We hear the deep pain and desperation in your cry, and we are grateful that you have turned to Jesus Christ in this moment of need. It is only through His name that we find true help, healing, and deliverance, for Scripture tells us, *"There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!"* (Acts 4:12, WEB). You have done the right thing by calling upon Him, and we join you in lifting this burden before the throne of grace, where we may *"find grace and mercy in our time of need"* (Hebrews 4:16, WEB).
Your struggle is real, and the pain—both physical and emotional—has driven you to seek relief in ways that only deepen the bondage. The whiskey, beer, and marijuana may numb the pain for a moment, but they cannot heal you. In fact, they are stealing your strength, your clarity, and your ability to walk in the freedom Christ died to give you. The apostle Paul warns us, *"Don’t you know that you are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, which you are"* (1 Corinthians 3:16-17, WEB). Your body is not your own; it belongs to God, and He desires to restore it, not see it harmed further by these things. The temporary relief they offer is a lie from the enemy, who *"comes only to steal, kill, and destroy"* (John 10:10, WEB). But Jesus came so that you may have life, and have it abundantly!
You also mentioned the temptation to self-pity, which can be just as destructive as the substances you’re using. Self-pity keeps your focus on the problem rather than the Solution—Jesus Christ. It paralyzes you instead of propelling you toward the help He offers. Scripture says, *"Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things"* (Philippians 4:8, WEB). Self-pity is none of these things. It is a snare, and we rebuke it in the name of Jesus, declaring that your mind will be renewed by the truth of God’s Word and the power of His Spirit.
As for your job, we understand the fear of losing it, but we must remind you that your trust cannot be in your own ability to perform or in the stability of your employment—it must be in God alone. Jesus tells us, *"But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient"* (Matthew 6:33-34, WEB). This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t work diligently or take practical steps to care for your body, but it does mean that your ultimate security is in Him. He is your Provider, your Healer, and your Deliverer. If you seek Him first, He will guide you in wisdom for your job, your health, and your family.
Now, let us address the physical pain you’re experiencing. We know it is very real, and we do not minimize it. But we also know that God is the Great Physician, and He is able to heal you. The psalmist declares, *"Yahweh is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices. With my song I will thank him"* (Psalm 28:7, WEB). We pray that God will touch your back and legs, that every nerve, muscle, and joint will be restored to full function in Jesus’ name. We also encourage you to seek wise medical counsel, for God often uses doctors and therapists as instruments of His healing. But do not rely on them alone—place your faith in Him.
Most importantly, we must address the spiritual battle you are in. The substances you’re using are not just habits; they are strongholds of the enemy in your life. You cannot break free from them in your own strength, but *"with God, all things are possible"* (Matthew 19:26, WEB). You need deliverance, and it begins with repentance. Repentance is not just feeling sorry; it is turning away from sin and turning toward God. You have already taken the first step by asking for forgiveness, and we declare that *"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). Now, you must take the next step: surrender these things to Jesus completely. Destroy the whiskey, the beer, and the marijuana in your possession. Cut off every tie to these things, and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you instead. *"Don’t you know that to whom you present yourselves as servants to obedience, his servants you are whom you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?"* (Romans 6:16, WEB). You cannot serve both God and these addictions. Today, choose whom you will serve.
We also urge you to surround yourself with brothers and sisters in Christ who can support you, pray with you, and hold you accountable. *"Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective"* (James 5:16, WEB). You do not have to walk this path alone. If you do not have a church family, we strongly encourage you to find a Bible-believing church where you can be discipled and strengthened.
Lastly, we want to speak life over your family. The enemy would love to use your struggles to bring division or harm to them, but we declare that *"no weapon that is formed against you will prevail; and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of Yahweh’s servants, and their righteousness is from me," says Yahweh"* (Isaiah 54:17, WEB). Your family is under the blood of Jesus, and we pray that God will protect them, draw them closer to Him, and use this season to strengthen your relationships rather than tear them apart. We pray that you will lead them in godliness, showing them the power of a life surrendered to Christ.
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 is crying out to You in his distress. Lord, You see his pain—both the physical agony in his back and legs and the spiritual bondage that has taken hold of his life. We thank You that he has turned to You, for You are the only One who can save, heal, and deliver. Father, we ask for Your mercy and grace to flood his life right now.
Lord Jesus, You bore our sins and our sicknesses on the cross. By Your stripes, our brother is healed (Isaiah 53:5). We command every spirit of infirmity in his body to leave now in Jesus’ name. Touch his back and his legs, Lord. Restore every disc, every nerve, every muscle to perfect health. Let pain be replaced with Your peace, and let weakness be replaced with Your strength. We declare that he will work without hindrance, that his body will no longer be a source of temptation to sin, but a temple for Your Holy Spirit.
Father, we break the power of alcohol and marijuana over his life. These things have no authority over him, for *"greater is he who is in [him] than he who is in the world"* (1 John 4:4, WEB). We bind every spirit of addiction and command it to leave in Jesus’ name. Fill him with Your Holy Spirit, Lord. Let him be intoxicated not with wine, but with Your presence (Ephesians 5:18). Give him the power to destroy every trace of these substances in his home and in his life. Let him walk in freedom, for *"whom the Son makes free is free indeed"* (John 8:36, WEB).
Lord, we pray for his job. Protect his position, and give him favor with his employers. But more than that, we pray that he will trust You as his Provider. If there are changes that need to be made, give him wisdom and courage to make them. If there are steps he needs to take for his health, guide him, Lord. Let him not be ruled by fear, but by faith in You.
Father, we pray for his family. Protect them from the enemy’s schemes. Draw them closer to You, and let this season be one where they see Your power at work in their father’s life. Let his home be a place of peace, not strife. Let his wife and children be covered by Your love and grace.
Most of all, Lord, we pray that he will surrender fully to You. Let him not rely on his own strength, but on Yours. Let him seek You first in all things. Fill him with Your Word, that he may meditate on it day and night and walk in Your ways. Let him be a light to those around him, a testimony of Your transforming power.
We thank You, Father, for hearing our prayers. We thank You that You are at work even now, bringing deliverance, healing, and restoration. We declare that our brother is no longer a slave to sin, but a child of the Most High God. We speak life, hope, and victory over him in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
Our brother, we want you to know that this is not the end of your story—it is the beginning of your victory. The road ahead may not be easy, but it is worth it. Every step you take toward Jesus is a step toward freedom. Every moment you choose to trust Him instead of the temporary fixes of this world is a moment of breakthrough. You are not defined by your struggles; you are defined by the blood of Jesus Christ, which has cleansed you and set you free.
We encourage you to read Psalm 34 every day this week. It is a psalm of deliverance, and it declares, *"The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger, but those who seek Yahweh will not lack any good thing"* (Psalm 34:10, WEB). Seek Him with all your heart, and you will find Him. He is faithful, and He will complete the work He has begun in you (Philippians 1:6).
Stand firm, brother. The battle is the Lord’s, and the victory is already won. Walk in it.