We hear your cry for help, and we stand with you in prayer before the throne of grace, where mercy and help are always found in Jesus Christ. Your honesty about your struggle with alcohol and the physical, emotional, and relational toll it is taking is a courageous first step. We see your desire to change, especially on this day that celebrates the birth of our Savior, and we join you in declaring that today *can* be the last day you drink. But this battle cannot be fought alone—it must be surrendered to Christ, who alone has the power to break every chain.
First, we must address the deception in your heart. You admitted to not being fully honest with your boss about your drinking. Scripture warns us, "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy" (Proverbs 28:13). Hiding your struggle will only deepen its grip on you. You must bring this into the light—with your boss, your wife, and most importantly, with the Lord. "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). There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, but there is also no victory in secrecy.
Your concern about losing your job, home, and marriage is understandable, but we must ask: What is more dangerous—to risk temporary discomfort by being honest, or to risk your soul, your health, and your family by continuing in this cycle? The Lord says, "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?" (Mark 8:36). Your worth is not in your job or your ability to hide your struggle; it is in Christ, who died to set you free. We urge you to call your boss today—not to lie or downplay the truth, but to humbly share your struggle and your commitment to change. If he is a man of integrity, he will respect your honesty and may even offer support. If not, the Lord will provide for you in ways you cannot yet see.
You mentioned your wife also drinks too much, and that it leads to arguments. This is a red flag that cannot be ignored. Scripture commands, "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers" (2 Corinthians 6:14), but even in marriage between believers, we are called to mutual submission and love. If she is unwilling to address her own struggle, it will be nearly impossible for you to break free from yours. We must rebuke the enabling in this marriage. You are not helping her by drinking with her, and she is not helping you. "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17), but this can only happen if both of you are committed to godliness. We pray that the Lord would convict her heart as He has convicted yours, and that together, you would seek help—whether through your insurance, a biblical counselor, or a Christ-centered recovery group.
You also shared physical symptoms that are deeply concerning—vomiting blood, bowel and urinary issues. These are not just signs of alcohol withdrawal; they are warnings from your body that you are doing serious damage. "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Ignoring these symptoms is not faith—it is foolishness. You *must* see a doctor, and you must be honest with them about your drinking. The Lord can heal you, but He often works through the wisdom and skill He has given to medical professionals. Call your insurance today, as you planned, and make that appointment without delay.
Your mention of rehab is understandable, but we want to challenge the lie that you must do this alone. "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). The Lord never intended for us to fight our battles in isolation. There are Christian recovery programs, accountability groups, and even online communities where you can find support without risking your job. We urge you to seek out a local Celebrate Recovery group or a biblical counselor who can walk with you through this. You do not have to white-knuckle your way through withdrawal or recovery.
Most importantly, we must address the root of this struggle. Why is this so hard for you? Why do you keep returning to the same pattern? The apostle Paul cried out, "For I don’t do the good that I desire to do; but the evil which I don’t desire, that I practice" (Romans 7:19). The answer is not in your willpower, your job, or even your marriage—it is in Christ. "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death" (Romans 8:2). You cannot overcome this in your own strength, but "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). You must surrender this battle to Him daily, hourly, even moment by moment.
Let us pray for you now:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the One who was born to break every chain and set the captives free. Lord, we lift up our brother who is crying out to You today. You see his struggle, his fear, and his desire to change. You know the physical pain he is enduring and the spiritual battle raging in his heart. We ask, Lord, that You would pour out Your mercy and grace upon him. Forgive him for the times he has hidden his struggle, for the lies he has told, and for the ways he has dishonored You with his body. Wash him clean by the blood of Jesus, and create in him a clean heart, O God.
Lord, we rebuke the spirit of addiction that has taken hold of him. In the name of Jesus, we command it to loose its grip and flee. We declare that he is not a slave to alcohol; he is a son of the Most High God, bought with the precious blood of Christ. Strengthen his body, Lord. Heal the damage that has been done, and give him the courage to seek medical help without shame. Provide for him a doctor who will care for him with wisdom and compassion, and open doors for him to find biblical support and accountability.
Father, we pray for his marriage. Convict his wife’s heart as You have convicted his. Soften both of their hearts to seek You together, to submit to one another in love, and to walk in the light as You are in the light. Break the cycle of enabling and arguments, and replace it with unity, peace, and mutual edification. Give them both the humility to seek help, whether through counseling, a recovery group, or the support of their church family.
Lord, we ask that You would give him the courage to be honest with his boss. Provide for his needs if his job is at risk, and give him favor in the eyes of those in authority over him. Help him to see that his worth is not in his employment, but in Christ alone. Remind him that You are his Provider, his Healer, and his Deliverer.
Above all, Lord, we pray that You would draw him closer to You. Let this struggle drive him to his knees, not to despair, but to dependence on You. Fill him with Your Holy Spirit, who is the Comforter, the Counselor, and the One who empowers us to walk in victory. Teach him to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and to replace the lies of addiction with the truth of Your Word. Remind him that he is more than a conqueror through Christ who loves him.
We declare today as a turning point in his life. May this be the last day he drinks alcohol. May he walk in freedom, not just from the bottle, but from the shame, the secrecy, and the sin that has held him captive. Strengthen him for the journey ahead, and surround him with brothers and sisters in Christ who will walk with him, pray for him, and hold him accountable.
We ask all of this in the powerful, matchless name of Jesus Christ, the Name above every name, the One who was born to die so that we might live. Amen.
Now, brother, here is what you must do today:
1. **Confess to your boss.** Call or message him and say, "I need to be honest with you. I’ve been struggling with alcohol, and I’m committed to getting help. I want to do this the right way, and I’m seeking medical support to ensure I can return to work safely and sober." If you lose your job, trust that the Lord will provide. But do not let fear keep you in bondage.
2. **Call your insurance and make that doctor’s appointment.** Be honest with the doctor about your drinking, your symptoms, and your desire to quit. Ask for help with withdrawal and any underlying issues. If they recommend time off work, take it. Your health and your soul are worth more than any paycheck.
3. **Tell your wife the truth.** Sit down with her and say, "I can’t do this alone anymore. I need help, and I want us to seek help together. Will you walk through this with me?" If she refuses, seek support elsewhere, but do not let her drinking be an excuse for yours.
4. **Find an accountability partner or group.** Reach out to your church, a Christian counselor, or a recovery group like Celebrate Recovery. You cannot do this alone. "Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed" (James 5:16).
5. **Fill your mind with Scripture.** Memorize verses like 1 Corinthians 10:13, "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." When the craving comes, recite it. When the shame comes, recite it. When the fear comes, recite it.
6. **Pray without ceasing.** Every time you feel the urge to drink, pray. Every time you feel weak, pray. Every time you feel alone, pray. "Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41).
7. **Destroy the alcohol in your home.** Do not keep it around "just in case." "Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5). If it is an idol in your life, tear it down.
You are not alone in this. The Lord is with you, and so are we. Today *can* be the last day. But it must begin with surrender—not to alcohol, not to fear, not to shame, but to Jesus Christ, who alone can set you free. "If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36). Walk in that freedom, brother. We are praying for you.
