this for Your glory, Lord. Amen.
A Prayer For Righteous Anger
Lord, I know that not all anger is sinful. There are things which grieve Your heart, which I can have righteous anger towards. This comes from a longing for Your kingdom and for all things to be made new again. I need to be stirred up by the things that break Your heart. Help me to have the response of Jesus in Mark 11:15-17 when He overturned the tables in the Temple. To have a low tolerance for injustice and a high tolerance for holiness.
Help me to know what I can control. Help me to have a correct response to those things which provoke righteous anger. I thank you, Lord, that You are in control. Give me the strength to avoid the ways of the world and be a peaceful presence instead.
Lord, I long for a holy zeal and a righteous anger that leads me into Your presence. Let it energize me into living out Your call on my life. All glory to God in the highest. Amen.
Helpful Prayers For Anger And More
We hope you’ve found these prayers helpful. You can find more guided prayer and devotionals to help you with different moods and emotions on theGlorify app.
Featured image: Aaron Burden
