Usually I am quick to be angry, especially when a another person’s words or actions hurt me.
It’s hard to forgive when someone has been mean, or worse, to us.
Yet, fury is a poor bandage for an injured heart.
Instead, pouring out our distress to God in prayer is a remedy.
When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer says Matthew 5:44 (MSG).
When we’re fuming, it’s better to fight back with the practice of prayer.
So, how do we start to pray for a difficult relationship?
First, we need to bring all those strong negative emotions to God.
Listen to these words by of a well-respected, godly person in the Bible about the people who said hateful things, attacked without cause, and accused him in return for his friendship.
David prays: Give him a short life, and give his job to somebody else. Make orphans of his children, dress his wife in widow’s weeds; Turn his children into begging street urchins, evicted from their homes—homeless. May the bank foreclose and wipe him out, and strangers, like vultures, pick him clean. May there be no one around to help him out, no one willing to give his orphans a break. Psalm 109: 8-10 (MSG)
Now, I’m not saying we should wish evil on other people, but David’s prayer is an example that we can speak openly to God about how we feel.
Our opponents might be different from David’s enemies but our emotions are the same.
Let it all out to God. You do not need to be afraid of being rejected because of how you feel or the messiness of the situation. You can be honest with your heavenly Father because he knows what you’re thinking, how you’re feeling, and what you’re going through. There is no need to hide it.
And remember, if we tell God our thoughts, no matter how shocking, we fully allow God into the situation. It’s the first step to giving him an opportunity to heal the relationship.
I have repeatedly poured out my pain and anger to God. And in time I have been freed from their bondage. And, it’s a wonderful feeling.
Tweet ThisMost of us do not want to be weighed down by our anger, upsets, or hurts.
So, I encourage you to use the prayer below.
I know one prayer is not going to free you from your heartache.
You may need to pour out your heart to God again and again. But, it will be worthwhile.
Channel your despair into prayer.
Make sure you leave your anger, pain and frustrations with God. He wants you to cast your burdens on him and he is big enough to handle them.
Lord, this is what went wrong: __________________________. I give it all to you, every detail, every barb, every frustration, the major things and the petty things. May the pain I am feeling be for the healing, and not a spring of bitterness. May my hurts be Christ-centered, and for those involved, rather than self-centered and against them. (Author Anonymous)
[widget id=”text-15″ title=”0″]
This past weekend I had a huge fight with my husband. He left me stranded in New Hampshire so he could go to a meeting. My son came and pick me and my best friend up. Later that evening my husband called because he got into an accident and was about to be arrested for leaving the scene of an accident. He called me to come pick him up. I said I couldn’t because I didn’t have a car. I was so upset all day by the way he treated me. My son went and picked him up. I think my son had a talk with him because he apologized as soon as he came into the house. I prayed all day. When we were fighting I did not raise my voice once. That is a big step for me. I usually add fuel to the fire. But being involved in this study has made me more at peace.
Jamie, what a hard day you had this past weekend. But, how wonderful that you prayed and brought it to God. Keep going to God, and as you have already experienced He will give you peace. That’s what we’re talking about in Thursday, February 22nd’s blog post. God promises us peace – keep asking God to fulfill his promise in your life when you bring these arguments to Him.
Rachel, how timely. I’m just beginning to get the idea that we can be hated for no reason, or without a cause, just for being a believer, or even just because the Lord’s favor is on us. The Lord recently warned me about anger, it does well up when people hurt you. I love this line, Yet, fury is a poor bandage for an injured heart. I used to say like band aiding a bullet wound. I have prayed that prayer but about the devil, there’s also a verse about breaking his teeth. Sometimes, I see it is necessary to pray against the devil rather than for people. Many are praying for healing and really need deliverance. Praying the Lord’s hand in your son’s situation, great post.
I find it hard to let go of the hurt and anger that I feel towards my sister. I guess I just don’t understand why she treats me the way she does. I have never done anything to her to deserve this treatment. I have just sent a prayer up to God to help me to no longer feel hurt or angry. I can’t change the way my sister feels. But, I can change the way I feel about our relationship.