6 Prayers For Controlling Your Anger

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Use these 6 prayers for anger to calm your frustrations and impatience and fight against losing your temper and sinning in your anger.

Anger is a powerful and uncomfortable emotion.

Many of us can get surprised at what bubbles out of us when we are in a livid state. Those around us are often on the receiving end of our irateness and indignation. The Bible has many things to say about anger, wrath, and rage, often warning us of its detrimental consequences when we choose to act on it.

We all struggle with anger from time to time and anger itself is not a sin, though our responses to anger can be quite sinful and cause harm to those around us.

Some people’s anger is more evident because they may easily become hot-headed and vocal when upset. Others may seem to have their anger more under control but are privately boiling in anger and resentment on the inside. Whichever one you can relate more to, God’s words regarding anger apply to you.

You might experience anger through a small annoyance that occurs during your day. Or resentment when you have been treated unfairly, or with contempt. It can be especially easy to harbor anger and resentment and build an attitude of bitterness towards people who have hurt us in the past.

When we sit on our anger and allow it to fester, it can grow into resentment, bitterness, and ultimately hatred. These are all things that God calls us to put off, and exchange for forgiveness, peace and reconciliation.

It’s also important to note that Scripture teaches us of an anger that is not wrong. This is called righteous anger.

God’s anger is righteous. We can have righteous anger when we see God or His word being offended. We can also experience righteous anger when we see how poorly others are being treated and we desire to help or stand up for them. This anger does not lead us to act in sinful ways. Instead, it motivates us to make positive changes.

One of the best ways we can work through our battle with anger is through prayer. When we pray to God, we invite Him to change our hearts, our demeanor and our intentions. It no longer becomes about getting even or giving someone a piece of your mind. It becomes about pleasing Christ and doing what He calls you to do.

My hope is that these prayers about anger will help you to do just that and to grow in your relationship with the Lord, as you become more patient, forbearing, and forgiving.

Prayers for Anger

1. Prayer Not To Sin During Anger

“In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
– Ephesians 4:26 & 31

Dear Heavenly Father,

I am so often tempted to sin when I feel angry. There is this storm that is raging inside of me when I am upset, and at times it feels like it is going to escape and destroy everything in its path. I know that this kind of anger does not please you, or help me at all.

Please forgive me for how quickly I can become angry at times. If anyone is entitled to anger, it is You. In our sin, we have created the greatest offensive – sinning against a Holy God. Yet, You have shown us grace and forgiveness. Please help me to become more like You. Keep me from sinning when I am angry. Help me to remain level-headed and to turn to You when I feel myself getting upset.

Help me to forgive and make amends, instead of letting the sun go down on my anger. I don’t want to give the devil a foothold because of my anger. Please rid me of all bitterness, rage and anger. Help me to rely on You, instead of my emotions when I am hurt or take offense.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

2. Prayer To Be Wise When You Are Angry

“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.”
– Proverbs 29:11

Father,

It’s so hard to think straight when I am angry. There are so many thoughts running through my mind, and I feel as though I am going to do or say something that I’ll regret when I am angry. I realize a lot of it has to do with self-control.

When I am angry, it reveals how much I really struggle with self-control. When I allow words to slip during my anger that are intended to be hurtful, I am acting on my anger in a way that dishonors You and others. Please forgive me for the times that I have acted on my anger.

Your word often compares the one who goes full out on their anger as someone who is foolish. I admit there are times when I act foolishly, even though I know that there is a different way to respond. Please forgive me for the times I have chosen to act foolishly instead of wisely.

Help me not to give full vent to my rage, but instead to become wise in my anger. Grant me the strength to walk away and pray to You to help me calm down so I can think soberly. Help me to become wise so that I can bring calm in the end, instead of adding fuel to the flame.

It’s in Your Name, I pray, amen.

3. Prayer To Live Righteously

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” – James 1:20

Dear God,

My flesh often gets it all backwards. I find myself to be quick to speak, quick to become angry, but slow to listen. There is this urge to be heard, to make my point while forgetting that You call me to be slow to speak, and slow to anger.

Please be gracious toward me for all the times when I have spoken out of turn, or spoken quickly because of the anger that has accumulated inside of me. Rid me of the need to be right and to be heard when I don’t make allowances for others to be heard and dealt with patiently. You have been patient with me, help me to extend that same patience to others.

Help me to become quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Your word says that the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Please strip me of my wrathful ways, and help me to reflect You in Your righteousness and patience.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

4. Prayer To Be Slow to Anger

“Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.” – Ecclesiastes 7:9

Lord,

Thank You so much for Your word that instructs us on how to live. We truly become wise when we not only read Your word, but listen to it and apply it to our lives.

One of the things that You warn us about in scripture is anger. I confess that I have struggled with anger, and I have seen how devastating its effects can be, not only to those on the receiving end, but to myself. I don’t like the person I become when I am angry.

I become impatient, and embittered. I know that my behavior and thoughts in my anger are not honoring to You. Please forgive me for the times that I have displeased You in my anger. Help me not be quickly provoked, or quick to take offense. Grant me the ability to be patient with others and to respond in humility instead of anger.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

5. Prayer To Not Evoke Anger with Your Speech

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1

Father,

It’s funny how we can both worship with our lips, and say the most hurtful things using the same tongue. In Your word, You talk about taming the tongue a lot. I confess, it is not always easy for me to tame my tongue. Especially when I am infused with anger.

Sometimes the words I say may cause others to stumble and provoke them to anger. Please forgive me for the times when I have been harsh with my words. Help me to give a gentle answer and turn away wrath, instead of stir up wrath. May the words of my mouth not only bring You praise, but be gracious and encouraging to those who hear it.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

6. Prayer Not To Be Hot-Tempered

“A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.“ – Proverbs 15:18

Lord,

Please forgive me for my temper. When I allow my anger to grow inside of me, it is only a matter of time before sparks fly. I have realized how unhealthy it is to be hot-tempered and how unholy it is too. I am really struggling.

Please be gracious toward me as I ask for Your forgiveness for all the things I have done, said and thought during my anger. I don’t want to live in constant conflict with myself and with others anymore. Please help me to seek the forgiveness of those whom I have hurt because of my temper. Instead, grant me Your peace and patience. I

pray that Your Holy Spirit will strengthen me in times when I am feeling angry. Help me to be patient and to become the peacemaker during quarrels instead of the instigator.

In Jesus’ matchless name, I pray, amen.