We lift you up before the Lord with both compassion and urgency, for we see a heart crying out to God yet still clinging to things that grieve Him deeply. You have done well to surrender your obsession with this young woman into the Lord’s hands, and we join you in praying for His will to be done in your life. However, we must lovingly but firmly address the contradictions in your words, for they reveal areas where your heart is not yet fully submitted to Christ.
First, regarding this young woman: your feelings for her are strong, and it is good that you desire to lead her to Christ. But obsession is not of God—it is a form of idolatry, placing a person where only Jesus should be. You say you would "never do her wrong," yet the greatest wrong you could do to her—or to yourself—is to pursue a relationship outside of God’s perfect timing and will. Have you sought the Lord in prayer and fasting to discern whether this is a godly connection, or is this merely the longing of a lonely heart? Remember what Scripture says:
*"Delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to Yahweh. Trust also in him, and he will do this."* (Psalm 37:4-5, WEB)
If this young woman is meant to be your wife, the Lord will make it clear—but you must first surrender your *own* will, not just your feelings about her. Are you seeking a wife to serve Christ together, or are you seeking her to fill a void in your life? Marriage is not the cure for loneliness; only Jesus is. We pray that if this is not God’s will, He would remove these feelings and redirect your heart toward His purpose for you.
Now, we must address the gambling with great seriousness. You say, *"I do not plan on stopping"* and *"I cannot cut out my gambling."* Brother, this is rebellion against God. Gambling is a sin—it is rooted in greed, covetousness, and a lack of trust in God’s provision. It is a form of theft, for it seeks to gain at the expense of others, and it is a snare that leads to destruction. The Bible is clear:
*"But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows."* (1 Timothy 6:9-10, WEB)
You say you are "calculated," but no amount of strategy can justify sin. You are playing with fire, and the enemy is using this to keep you in bondage. You admit you are broke, with no progress in your job—yet you refuse to let go of the very thing that is draining you. This is not wisdom; it is deception. The Lord says:
*"No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to one and despise the other. You aren’t able to serve God and money."* (Luke 16:13, WEB)
You cannot claim to surrender to God’s will while willfully holding onto sin. Repentance means turning *away* from sin, not making excuses for it. The fact that you say you *"do not see yourself ever stopping"* reveals a heart that is not yet fully submitted to Christ. This is a grave matter, for Scripture warns:
*"Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s Kingdom? Don’t be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortionists, will inherit God’s Kingdom."* (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, WEB)
Gambling falls under covetousness, greed, and theft—it has no place in the life of a believer. You say you will stop drinking and "any other sins," but gambling is *not* an exception. It is a sin that must be repented of, not managed. The Lord does not accept partial surrender.
As for your loneliness and lack of progress, we understand the pain of feeling stuck. But your breakthrough will not come through gambling—it will come through obedience. The Lord sees your struggles, but He will not bless disobedience. Seek Him first, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33). Have you considered that your financial lack may be a direct result of your refusal to let go of gambling? The Lord disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6), and sometimes He withholds blessing to turn us back to Him.
We also notice that while you acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God who died for your sins, your words do not reflect a life transformed by that truth. Salvation is not just believing facts about Jesus—it is surrendering your *entire* life to Him as Lord. If you are truly in Christ, you are a *new* creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). That means old sins—like gambling—must die. There is no middle ground.
Now, let us pray for you with urgency and love:
Heavenly Father, we lift this brother before You, asking for Your mercy and conviction to pierce his heart. Lord, he has surrendered his obsession with this young woman to You, and we pray that You would guard his heart and mind in Christ Jesus. If this is not Your will, remove these feelings and redirect his affections to You alone. If it *is* Your will, make it abundantly clear and prepare both hearts for a godly marriage that honors You.
But Father, we cry out most urgently about the gambling. This is a stronghold of the enemy, and he is deceived into thinking he can control it. Lord, break the chains of greed and rebellion in his life. Convict him deeply of this sin, and give him the strength to turn away from it *completely*. Let him see the destruction it is causing—not just financially, but spiritually. Open his eyes to the truth that no amount of "smart plans" can justify disobedience. Remind him that You are his Provider, not the lottery or the casino.
Father, he feels alone and stagnant, but we declare that his breakthrough comes through repentance. Restore to him the joy of Your salvation (Psalm 51:12) and lead him into a life of obedience. Provide for his needs, Lord—give him a job, godly friendships, and a community of believers who will hold him accountable. Let him no longer walk in loneliness but in the fellowship of Your people.
Most of all, Father, we pray that he would *truly* surrender to Jesus—not just in words, but in action. Let him count the cost of discipleship and choose Christ above all else. Break his heart for what breaks Yours, and fill him with Your Holy Spirit so that he may walk in victory.
We rebuke the spirits of greed, deception, and rebellion that have taken hold in his life. By the authority of Jesus Christ, we command these strongholds to be broken. Let the enemy’s lies be exposed, and let the truth of Your Word set him free.
Lord, we ask all this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. May Your will be done in his life, and may he walk in the freedom and abundance You have promised. Amen.
Brother, we speak to you now with love but with the urgency of the Spirit: **Repent.** Turn away from gambling *today*. Confess this sin to a trusted believer and ask for accountability. Destroy anything in your life that tempts you to gamble—delete apps, avoid places, cut up cards. Replace this sin with the Word of God. Memorize Scripture, pray without ceasing, and seek the Lord with all your heart.
Your life is not your own—you were bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20). Will you continue to live for yourself, or will you live for Christ? The choice is yours, but know this: the Lord will not be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap (Galatians 6:7). Sow obedience, and you will reap blessing. Sow rebellion, and you will reap destruction.
We are praying for you. The Lord is calling you to *true* surrender. Will you answer?
