(Excerpt from Common Prayer Pocket Edition by Shane Claiborne and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove.)

A Prayer Against Wrath

Learn More

Once again, Lord Jesus Christ, I face the power of anger…

When I am harmed by another,
or think myself to have been,
give me patience
to go to that person with a humble spirit,
seeking to be reconciled.

When I am outraged by injustice,
show me clearly how I too must repent
of complicity in this world’s broken systems,
and cover me in your mercy.

When I can neither rest nor work
because of the indignation that stirs my spirit,
teach me the power of forgiveness
and the freedom of love.

Deliver me from anger,
that I might not be consumed by its fire
but turn the great energy of my soul
toward a desire to serve you
and your little ones.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Image: Cross from Common Prayer Pocket Edition.

Learn More

Learn more about Common Prayer Pocket Edition. “It’s like the backup vocals” of Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals, write authors Claiborne & Wilson-Hartgrove.

I like the idea behind Common Prayer Pocket Edition, which might as well be called Field Guide for the Praying Christian. In the front of the book you’ll find this quote from Benedict of Nursia:  “If someone’s work takes them so far away that they cannot return to the chapel for common prayer, they should pray the office where they are, and kneel out of reverence for God…”

- Adam Forrest, Zondervan

Visit the Common Prayer website at www.commonprayer.net

Other Posts You May Like
A Prayer for the Grace to Serve
Sloth, aka “The Noonday Demon:” A Mug Shot, Rap Sheet, and Prayer for the Slothful

(Some styling in the excerpt above is web-exclusive. This post does not represent the views of Zondervan or any of its representatives. The writer’s personal opinions are shared only for information purposes. To receive new Zondervan Blog posts in your reader or email inbox, subscribe to Zondervan Blog.)