If you or a loved one is fighting addiction, then you know the struggle of overcoming, or the heartbreak of seeing family or friends repeatedly succumb to the desire. Help is not far away. One of the first steps can be prayer. Cry out to God. He hears and waits for you to reach out to Him.
News stations and newspapers report the damage and destruction. Loving and caring family and friends, well-educated doctors of all kinds, and counselors and caregivers attempt to hold back the storm. Yet, in 2017 over 19 million people gave in to the siren of addiction, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The statistics are growing, and it is difficult to find a family unscathed by the destruction of drug or alcohol abuse.
If it is you in the middle of a gripping addiction, you know overcoming requires more than a strong desire and will power. If you have family members and loved ones fighting addiction, then you know the heartbreak of watching them succumb to the desire repeatedly. Drugs and alcohol become a desire stronger than family ties, even stronger than the hope of being clean and sober, healthy, and productive. Most addicts will do anything to quench the desire of addiction. Stopping is the hardest thing they will ever attempt. An addict must reach a place where the desire to be healed is more powerful than the addiction.
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A Prayer for Those Suffering from Addiction
To find healing and overcome requires faith in someone more powerful than the addiction, and dependence on something stronger than personal abilities. The only power stronger than the call of addiction is Jesus. He breaks down strongholds and ministers with compassion and love. He does not condemn or persecute. God sent Jesus to bind up the brokenhearted and heal their wounds (Psalm 147:3). When it feels like we have no strength to carry on, we can trust in His power to keep going. Jesus will not leave us alone to face the battle.
Does addiction trap you? Do you want help, but not sure where to start? Help is not far away. One of the first steps can be prayer. Cry out to God. He hears and waits for you to reach out to Him. His desire is for you to know you are loved and wanted, and that healing is possible. Are you ready to lay down your burden? There are no perfect words to pray, but here is a prayer to get started.
God, my Father, help me to turn my eyes toward you. Where does my help come from? My help comes from You, who made all things (Psalm 121). You alone possess the power to break the chains of my addiction and break down the bars of this prison. Release me from the bondage of drugs and alcohol. Return me to my family and friends. Restore what has been stolen. I do not possess the strength, but through Jesus, I can do anything (Philippians 4:13). Give me the strength to say no and turn my eyes heavenward.
Father, my vision is cloudy. Wipe away the fog in my mind and let me see clearly the deception of the enemy. He comes only to kill and destroy. Provide me the clarity to see the lies. Give me the vision to see who I am in You. How do you see me? Help me to know your love. Let nothing but a clear vision of who I am to You and the knowledge of your love satisfy any desire.
God, I need your help. I cannot stop this desire on my own. I need your strength. You promise always to be near. Do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me (Psalm 22:19). You promise to forgive sins through Jesus. Forgive me of the things I have done, said, and thought under the spell of addiction. Forgive me of my sins that led me to stray away from Your way and go my own way. Father, pull me from this pit and place my feet on the right way, the path that leads to you (Psalm 40:1).
Thank you, father, for protecting me from mortal harm. Thank you for the grace that brought me to this place, seeking you. Thank you for the healing to come. Thank you that you are a Father of second chances, giving grace when it is needed most. Thank you for hearing my prayers.
Amen.
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A Prayer for Family or Loved Ones Suffering from Addiction
If you have a family member, a close friend, or a loved one struggling with addiction, you may feel there is nothing you can do. Maybe you attempted to intervene, but your loved one turned away, dismissed, or ignored your goodwill. Have faith and try not to give up. Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
We know that God is at work in every heart, whether we can see the results or not. We trust and believe in His plan. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares, the LORD” (Jeremiah 29:11). When you feel there is nothing you can do, you can pray. Prayer is the first line of defense and an act of last resort. If you are not sure what to pray for your loved one, here is a prayer for loved ones affected by addiction.
Beloved Father, God in Heaven, we praise you. Praise you that we can come to you on bended knee to ask for help. Comfort us in this time of fear and anguish while we must sit on the sidelines and watch our loved one suffer through addiction. Give us the strength to endure as our hearts break, and frustration grows. We feel there is nothing we can do to help. But we can help. We know that whatever we ask in the name of Your Son, you will provide. We know you hear our prayers. We also believe you are mighty to save and that right now You are fighting for our loved one. You delight in our loved ones and us and sing songs of rejoicing over us all (Zephaniah 3:17 NIV).
Father, we ask you to put the right people in our loved one’s path; people who are compassionate and caring but firm and strong in providing the proper guidance. We ask you to give our loved one the desire to heal over the desire for drugs and alcohol. Give them an appetite for healing and restoration, not darkness and chains.
Forgive us where we have failed or been selfish in our desire for healing. Forgive us when we are more concerned about the circumstances being comfortable over seeking freedom and healing for our loved one. Addiction is messy and painful, and never easy. Help us to have the strength to persevere through your power and grace. We can do all things through Him who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13).
Thank you, Father, for the grace you have provided. Thank you for the Spirit that guides us to pray. Thank you for your love, compassion, and kindness lavished on the ones we love and us.
Amen.
Addiction healing is messy and painful as the above prayer admits, but through prayer and endurance, healing does come. There will be setbacks some days, and at other times there will be great strides toward overcoming addiction. In each of those days—in every day—God is with us. He is working in our hearts and the hearts of those suffering from the pain of addiction. Healing does come.
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This article is part of our prayer resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
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Types of Prayers We See in the Bible
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How to Pray for Your Daily Bread
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