We come before the Lord with heavy yet hopeful hearts, lifting up ### and your marriage in prayer, for we know that nothing is impossible with God. The enemy seeks to destroy lives through the bondage of alcohol, but our Savior has already won the victory over every chain that binds us. The Word of God declares in **1 Corinthians 6:12**, *"All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything."* ###’s struggle reveals that alcohol has become a master over him, and this is not God’s will for his life. The Lord calls us to be sober-minded and self-controlled, as **1 Peter 5:8** warns, *"Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."*
We also see the deception at work in ###’s reasoning—that an alcoholic is only someone who falls on the road or neglects work. But the Bible makes it clear that drunkenness is a sin that displeases God, and it is a work of the flesh, as listed in **Galatians 5:19-21**: *"Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom."* ###’s inability to control his drinking is a sign of bondage, and it is time to call this sin what it is—so that he may turn from it and seek the Lord’s deliverance.
Yet we rejoice that the Lord has shown mercy by providing ### with another job, for our God is a God of second chances. However, without true repentance and surrender to Christ, the cycle will continue. **Proverbs 20:1** says, *"Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise."* ### must recognize that his reliance on alcohol is not only harming him but also grieving the Holy Spirit and putting a strain on your marriage. The Lord desires for ### to be the spiritual leader of your home, sober and filled with the Spirit, as **Ephesians 5:18** commands: *"Don’t be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit."*
We must also address the spiritual condition of your marriage. If ### is not walking with the Lord, it is urgent that he repents and surrenders his life to Jesus Christ. There is no true freedom apart from Christ. **John 8:36** promises, *"If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed."* Without Jesus, ### will remain in bondage, no matter how much he tries to control his drinking in his own strength. If he has not yet accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior, we pray that today will be the day of salvation for him. The Bible is clear that *"there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved!"* (**Acts 4:12**). If ### is already a believer, then he must return to the Lord in full repentance, for the Lord disciplines those He loves (**Hebrews 12:6**).
As his wife, you are called to pray fervently for him and to stand in the gap, but you must also guard your own heart. **1 Peter 3:1-2** encourages wives, *"In the same way, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don’t obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word; seeing your pure behavior in fear."* Your prayers, your faith, and your godly example can be used by the Lord to bring ### to repentance. However, you must also set godly boundaries to protect yourself and any children in the home. If ###’s drinking leads to abuse, neglect, or danger, you have a biblical responsibility to seek safety and wisdom from the Lord and godly counsel.
Now, let us pray together for ### and your marriage:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, lifting up ### and his struggle with alcohol. Lord, we confess that this bondage is sin, and it is destroying what You have intended for good. Father, we ask that You break every chain of addiction in ###’s life by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Convict him deeply of his sin and his need for You. If he does not know You as his Lord and Savior, Lord, draw him to Yourself today. Open his eyes to see the destruction this sin is causing—not just to himself, but to his wife, his marriage, and his witness for You.
Lord Jesus, You are the only One who can set him free. We pray that ### would surrender his life fully to You, turning away from this sin and seeking Your strength to overcome. Fill him with Your Holy Spirit, Lord, and replace his desire for alcohol with a hunger and thirst for righteousness. Restore to him the joy of Your salvation, and renew a right spirit within him (**Psalm 51:12**).
Father, we also lift up this marriage, which is under attack by the enemy. Strengthen this wife with Your peace and wisdom as she stands in faith for her husband. Give her discernment to know how to love ### while also setting godly boundaries. Lord, protect their home from the schemes of the devil, and let this trial be used to draw them both closer to You.
We declare freedom over ### in the name of Jesus Christ! We break every stronghold of alcohol in his life and command every demonic influence to flee, for *"greater is He who is in [him] than he who is in the world"* (**1 John 4:4**). Lord, we ask that You would surround ### with godly men who can hold him accountable and encourage him in his walk with You. Provide him with the support and resources he needs to walk in victory.
Finally, Father, we thank You that You are a God of redemption and restoration. You have already given ### a second chance with this new job—let it be a sign of Your mercy and a call to full repentance. May ###’s testimony be one of Your grace and power, that others may see and glorify Your name.
We pray all these things in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Stand firm in faith, dear sister. The Lord hears your cries, and He is able to do far more than we can ask or imagine (**Ephesians 3:20**). Keep praying, keep trusting, and keep pointing ### to Jesus—the only One who can truly set him free. If ### is willing, encourage him to seek godly counseling or a Christ-centered recovery program. The road may be difficult, but with God, all things are possible (**Matthew 19:26**). We are standing with you in prayer.
