Prayer and Anger

Memoria praeceptorum uiam orationibus sternit ad caelum, ne prius ascendamus ad altare Dei quam si quid discordiae uel offensae cum fratribus contraxerimus resoluamus . Quale est enim ad pacem Dei accedere sine pace? Ad remissionem debitorum cum retentione? Quomodo placabit Patrem iratus in fratrem, cum omnis ira ab initio interdicta sit nobis? Nam et Ioseph dimittens fratres suos ad perducendum patrem Et ne, inquit , irascimini in via. Nos scilicet monuit, alias enim uia cognominatur disciplina nostratum, ne in uia orationis constituti ad Patrem cum ira incedamus. Exinde aperte Dominus amplians legem iram in fratrem homicidio superponit: ne uerbo quidem malo permittit expungi; et iam si irascendum est, non ultra solis receptum , ut apostolus admonet. Quam autem temerarium est aut diem sine oratione transigere, dum cessas fratri satisfacere, aut orationem perseuerante iracundia perdere.  Tertullianus, De Oratione

The memory of His precepts stretches out for our prayers the way to heaven, that we do not step up unto God's altar before we be rid of whatever of discord or offense we have contracted with others. What sort of deed is it to approach the peace of God without peace? To seek remission of debts while retaining them? How will anger against a brother be pleasing to the Father, since from the beginning all anger is forbidden us? When Joseph sent off his brothers to bring their father, he said, 'And be not angry in the way.'1 He warned us, evidently, for our discipline is also called the Way, that in the way of prayer, we do not go to the Father with anger. After, the Lord, amplifying the Law, openly adds the prohibition of anger against a brother to that of murder. Not even by an evil word does He permit it to be discharged; and if one must be angry, it must not be maintained beyond sunset, as the Apostle admonishes. But how inconsiderate it is either to pass a day lacking prayer, while you refuse to make satisfaction to your brother, or else, by perseverance in anger, to destroy prayer. Tertullian, On Prayer 1 Gen 45.24