We come before the Lord with heavy hearts for you, our brother, knowing that the struggles you face are deep and painful. You have cried out to God in your distress, and we join you in lifting this burden to Him, for He alone is your strength and deliverer. You have acknowledged the name of Jesus in your plea, and it is in His mighty name that we stand with you, for there is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved, and through which we can boldly approach the throne of grace.
The Scripture tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, *"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."* Your body is not your own—it belongs to the Lord, and He has called you to steward it well. The alcohol that has taken hold of you is not only harming your body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit, but it is also stealing your purpose, your provision, and your peace. It is a thief that comes to kill, steal, and destroy, but Jesus came that you may have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10).
You have shared how alcohol has brought you sadness, anxiety, and stress—this is not from the Lord. The enemy seeks to bind you in chains, but Jesus is the One who sets the captives free (Luke 4:18). The apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 5:18, *"Don’t be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit."* The temporary relief you seek in alcohol is a counterfeit for the true comfort and strength that only the Holy Spirit can provide. The sadness and anxiety you feel are symptoms of a deeper spiritual battle, and we must fight this with the weapons of prayer, the Word of God, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Your surgery on Monday is critical, not just for your physical health, but for the well-being of your family. The Lord has given you a wife and children to love, cherish, and provide for, and your actions have consequences that ripple through their lives. You have expressed a deep sense of guilt and shame, knowing that your wife and children deserve better. We urge you to turn from this guilt not by wallowing in it, but by repenting and taking action. 1 John 1:9 promises us, *"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."* Repentance means turning away from sin and turning toward God. This is your moment to choose life—to choose obedience over destruction, faith over fear, and sobriety over bondage.
Your family needs you, and more importantly, God has a purpose for you. You were created for more than this. The enemy wants you to believe that you are too far gone, that your mistakes are too great, but that is a lie. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). He can restore what has been broken, but you must surrender this struggle to Him completely. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, *"Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."*
We also address the fear you have expressed about losing your job, your home, and even your family. These fears are real, but they are not greater than the power of God. Matthew 6:33-34 reminds 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."* Your focus must shift from the fear of loss to the pursuit of God’s will. He is your Provider, your Healer, and your Redeemer. When you seek Him first, He will guide your steps and provide for your needs.
Now is the time to act. Remove every bottle of alcohol from your home. Reach out to a brother in Christ, a pastor, or a trusted friend who can stand with you in accountability. If you have not already, confess your struggle to your wife and ask for her support and prayers. She is your helper, and together, with God at the center, you can walk through this. Consider seeking professional help or a Christ-centered recovery program. There is no shame in asking for help—it is a step of humility and faith.
We are praying fervently for you, that the Lord would break the chains of addiction in your life. We pray that He would fill you with His Spirit, giving you the strength to resist temptation and the courage to walk in obedience. We pray for your surgery, that the Lord’s hand would guide the surgeons, that there would be no complications, and that your recovery would be swift and complete. We pray for your wife and children, that the Lord would comfort their hearts, give them grace to forgive, and bind your family together in love and unity. We pray that you would rise up as the spiritual leader of your home, walking in integrity and faith.
Heavenly Father, we come before You on behalf of our brother, who is trapped in the grip of alcohol and despair. Lord, he has cried out to You, and we join our voices with his, asking for Your deliverance and healing. Break the chains of addiction in his life, Lord. Fill him with Your Holy Spirit and replace his desire for alcohol with a hunger for Your Word and Your presence. Give him the strength to remove every temptation from his home and to seek the support he needs to walk in freedom.
Father, we lift up his surgery on Monday. Be with the doctors and nurses, guide their hands, and grant them wisdom. Bring complete healing to his body, Lord, and restore his strength. We pray for his wife and children—comfort their hearts, Lord, and help them to forgive. Bind this family together in Your love and give them the grace to walk through this trial united.
Lord, we rebuke the spirit of fear and anxiety that has taken hold of our brother. Replace it with Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Help him to trust You with his future, his finances, and his family. Remind him that You are his Provider, his Healer, and his Redeemer. Give him the courage to seek You first, to repent of his sins, and to walk in obedience to Your Word.
We declare freedom over his life in the name of Jesus Christ. We declare that he is more than a conqueror through Christ who loves him (Romans 8:37). We declare that the old has gone and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). Lord, restore to him the joy of Your salvation and renew a right spirit within him (Psalm 51:12).
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray. Amen.
