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•A Prayer to Be Free from Anger, Resentment, and Bitterness•By Anthony Valente👉 He who is slow to anger has great understanding [and profits from his self-control], But he who is quick-tempered exposes and exalts his foolishness [for all to see].(Proverbs 14:29)We know from reading Scripture that God grows angry—He was furious when His people forgot Him and crafted idols (Deuteronomy 21:19), when Solomon turned his heart away (1 Kings 11:9), and when the Israelites and Judeans refused to listen to His commands (Jeremiah 32:31-33). Jesus grew angry when the people used God’s temple for personal profit (Matthew 21:12-13), as well as when they cared more about themselves than healing a suffering man on the Sabbath (Mark 3:5).Made in God’s image, we are designed to feel and, naturally, get angry too. But there is sinful anger and righteous anger—and a strong difference between the two. Righteous anger typically comes when we see a situation that goes against the will and commands of God—sins such as abuse and other deep injustice. This anger develops because we are in alignment with God and are outraged at such blatant violations of His ways. It’s a justifiable outrage, and our reaction spurs us either to stop the evil directly or steer our emotions to work alongside other Christians who also seek to end this sin. But sinful anger is a far different animal, stemming not from a place of alignment with God but rather a barrier to the Lord. We might grow angry because of pride, or we begin to enjoy the anger and let it remain and take root in our hearts. We allow it to grow and fester like a wound, and it eventually becomes a hindrance to our united relationship with God, for our energies are focused on the anger rather than God and what we can do to glorify Him.Here is a prayer you can pray now about anger.Let us pray.🙏 Oh, Lord, we know from Your Holy Word that anger can well up inside us, turn our thoughts from You and channel them into destructive, evil notions that lead us astray. We are often brimming over with emotion. From happiness and surprise to anger, fear, and disgust, our feelings are natural and by design. Some of these feelings are glorious and blissful, but others, left unchecked, can steer us away from You and all the good You intend. Sometimes they fester so long and so deep they begin to rot inside of us. Anger can turn from a dull flare to a throbbing flame and eventually to a wildfire, reaping only destruction in its wake. Help us, Lord, to remember Your instructions throughout Scripture about anger. Help us to honor Your words to the Apostle Paul: “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry” (Ephesians 4:26) and, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” (Ephesians 4:31). Help us to stamp out anger before it becomes a fiery flare, and help us choose to remain calm and talk things out in love with the spirit of correction and accountability, rather than fighting. Instead of resentment and bitterness, let seeds of love and reconciliation grow in our hearts seeds that point to You and Your way, not our own.Lord, hear our prayer. AMEN 🙏 Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm.(Psalm 37:8)A quick-tempered man acts foolishly and without self-control, And a man of wicked schemes is hated.(Proverbs 14:17)A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.(Proverbs 15:18)But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.(Matthew 5:22)Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.(Romans 12:21)Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.(2 Timothy 2:23-25)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 1:19-20)A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.(Proverbs 15:1)And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.(1 Peter 5:10)Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.(Hebrews 12:14-15)Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.(Proverbs 10:12)Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.(Romans 12:2)For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.(Matthew 6:14-15)Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.(John 16:20-23)Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?(Matthew 16:24-26)I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.(Psalm 77:12)(pic verse)I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!(Psalm 121:1-2)Artist 👨‍🎨 I Am With You Always - David Delfeld