A Prayer for when You're Angry

Holding space for all emotions in the presence of God

It’s a familiar feeling that rises in us—heart pumping, hands shaking, adrenaline rushing, all working in unison to send our minds reeling. Anger pulses through our veins in various ways and manifests differently for all of us. Maybe it was the car that cut you off this morning on your commute, the dire situation that is on full display in the news again, the injustices that invade our world, or a betrayal that blindsided you—anger has a way of being triggered in our life and bubbling up like a volcano inside of us. At some point that volcano explodes and often times reeks havoc around it.

Anger is always an invitation to notice a deeper emotion flowing beneath the surface.

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Photo by Simran Sood on Unsplash

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I’m no therapist, but I’ve been in enough therapy over many years now to know that our expressions of anger are always pointing to something else—a deeper emotion that is asking for permission to be seen. These deeper emotions are scary at times to notice and name. They are often pushed down, ignored, and swept under the rug.

The prayer I’m offering today, is an invitation to experience the kindness of God for ourselves amidst really big emotions. To notice what we need in the moments of anger (or as we reflect back on times when it overtook us), and name what is truly rising from the depths of our souls.

I encourage you to imagine our friend Jesus coming alongside your anger—inviting it to sit down, giving it a hug, and asking what is going on beneath it.

What would your anger say?

A Prayer for When You’re Angry

Oh gentle God, my body feels out of control right now.

My heart’s pounding like it’s ready to explode.

My tears are burning hot as they race down my face.

My adrenaline is pulsing through veins—clouding words, actions, and judgments.

Anger is alive and active in me right now and feels like it’s swallowing me whole.

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Oh God, where is your justice in a broken world?

Where are your movements in painful words spoken in hurt?

Where is your provision in immense loss?

Where is your Love in the world’s enveloping fear?

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May the anger that surfaces in me, be an invitation from You to stop—

to notice what I’m feeling below the anger,

to name my fear,

and to name my sadness.

To name all of what has been left unnamed.

I ask you for the gentleness of Jesus, to welcome all of who I am,

to be present with my feelings,

to be kind to them and myself,

and to ask them what they’re trying to say.

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What are you feeling towards my anger God?

Compassion.

Kindness.

Empathy.

Sadness.

I gently ask myself what I’m feeling towards my own anger and pray for Your eyes to see what’s going on inside of me.

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May the anger I feel, not turn into more hate—but be an invitation to openness.

May the anger I feel, not be expressed in terse, hurtful words—but be an an avenue to bravely use my voice.

May the anger that I feel, not blanket the future in despair—but see the Hope that is only possible through the blood of Jesus.

May I remember that my anger, and all the emotions that come with it, are in a safe place to commune with Jesus.

Amen.

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