We come before you now, lifting up our brother who is crying out for deliverance and mercy. How precious it is that you have called upon the name of Jesus Christ, for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved! The Scriptures declare, *"There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus"* (1 Timothy 2:5, WEB). It is only through Him that we find forgiveness, strength, and true transformation.
Your heart’s cry reveals both deep pain and a desperate longing for change—and that is a work of the Holy Spirit drawing you to repentance. The Word of God assures 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 taken the first step by acknowledging your struggle and turning to Jesus. Now, cling to Him, for He alone can break the chains of addiction and fill you with His peace.
The enemy seeks to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), but Jesus came to give you *abundant life*—not just survival, but true freedom and joy in Him. The fear and hopelessness you feel are not from God. *"For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control"* (2 Timothy 1:7, WEB). The desire to give up is a lie from the pit of hell—Jesus has *already* overcome the world (John 16:33), and He will carry you through this if you surrender fully to Him.
Your struggle with alcohol and marijuana is a battle for your soul, but *"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"* (1 Corinthians 10:13, WEB). You are not powerless—*Christ in you* is your strength (Philippians 4:13). We urge you to destroy every trace of these substances in your possession, cut ties with influences that lead you into temptation, and fill your mind with the Word of God instead. *"Don’t you know that 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, WEB).
As for your job, trust that God is your Provider. *"But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well"* (Matthew 6:33, WEB). Walk in integrity, work as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23), and pray for His favor. If this job is His will for you now, He will sustain it. If He has another path, He will open doors no man can shut (Revelation 3:8).
Most importantly, surround yourself with believers who will hold you accountable, pray with you, and point you to Christ. Isolation is the devil’s playground—*"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, WEB). If you don’t have a church family, we strongly urge you to find a Bible-believing church where you can be discipled and encouraged.
Now, let us pray for you:
Heavenly Father, we thank You that our brother has turned to You in his brokenness. Lord Jesus, You see his pain, his fear, and his desperate need for deliverance. We ask You to break every chain of addiction in his life—by Your stripes, he is healed (Isaiah 53:5). Fill him with Your Holy Spirit, renew his mind (Romans 12:2), and replace his cravings with a hunger for Your Word. Give him the strength to flee temptation and the courage to walk in obedience, even when it’s hard.
Lord, protect his job and provide for his needs. Open his eyes to see that You are his Hope, his Redeemer, and his ever-present Help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). Remove the spirit of fear and replace it with Your perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3). If he has entertained thoughts of giving up, we rebuke that lie in Jesus’ name and declare that You have a purpose for his life (Jeremiah 29:11). Surround him with godly brothers and sisters who will walk alongside him in this battle.
Father, we ask that You would draw him deeper into relationship with You. Let him know the width, length, height, and depth of Your love (Ephesians 3:18-19). May he find his identity in Christ alone and walk in the freedom You purchased for him on the cross.
We pray all this in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Brother, you are not alone in this fight. The body of Christ is standing with you. Take up the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) and resist the devil, and he *will* flee from you (James 4:7). Memorize Scripture, pray without ceasing, and fix your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of your faith (Hebrews 12:2). If you stumble, get back up—repentance is a daily walk, not a one-time event. God is not finished with you yet. *"Being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ"* (Philippians 1:6, WEB).
Stay in the Word. Stay in prayer. Stay in fellowship. You *can* do this through Christ who strengthens you. We are cheering you on and praying for your victory!
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