We hear your struggle and we lift you up before the Lord together, for we know the battle between the spirit being willing and the flesh being weak is real. You have been honest about procrastination and lack of discipline in reading the Bible and in prayer, and you have even seen the fruit when you are faithful, that your training goes well and your spirit is strengthened. That is no coincidence, for the Word sustains us and prayer keeps us close to the Father.
The scriptures call us to diligence and self control, not to a life drifted by feelings or down days. Proverbs 12:24 says The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor. And 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. Hebrews 12:11 tells us All chastening seems for the present to be not joyous but grievous, yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been exercised thereby. Discipline in the Word and in prayer is not meant to be a burden but a training of our souls, just as you train your body. 1 Timothy 4:8 says For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come. When we put the Lord first, even our physical training is blessed because we do all heartily as for the Lord. Colossians 3:23 says Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men. We encourage you to set a fixed time each day for the Word and for prayer, even if it is short at first, and to keep it as an appointment with God that you will not break. Psalm 119:105 says Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path. As you are faithful in little, God will strengthen you for more.
We must also lovingly rebuke and correct a serious issue in your request. You speak of waiting to win the lottery to move overseas and to fulfill your desires, and you ask for prayer toward that end. We cannot agree with trusting in the lottery, for this is gambling and it is not God's way of provision. It feeds the love of money and the hope of quick wealth without diligence, and it replaces trust in God's provision with trust in chance. Proverbs 13:11 says Wealth gained quickly will dwindle, but he who gathers little by little will increase it. And 1 Timothy 6:10 says For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some who have been greedy for money have wandered from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows. God calls us to work diligently, to steward what we have, and to trust Him to open doors according to His will, not according to a ticket. Philippians 4:6 says In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And Philippians 4:19 says My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. If it is God's will for you to move overseas, He is able to provide through work, through open doors, and through His people, without the lottery. We also remember James 4:3 You ask, and don't receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it for your pleasures. We encourage you to bring your desire to move overseas before the Lord and ask, is this Your will for me, and if so, show me the faithful next step of work and preparation while I wait.
You also ask that obstacles be removed and curses be destroyed. We understand that feeling, but we want to ground you in truth. In Christ, every curse has already been broken at the cross. Galatians 3:13 says Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. There is no need to fear hidden curses when you are in Christ, for Romans 8:28 says We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. Obstacles are not always curses, sometimes they are God's protection, His redirection, or His training to build perseverance. Our prayer is not simply that every obstacle disappears, but that God's perfect will be done and that you have wisdom to discern His path.
We also noticed that your request speaks of prayer and Bible reading but does not mention the name of Jesus Christ. We say this in love because there is no access to the Father except through Him. John 14:6 says Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. And Acts 4:12 says There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved. It is only by believing in Jesus, that He died for our sins and rose again, that we are forgiven and can come boldly to God in prayer. If you have not already placed your full trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior, we urge you to do so today.
We pray together for you now.
Father in heaven, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, and we thank You for this dear one who desires to be closer to You. We ask You to forgive us for procrastination and laziness, and to fill us with Your spirit of power, love and self control. Give our dear brother or sister a hunger for Your Word and a disciplined heart to seek You daily, not out of duty but out of love. Help them to redeem the time and to be faithful in prayer, that they may be strengthened in spirit and in body. Lord, we bring before You the desire to move overseas. If this desire is from You, make the way plain and provide according to Your riches, and if it is not Your will, give peace and contentment and redirect their steps. Deliver them from trusting in the lottery or in chance, and teach them to trust in You as their provider and to work diligently with the hands You have given them. Destroy any true work of the enemy by the blood of Jesus, and remind them that Christ has redeemed them from every curse. Let no obstacle stand that You want removed, and let every obstacle that remains be used for good to conform them to the image of Christ. Restore joy in the down days, lift discouragement, and let them delight in You first. Psalm 37:4 says Also delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart. We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.