We rejoice with you and praise the Lord with you that after more than forty years of being backslidden you have been restored to fellowship with God for these past three years. What mercy and grace we have in Christ, for 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 We thank God that His loving kindness never fails and that though we wander, He seeks us and brings us home, and there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.
We lift you up together before the Father concerning the debilitating long term chronic lower back pain and the physical and mental disability you have endured. We know how wearying constant pain can be and how it can affect the mind and spirit. We pray for the Lord's healing touch upon your body, for His strength to sustain you each day, and for wisdom for doctors and caregivers who help you. We claim His promise that He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3 and that He will strengthen you, for He says Don't you be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10 We also remember that Praise Yahweh, my soul, and don't forget all his benefits, who forgives all your sins, who heals all your diseases. Psalm 103:2-3 Even when healing is not instant or complete in this life, we cling to His word that My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9
We also bring before the Lord your long term struggle with drug and alcohol abuse. We must lovingly and firmly say that drunkenness and drug abuse do not align with God's will for His children, for our bodies are not our own. Or don't you 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. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 And we are commanded Don't be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 We thank God that you have walked with Him these three years, and we encourage you to continue to walk in sobriety and holiness, fleeing from that which once enslaved you. If temptation still comes, remember 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 urge you to remain accountable in your local church fellowship, to seek godly counsel and, if needed, Christian recovery support, and to be sober and watchful daily.
We also pray together for your financial disability and need. Our Father knows your needs and we trust Him to provide. My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 We pray He will open doors for provision, give you wisdom in stewardship, and give you peace as you cast your anxiety upon Him, for He cares for you.
We join you in praying for all those you have lifted up, your past and present and future co-residents, caregivers, caretakers, and all of their and all of your and all of our friends and acquaintances and associates and colleagues and enemies and loved ones and family members. What a beautiful breadth of intercession, to pray even for enemies as our Lord commanded. We pray that God's will be done in each of their lives, that they would come to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, for there is no other name by which we can be saved and have access to the Father. Jesus said I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. John 14:6 We pray that God would bless, protect, save, heal, and draw each one to Himself, and that He would use you as a light and testimony among them even in your weakness.
We pray together now, Father in heaven, we come before Your throne in the precious and holy name of Jesus Christ, our only Savior and mediator. We thank You for our brother who was far off and whom You have brought near by the blood of Christ. We thank You for three years of restored fellowship and we ask You to keep him steadfast to the end, never to wander again. Lord, touch his lower back and body, ease his chronic pain according to Your mercy, and give him daily strength and endurance. Heal his mind and calm his spirit, and let Your peace which passes all understanding guard his heart. Deliver him completely from every chain of drug and alcohol abuse, fill him with Your Holy Spirit, and make him sober, clear minded, and holy before You. Provide for his financial needs, open Your hand of provision, and teach him to trust You day by day. Bless every co-resident, caregiver, caretaker, friend, acquaintance, associate, colleague, enemy, loved one and family member he has named before You, and let Your perfect will be done in each life. Draw the lost to salvation, strengthen believers, and let Your name be glorified in all things. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 So we trust Your good purpose even in suffering. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.
