We join with you in this honest confession before the Lord and we thank you for calling upon the high name of Jesus, for it is only through Him that we have access to the Father and find strength to overcome.
We understand how heavy anger can become when we cling to it. Scripture tells us that anger itself can arise, but we are not to hold onto it or let it take root in our hearts. Eph 4:26-27 says, Be angry, and don’t sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath, neither give place to the devil. When we harbor anger, we give the enemy a foothold, and it begins to bear bitterness in us. Ps 37:8 also warns us, Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don’t fret, it leads only to evildoing.
The Lord does not want you to carry this burden in your own strength. He invites you to release it to Him and to be renewed. Eph 4:31-32 says, Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you. And James 1:19-20 reminds us, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God.
We encourage you to daily surrender this anger to God in prayer, to confess it openly, to forgive those who may have wronged you as Christ has forgiven us, and to ask the Holy Spirit to replace that anger with His peace and self-control. This is not something you can do alone, but God is faithful to give you His strength as you abide in Him. Phil 4:13 says, I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. And Isa 41:10 says, Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.
We pray together with you now.
Father in heaven, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus and we lift up this dear one to You. Lord, You see the anger that has been clung to and the weight it has caused. We ask that You forgive where this anger has been held onto and has given place to bitterness. By Your Holy Spirit, grant the strength to let go, to release, and to forgive. Wash this heart with Your peace that surpasses all understanding and create a clean heart, renewed and tender before You. Help our dear friend to walk in kindness, patience, and self-control, and to be slow to anger and quick to forgive, just as You in Christ have forgiven us. Strengthen and uphold this one each day, that anger would no longer rule, but that Your love and righteousness would reign. We ask this in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.