We join you in bringing this heartfelt cry before the Father in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, and we thank you for calling upon His name, for there is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved and have access to the throne of grace. Acts 4:12 and John 14:6 remind us that Jesus is the way, and we are grateful you have turned to Him in your need.
We hear the weight you are carrying with work, with projects and proposals and invoices, and with the desire to do all things correctly and on time, and we hear your desire to be a better husband and father and worker. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24. We pray for wisdom and diligence for you, that God would give you a clear mind and steady hands for each task. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him. James 1:5. We also lift up your bosses, coworkers and customers before the Lord, for the king's heart is in Yahweh's hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires. Proverbs 21:1. We ask Him to soften hearts and to grant you favor, peace and good communication in the workplace.
We also hear your prayer for your marriage, that you and your wife would be nice to each other and forgive each other. This is the heart of God for marriage, which He established as a lifelong covenant between a man and a woman. We pray you both will be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it. Ephesians 5:25. Forgiveness and kindness are not feelings alone but daily choices empowered by the Holy Spirit, and we ask God to help you both walk in that love and to guard your marriage.
You mention that you both need help with AUD, and we want to lovingly and directly address this because God calls us to be sober minded and self controlled. Don't be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18. Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise. Proverbs 20:1. Alcohol use disorder can take a heavy toll on health, work, marriage and family, and it can hinder our walk with Christ and our ability to be the husband, father and worker God calls you to be. 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. We pray for deliverance and complete freedom for both of you, for strength to turn away from alcohol, for honesty and accountability, and for wise counsel and support from godly pastors, counselors or trusted believers and medical help if needed. We pray you will be filled instead with the Spirit and bear His fruit of self control. Galatians 5:22-23.
We also want to gently encourage you about time and diligence. You shared that you plan to lay in bed a little longer to pray, and prayer is vital, yet we also encourage you to rise and redeem the time God gives you. How long will you sleep, sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep? Proverbs 6:9. So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12. We pray God will help you get to work on time, to steward each hour well, and to find contentment both at work where time feels slow and at home where it feels fast. In nothing be anxious, 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. Casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7.
We pray together for you now.
Father in heaven, we lift up our brother to You in Jesus name. You see the pressure he feels and the sincere desire he has to do his work well and to honor You. Grant him clarity, focus and diligence to complete his projects, proposals and invoices correctly and on time, and help him to rise promptly and steward his time for Your glory. Soften the hearts of his bosses, coworkers, customers and his wife, and let Your peace rule in those relationships. Lord, we ask You to heal and strengthen his marriage, teach him and his wife to speak with kindness, to quickly forgive, and to love each other as Christ loves us. Deliver them both from alcohol, break every chain, give them a hunger for Your Spirit instead, and surround them with godly help and accountability. Make him the husband and father You call him to be, even to his adult children, and the worker who labors faithfully unto You. When he feels overwhelmed or unwell, lift his heart, renew his strength and let him feel Your nearness. We ask that You will be his comfort this week and that he will know You are working for his good. Let him not grow weary in doing good, for in due season he will reap if he does not give up. Galatians 6:9. We trust You to answer according to Your perfect will and we thank You for Your mercy and grace. In Jesus name we pray, amen.