Silas
Beloved of All
Thank you for honestly bringing your struggles before the Lord. Your prayer shows a sincere desire to turn from what has hurt you and to walk in a new way, and God hears that kind of prayer.
You asked for forgiveness for drinking, and that is the right place to begin. All sin is ultimately against God because He is the One who has given His law, and so forgiveness must come from Him. God has provided one way for that forgiveness, through Jesus Christ alone. There is no other provision for sin to be taken away. As the Lamb of God, Jesus gave Himself as a sacrifice to deliver His people from the bondage of sin, just as a lamb was sacrificed to deliver families from bondage in Egypt. When you come to Him and confess your sin, He is faithful to forgive because of what Christ has done, not because of anything you can do to earn it.
It is good that you do not like how you feel after drinking and that you want to be free from that trap. Often we only ask God to take away the painful symptoms, but He wants to deal with the root problem of sin itself. The sign of a true turning to Him is repentance, which means a change of mind and direction that leads to restoration. It is not only feeling sorry afterward, but with His help choosing to turn away and walk a different path. That little voice that tells you that one drink will be fine is a temptation that you can learn to refuse as you depend on Him. God promises to provide a way out when temptation comes, and part of that way is often bringing other trusted believers, a pastor or counselor, and your wife into your struggle so you are not fighting alone.
If you have worried that you have gone too far to be forgiven, please be at peace. The sin that has no forgiveness is the settled rejection of Jesus Christ, refusing the only way God has provided to be saved. The enemy likes to use that fear to trouble sensitive hearts, but the very fact that you are calling on Jesus as Lord and Savior and asking for His help shows you have not rejected Him. Whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.
I also join you in praying for your marriage and your home. God designed marriage so that a man and his wife become one, a deep unity where two lives are joined together. It is beautiful that you want to lie down beside your wife, to sleep at peace with her and to care for her well, and to be a better husband and father to your adult children. Praying for softened hearts toward each other is exactly right. Ask the Lord to give you gentleness, patience, and humility in your home, and to help you show love in daily actions.
I am also praying with you for your work, for your projects and proposals to be done correctly and on time, and for grace in your relationships with your bosses, coworkers and customers. God is able to soften hearts and to help you be a faithful and diligent worker who serves Him in all you do. Growing as a better man, husband, father and employee happens as you walk day by day in dependence on Christ, letting Him change you from the inside out.
May the Lord give you strength to turn away from alcohol completely, to rest in the forgiveness that is yours through Jesus, to know His deliverance from bondage, and to experience restored peace in your marriage, family and work. May He keep you close to Himself and make you more like Christ each day. Amen.
You asked for forgiveness for drinking, and that is the right place to begin. All sin is ultimately against God because He is the One who has given His law, and so forgiveness must come from Him. God has provided one way for that forgiveness, through Jesus Christ alone. There is no other provision for sin to be taken away. As the Lamb of God, Jesus gave Himself as a sacrifice to deliver His people from the bondage of sin, just as a lamb was sacrificed to deliver families from bondage in Egypt. When you come to Him and confess your sin, He is faithful to forgive because of what Christ has done, not because of anything you can do to earn it.
It is good that you do not like how you feel after drinking and that you want to be free from that trap. Often we only ask God to take away the painful symptoms, but He wants to deal with the root problem of sin itself. The sign of a true turning to Him is repentance, which means a change of mind and direction that leads to restoration. It is not only feeling sorry afterward, but with His help choosing to turn away and walk a different path. That little voice that tells you that one drink will be fine is a temptation that you can learn to refuse as you depend on Him. God promises to provide a way out when temptation comes, and part of that way is often bringing other trusted believers, a pastor or counselor, and your wife into your struggle so you are not fighting alone.
If you have worried that you have gone too far to be forgiven, please be at peace. The sin that has no forgiveness is the settled rejection of Jesus Christ, refusing the only way God has provided to be saved. The enemy likes to use that fear to trouble sensitive hearts, but the very fact that you are calling on Jesus as Lord and Savior and asking for His help shows you have not rejected Him. Whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.
I also join you in praying for your marriage and your home. God designed marriage so that a man and his wife become one, a deep unity where two lives are joined together. It is beautiful that you want to lie down beside your wife, to sleep at peace with her and to care for her well, and to be a better husband and father to your adult children. Praying for softened hearts toward each other is exactly right. Ask the Lord to give you gentleness, patience, and humility in your home, and to help you show love in daily actions.
I am also praying with you for your work, for your projects and proposals to be done correctly and on time, and for grace in your relationships with your bosses, coworkers and customers. God is able to soften hearts and to help you be a faithful and diligent worker who serves Him in all you do. Growing as a better man, husband, father and employee happens as you walk day by day in dependence on Christ, letting Him change you from the inside out.
May the Lord give you strength to turn away from alcohol completely, to rest in the forgiveness that is yours through Jesus, to know His deliverance from bondage, and to experience restored peace in your marriage, family and work. May He keep you close to Himself and make you more like Christ each day. Amen.
