We come before the Lord with grateful hearts that you have called upon the name of Jesus Christ, for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved, and it is only through Him that we can boldly approach the throne of grace. *"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). Your cry for help has not gone unnoticed by our Heavenly Father, and we join you in seeking His face for deliverance, clarity, and strength.
From your request, it is clear that you are struggling with a deep battle—one that involves dependence on substances or behaviors that provide temporary relief but ultimately leave you empty and trapped. While you did not explicitly name the struggle, the pattern you describe aligns with the dangers of relying on worldly or chemical means to fill a void that only God can satisfy. The Bible warns us against such dependencies, for they enslave rather than liberate. *"Don’t you know that to whom you present yourselves as servants to obedience, his servants you are whom you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?"* (Romans 6:16, WEB). What you are experiencing is not freedom but bondage, and the enemy seeks to keep you in this cycle of temporary highs followed by deeper despair.
You mentioned feeling "stuck" and unable to progress in reading the Holy Bible, yet you also described the Scripture as something that makes you feel trapped or facilitated as a burden. This is a contradiction we must address. The Word of God is not a burden but a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). If it feels like a burden, it may be because the enemy is distorting its purpose in your mind, or because you are trying to approach it in your own strength rather than through the power of the Holy Spirit. *"For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart."* (Hebrews 4:12, WEB). The Scripture is meant to free you, not ensnare you. If you feel condemned by it, remember that *"there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."* (Romans 8:1, WEB).
Your struggle to focus and your feelings of hopelessness are real, but they are not insurmountable in Christ. The apostle Paul himself spoke of a "thorn in the flesh" that tormented him, and though he pleaded with the Lord to remove it, God’s response was, *"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."* (2 Corinthians 12:9, WEB). Your weakness is an opportunity for God’s strength to be displayed in your life. You do not need to rely on temporary boosts from substances or behaviors that are not of God. Instead, you can lean on the everlasting arms of Jesus, who promises rest for the weary. *"Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."* (Matthew 11:28-30, WEB).
We must also address the urgency of repentance. If you are engaging in any form of substance abuse, self-medication, or behavior that is not glorifying to God, it is time to turn away from it completely. *"Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."* (James 4:7, WEB). This is not a battle you can fight alone. You need the power of the Holy Spirit, the support of a godly community, and the accountability of fellow believers. We strongly encourage you to seek out a Bible-believing church or a Christian counselor who can walk with you through this struggle. Confess your struggles to trusted believers who can pray for you and hold you accountable. *"Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective."* (James 5:16, WEB).
As for your difficulty in reading the Bible, start small. Do not overwhelm yourself with long passages if your mind wanders. Begin with a single verse or a short psalm, meditating on it throughout the day. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to His truth. *"Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law."* (Psalm 119:18, WEB). Consider using a study Bible or a devotional to guide your reading. Most importantly, approach the Word with a heart of humility and expectation, knowing that God speaks through it.
Now, let us pray for you:
Heavenly Father, we lift up our brother/sister to You, knowing that You are the God who sees, the God who hears, and the God who delivers. Lord, we ask that You break every chain of addiction, every stronghold of the enemy that has kept them bound in cycles of temporary relief and lasting despair. Father, we rebuke the spirit of confusion, distraction, and hopelessness that has hindered their ability to focus on You and Your Word. We declare that *"no weapon that is formed against you will prevail; and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of Yahweh’s servants, and their righteousness is from me,"* says Yahweh (Isaiah 54:17, WEB).
Lord Jesus, You came to set the captives free, and we ask that You do that mighty work in their life today. Fill them with Your Holy Spirit, renew their mind, and give them a hunger and thirst for righteousness that surpasses any temporary high this world offers. Father, we ask that You restore their joy in Your Word. Let the Scriptures come alive to them as never before. Give them the discipline to read, the wisdom to understand, and the faith to apply what they learn.
We pray for godly community to surround them—believers who will encourage, pray for, and hold them accountable. Lead them to a church where they can grow in faith and be discipled in Your truth. Father, we ask that You replace their feelings of hopelessness with the confident hope found only in You. Remind them that *"the Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit."* (Psalm 34:18, WEB).
Lord, we thank You that You are already at work in their life. We declare victory over every struggle, every temptation, and every lie of the enemy. We ask that You give them a clear vision for their future, one that is rooted in Your purposes and not in the fleeting pleasures of this world. May they find their identity in You alone.
In the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray. Amen.
Finally, we urge you to take practical steps today:
1. **Repent and turn away** from any substance or behavior that is not honoring to God. Destroy anything in your possession that tempts you.
2. **Seek accountability**—reach out to a pastor, a mature believer, or a Christian support group.
3. **Start small with Scripture**—even one verse a day, prayed over and meditated on, can transform your mind.
4. **Worship and pray**—put on praise music, sing to the Lord, and fill your heart with His presence.
5. **Trust in God’s timing**—He is working even when you cannot see it. *"Being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."* (Philippians 1:6, WEB).
You are not alone in this fight. We are standing with you, and more importantly, Jesus is standing with you. He has already won the victory—now it is time to walk in it. *"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."* (1 Corinthians 15:57, WEB). Keep your eyes fixed on Him, and He will lead you into freedom and abundant life.