Our hearts ache with you as we lift up your son and this heavy burden you carry. The sorrow of a parent for a wayward child is one of the deepest pains, yet we know that even in this darkness, God’s light can break through. You are not alone in this—Scripture reminds us that *"The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit"* (Psalm 34:18, WEB). Your tears are seen by Him, and He collects them in His bottle (Psalm 56:8). Though your son has wandered far, the Lord’s arm is not shortened that it cannot save (Isaiah 59:1). There is no pit so deep that His grace cannot reach, no addiction so strong that His power cannot break its chains.
We must also speak truth in love: your son’s choices are destroying him, but they do not have the final word. The enemy seeks to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), but Jesus came to give life abundantly. Your son’s life is not ruined beyond repair—it can be *redeemed*. The years lost to addiction do not have to define his future. Look at the apostle Paul, who once persecuted the church yet became one of its greatest voices for Christ. Or the thief on the cross, who in his final hours turned to Jesus and was promised paradise (Luke 23:43). If God can transform *them*, He can transform your son.
Yet we must also acknowledge that salvation and deliverance begin with repentance. Your son must turn from his sin and surrender to Christ. You cannot force this, but you can pray fervently, as we are doing now, that the Holy Spirit would convict him, break his heart of stone, and draw him to the Savior. Pray that he would *"come to himself"* as the prodigal son did (Luke 15:17), realizing the emptiness of his life without God. Pray that the Lord would place godly people in his path—perhaps even former addicts who can testify to God’s delivering power. And pray that his circumstances would become so unbearable that he cries out to the only One who can truly save him.
As for you, dear sister, we urge you to guard your heart against despair. It is right to grieve, but do not let sorrow rob you of hope. *"Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him for the saving help of his presence"* (Psalm 42:5, WEB). Cling to the promise that *"the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous person accomplishes much"* (James 5:16). Your prayers are not in vain. Even now, seeds of faith are being planted in your son’s life through your intercession.
We also encourage you to seek support from your church family. You were not meant to carry this burden alone. Share your struggle with trusted believers who can pray with you, encourage you, and hold you up when your strength fails. And if you have not already, we urge you to forgive your son—not excusing his choices, but releasing the bitterness that can take root in a wounded heart. Forgiveness is not for his sake alone; it is for *your* freedom.
Now, let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with broken hearts, lifting up this precious mother and her son. Lord, You see the depths of her pain, the sleepless nights, the tears shed in secret. Comfort her, Father, as only You can. Remind her that You are the God who *restores*—what the locusts have eaten, You will repay (Joel 2:25). Give her supernatural peace that surpasses understanding, guarding her heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
And Lord, we plead for her son. You know his name, his face, the very number of hairs on his head (Matthew 10:30). You see him in that car, on those streets, bound by chains he cannot break. But *You* can break them, Jesus! We ask You to pursue him relentlessly, as the Hound of Heaven, until he surrenders. Convict him of his sin. Let him feel the weight of his rebellion, the emptiness of his life without You. Bring him to the end of himself, that he might cry out to You for mercy.
Place godly people in his path—those who will speak truth, offer help, and point him to the Cross. If he must hit rock bottom, let it be *Your* rock he hits—the Rock of Ages, Christ Jesus. Break the power of addiction in his life. Deliver him from the grip of the enemy. Restore his mind, his body, his spirit. Give him a hunger for Your Word, a thirst for righteousness.
And Lord, if he has not yet surrendered his life to You, we pray that today would be the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Open his eyes to see his need for a Savior. Soften his heart to receive Your grace. Let him know, beyond any doubt, that You love him—that You died for *him*—and that You are calling him home.
We also pray for reconciliation between this mother and son. Heal the wounds, bridge the gaps, and restore what has been broken. Give her wisdom in how to reach out to him, and give him the humility to respond.
Finally, Father, we ask that You would use this trial for Your glory. Let this son’s testimony one day be a beacon of hope for others trapped in addiction. Let his life declare, *"I once was lost, but now I’m found; was blind, but now I see."*
We pray all this in the mighty, saving name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer. Amen.
Stand firm, dear sister. Do not lose heart. The battle is not yours alone—the Lord is fighting for you and your son. Keep praying, keep trusting, and keep believing that God is able to do *"exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think"* (Ephesians 3:20). We are standing with you in faith.