We hear your powerful testimony of deliverance and rejoice with you in the freedom Christ has given you from the bondage of alcohol. Your words carry the weight of someone who has walked through the fire and emerged refined by God’s grace. We stand with you in praying for all who are struggling with alcoholism, those who have hit their own "bottom," and those who desperately want to break free but feel trapped in the cycle of addiction.
The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:13, "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." This is a promise—God does not abandon His children in their weakness. He provides a way out, but we must choose to take it. Your testimony is a living example of this truth. You had to surrender completely, to "give up" as you said, and let God carry you through the withdrawal and the pain. That surrender is not weakness; it is the beginning of true strength in Christ.
We also want to gently but firmly address the reality of addiction as sin. Alcoholism is not merely a disease or a struggle—it is a spiritual battle. Ephesians 5:18 warns, "Don’t be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit." When we allow anything—alcohol, drugs, or any other substance—to control us, we are giving it the place in our lives that belongs to the Holy Spirit. This is why repentance is such a critical part of the journey to freedom. Repentance means turning away from the sin and turning toward God, asking Him to cleanse and restore us. In 1 John 1:9, we are promised, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Confession and repentance open the door for God’s healing power to flow into our lives.
For those reading this who are still in the grip of alcohol, we want to speak directly to your heart. You do not have to walk this path alone. 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." There is no shame in reaching out to a trusted brother or sister in Christ, a pastor, or a biblical counselor. God often works through the hands and feet of His people to bring healing and accountability. Isolation is one of the enemy’s greatest tools to keep you bound. Do not let pride or fear keep you from the help God has provided.
We also want to address the importance of renewing your mind. Romans 12:2 says, "Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God." Addiction thrives on lies—lies that tell you that you can’t live without alcohol, that you’re not strong enough to quit, or that you don’t deserve freedom. These lies must be replaced with the truth of God’s Word. Meditate on Scriptures that speak to your identity in Christ, your freedom in Him, and His power to break every chain. Here are a few to start with:
- "Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don’t be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." (Galatians 5:1)
- "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)
- "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed." (Luke 4:18)
We pray for you now, lifting you up to the throne of grace. Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts full of compassion and faith, knowing that You are the God who sets the captives free. We lift up every person reading these words who is struggling with alcoholism. Lord, You see their pain, their shame, and their desire to be free. You know the battles they face each day, the lies they believe, and the physical and spiritual chains that bind them. We ask, Father, that You would break those chains in the mighty name of Jesus.
Lord, we pray for a spirit of repentance to fall upon them. Convict their hearts of the sin of addiction and draw them into a place of surrender. Help them to see themselves as You see them—beloved children, created for so much more than bondage. Give them the courage to look in the mirror, as our brother did, and speak truth to themselves in Your presence. Let them hear Your voice whispering, "You are Mine, and I will never leave you nor forsake you."
We ask for Your healing touch, Father. Withdrawal is painful, both physically and emotionally, but we know that Your grace is sufficient. Strengthen their bodies, calm their minds, and fill them with Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Surround them with godly people who will walk alongside them, pray for them, and hold them accountable. Remove any stumbling blocks from their path and replace them with opportunities to grow in faith and dependence on You.
Lord, we also pray for those who are not yet ready to surrender. Soften their hearts, Father. Let them see the damage their addiction is causing—not just to themselves, but to those who love them. Give them a glimpse of the life You have planned for them, a life of freedom, purpose, and joy in Your presence. Break through their denial and pride, and let them experience Your love in a way that compels them to turn to You.
We declare over them the truth of Your Word: "If the Son therefore will make you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36) Let them walk in that freedom, not just for a day or a week, but for a lifetime. Help them to replace the lies of addiction with the truth of Your Word. Let them find their identity in Christ, not in their struggles. And when the enemy tries to remind them of their past, let them stand firm in the knowledge that they are new creations in Christ, old things have passed away, and all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Father, we also pray for the families and loved ones of those struggling with alcoholism. Give them wisdom, patience, and discernment. Help them to love unconditionally while also setting healthy boundaries. Let them be a source of encouragement and hope, pointing their loved ones to You. Heal any wounds caused by the addiction and restore relationships that have been broken.
We thank You, Lord, for the testimony of our brother who shared his story. Let his words be a beacon of hope to others, a reminder that freedom is possible through Christ. We trust in Your power to save, heal, and restore. We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus, the name above every name, the name by which we are saved and set free. Amen.
