Anger

Self discipline signsWhat if anger could be redirected toward positive purpose, could we turn it into a blessing? Perhaps, only if it is channeled, disciplined and used for good. That’s why I use this prayer for the 9th day of counting the Omer, gevurah she’b’gevurah, the discipline with discipline. This prayer is about finding the blessing in anger and is from a series of prayers about difficult emotions, including “Doubt,” “Fear” and “Shame.” To listen while you read, click on the triangle in the bar below. The text follows.

 

Anger
G-d of the inner journey,
Source of strength,
I’ve been assaulted by an unseen foe
And comforted by a steadfast friend,
Cut down in the name of love,
Lost in confusion and dismay,
Blinded by a wave of rage
And soothed by gentle breathing.
I live between moments of desperate anger
And days of boundless joy,
Between a heart of war
And a soul of peace.

Anger is a defense.
Anger is power.
Anger is intensity.

Holy One,
G-d whose gifts challenge my understanding,
Open my eyes to injustice
And let my anger become a source of energy
Channeled toward building and healing.
Let anger be a gateway to tikun olam
So I become a force for holiness and love.

Blessed are You, Source of Wisdom,
Who created anger to illuminate the path to justice.

© 2011 Alden Solovy and tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.

Postscript: See also “Doubt,” “Fear” and “Shame.” Click here to read more about the Jewish concept of repairing the world, tikkun olam, which is mentioned in this prayer.

Please check out my ELItalk “Falling in Love with Prayer” and This Grateful Heart: Psalms and Prayers for a New Day. For reprint permissions and usage guidelines and reprint permissions, see “Share the Prayer!” To receive my latest prayers via email, please subscribe (on the home page). You can also connect on Facebook and Twitter.

Photo Credit: Three Years to 30

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