After mandated lockdowns and subsequent social isolation, the number of addicts, and the number of those relapsing from sobriety, increased. Opioids, alcohol, pornography. And with fewer people attending church, many found even less reason to hope. Though time has passed since those lockdowns, the effects are still felt. Though time has since passed, we can still find a reason to despair anytime we turn on the news. Inflation. War. Disease. Hatred of all kinds.
Some have said that the opposite of addiction is connection. Maybe because addiction thrives in isolation. Maybe because addiction leads us to despair. Whatever the case, those suffering from addiction need a message of hope, and what better message than what Christ gives us?
Despite the horrors of yesterday, even those of today, with a perspective focused on God, we can work towards building ourselves and those around us, a better future.
If you or someone you know is in the throes of addiction, don’t lose hope. Never lose hope. Here are 6 prayers for the addicted.
1. A Prayer for Healing
God,
This addiction has done damage to my body, my mind, my relationships. Damage to the point where nothing short of a miracle can undo all the hurt that I’ve caused. So, I come before you now with a request for healing, healing wherever possible. Healing to my body. Healing to my mind. Healing to my relationships. Please restore those things which I have lost - peace of mind, joy, health, and self-control.
Sickness has dominated me for so long, but God, you are a God of Miracles, of Healing. I beseech you to make me like new. Take away the physical and emotional pain that I carry. Help me to rebuild the relationships I threw away while pursuing sin. Let there be forgiveness and reconciliation, even with myself.
And with healing, God, please let a new me emerge from the change, one who is healthy, responsible, loving, and serving as a stronger example for the kingdom.
In His name, I pray to you now. Amen.
2. A Prayer for Hope
Lord,
I come before you now with a desperate plea for hope. If there’s one thing I know for sure, my addiction does not breed hope in anything, let alone in you. Instead, I feel sad, angry, alone, and in total despair. In my isolation, I think of myself, my life, and all the things you’ve blessed me with as meaningless. After all, if I can’t get over this thing, then nothing else matters. I’m too weak to truly embrace the life you’ve given me. But Lord, this is not the message Christ brings us.
Despite the sufferings we face, whether from others or in this case, ourselves, Jesus is always our Lord. And if that is true then there is always hope for change, always room for hope. Hope for me.
Today, my soul is downcast, but my sadness does not have to last forever. I pray to you God, that my sorrows wouldn’t last forever. Help me to overcome this addiction. Help me to conquer the sin within me. Restore brightness to my eyes and give me a song of hope.
And when that day comes, I want to sing from the hilltops about how you delivered me. Lord, thank you in advance for your deliverance. Amen.
3. A Prayer for Change
Heavenly Father,
How many years has it been? How many years has it been since I started doing the thing I’ve tried so hard not to do? Honestly, I’m doubtful there will ever be a day when I get over this addiction. Still, I’m praying for change. I’m trying to keep praying for change despite my disappointment in the results.
Lord, I feel so unworthy, and those feelings so often lead me back to the place I’m trying to run from. What do I do? What should I believe?
As much as I want to change, the whole idea seems to miss me. I don’t know how to change myself and don’t know exactly what to change.
Please lend me your insight. Share your wisdom. I have the reason for change, but not the know-how. Show me what to do, God. Make me like new, make me better, make me whole. Teach me how to abide in you.
Thank you, Lord. In Jesus’ name, I pray to you. Amen.
Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Jude Beck
4. A Prayer for Forgiveness
Lord,
I’m asking you for the strength to forgive. The strength to forgive those who have transgressed against me, and the transgressions I’ve committed against others. Please help me to forgive myself for what I’ve done against myself. This addiction has caused more strife than I could have ever predicted and done more damage than I would have ever sought. Nonetheless, change can happen. That’s what I’m hoping for God.
Sometimes I blame others for where I am today, and maybe their hurt did play a role, but I can’t deny the harm I’ve done to myself. I can’t deny that today, the choice between sobriety and addiction is mine.
I want to choose wisely, but I struggle. I struggle because of forgiveness.
I have a hard time looking at myself, believing in myself, and thinking that I even deserve a change. After all this time and all this addiction, why do I deserve any better?
If only I could forgive myself. Please get me there, God.
5. A Prayer for Perspective
God,
There is a right way to live and a wrong way. There is a right way to act and a wrong way. For so long those lines have been blurry, not because I wanted to hurt anyone, but because I was tired of hurting. I did things that weren’t exactly right so that I didn't have to feel so wrong on the inside. People have hurt me. Things have hurt me. I’ve even hurt myself.
Now, I’m trying to change, to right my wrongs, but sin has left my judgment clouded, my perspective far less than perfect.
Help me to see more clearly, to see more like you do. Change my perspective of my addiction, myself, and others. If you believe I can change, help me to do the same. If you think I have wronged someone, convict my heart. Whatever is needed God, show me the way.
Sometimes I don't know up from down, left from right, but you do. Guide me, Lord. Please guide me.
Amen.
6. A Prayer for Honesty
Lord,
Is there recovery from this addiction apart from honesty? Yet, God is there anything harder than being honest? I hate being vulnerable with those invested in my sobriety. I hate telling them how much I failed, and why I failed. I hate revealing how disappointed I am in myself. God, I hate having to confess my sins to you.
Sometimes I wonder why you all don’t just give up on me, but I guess that’s love. I thank you for it. Please don’t let up.
If anything, I pray that your love makes me more honest and more vulnerable. My addiction keeps me isolated, but my confessions give me freedom. I don’t have to be alone. I can choose connection.
I just have to choose honesty first. Help me, God.
In His name, I pray. Amen.
Connection over Addiction
Recovery from addiction is difficult, but not impossible. Recovery from addiction is time-consuming and laborious, but worth every effort. God has called us to live in freedom, not bondage to slavery. Though you may fail, you can rise again. We can always rise again. Look to God and those around you for support.
You can do this. Believe. Try, try, and try again.
“No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
“For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/tommaso79
Aaron D'Anthony Brown is a freelance writer, hip-hop dance teacher, and visual artist, living in Virginia. He currently contributes to Salem Web Network’s Crosswalk platform and supports various clients through the freelancing website Upwork. He's an outside-the-box thinker with a penchant for challenging the status quo.
Get in touch with him at aarondanthony.com and check out his debut short story anthology Honey Dreams on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
This article is part of our Prayer resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
The Lord’s Prayer
Prayer for Peace
Morning Prayers
Good Night Prayers
Prayer for Healing
Prayer for Protection
Prayer for Anxiety
Prayer for Strength
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