We come before the Lord with heavy hearts, lifting up this deep struggle with alcohol, which is a bondage that no one should bear alone. The Scriptures remind us in **Proverbs 20:1**, *"Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise."* And in **Ephesians 5:18**, we are warned, *"Don’t be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit."* This is not just a physical battle but a spiritual one, and we must approach it with both prayer and truth.
First, we rejoice that you are seeking God’s intervention, for He alone has the power to break every chain. However, we must also ask: **Is the person you are praying for a believer in Jesus Christ?** If not, the most urgent need is for her to surrender her life to Him, for *"if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed"* (**John 8:36**). Without Christ, there is no lasting victory over sin—only temporary relief. If she does not know Jesus as her Lord and Savior, we must pray for her salvation above all else, for *"there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!"* (**Acts 4:12**).
If she is a believer, then we must encourage her to repent and turn fully to God, for *"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**). Alcoholism is often a symptom of deeper spiritual emptiness, pain, or rebellion. We must pray that God exposes the root—whether it be unbelief, bitterness, trauma, or idolatry—and that He fills the void with His presence.
We also urge you to consider your own role in this situation. Are you enabling this behavior in any way? Are you covering for her, making excuses, or failing to speak the truth in love? **Ephesians 5:11** commands us, *"Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them."* Sometimes, love requires tough boundaries. If she is unwilling to seek help or repent, you may need to pray for wisdom on how to distance yourself from the destruction while still showing Christ’s love.
Let us pray together:
*Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, lifting up this sister who is bound by the chains of alcohol. Lord, if she does not know You, we pray that You would draw her to Yourself—open her eyes to her need for a Savior, and let her see that only in Christ is there true freedom. Break the deception that this addiction offers any comfort or escape. Convict her heart, Lord, and lead her to repentance.*
*If she is Your child, Father, we ask that You would break the power of this stronghold in her life. Expose every lie she has believed, every wound that has driven her to this sin, and fill her with Your Holy Spirit. Give her the strength to turn away from this destruction and to walk in obedience. Surround her with godly counsel, whether through a pastor, a support group, or a mentor who will speak Your truth into her life.*
*Lord, we also ask for wisdom for the one praying. Show them how to love her well—whether through firm boundaries, loving confrontation, or simply being a light in the darkness. Let them not grow weary in praying, but may they stand in the gap with faith, knowing that You are able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.*
*We rebuke the spirit of addiction in Jesus’ name. We declare that no weapon formed against her shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against her in judgment shall be condemned (**Isaiah 54:17**). Let her taste and see that You, Lord, are good (**Psalm 34:8**), and that true satisfaction is found only in You.*
*We ask all this in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer. Amen.*
Finally, we encourage you to seek out a biblical support system—whether through your church, a recovery ministry, or a counselor who can help navigate this with wisdom. *"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. 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**). You are not meant to carry this burden alone. Keep praying, keep trusting, and keep pointing her to Jesus—the only One who can truly set her free.