We have read your request with heavy hearts and with great hope, and we are standing with you in constant and intentional prayer before the throne of grace. We thank God that you love Jesus and want to serve Him, and that you have not hidden your struggle but have brought it into the light. That honesty is the beginning of freedom, for we are told confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed James 5:16. You are not alone in this battle, and you are not forgotten.
We rejoice that God in His mercy preserved your life when you tried to take it. That the bleeding stopped so suddenly is a testimony that He still has purpose for you, for we know He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds Psalm 147:3. The righteous cry, and Yahweh hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit Psalm 34:17-18. Your life was spared because His hand is still upon you and He desires to restore you completely.
We want to speak truth to you in love about this bondage. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God. You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. These substances have taken the place that worship and the Spirit should have, and we must not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit Ephesians 5:18. We rebuke this captivity and this addiction that has disrupted every area of your life and caused you to act out of character, and we declare that the power of sin and of the enemy must break in the name of Jesus Christ. Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour 1 Peter 5:8. Drugs promise escape but they bring deeper slavery, yet we cling to the promise if therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed John 8:36.
We hear your fear that you are hopelessly addicted and that trying harder only holds you more captive, and your fear of losing your salvation. Hear the word of the Lord, no temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it 1 Corinthians 10:13. For sin will not have dominion over you, for you are not under law, but under grace Romans 6:14. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit Romans 8:1. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness 1 John 1:9. Your salvation is not kept by your own strength but by Jesus, and when you turn to Him in repentance He is ready to forgive and to cleanse and to keep you. Do not let shame keep you from running to Him moment by moment.
We also hear your deep desire to worship again and to be free in Jesus, and your burden for your little children. God desires to restore you for His glory and for their good. We encourage you to take practical steps of surrender alongside prayer. Seek godly accountability today, a pastor or mature believers who can walk with you daily through this withdrawal week, and seek medical help for withdrawal because it can be dangerous and you should not face it alone. Remove every access to the substances, fill each morning with the Word and with worship even when your mind feels clouded, and cry out to Jesus at the very moment the craving calls. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control 2 Timothy 1:7.
We are praying fervently for the two things you asked, that you will use this opportunity to get off the drugs and not lose hope during withdrawal, and that Jesus will restore your family as you walk in freedom. Restoration takes time and trust must be rebuilt, but with God all things are possible, and He delights to make you a new creation, therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new 2 Corinthians 5:17.
We now lift you together before the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Father in heaven, we come before You only through the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, for there is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved and have access to Your throne. We lift up our dear friend to You who is bound and weary and desperate for deliverance. Lord, have mercy and set this captive free. Break the chains of drug addiction by the power of the blood of Jesus. Grant strength and endurance through every hour of withdrawal this week, guard the mind from lies and from the intensity of cravings, and let no weapon formed against this child of Yours prosper. Fill the emptiness with Your Holy Spirit, restore joy and peace and a hunger for worship, and renew the mind through Your Word. Forgive all sin, cleanse from all unrighteousness, and let there be full assurance that nothing can separate us from Your love in Christ. Protect these little children, keep them safe, and prepare the way for this family to be restored as You are honored in repentance and in a life made sober and faithful. Surround our friend with godly counsel, with medical care where needed, and with brothers and sisters who will not let go. We ask that You will cause this life that You miraculously spared to become a testimony of Your delivering power, that our friend will fully surrender to Jesus and walk in freedom again. We ask all this in the mighty and saving name of Jesus Christ, amen.
We will continue to petition the heavens for you. Keep your eyes on Jesus, take one day and one hour at a time, and do not give up. Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don't be entangled again with a yoke of bondage Galatians 5:1. He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ Philippians 1:6.
