We join with you in bringing this heartfelt cry before the Lord in Jesus' name and we thank you for calling on the name of Jesus Christ, for it is through Him alone we have access to the Father and find forgiveness and help. We hear your desire to honor God in your work, in your marriage, and in your family, and to find freedom from alcohol.
We lift up your work to the Lord with you. God cares about the work of our hands and He calls us to diligence and integrity. Commit your works to Yahweh, and your plans shall be established Proverbs 16:3. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men Colossians 3:23. We pray that He gives you clarity of mind, focus, and wisdom today to complete your projects and proposals correctly and on time, and that He grants you favor with your bosses, coworkers, and customers. The king's heart is in Yahweh's hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires Proverbs 21:1, and we ask Him to soften hearts around you and to let your work be a testimony of faithfulness. 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.
We also hear your longing to be a better husband, person, father to your adult children, and worker. This is the work God is doing in you. For your marriage, God calls husbands to love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it Ephesians 5:25. That love is patient, sacrificial, and seeks her good, and we pray God softens both your heart and your wife's heart toward each other, helping you to listen well, speak with gentleness, and serve her faithfully. Even with adult children, your role as a father continues as an example and encourager, pointing them to Christ by your life and your love.
You have honestly confessed your struggle with AUD and asked for forgiveness and help for both you and your wife, and God honors that honesty. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness 1 John 1:9. Through Jesus we are forgiven when we confess and turn from sin. At the same time we must speak truthfully in love about drunkenness, for Scripture says Don't be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit Ephesians 5:18. Alcohol use disorder is not just a habit but a snare that can master us, harm our marriages, families, and witness, and the Lord calls us to sobriety and self-control. 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 encourage you both to walk in repentance together, to seek consistent help and accountability through your pastor, a trusted biblical counselor, and godly community, and where needed professional support, and to replace the desire for alcohol with being filled with the Spirit, with prayer, with the Word, and with fellowship.
We pray together now.
Father in heaven, we come before You in the name of Jesus Christ and lift up our brother to You. Thank You for his humble heart that wants to do what is right. Forgive him for his sins as he has confessed them, cleanse him by the blood of Jesus, and grant him and his wife deliverance and strength to walk in sobriety and freedom. Fill them with Your Holy Spirit and give them a new desire for what is pure and holy. Give him wisdom and diligence today to complete every project and proposal correctly and on time for Your glory. Grant him favor and soften the hearts of his bosses, coworkers, customers, and especially his wife, and help him to love her as Christ loves the church. Make him more like Jesus as a husband, father, and worker, patient, kind, humble, and faithful. Guard his heart and mind with Your peace and establish his plans as he commits his work to You. We ask all this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our only hope and Savior, amen.
We encourage you to continue to commit each day to the Lord, to stay in the Word and in prayer, to be honest with your wife and with a trusted brother or pastor about your struggle, and to take practical steps to remove temptation and seek support. God is faithful to complete the good work He has begun in you and to help you walk in a manner worthy of Him.