Warrior Prayers: Day 18 "Anger"

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice."

~Ephesians 4:31

This scripture has been posted above the sink in my kitchen for almost 2 years now.  Sad, I would say, that I still struggle with a lack of self-control at times with those who are closest to me.  I can excuse it as hormones, I can blame it on others, but those are all excuses.  Just as I have heard myself tell my son “you can control yourself, you are the only one who can.”  Ouch!  Yes, we have the power, by the Holy Spirit to "let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from us, along with all malice."  So, do we choose to do this? Or will we give in to the enemy’s schemes and let him destroy us by causing us to feed the root of bitterness and anger that has worked its way deep down inside of us. 

I do not say these words because I have been successful at thwarting the enemy and his tricks, but out of the grief I have experience by allowing this anger to fester and destroy my relationships, my emotions, and even harm my health.  As I pray these prayers for my sons, I pray them for myself also, because it is my heart’s desire, to put off the anger and put on mercy and love for my own sake and for the sake of my beautiful boys! 

Encouragement from Brooke

So much of the Christian life is a choice. Every day (multiple times a day) we’re presented with a choice to choose God or choose ourselves. Anger is a perfect example.

You can just feel it coming, can’t you? Anger is an almost total body experience. Muscles get tight. Temples throb. Jaw clenches. Explosion feels imminent … wooing us into believing we have no choice but to react.

But it’s not true.

We almost always have a choice when it comes to anger. We can choose to embrace it and sin. Or choose to put it away, and instead choose kindness, self-control, compassion, and love.

Goal for Today:

1.   Commit to praying the ten prayers in the anger chapter during day eighteen.

2.  Man! It seems like every single thing we’ve prayed for so far starts with what’s in our own hearts! I’m afraid anger is no different. Today, when you’re tempted to sin in anger, ask the Lord to show you the way out (He promises He will) and choose grace and love instead.

Anger

May all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from __________, along with all malice (Ephesians 4:31).

May__________ put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from his mouth (Colossians 3:8).

May__________ give a soft answer, which turns away wrath, and avoid harsh words which stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1).

May__________ not be quick in his spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools (Ecclesiastes 7:9).

May__________ never avenge himself, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19).

May__________ know that God Himself is our peace (Ephesians 2:14).

May__________ make peace, and so have a harvest of righteousness (James 3:18).

And let the peace of Christ rule in __________'s heart, to which indeed he was called in one body. And be thankful (Colossians 3:15).

May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard __________'s heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

May__________turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it (1 Peter 3:11).