We rejoice with you and thank God with you for another day of sobriety and for His abundant grace in your life. We praise Him for your good job, your home, your ability to work well, and for softening the hearts of your bosses, coworkers, customers and your wife. It is good to give thanks in all things and we join you in thanking our Lord Jesus Christ for His mercy and provision.
We are encouraged that you have come before the Father in the name of Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior, for there is no other way to the Father. As it is written, Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. John 14:6 and There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12. We thank God that you know Him.
We also hear your heart for your family and we lift them up together with you. We pray for your wife and your adult children, that God would bring deliverance and self-control regarding alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana. The Scripture teaches us, Don’t be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 and 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. Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise. Proverbs 20:1. We know these habits can harm the body and cloud the mind, and we pray for freedom because 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. We pray that the Lord would give your wife and your son and daughter a desire for sobriety and purity and the strength to turn away from these things, and that He would replace those cravings with a hunger for His Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23. We ask God to cultivate that fruit in your whole family.
We join you in praying for your adult daughter and her marriage. We believe marriage is a holy covenant designed by God between a man and a woman for life, and we pray that He would strengthen their union, deepen their love and faithfulness, and help them honor Him in their commitment. We pray for her desire for a child, that God in His wisdom and perfect timing would grant a happy and healthy baby if it is His will and if she is ready to be a godly mother. Children are a heritage of Yahweh. The fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3. We also pray for her need for provision and opportunity to earn more, trusting that God knows our needs and will provide as we seek Him first. But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33.
We thank God for your desire to be a better person, a better husband to your wife, a better father to your adult children, and a better employee. That desire honors Him. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men. Colossians 3:23. We pray that He will help you continue to take better care of your body and your mind and your spirit and your soul, presenting yourself as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. Romans 12:1. We are thankful with you for the simple blessings of swimming, sunshine, rest in a cool home, and even the enjoyment of a familiar story like you mentioned. Every good gift is from above and we are to give thanks in everything. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
We pray together now.
Father in heaven, we come before You in the name of Jesus Christ and we thank You for our brother and for his sobriety today. Thank You for sustaining him, for his work, his home, and for Your kindness to him and his family. Lord, we ask You to keep him strong and sober one day at a time, to guard his heart and mind, and to help him grow in grace and in discipline to care for the body and life You have given him. We lift up his wife and his adult children to You. Touch their hearts, Lord, and deliver them from dependence on alcohol, cigarettes and marijuana. Fill them with Your Holy Spirit and give them a desire for what is pure and holy. We pray for his daughter and her marriage, that You would make it strong and Christ centered, and that You would bless her according to Your perfect will regarding children and provision. Provide for her needs and guide her steps. Help our brother to be the husband and father and worker You have called him to be, faithful, loving, patient and diligent. Keep him in Your peace and help him to rest well in Your goodness. In all things we trust Your will. In Jesus name we pray, amen.
