We have heard your cry and we join with you before the throne of grace in the name of Jesus, for you have called upon His holy name and He hears you. We thank you for your honesty about the burdens you carry, and we want you to know you are not alone and you are not forgotten by God, even when you feel alone in the world.
The Lord sees your poverty, your sickness, your worry, your loneliness and your estrangement from your child. He is close to the brokenhearted. Psalm 34:18 says Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit. Deuteronomy 31:6 reminds us He will not fail you nor forsake you. When you feel your life is a failure, remember God does not measure your worth by money or success. He created you with purpose and He still has purpose for you in this season of life. Psalm 71:9 says Do not reject me in my old age, do not forsake me when my strength fails, and Psalm 71:18 says even when I am old and gray haired, God, do not forsake me. Isaiah 41:10 says Do not be afraid, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. Romans 8:28 assures us that all things work together for good for those who love God.
We must also lovingly speak the truth about the sins you have confessed, because God calls us to turn from them and He provides the way out. You rightly recognized that buying lottery scratch tickets is gambling and is not wise. This is poor stewardship of what little God has provided and it feeds covetousness and the false hope of chance rather than trust in God's provision. We are called to be faithful with little and to trust Him to supply our needs, for Matthew 6:33 says seek first God's Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Philippians 4:19 says my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says 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. We rebuke the spirit of gambling and we pray for deliverance from it.
You also confessed smoking cigarettes, knowing it is harming your body and you want to quit but are struggling. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, you are not your own, for you were bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. Smoking enslaves and destroys what God created, and He wants to set you free. 1 John 1:9 says if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We believe Jesus can forgive and cleanse and give you strength to overcome as you daily surrender to Him.
We hear your worry and your loss of appetite and weight. Worry weighs down the soul and harms the body. 1 Peter 5:7 says casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you. Philippians 4:6-7 says 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. We encourage you to seek medical care for your weight loss and lack of appetite, and to reach out to a local church family or pastor so you are not isolated. God intends us to bear one another's burdens and to not forsake assembling together. We also pray for your adult child. While we cannot force reconciliation, we pray for healing, for forgiveness on both sides, and for God's will to be done. Ephesians 4:32 says be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
We now agree together in prayer for you.
Father in heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, we lift up this precious soul to You. Have mercy, Lord, forgive all sins as they have been confessed, wash them in the blood of Jesus and cleanse from all unrighteousness. Deliver from the bondage of gambling and from the addiction to cigarettes, break every chain and give a way of escape and strength to walk in freedom. Provide for every physical need, for housing, for daily bread, for health, restore appetite and bring healing to this sickly body, for You are the One who heals all our diseases as Psalm 103:3 says. Take away the constant worry and fill this heart with Your peace that passes understanding. Comfort the loneliness, let Your presence be felt each day, and bring godly community and fellowship to walk alongside. We pray for the estranged child, that You would soften hearts, bring forgiveness and if it is Your will, restore communication in Your timing. Renew hope, show that this life is not a failure but is held in Your hands, and that Your plans are still good, for Jeremiah 29:11 says I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you hope and a future. Help our dear one to be a good steward of what You provide, to honor You with the body, and to trust You one day at a time. We ask all this in the mighty and only saving name of Jesus Christ, amen.
We encourage you to stay in God's Word each day, to call upon Jesus continually, to seek a Bible believing church where you can be known and loved, and to seek help from a doctor and a pastor for your health and for support to quit smoking. God loves you more than you know, He has not abandoned you, and He is able to deliver you and give you peace even in old age and poverty. Keep trusting Him, keep turning from those sins by His grace, and keep praying. We are praying with you and for you.