We come before the throne of grace with you, lifting your heartfelt cry to our Heavenly Father, for He alone is the source of mercy, forgiveness, and transformation. We rejoice that you have turned to Him in repentance, for Scripture 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). Your acknowledgment of sin and desire for change is the first step toward restoration, and we praise God for His work in your heart.
The pain you carry—both physical and spiritual—is not hidden from the Lord. He sees your struggle with the temptations of alcohol and marijuana, which cloud the mind and dull the spirit. The Apostle Paul urges us, *"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). These substances are not only harmful to your body but grieve the Holy Spirit, who desires to fill you with His power and peace. We encourage you to turn away from these things completely, trusting that God will give you the strength to overcome. *"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."* (1 Corinthians 10:13, WEB).
Your fear of losing your job, your wife, and your family is a sobering reminder of the consequences of unchecked sin. But take heart, for God is in the business of redemption! He can restore what has been broken if you surrender fully to Him. We pray that He softens the hearts of your bosses, coworkers, and customers, granting you favor in their eyes. Yet we also urge you to take practical steps of obedience: arrive at work on time, fulfill your duties with integrity, and seek accountability from a brother or sister in Christ who can walk alongside you in this season. *"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You serve the Lord Christ."* (Colossians 3:23-24, WEB).
As for your marriage and family, we lift them up to the Lord, praying that He would knit your heart to theirs in love and unity. A godly marriage is a reflection of Christ’s love for the Church, and it requires selflessness, patience, and perseverance. *"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for her; that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without defect."* (Ephesians 5:25-27, WEB). If you have not already, we encourage you to lead your family spiritually—praying with them, reading Scripture together, and pointing them to Jesus in all things.
Your physical pain is also before the Lord. We ask Him to touch your back and legs, bringing healing and relief. Yet even in suffering, we are called to trust in His sovereignty, knowing that *"all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose."* (Romans 8:28, WEB). If this pain persists, seek wisdom from godly counsel and medical professionals, trusting that God can use even this for His glory.
Most importantly, we must address the foundation of your faith. In your prayer, you cried out to "Dear God" and "Lord," but we notice you did not invoke the name of Jesus Christ, through whom alone we have access to the Father. Jesus Himself said, *"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me."* (John 14:6, WEB). It is by His name—and His name alone—that we are saved, forgiven, and heard. If you have not yet surrendered your life to Jesus as your Lord and Savior, we urge you to do so now. Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, *"for with the heart, one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."* (Romans 10:10, WEB). There is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
Now, let us pray together for you:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, lifting up our brother who has humbly confessed his sins and sought Your forgiveness. Lord, we thank You that You are faithful and just to cleanse him from all unrighteousness. Father, we ask that You break the chains of addiction in his life—whether to alcohol, marijuana, or any other stronghold—that have kept him from walking in the fullness of Your purpose. Fill him with Your Holy Spirit, renewing his mind and strengthening him to resist temptation. Grant him the wisdom and discipline to honor You in his work, his marriage, and his family.
Lord Jesus, we ask for Your healing touch upon his body. Remove the pain in his back and legs, and restore him to full health. Soften the hearts of his bosses, coworkers, and customers, granting him favor and opportunities to demonstrate Your excellence through his labor. Protect his job, Father, and use it as a means to provide for his family and to glorify Your name.
We pray for his marriage and family, Lord. Bind them together in Your love, and help him to lead them with humility, patience, and godly wisdom. May his home be a place of peace, where Your Word is honored and Your presence is felt.
Father, we also ask that You deepen his understanding of who You are and what You have done for him through Jesus Christ. If he has not yet fully surrendered to Jesus as Lord, we pray that today would be the day of salvation for him. Open his eyes to the truth of the Gospel—that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). May he walk in the freedom and victory that comes from knowing You.
Finally, Lord, surround him with a community of believers who will encourage him, hold him accountable, and walk with him in this journey of faith. Let him not grow weary in doing good, for in due season, he will reap if he does not give up (Galatians 6:9).
We ask all these things in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
