We come before the throne of grace with you, lifting up your heartfelt cries to our Heavenly Father, who knows your struggles, your pain, and your deepest longings. You have poured out so much here—your fears, your weaknesses, your hopes, and even your desires to escape through alcohol and substances. We hear the raw honesty in your words, and we want you to know that God is not shocked or turned away by your struggles. Instead, He is drawing near to you, ready to lift you up and restore you. You have acknowledged Jesus Christ in your prayer, and it is only through His name that we find salvation, strength, and true transformation. As Scripture declares, *"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 are on the right path by calling on Him, and we stand with you in faith, believing that He will bring you through this season.
Your body is recovering from surgery, and it is natural to feel weak, anxious, and even depressed. But we must address the ways you are seeking comfort outside of God’s will. The desire to numb your pain with beer, whiskey, pot, or vaping is a temptation that will only deepen your bondage and delay the healing God wants to bring—both physically and spiritually. The Bible 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 a temple of the Holy Spirit, and filling it with substances that harm it dishonors the God who created you and redeemed you. We urge you to turn away from these things and instead seek comfort in the Lord. He is the only one who can give you true peace. *"Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest."* (Matthew 11:28, WEB).
You also mentioned your struggle with alcoholism, and we want to speak truth into this area with love and urgency. The Bible is clear: *"Don’t be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit"* (Ephesians 5:18, WEB). Drunkenness and substance abuse are not just harmful to your body—they cloud your judgment, steal your joy, and keep you from walking in the purpose God has for you. You cannot serve two masters. Either you will be enslaved to alcohol and substances, or you will be free in Christ. But you *can* overcome this. *"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). We pray that you will take hold of that escape—through prayer, through accountability, and through the power of the Holy Spirit. Consider reaching out to a biblical counseling ministry or a Christ-centered recovery group. You do not have to fight this alone.
Your desire to retire and escape the pressures of work is understandable, but we must also address the heart behind it. The Bible teaches us to work heartily, as unto the Lord, not for man. *"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of the inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ."* (Colossians 3:23-24, WEB). Work is not a curse—it is a gift from God, a way to provide for your family, and an opportunity to glorify Him. Instead of wishing for an early retirement or a lottery win, we encourage you to ask God to renew your strength and purpose in your work. Trust that He will provide for your needs as you seek His kingdom first. *"But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well."* (Matthew 6:33, WEB). Your hope should not be in money or ease, but in the Lord, who is your provider and sustainer.
We also notice your mention of your daughter’s upcoming marriage. It is wonderful that you want to bless her, but we must gently remind you that marriage is a sacred covenant between one man and one woman, as designed by God from the beginning. *"He who made them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall join to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh’"* (Matthew 19:4-5, WEB). If your daughter is entering into a marriage that does not align with this biblical truth, we urge you to pray for her with a heart of love and truth, asking God to guide her into His will. It is not loving to remain silent when someone we care about is walking away from God’s design.
Your physical struggles—your recovery, your inability to have a bowel movement, your pain—are real, and we lift these up to the Lord, asking for His healing touch. *"He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds."* (Psalm 147:3, WEB). We pray that God would restore your body, that He would give you wisdom about when to seek medical help, and that He would give you patience as you heal. Walking is good, but do not push yourself beyond what your body can handle. Trust that the Lord is your healer, and lean on Him for strength.
Your relationship with your wife is also on your heart, and we pray for unity and kindness between you both. Marriage is a beautiful reflection of Christ’s love for the church, and it requires selflessness, patience, and grace. *"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for her"* (Ephesians 5:25, WEB). We pray that God would soften both of your hearts toward one another, that you would speak words of life and encouragement, and that you would serve one another in love. If there has been strain or resentment, ask the Lord to heal those wounds and restore your bond. Consider how you can be a leader in your home—spiritually, emotionally, and practically—as you recover.
As for the holiday party, we encourage you to seek the Lord’s wisdom. If going would bring glory to God and encourage your coworkers, then go. But if it would be a stumbling block—if it would tempt you to drink or to speak negatively about your struggles—then it may be wise to decline. *"Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."* (1 Corinthians 10:31, WEB). Pray with your wife about this decision, and let love and wisdom guide you.
Finally, we want to address the tone of self-reliance that crept into the end of your prayer. You declared, *"I got this... I know what I need to do and I can and I will and I shall."* While we admire your determination, we must remind you that it is not by your own strength that you will overcome, but by the power of Christ in you. *"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."* (Philippians 4:13, WEB). Apart from Him, we can do nothing. It is when we surrender our weakness to Him that His strength is perfected in us. *"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."* (2 Corinthians 12:9, WEB). So do not rely on your own resolve, but on the Lord, who is your strength and your song.
Now, let us pray together for you:
Heavenly Father, we lift up our brother to You, knowing that You are the God who sees, the God who hears, and the God who heals. Lord, we thank You for his life, for the surgery that has taken place, and for the recovery that is underway. We ask that You would touch his body with Your healing hand—restore his strength, regulate his bodily functions, and take away his pain. Give him wisdom about when to rest and when to move, and protect him from any complications. Father, we also pray for his heart and mind. The anxieties he feels about work, about providing, about his future—they are heavy burdens, Lord. We ask that You would lift them from his shoulders and replace them with Your peace. *"Don’t be anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus."* (Philippians 4:6-7, WEB).
Lord, we rebuked the spirit of addiction that has sought to enslave him. Break the chains of alcohol and substance abuse in Jesus’ name. Fill him with Your Holy Spirit so that he no longer seeks comfort in things that destroy, but in You, the living water. *"Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water.’"* (John 7:37-38, WEB). Satisfy him, Lord, so that he no longer thirsts for the temporary highs of this world.
We pray for his marriage, that You would knit his heart together with his wife’s in love and unity. Help them to encourage one another, to bear one another’s burdens, and to reflect Your love to each other and to their family. Softened their hearts, Lord, and give them grace to walk through this season together.
Father, we ask that You would provide for his financial needs. Not through a lottery win, but through Your faithful provision as he seeks You first. Open doors for him, Lord, whether that means returning to work with renewed strength or finding new opportunities that align with Your will. Give him a heart of gratitude for the work You have given him, and help him to see it as an act of worship.
We also pray for his daughter and her upcoming marriage. If it is not aligned with Your will, we ask that You would convict her heart and draw her into Your truth. Give our brother wisdom and courage to speak Your Word in love, and to trust You with the outcome.
Most of all, Lord, we pray that he would surrender every area of his life to You. His pain, his fears, his addictions, his marriage, his work—lay it all at Your feet, Jesus. Help him to walk in the freedom and victory that You have already won for him on the cross. Remind him that he is not defined by his struggles, but by Your love for him. You have called him by name, and he is Yours.
We declare Your promises over him now: *"Fear not, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness."* (Isaiah 41:10, WEB). *"The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm."* (Exodus 14:14, WEB).
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray. Amen.
We will continue to stand with you in prayer, believing that God is at work in your life. Stay close to Him, read His Word daily, and surround yourself with brothers and sisters in Christ who can encourage you and hold you accountable. You are not alone in this fight. *"Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need."* (Hebrews 4:16, WEB). Keep drawing near, and He will meet you there.
