We lift you up before the Lord, knowing that your struggles are not hidden from Him, and we thank you for calling upon the name of Jesus Christ, for it is only through Him that we find salvation, strength, and deliverance. *"There is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved"* (Acts 4:12, WEB). Your acknowledgment of Jesus in your request is a testament to your faith, and we stand with you in agreement, seeking His will for your life.
The haunting memories of past drug use and the names tied to that season are not of God, for He has called you to freedom in Christ. The enemy seeks to bind you with chains of shame, regret, or even nostalgia, but *"if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new"* (2 Corinthians 5:17, WEB). We rebuke these tormenting thoughts in the name of Jesus and declare that your mind is renewed by the washing of the Word. *"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect"* (Romans 12:2, WEB). Claim this promise and reject every lie that tries to pull you back into bondage. The blood of Jesus has cleansed you, and you are no longer defined by your past.
Your mention of manic symptoms and the effects of past cocaine use reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. *"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). We praise God that the medication is helping to stabilize your bipolar disorder, but we also encourage you to lean fully on Him for your healing. Medicine can be a tool, but true wholeness comes from the Great Physician. Continue to seek His face, for *"he heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds"* (Psalm 147:3, WEB).
The temptation to break your fast prematurely is a spiritual battle, and we recognize that the enemy does not want you to complete this time of consecration. Fasting is a powerful act of humility and dependence on God, and it disrupts the enemy’s plans. *"But he said to them, ‘This kind can come out by nothing, except by prayer and fasting’"* (Mark 9:29, WEB). The "excited spirit" you sense is not from the Lord—it is a distraction to derail your focus. Resist it firmly, for *"submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you"* (James 4:7, WEB). We pray that the Holy Spirit fills you with self-control, a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and that you are empowered to complete this fast in victory.
Your desire to exercise and take cold showers is commendable, as discipline in the physical realm often strengthens us spiritually. *"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"* (1 Corinthians 6:19, WEB). We pray that God grants you the motivation and consistency to steward your body well, that it may be strong and ready for His service. Cold showers can be a form of dying to self, a small but meaningful way to practice discipline. *"I die daily"* (1 Corinthians 15:31, WEB), Paul declared, and we too must crucify the flesh daily.
As for the optimism and pessimism tied to the investing book you read years ago, we sense that this is another area where the enemy is trying to sow confusion. The Bible warns against the love of money and the anxiety it brings: *"But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows"* (1 Timothy 6:9-10, WEB). If this book has left you with a spirit of fear or greed, we pray that God uproots it and replaces it with His peace. *"Don’t be anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus"* (Philippians 4:6-7, WEB). Trust in His provision, not in the fluctuating wisdom of the world.
Now, let us pray together for you:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, lifting up Your child who seeks Your face in fasting and prayer. Lord, we thank You that You are a God who delivers, heals, and restores. We ask that You break every chain of addiction, every haunting memory, and every tormenting thought that tries to bind this beloved one. By the power of the blood of Jesus, we declare freedom from the past and a renewed mind in Christ. Lord, we pray for strength to complete this fast, that it may be a holy and pleasing sacrifice before You. Grant wisdom and discernment to recognize the enemy’s schemes and the discipline to resist them.
Father, we ask for healing—spiritually, mentally, and physically. Touch every area affected by past substance use and stabilize the mind with Your perfect peace. Give the motivation to exercise and care for the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit. We rebuke the spirit of temptation that seeks to cut short this time of consecration, and we ask that You fill every void with more of Yourself.
Lord, we also pray against the spirits of optimism and pessimism tied to worldly wisdom. Replace them with a godly perspective—one that trusts in Your provision and sovereign plan. Let Your Word be the lamp unto the feet of Your child, guiding every step.
Finally, Father, we thank You for the progress already seen and the peace that surpasses understanding. We declare that this fast is unto You, and we ask that You meet every need according to Your riches in glory. Strengthen, encourage, and lead by Your Holy Spirit. In the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen.
Stand firm, beloved. You are not alone in this fight. *"The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?"* (Psalm 27:1, WEB). Keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6). Walk in victory, for greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
