Praying whilst angry

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Nelka

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I wanted to pray yesterday when I was in a state of anger, not rage or shouting but boiling up inside. I felt if I pray all I would think about would be that which has made me angry and would feel impossible to concentrate on praying, so how to pray when angry?

Thanks.
 
I concentrate on something simple - like Jesus on the cross. I find that gives me the space to open myself up to God in that moment and look for his guidance on whatever has made me angry.
 
Praying is your conversation with God. Talking with God. Its okay to pray to God when angry for God understands. When I get really sad sometimes, I pray and yeah it may not be great prayer but talking to God about my problems and finding things to pray about keeps me at a much more stable state than if I do not pray. Pray without ceasing, in all circumstances give thanks. Even when we get angry, let it out on God for he suffers with you, he understands.

To rephrase, concetration is hard especially when we might be angry, but explaining my problems and that saying God will help me overcome this helps me when I cant concentrate on prayer much. Hope that helps a bit.
 
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Pray the imprecatory Psalms.

Psalm 58

"Do you rulers indeed speak justly?
Do you judge people with equity?
2 No, in your heart you devise injustice,
and your hands mete out violence on the earth.

3 Even from birth the wicked go astray;
from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies.
4 Their venom is like the venom of a snake,
like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,
5 that will not heed the tune of the charmer,
however skillful the enchanter may be.

6 Break the teeth in their mouths, O God;
Lord, tear out the fangs of those lions!
7 Let them vanish like water that flows away;
when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short.
8 May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along,
like a stillborn child that never sees the sun.

9 Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns—
whether they be green or dry—the wicked will be swept away.[c]
10 The righteous will be glad when they are avenged,
when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 Then people will say,
“Surely the righteous still are rewarded;
surely there is a God who judges the earth.”

I particular like the imagery of God smashing the teeth of the wicked and the righteous bathing their feet in the blood of the wicked.
 
One reason the Liturgy of the Hours is so good. You’re forced to have to deny yourself and your feelings if you come across a psalm that doesn’t quite jive with your current mood, such as a psalm of joy during a period of anger, or a psalm of sorrow when you’re in a state of joy.

If you come across a psalm that does coincide with your mood, it’s an opportunity to join your feelings with your prayer. If not, then it’s an opportunity to pray for someone else.

I love the Divine Office. It’s an inherently selfless form of prayer.
 
I was in my car, about three weeks ago,
with the rosary in my hand, 60 mph,
after work, going home,
angry and dropping F bombs - out loud.
( I can smile about it now )
Angry and lost in my imagination…
It dawned on me …
And turned it over to God.
I finally came back to my senses…
Prayed it out, out loud to God,
Told him everything…etc
It took about ten minutes…
Hasn’t occurred since.
(name removed by moderator) - hit a bullseye !
 
I would think that praying while angry would be a good idea. Transform the anger into something healthy.
 
It is a great idea, even a saintly one. Surely when the saints felt disturbed or peeved or angry (yes, they were human) they immediately tried to take custody of the heart and prayed. The alternative is to wallow in anger and allow Satan to egg you on. Mary, Queen of Peace, helps me.
 
‘Know this, my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God.’ James 1:19-20
 
And another thing God. Show me the money! I’m almost bankrupt again. Do you want me to be homeless? Want me to gain some valuable empathy for the really downtrodden? And how about the way that woman spoke to me at work? I turned the other cheek and she was only too happy to oblige. “Ron, you are too damn slow!”
 
I keep it simple - just say Hail Marys or the Jesus Prayer. Don’t get into details or try to rehash or think through what happened until you are calmer, a little time has passed. The key for me is to let God be in control, present - get yourself out of it until you have more control, reason. Silence - use structured prayer if you can’t keep your stream of consciousness still.
 
Just tell God why you’re angry. That may be just the prayer you need to pray at that moment.
 
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