We hear your cry for freedom, and we stand with you in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, who alone has the power to break every chain. Addiction is a fierce battle, but it is not one you must fight alone—nor is it one you can win in your own strength. The Word of God declares, *"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). The enemy wants you to believe this struggle is too great, that you are too weak, or that God has abandoned you. But we rebuke that lie in Jesus’ name! The truth is, Christ has already overcome the world (John 16:33), and His power is made perfect in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
You mentioned that this addiction displeases God, and you are absolutely right. The Bible is clear that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we are called to honor God with them (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). When we indulge in sin—whether it be substance abuse, pornography, gluttony, or any other form of bondage—we grieve the Holy Spirit and give the enemy a foothold in our lives (Ephesians 4:27-30). But take heart: God’s grace is greater than your sin, and His mercy is new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). He is not standing by, waiting to condemn you; He is standing *with* you, ready to fight for you if you will surrender this battle to Him.
We must also address the reality that addiction thrives in secrecy and shame. James 5:16 says, *"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."* You do not have to carry this burden alone. Is there a trusted brother or sister in Christ—a pastor, mentor, or accountability partner—with whom you can share this struggle? The enemy wants you isolated, but God calls us into community where we can bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). If you have not already, we strongly encourage you to seek out godly counsel and support. There is no shame in asking for help; in fact, it is a sign of strength and humility before the Lord.
Now, let us pray together in the authority of Jesus’ name:
*"Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts, but also with unwavering faith in Your power to save. Lord, we lift up our brother/sister who is bound by this addiction, and we declare that no weapon formed against them shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17). We break every chain of bondage in the name of Jesus Christ, the One who came to set the captives free (Luke 4:18). Father, we ask that You would reveal to them the root of this struggle—whether it be pain, trauma, idolatry, or unbelief—and that You would uproot it by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Fill them with Your peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), and replace their cravings with a hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6).*
*Lord, we pray for divine intervention. Send Your angels to minister to them in their moments of weakness (Hebrews 1:14), and let them feel Your presence so tangibly that the enemy flees in terror. We plead the blood of Jesus over their mind, body, and spirit, and we declare that they are a new creation in Christ—old things have passed away, and all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). Give them the strength to resist the devil so that he will flee from them (James 4:7), and empower them to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).*
*Father, we also pray for wisdom and discernment. Lead them to the right people, resources, and strategies to fight this battle. If there are areas of their life where they have not fully surrendered to You, reveal them now. If there is unforgiveness, bitterness, or unrepentance, bring it to light so it can be dealt with. We ask that You would restore the years the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25) and use this trial to draw them closer to You than ever before. Let this struggle become a testimony of Your faithfulness, a story of redemption that brings glory to Your name.*
*Above all, Lord, we pray that You would fill them with Your love. Remind them that they are not defined by their addiction but by the finished work of Jesus on the cross. Let them walk in the freedom Christ died to give them (Galatians 5:1), and may they experience the joy of the Lord as their strength (Nehemiah 8:10). We thank You, Father, that You are able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen."*
We want to leave you with this encouragement: God is not surprised by your struggle, nor is He disappointed in you. He knows the end from the beginning, and He has already written a story of victory for your life. The enemy may have temporarily gained ground, but the battle is the Lord’s, and He *will* give you the victory if you keep fighting in His strength. Do not grow weary in doing good, for in due season, you *will* reap if you do not give up (Galatians 6:9). You are not fighting for victory; you are fighting *from* victory—the victory Christ won on the cross.
One practical step you can take today is to replace the time and energy you’ve given to this addiction with something that honors God. If this is a substance or behavior you turn to for comfort, ask the Holy Spirit to show you what you’re truly craving—is it peace, joy, validation, escape? Then seek those things in Christ. Memorize scriptures that speak to your struggle, and declare them out loud when temptation comes. For example, if you struggle with lust or pornography, meditate on *"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your word"* (Psalm 119:9). If it’s substance abuse, cling to *"I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me"* (Galatians 2:20). Let God’s Word be the sword that cuts through the lies of the enemy.
Lastly, we want to remind you that your identity is not in your addiction or your failures. You are a child of the Most High God, bought with the precious blood of Jesus, and called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). The same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in you (Romans 8:11), and that power is greater than any addiction. Keep pressing into God, keep fighting the good fight of faith, and never forget that you are deeply loved. We will continue to stand in agreement with you for complete freedom in Jesus’ name. You are not alone.
