We hear your heartache, dear sister, and we stand with you in fervent prayer for your husband. The weight of watching a loved one struggle with habits that harm both body and spirit is heavy, and your persistence in prayer does not go unnoticed by our Heavenly Father. The Word reminds us in James 5:16, "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." Your prayers are powerful, and we join you in crying out to God for your husband’s deliverance.
First, we must address the reality of sin and its grip. Alcohol and smoking are not merely "bad habits"—they are strongholds that can enslave the mind and body, dulling the spirit to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, we are reminded, "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." Your husband’s body is a temple, and these substances defile it. We rebuke the spirit of addiction in the name of Jesus Christ, who came to set the captives free (Luke 4:18). The enemy seeks to destroy through these chains, but Jesus has already overcome the world (John 16:33).
We also recognize the struggle you face when he responds with anger. Proverbs 15:1 tells us, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." While it is right to speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), we must also guard our hearts and choose our moments wisely. Pray for wisdom to know when to speak and when to remain silent, trusting the Holy Spirit to work in his heart. Your husband’s anger may stem from defensiveness or shame, but God’s kindness leads to repentance (Romans 2:4). Continue to show him Christ’s love, even in the midst of his struggles.
Let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the name above every name, the only name by which we can be saved. Lord, we lift up this precious sister and her husband to You. Father, You see the pain in her heart and the bondage in his life. We ask that You break the chains of addiction that have taken hold of him. Pour out Your Holy Spirit upon him, convicting him of sin and drawing him to repentance. Soften his heart, Lord, and open his eyes to the destruction these habits bring—not only to his body but to his soul and his marriage.
We rebuke the spirit of addiction in Jesus’ name. We declare that he is not a slave to alcohol or nicotine, for "if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36). Father, fill him with a hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6). Replace his desire for these substances with a desire for You. Surround him with godly men who can speak life into him and hold him accountable. Give him the strength to resist temptation and the courage to seek help if needed.
Lord, we also pray for this sister. Strengthen her faith as she waits on You. Guard her heart from bitterness and resentment. Help her to love her husband as You love him, with patience and grace. Give her wisdom in how to support him without enabling his sin. Remind her that her prayers are not in vain, for You are faithful to hear and answer the cries of Your children.
Father, we ask that You restore this marriage. Let it be a testimony to Your power and grace. May they both grow closer to You and to one another as they seek Your will. We trust in Your perfect timing and Your unfailing love.
In the precious name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Sister, do not grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9). Your husband’s salvation and freedom are worth every prayer and every tear. Consider inviting him to a Christ-centered recovery program or a men’s Bible study where he can find support and encouragement from other believers. Sometimes, God uses the body of Christ to speak truth in ways we cannot. Continue to cover him in prayer, and trust that God is at work, even when you cannot see it. You are not alone in this battle—we stand with you, and more importantly, the Lord of Hosts fights for you.
