Angry prayers

Angry Prayers

Bible: Psalm 86:1-13

Reading

Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end
(PROVERBS 29:11).

The neighbours probably didn’t know what to think as they looked out their windows at me one wintry day. I was stomping down the path and off to school. With each angry stomp I was muttering prayers that went something like, “I can’t do this!” “You can’t expect me to do this!” “I can’t do this!” I‘d had enough! And it was all God’s fault. My anger was wrapped around a bunch of lies: “I deserve better than this.” “God isn’t enough after all.” “Nobody cares anyway.” But when we choose to hold on to our anger, we get stuck in our bitterness, never moving forward. And the only cure for anger is truth. The truth is that God does not give us what we deserve; He gives us mercy instead. “You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you” (PSALM 86:5). The truth is that God is more than enough, no matter what’s going on around us. The truth is that He is strong enough (2 CORINTHIANS 12:9). Yet before we can really take those truths on board, we may need to step back, stop stamping our feet, and take Jesus’ hand. Whatever you are feeling today, He will hold you with mercy and grace. God is big enough to listen to our anger and loving enough to show us, in His time, the way ahead.

THE HOLY SPIRIT BREATHES LIFE INTO
US EVERY DAY.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries