“Is anger always a sin issue?” she asked.  That is a good question! As parents we see our children’s behavior on a surface level. This mom wanted to get to the root of the problem. She knew that it is easy to correct a behavior yet be too busy to take the time to find out where it is coming from.  

Anger can come because of physical or emotional challenges. Sometimes it might be a child’s way of operating in survival mode or trying to cope in the only way they know how. And yes, there is a time when their anger is truly a sinful reaction. Whatever the reason, it is important that we take the time to look past explosive behavior, find the underlying reason for their struggle with anger, and deal with whatever you find, in an informed, loving, and grace-filled manner.  

It is important that we take the time to pray. 

5 Verses to Pray for a Grace-Filled Response to Anger

Ephesians 6:4  

Father, please show me any way that I might be communicating with my child that could be causing them frustration or any way that I am modeling angry behavior, provoking them to wrath.  

James 1:5   

Father, please help me see if there is something going on with my child physically (ADHD, anxiety, learning challenges, low blood sugar, not enough sleep) that might be contributing to them being angry.  

Romans 3:23  

Father, please draw my child to Yourself and help them to grow in their relationship with You. Help them to mature and learn how to control their anger.   

2 Chronicles 20:12  

Father, I do not know what is wrong or what to do, but You do. My eyes are on You. Please show me what factors play a role in my child’s anger.  

Psalm 127:3 

Father, my child is a gift from You. Please show me if I have not been available or connected enough with them. Show me how to assure them that they are seen and heard.  

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT: 

Take the time to think about all that goes on in your own heart and mind as a mature adult. Think about your own challenges, frustrations, heartaches, disappointments, and physical issues.  How do you respond on a minute-by-minute basis? What is your personality like? What are your strengths and weaknesses?  All those things play a part in how you respond each day. You have had years to grow, mature, get to know yourself, and how to deal with life and its challenges, and you still battle the war within yourself and the war that is raging all around you. With this in mind, we can see how important it is to take the time to pray and help your child walk through whatever it is that has stirred up the outward behavior of anger.     

For more scripture-inspired prayers, check out Praying God’s Word for Your Angry Child

Gina Smith is a writer, author, and has been married for 32 years to Brian, a college professor and athletic trainer. For 25+ years she and her husband served on a Christian college campus as the on-campus parents, where Brian was a professor and dean of students. They reside right outside of Washington DC and are the parents of two grown children, one daughter-in-law and one son-in-law. Now an empty-nester, Gina has transitioned her ministry from full-time mom and part-time writer, to being a mom who is available to her adult children as much as they need her and writing as much as she can at her blog. She’s the author of Everyday Prayers for Joy, a 30-Day Devotional & Reflective Journal for Women.