We hear the deep cry of your heart, and we lift you up in prayer, knowing that our Heavenly Father cares for you in every detail of your life. You have come to the right place—Jesus Christ is the only name under heaven by which we can be saved, and it is through Him alone that we find grace, mercy, and strength. You have called upon Him, and that is a beautiful thing, for the Scripture tells us, *"Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need"* (Hebrews 4:16, WEB). Your honesty before God is a sign of a heart that seeks Him, and we commend you for that.
First, we rejoice that you have acknowledged your need for forgiveness and change. This is the work of the Holy Spirit in your life, convicting and drawing you closer to Jesus. The Word of God tells us, *"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, WEB). You have asked for forgiveness, and we declare over you that God is faithful to cleanse you and restore you. However, true repentance requires turning away from sin—not just asking for forgiveness but also seeking the power of the Holy Spirit to live differently. You have mentioned your desire to drink less beer and quit smoking pot, and we encourage you to surrender these things completely to the Lord. The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and we are called to honor God with it (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Substances that alter the mind or lead to dependence are not from God but are tools the enemy uses to keep us in bondage. *"Don’t you know that you are a temple of God and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him because God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple"* (1 Corinthians 3:16-17, WEB). We pray that God breaks these chains in your life and fills you with His peace that surpasses all understanding.
We also address the mention of wanting "one more day at home to rest and lay in my bed and drink beer and smoke some pot." Brother, while rest is good and necessary, especially as you recover, we must gently but firmly rebuke the desire to turn to substances for comfort. The Bible warns us, *"Don’t be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit"* (Ephesians 5:18, WEB). Your comfort and healing come from the Lord, not from temporary pleasures that can lead to further bondage. Instead, we encourage you to spend that time in prayer, reading God’s Word, and allowing the Holy Spirit to minister to your heart. *"Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest"* (Matthew 11:28, WEB). True rest is found in Jesus, not in the fleeting escape of substances.
Regarding your wife, we lift her up as well, asking God to free her from the grip of whiskey and cigarettes. These things harm the body and the mind, and they can cloud our judgment and our ability to love others as Christ loves us. We pray that both of you would experience the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, renewing your minds and restoring your marriage. *"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly and gave himself up for it"* (Ephesians 5:25, WEB). *"Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord"* (Ephesians 5:22, WEB). Marriage is a sacred covenant, and we pray that God would help you both to love one another with the selfless, sacrificial love of Christ. If there has been brokenness, we ask God to heal it. If there has been bitterness, we ask Him to replace it with forgiveness. *"Put away from yourselves all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you"* (Ephesians 4:31-32, WEB).
We also lift up your son and daughter. For your son, we pray that God would open doors for employment and that he would walk in wisdom and integrity. We ask that God would bring a godly spouse into his life—a woman who fears the Lord and who would encourage him in his faith. *"A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones"* (Proverbs 12:4, WEB). For your daughter, we pray that God would provide a good job and that she would wait upon the Lord for a husband who loves Jesus and would lead her spiritually. We pray that she would be a godly mother someday, raising her children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. *"Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her: ‘Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.’"* (Proverbs 31:28-29, WEB).
As for your job, we pray that God would give you favor with your bosses, coworkers, and customers. We ask that He would grant you wisdom and strength as you return to work, and that He would provide for all your needs according to His riches in glory. *"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: he will bring out your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noon day sun"* (Psalm 37:4-6, WEB). If it is God’s will for you to remain in this job, we pray that He would secure your position and give you peace. If He has another path for you, we pray that He would make it clear and provide for you every step of the way.
You asked why things seem harder today than yesterday, and why survival feels more difficult. The truth is that we live in a fallen world, and the enemy is actively seeking to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). But take heart—Jesus has overcome the world! *"I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world"* (John 16:33, WEB). The struggles you face are not unique to you, and God is not unaware of your pain. He sees you, He hears you, and He is working all things together for your good (Romans 8:28). Even in the hardest seasons, He is refining you, drawing you closer to Himself, and preparing you for what lies ahead.
You also asked God to be honest with you about what you need to do. The answer is found in His Word: *"He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"* (Micah 6:8, WEB). Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33). This means surrendering every area of your life to Him—your marriage, your job, your health, your children, and even your desires for comfort. It means turning away from sin and pursuing holiness. It means trusting Him even when the path is unclear.
Now, let us pray for you together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, lifting up our brother who is in need of Your touch. Lord, You are the Great Physician, and we ask that You would heal his body completely. Remove the pain in his back and legs, and restore strength to his spine. Give him the rest he needs, but let it be a rest that is found in You, not in the temporary escapes of this world. Break the chains of alcohol and marijuana in his life, Lord. Fill him with Your Holy Spirit so that he may walk in freedom and victory.
We pray for his job, Father. Soften the hearts of his bosses, coworkers, and customers. Give him favor in their eyes, and grant him the wisdom and strength to perform his duties with excellence. If it is Your will for him to remain in this job, secure his position and provide for his every need. If You have another path for him, make it clear and guide his steps.
Lord, we lift up his marriage. Restore the love between him and his wife. Help them to forgive one another and to walk in humility and kindness. Break the chains of alcohol and cigarettes in his wife’s life, and heal her mind and body. Renew their commitment to one another and to You.
Father, we pray for their son and daughter. Provide good jobs for them and godly spouses who will walk with them in faith. Help their son to become self-sufficient and to trust in You for his future. Prepare their daughter to be a godly wife and mother someday, and bless her with a husband who loves You above all else.
Lord, our brother has asked for honesty about what he needs to do. Speak to his heart clearly, Father. Show him the areas of his life that need to change, and give him the courage to obey. Help him to seek Your Kingdom first and to trust You in all things.
We thank You, Lord, for Your faithfulness. You have helped him in the past, and You will continue to help him in the present and the future. Remind him that You are his Provider, his Healer, and his Peace. Let him know deep in his spirit that it is going to be okay because You hold his future in Your hands.
We rebuke the spirit of fear that has gripped him. *"For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control"* (2 Timothy 1:7, WEB). Fill him with Your peace, Lord, and let him rest in the knowledge that You are in control.
Finally, Father, we ask that You would draw our brother closer to You. Let him experience Your presence in a tangible way. Help him to hunger and thirst for righteousness and to find his satisfaction in You alone.
We pray all these things in the mighty and precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Brother, we encourage you to spend time in God’s Word daily. Meditate on His promises and let them fill your heart with hope. Surround yourself with believers who can support and encourage you. If you do not have a church home, we urge you to find a Bible-believing church where you can grow in your faith and be accountable to others. Remember, you are not alone in this battle. *"The Lord himself is who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged"* (Deuteronomy 31:8, WEB).
We are standing with you in prayer, believing that God is at work in your life. Keep seeking Him, keep trusting Him, and keep walking in obedience. He is faithful, and He will see you through this season. *"Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or scared of them; for Yahweh your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you"* (Deuteronomy 31:6, WEB). May the Lord bless you and keep you as you place your trust in Him.
. Again dear Jesus please help me keep my job and help me change to drink less beer and to quit smoking pot. Forgive me for my sins, faults and my mistakes. Please continue to help my wife to not drink whiskey and to stop smoking cigarettes so her mind and her health will be ok. Thank you for helping my son find a job and please allow my son to meet a nice person to be with and help him become self sufficient to be able to take care of himself. Why are things so different and it seems like it is much harder to survive today then yesterday. I feel so bad for other folks who have it so much worse than I do. Please forgive me for asking for so much help. Please continue to help my daughter to get a better job and to have a good life with her future husband 
