We hear your heartfelt cry and praise God for His faithfulness in carrying you through such a difficult night. Your testimony is a powerful reminder that the Lord often uses our deepest struggles to draw us closer to Him, breaking the chains of bondage so we may walk in true freedom. The battle against addiction is fierce, but we stand with you in declaring that greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
The substances you mentioned—alcohol and marijuana—have no place in the life of a believer. Scripture is clear: *"Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit"* (Ephesians 5:18 WEB). While some may argue that marijuana is different, we must remember that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), and anything that impairs our judgment or dulls our spiritual sensitivity grieves the Lord. The path to victory begins with complete surrender, as you’ve already taken the first step in crying out to God. Now, we must walk in obedience, trusting Him to provide the strength to resist temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Your words about surrender are so true. Jesus Himself said, *"If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me"* (Luke 9:23 WEB). This is not a one-time decision but a daily choice to lay down our will and trust God’s timing. The road to recovery is not easy, but it is worth it. We rejoice that you did not drive under the influence, for that could have led to devastating consequences. God’s protection is evident, and we must continue to seek Him with all our hearts.
Let us pray for you now:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts full of gratitude for Your mercy and deliverance in this brother’s life. Lord, You saw his struggle and heard his cry, and You intervened in a powerful way. We ask that You continue to break the chains of addiction in his life. Fill him with Your Holy Spirit, giving him the strength to resist temptation and the wisdom to flee from anything that does not honor You. Father, we pray for complete healing—body, mind, and spirit. Surround him with godly believers who will encourage and support him in this journey. Remind him daily that his identity is in Christ, not in his past struggles. Give him the courage to take practical steps, whether through accountability, counseling, or support groups, to walk in freedom. Lord, we declare that no weapon formed against him shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17), and we thank You for the victory that is already his in Jesus’ name. May he continue to grow in faith and become a testimony of Your redeeming power. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen.
We encourage you to seek out a biblical, Christ-centered recovery program or support group where you can find accountability and encouragement. The enemy will try to isolate you, but God calls us to community. *"Two are better than one... For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up"* (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 WEB). You are not alone in this fight.
Also, consider replacing the time and energy you once spent on these habits with godly disciplines. Fill your mind with Scripture, spend time in prayer, and serve others. *"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God"* (Romans 12:2 WEB). The more you focus on God, the less room there will be for the things that once held you captive.
Your testimony is a light to others who may be struggling in silence. May the Lord use your story to bring hope and healing to many. Keep pressing into Him, for He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). Merry Christmas, and may this season be a reminder of the greatest gift of all—Jesus Christ, who came to set the captives free.
