Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Thank you for trusting us with this heavy burden and for your faithful prayers for your sons even while you feel weak. Your weariness is understandable, and you are not alone. God sees your love for them and hears the cries of a mother who has kept praying when strength has run low.
What you describe is serious and painful to witness. Daily drinking until they are senseless, substance use and smoking, heated arguments, and now a voodoo doll made and displayed in the home, with talk of demons visiting at night, point to both deep bondage of addiction and real spiritual danger. Scripture teaches that when a person gives himself over to dissolute living he becomes like one who is oppressed, stripped of his proper covering and dignity, cutting himself not with stones but with sins that wound even more deeply. The fatty liver, the loss of purpose, the strife in that apartment, and the turning to an object like a voodoo doll are all signs that they have lost direction and need deliverance that they cannot give themselves.
There is hope because Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He did not take sins away only once when He suffered, but by His one sacrifice He continually cleanses those who turn to Him. Through Him alone we have deliverance from evil and the supply of good, forgiveness, adoption as sons, and the gift of the Spirit poured into our hearts. He also gave baptism for the remission of sins and deliverance from judgment, and He promises an inheritance of the kingdom to those who walk with Him. Even to have known religious things outwardly has no profit if there is not a changed heart and a life turned toward Him in obedience. What your sons need most is not another spiritual technique or object, but repentance and faith in Christ alone, who alone can forgive, cleanse, and make them new.
You asked for prayer because you are weak, and that is the right place to turn. After Jesus was taken up, His followers did not go out alone but went to an upper room and continued with one accord in prayer, watchful and united as with one soul. I encourage you to keep continuing in that same way. Do not carry this alone. Ask a small circle of trusted, mature believers or pastors to pray with you regularly and to stay watchful with you. Bring this burden before the Lord daily, asking Him to break the power of alcohol and drugs, to remove every occult object and practice from that home, and to bring conviction, sobriety, and a desire for Him.
For your sons, please encourage them in love to seek help quickly. The younger son's liver disease needs ongoing medical care, and both sons need help for alcohol and substance use from qualified professionals and pastoral counsel. Encourage them to remove the voodoo doll and any similar objects from the home and to have no more to do with them, not out of fear of the object itself but because we are to seek God alone and turn away from all that opposes Him. Urge them to call on Jesus Christ alone for salvation and deliverance, to turn from drinking and substances, and to pursue a clean and sober life with accountability. If they are willing, help them connect to a local church where they can hear the gospel, be discipled, and find support for recovery. If there is ever threat of violence, self harm, or severe medical distress, seek immediate help from trusted family, pastors, medical providers, or emergency services.
Let us pray together now.
Father, we come to You through Jesus Christ alone, who is the only way of salvation. We thank You that Your Son is the Lamb who takes away sin and that by His one sacrifice You offer forgiveness and new life. We lift up these two sons to You. Have mercy on them. Forgive their sins, deliver them from bondage to alcohol, substances, and every occult practice, and cleanse that apartment of every evil influence. Break the power of addiction, heal the younger son's body according to Your will, bring peace in the night instead of fear, and put an end to strife between them. Draw each of them to repentance and faith in Christ, give them a new purpose and a sound mind, and fill them with Your Spirit. Strengthen their mother. When she is weak, be her strength. Lift her weariness, surround her with praying believers, and help her to continue steadfast in prayer with hope. Lead this whole family into the riches of Your wisdom and into a walk that honors You. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.
Stay near to the Lord and to His people in the days ahead. Keep bringing your sons before Him, and let your pastors know how they can walk with you and help your sons take the next steps toward help and toward Christ.
What you describe is serious and painful to witness. Daily drinking until they are senseless, substance use and smoking, heated arguments, and now a voodoo doll made and displayed in the home, with talk of demons visiting at night, point to both deep bondage of addiction and real spiritual danger. Scripture teaches that when a person gives himself over to dissolute living he becomes like one who is oppressed, stripped of his proper covering and dignity, cutting himself not with stones but with sins that wound even more deeply. The fatty liver, the loss of purpose, the strife in that apartment, and the turning to an object like a voodoo doll are all signs that they have lost direction and need deliverance that they cannot give themselves.
There is hope because Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He did not take sins away only once when He suffered, but by His one sacrifice He continually cleanses those who turn to Him. Through Him alone we have deliverance from evil and the supply of good, forgiveness, adoption as sons, and the gift of the Spirit poured into our hearts. He also gave baptism for the remission of sins and deliverance from judgment, and He promises an inheritance of the kingdom to those who walk with Him. Even to have known religious things outwardly has no profit if there is not a changed heart and a life turned toward Him in obedience. What your sons need most is not another spiritual technique or object, but repentance and faith in Christ alone, who alone can forgive, cleanse, and make them new.
You asked for prayer because you are weak, and that is the right place to turn. After Jesus was taken up, His followers did not go out alone but went to an upper room and continued with one accord in prayer, watchful and united as with one soul. I encourage you to keep continuing in that same way. Do not carry this alone. Ask a small circle of trusted, mature believers or pastors to pray with you regularly and to stay watchful with you. Bring this burden before the Lord daily, asking Him to break the power of alcohol and drugs, to remove every occult object and practice from that home, and to bring conviction, sobriety, and a desire for Him.
For your sons, please encourage them in love to seek help quickly. The younger son's liver disease needs ongoing medical care, and both sons need help for alcohol and substance use from qualified professionals and pastoral counsel. Encourage them to remove the voodoo doll and any similar objects from the home and to have no more to do with them, not out of fear of the object itself but because we are to seek God alone and turn away from all that opposes Him. Urge them to call on Jesus Christ alone for salvation and deliverance, to turn from drinking and substances, and to pursue a clean and sober life with accountability. If they are willing, help them connect to a local church where they can hear the gospel, be discipled, and find support for recovery. If there is ever threat of violence, self harm, or severe medical distress, seek immediate help from trusted family, pastors, medical providers, or emergency services.
Let us pray together now.
Father, we come to You through Jesus Christ alone, who is the only way of salvation. We thank You that Your Son is the Lamb who takes away sin and that by His one sacrifice You offer forgiveness and new life. We lift up these two sons to You. Have mercy on them. Forgive their sins, deliver them from bondage to alcohol, substances, and every occult practice, and cleanse that apartment of every evil influence. Break the power of addiction, heal the younger son's body according to Your will, bring peace in the night instead of fear, and put an end to strife between them. Draw each of them to repentance and faith in Christ, give them a new purpose and a sound mind, and fill them with Your Spirit. Strengthen their mother. When she is weak, be her strength. Lift her weariness, surround her with praying believers, and help her to continue steadfast in prayer with hope. Lead this whole family into the riches of Your wisdom and into a walk that honors You. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.
Stay near to the Lord and to His people in the days ahead. Keep bringing your sons before Him, and let your pastors know how they can walk with you and help your sons take the next steps toward help and toward Christ.
