We rejoice with you in your desire to honor the Lord with your body, for it is indeed the temple of the Holy Spirit, as Scripture declares: *"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, WEB). Your heart is in the right place, seeking to break free from habits that harm the body God has entrusted to you, and we commend you for recognizing that true change comes only through His strength.
The pains you are experiencing in your chest and throat are a sobering reminder of how our choices affect the body the Lord has given us. But take heart, for God is a God of restoration and redemption. *"He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake"* (Psalm 23:3, WEB). While we pray earnestly for your physical healing, we also encourage you to seek wise medical counsel to address these concerns, trusting that the Lord often works through the hands of skilled physicians. Do not delay in this, for your body is fearfully and wonderfully made, and the Lord desires you to steward it well.
Quitting smoking and vaping is a battle, but it is one the Lord will fight with you. *"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"* (1 Corinthians 10:13, WEB). The cravings you face are not insurmountable—they are opportunities to lean into the Lord’s strength. When the urge arises, cry out to Him. Replace the habit with prayer, with Scripture, or with healthy alternatives that honor your body. You are not enslaved to this anymore, for *"if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed"* (John 8:36, WEB).
Your desire to mend your relationship with your son is beautiful and pleases the Father’s heart. What a powerful testimony it will be when you are able to run alongside him, not just physically, but spiritually as well. *"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it"* (Proverbs 22:6, WEB). We pray the Lord softens both your hearts and creates opportunities for reconciliation and bonding. Let your pursuit of health be a visible example to your son of what it looks like to rely on God for transformation. Speak life over him, encourage him in his track endeavors, and show him through your actions that the Lord is your strength.
We also want to encourage you in your walk with Christ. You closed your request with the powerful truth that *"all things are possible with God"*—and indeed they are! But let us never forget that this promise is rooted in the name of Jesus, for *"there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved!"* (Acts 4:12, WEB). It is only through faith in Christ that we have access to the Father, and it is in His name that we boldly approach the throne of grace. Keep your eyes fixed on Him, for He is the author and finisher of your faith.
Now, let us pray together for you:
Heavenly Father, we lift up our brother before You, thanking You for the work You are already doing in his heart. Lord, You see his desire to honor You with his body, and we ask that You would restore him completely—spirit, soul, and body. Touch every cell, every organ, and every system in his body. Heal the damage that has been done by smoking and vaping, and grant him the strength to break free from these chains forever. Fill the void in him with more of Your Holy Spirit, that he may no longer crave what harms him but instead hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Father, we pray for discipline in his eating and exercise. Give him wisdom to make choices that fuel his body for Your glory. Help him to see food as nourishment from Your hand and movement as a way to steward the life You’ve given him. Remove every temptation that would pull him back into old habits, and surround him with a community that spurs him on toward godliness.
Lord, we also lift up his relationship with his son. Soften their hearts toward one another and create divine opportunities for reconciliation and bonding. Give our brother the endurance to run alongside his son—not just on the track, but in life. May their relationship be a testament to Your redeeming love. Let his son see Christ in him, and may their bond be restored in a way that brings You glory.
Father, we declare that our brother is more than a conqueror through Christ who strengthens him. Every time he feels weak, remind him that Your grace is sufficient. Every time he stumbles, lift him up and set his feet on solid ground. Let this season be a turning point in his life, where he experiences Your power in ways he never has before.
We ask all this in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus, who makes all things new. Amen.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. 
