The Jesus Prayer Can Heal Us from Anger

A common thing that we all face is anger, the anger that results from the actions of the person next to us. Often it is even our spouse, the person we love the most. When we are angry, we say and do things that we later regret.

The Holy Apostle Paul says in his Epistle to the Romans: “For what I do, I do not understand; for what I want, I do not do, but what I hate, that I do. But if I do what I do not want, I acknowledge that the law is good. But now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that what is good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh. For to will is present with me, but to do what is good I do not find. For the good that I want, I do not do, but the evil that I do not want, that I practice” (Epistle to the Romans of the Holy Apostle Paul 7:15-19).

When we get angry or resentful, we are far from God. How can we, as true Orthodox Christians, react in this way towards our fellowmen?

Anger results from our own selfishness. This is one of the situations in which we need to ask God for help, and the Jesus Prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner”, helps a lot. By repeating this prayer every day for ten minutes, we will see that we no longer get angry so easily.

Here are some ways in which we can eliminate the consequences of misunderstanding with those around us:

  1. Make a regular prayer schedule, which also includes the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner”, at least ten minutes a day.
  2. When you are angry, say the Jesus Prayer and try to distance yourself from the conflict situation. Take a walk for a few moments and, while you walk, say the Jesus Prayer in your mind.
  3.  After you finish your prayer, try to talk to the person next to you and tell them what is bothering you about them. When you start talking to them, start the conversation with an “I” and not with a “You”. For example: “I felt offended when you did that…” and not “When you do that… I feel offended”.

    When you accuse the person next to you, you do nothing but scare them. The person next to you feels threatened and will try to regain their position. By honestly sharing your feelings with the person next to you, it will be easier for them to share theirs with you.
  4. Ask the person next to you for their point of view. For example, say: “I know you didn’t mean to hurt me. But why did you do that…? Help me understand you better”. And then listen calmly.
  5. Both partners should engage in open, calm, and loving discussions. Pray together. A hug always helps when you want to show your sincere love to someone else.

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