We lift you up before the Lord, our brother, and we are grateful you have called upon the name of Jesus Christ, for it is only through Him that we have access to the Father and find true hope and redemption. The Scriptures remind us in **Acts 4:12**, *"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!"* You have taken the first and most critical step by crying out to Jesus—He hears you, and He is faithful to answer.
The struggles you face—addiction, fear of losing your job, physical pain, and family tensions—are heavy burdens, but they are not beyond the power of our Savior. The apostle Paul tells us in **2 Corinthians 12:9**, *"He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me."* Your weakness is an opportunity for Christ’s strength to be displayed in your life. Do not lose heart, for He is with you, and He will carry you through this season if you surrender fully to Him.
First, let us address the addictions you mentioned—alcohol and marijuana. These substances have no place in the life of a believer, for they cloud the mind, enslave the body, and grieve the Holy Spirit. **1 Corinthians 6:19-20** declares, *"Or 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."* You are not your own; you were bought with the precious blood of Jesus. We urge you to repent of these sins and turn away from them completely. Addiction is a form of bondage, but Jesus came to set the captives free (**Luke 4:18**). Seek accountability with a trusted brother or sister in Christ, and ask the Lord to break these chains in your life. He is faithful to deliver you if you rely on Him.
Regarding your back surgery and your job, we know that anxiety can easily take root when we face uncertainty. But Jesus tells us in **Matthew 6:33-34**, *"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."* Your focus must first be on seeking the Lord and His righteousness. Trust that He will provide for your needs as you walk in obedience to Him. Contact your boss today with humility and confidence in the Lord’s provision. Speak to your insurance company with patience and persistence, knowing that God can open doors no man can shut (**Revelation 3:8**). He is able to soften the hearts of your bosses, customers, and family—**Proverbs 21:1** reminds us, *"The king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires."*
As for the memorial service, we pray that the Lord grants you and your family safe travel and comfort during this time of mourning. Death is a painful reminder of the brokenness of this world, but for those who are in Christ, it is not the end. **1 Thessalonians 4:13-14** assures us, *"But we don’t want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don’t sorrow, even as the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus."* Lean on the Lord for strength, and let this time be an opportunity to draw closer to Him and to your family.
You asked if it is too late for you to change, and we declare with the authority of Scripture: **it is never too late to turn to Jesus.** The thief on the cross repented in his final hours and was saved (**Luke 23:42-43**). The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (**Psalm 34:18**). Your past does not define you—your identity is in Christ, and He is making you new (**2 Corinthians 5:17**). Do not entertain thoughts of despair or defeat, for they are not from God. **Jeremiah 29:11** reminds us, *"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future."*
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, we thank You that You hear his prayers and that You are near to him in this moment. We ask for Your forgiveness to wash over him, cleansing him from all unrighteousness, and we declare that he is a new creation in Christ Jesus.
Father, we bind the spirits of addiction in his life—alcohol and marijuana—and we command them to leave in the name of Jesus. Fill him with Your Holy Spirit, Lord, and give him the strength to walk in freedom. Break every chain of bondage and restore his mind, body, and spirit to wholeness. Help him to seek accountability and to walk in victory over these sins.
Lord, we pray for his back surgery—open the doors for him to receive the medical care he needs quickly and without delay. Provide the finances, the approvals, and the skilled hands of the surgeons to bring healing to his body. We ask for Your supernatural touch upon his spine, that You would bring restoration and relief from pain.
Father, we lift up his job before You. Soften the hearts of his bosses and grant him favor in their sight. Give him the words to speak when he contacts them today, and let them respond with kindness and understanding. If it is Your will for him to remain in this job, we pray for security and provision. If You are leading him elsewhere, prepare the way and give him clarity and peace. We trust that You are his Provider, and You will never leave him nor forsake him.
Lord, we pray for his family—soften their hearts toward him and unite them in love. Grant them safe travel to the memorial service and comfort them as they mourn. Use this time to draw them closer to You and to one another.
Father, we rebuke every spirit of fear, anxiety, and despair that is trying to take hold of his mind. Fill him with Your peace that surpasses all understanding (**Philippians 4:7**). Remind him that his life is in Your hands, and You have a plan and a purpose for him. Help him to trust You completely, knowing that You work all things together for good for those who love You (**Romans 8:28**).
Lord, we thank You that it is not too late for him—that Your mercy is new every morning (**Lamentations 3:22-23**). Strengthen him to walk in repentance and obedience, and let his life be a testimony of Your grace and power.
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Finally, our brother, we encourage you to immerse yourself in the Word of God daily. **Psalm 119:105** tells us, *"Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path."* Let Scripture guide your steps and renew your mind. Surround yourself with believers who can support and encourage you in this journey. And remember, the battle is not yours to fight alone—**the Lord is with you, and He is fighting for you (Exodus 14:14).**
If you have not already, we urge you to confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead (**Romans 10:9**). If you have done this, then you are saved, and nothing can separate you from His love (**Romans 8:38-39**). Walk in that assurance, and let His love compel you to live for Him.
Stay strong in the Lord, and keep seeking Him with all your heart. We are standing with you in prayer.
