Psalm 80:4-7
4O Lord GOD of hosts,
how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
5You have fed them with the bread of tears,
and given them tears to drink in full measure.
6You make us the scorn of our neighbors;
our enemies laugh among themselves.
7Restore us, O God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
“… how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers? …”
Have you ever prayed an “angry prayer?” That is to say, offered a prayer to God as an act of vengeance, retribution, or hatred?
“Lord, pay him back for what he did to me!” “Lord, did you see what they did? How can you let that stand? Do something to them like they did to me!” “Lord, send them to hell!”
Often, we say those prayers without thinking about the One to whom the prayers are addressed. Typically, we are only thinking of ourselves – our anger, our vindictiveness, and our pain. Neither God nor the other person really comes into view. The prayer is really about me! It’s no wonder the psalmist writes about God’s anger with the people and their prayers.
Certainly, being angry is no sin, nor is being angry at God. (God can take it.) However, when we take that anger and employ it in a prayer calling upon God to hurt, harm, destroy, or kill on our behalf, we’ve stepped over the line. “Angry prayers” just don’t cut it with God.
Prayer: Lord, you alone are righteous. Speak to my heart when I am angry and lead me in the way of reconciliation and healing. Remove from me the desire to offer “angry prayers.”