Anger often catches us off guard, in front of an injustice, a hurtful word or a day that has worn us out. This page is for you if you want to calm your own anger, or someone else's. You can bring it to God just as it is: he hears you without condemning you, and he knows how to teach you calm.
Prayers
A Short Prayer When Anger Rises
Lord, I feel anger rising in me and I do not want to obey it. Before I say a word I would regret, I stop and turn to you. Father, help me to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Put a gentle answer on my lips, one that calms instead of inflaming. Breathe your calm into me until my heart slows down. I do not want to deny what I feel, nor let it master me. Help me keep self-control by your Spirit. Thank you, Lord, for being patient with me. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
James 1:19-20
A Prayer to Give My Resentment to God
Father, I bring you what makes me angry. You know the offense, you see what I have been through, and nothing escapes you. I no longer want to carry this bitterness alone. I lay before you my thoughts of revenge and my need to be proved right. Lord, you are just, and I leave justice in your hands. Heal what is wounded in me. Help me forgive as you have forgiven me, even if I cannot yet do it by myself. Do not let the sun go down on my anger. Take my hard heart and give me a peaceful one. In Jesus' name, amen.
Ephesians 4:26-27
A Prayer to Calm Another Person's Anger
Lord, someone close to me is angry, and the tension weighs on us both. I cannot change their heart, but you can. Father, I ask you to calm them with your peace and to give me a gentle word, free of pride and provocation. Keep me from answering harshness with harshness. Give me wisdom to know when to speak and when to stay silent. Open a path for this person toward you and toward reconciliation. I entrust this relationship to you: do in it what only you can do. Thank you for hearing me. In Jesus' name, amen.
Proverbs 15:1
Biblical proclamations
Slow to speak, slow to wrath
« So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. »
James 1:19-20
I proclaim that I am swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath, for human anger does not produce the righteousness of God.
A soft answer turns away wrath
« A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. »
Proverbs 15:1
I declare that I choose a soft answer that turns away wrath, rather than harsh words that stir up conflict.
I hold my feelings back with wisdom
« A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back. »
Proverbs 29:11
I proclaim that I do not vent all my feelings like a fool, but I hold them back with the wisdom that comes from God.
I refuse to be quick to anger
« Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools. »
Ecclesiastes 7:9
I declare that I do not hasten in my spirit to be angry, for anger rests only in the bosom of fools. I choose patience instead.
I put off wrath and malice
« But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. »
Colossians 3:8
I proclaim that I put off anger, wrath, and malice, and I put on the character of Christ in every relationship.
Bible verses to meditate on
Frequently asked questions
Is it a sin to be angry?
Feeling anger is not a sin in itself: the Bible says, “Be angry, and do not sin.” The danger begins when anger pushes us to hurt others, hold a grudge or take revenge. You can bring it to God honestly and ask him to transform it.
How do I pray to calm someone else's anger?
You can ask God to touch their heart and to give you gentle words, because “a soft answer turns away wrath.” You cannot control the other person, but you can pray for them, keep your own calm and pursue peace as far as it depends on you.
What should I do when prayer does not calm my anger right away?
Keep coming before God as often as you need to: he never grows tired of you. Talk to him about what hides behind the anger, such as a wound, fear or exhaustion. Also confide in a mature brother or sister in the faith who can walk with you.
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