Leader Guide

Prayer

It is so important to bring our feelings of anger to God instead of keeping them locked inside. When we open up to God, He can help us before our anger grows and begins to control our thoughts, words and actions.

Did you ever lie awake at night and think about something that made you angry? The more you thought on it, the angrier you became! This is giving a foothold or opportunity for the devil to stir up bad thoughts inside us.

Instead, we should do what the Bible says in Philippians 4:8. Hold up the poster and have children read the words out loud: Philippians 4:8:

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

The Bible tells us to think on good things that are pleasing to God. They strengthen our faith and give us peace inside. Rather than thinking about anger and revenge, we should meditate on the excellent things of God!

So right now, bow your heads, close your eyes, and think. Has anyone hurt you or made you angry? Do you want to take revenge on someone? Now silently pray and give that situation to God. Share your desire to let go of the anger before it controls you. Ask for help to forgive anyone who has hurt you. Pause a few moments to allow children to pray.

Close in prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to let go of any thoughts of anger, jealousy and revenge that may grip our hearts and minds. Instead, help us focus on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Help us think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Thank You, Jesus, for dying to pay the price for our sins and to set us free from sin. Help us forgive others as You have forgiven us. Fill us with Your joy, peace and love. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Let’s read the words on the poster again, but this time, wherever you see a word in bold-face print, shout that word, okay? Philippians 4:8:

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.