We join you in thanking Jesus Christ for His provision, healing, and guidance in your life. It is wonderful to see your desire to steward your body well as a temple of the Holy Spirit, and we commend your commitment to physical health, family, and spiritual growth. Your gratitude for deliverance from harmful habits is a testament to God’s transforming power in your life. Let us address your requests with Scripture and prayer, while also offering biblical encouragement and clarity where needed.
First, we celebrate your trust in Jesus Christ, as you have rightly acknowledged Him as the source of all good things. It is only through His name that we have access to the Father, and we rejoice that you are calling upon Him. As Scripture reminds us, *"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me"* (John 14:6, WEB). Your faith in Him is the foundation for all your petitions, and we pray that He continues to strengthen you in every area of your life.
Your desire for physical strength and discipline is commendable, as the body is indeed a temple 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 pray that God grants you the resources and wisdom to acquire the equipment you need to honor Him with your body. However, we also encourage you to seek balance—physical strength is a gift from God, but it must never become an idol or a source of pride. *"Bodily exercise profits for a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come"* (1 Timothy 4:8, WEB). Let your pursuit of fitness be rooted in gratitude and a desire to serve God more effectively, not in vanity or worldly ambition.
Regarding your hope for employment, we pray that God opens the right doors for you in His perfect timing. *"Commit your works to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed"* (Proverbs 16:3, WEB). If it is His will for you to regain your previous job, we ask that He makes the way clear. But we also pray that you trust Him even if His plan differs from your own. *"Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight"* (Proverbs 3:5-6, WEB). Remember that God’s provision is not limited to one job or one source of income. He is your Provider, and He will meet your needs as you seek Him first. *"But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well"* (Matthew 6:33, WEB).
We also note your mention of medications, including risperidone, fluoxetine, and your hope for an Adderall prescription. While we understand that these medications can be helpful for managing health conditions, we encourage you to seek God’s wisdom and guidance in this area. The body and mind are intricately connected, and while medicine can be a tool for healing, ultimate peace and clarity come from the Lord. *"Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He renews my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahweh’s house forever"* (Psalm 23, WEB). We pray that God grants you restful sleep, mental clarity, and freedom from anxiety as you trust in Him. If you are struggling with focus or stress, we also encourage you to spend time in His Word and in prayer, for these are powerful tools for renewing the mind. *"Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God"* (Romans 12:2, WEB).
We must also address your mention of past struggles with smoking and illegally acquired drugs. We praise God for your deliverance from these bondages! *"Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s Kingdom? Don’t be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortionists, will inherit God’s Kingdom. Some of you were such, but you were washed. But you were sanctified. But you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God"* (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, WEB). Your testimony is a powerful reminder of God’s grace, and we pray that you continue to walk in freedom and victory. If you ever feel tempted to return to these habits, we urge you to flee from temptation and cling to Jesus. *"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, WEB).
Regarding your financial goals—such as solar panels, a house extension, and further education—we pray that God grants you wisdom in stewardship. It is good to plan and save, but we must always hold our plans loosely, submitting them to the Lord’s will. *"Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow let’s go into this city and spend a year there, trade, and make a profit.’ Whereas you don’t know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. For you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that.’ But now you glory in your boasting. All such boasting is evil"* (James 4:13-16, WEB). We pray that God provides for these desires if they align with His will, but we also encourage you to seek His kingdom above all else. Material blessings are temporary, but spiritual growth and eternal treasures are what truly matter.
Finally, we lift up your family to the Lord. Your desire to inspire them to pursue physical health is good, but we pray even more that they—and you—pursue spiritual health above all. *"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers"* (3 John 1:2, WEB). Let your life be a testament to the transforming power of Christ, not just in physical strength but in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). May your family see Jesus in you and be drawn to Him.
Now, let us pray together for you:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the name of Jesus Christ, lifting up our brother to Your throne of grace. Lord, we thank You for his heart of gratitude and his desire to honor You with his body, mind, and resources. We ask that You provide for his needs according to Your riches in glory. If it is Your will, restore his previous employment or open new doors of opportunity for him. Grant him the wisdom to steward his finances well and the discernment to prioritize Your kingdom above all else.
Father, we pray for his physical health and strength. Bless him with the equipment he needs to train his body for Your glory, but guard his heart from pride or idolatry. May his pursuit of fitness always be rooted in a desire to serve You more fully. We ask that You heal his body completely, especially his lungs and his mind. Grant him restful sleep, mental clarity, and freedom from anxiety. Lord, we pray for wisdom regarding his medications. Guide his doctors to prescribe what is truly best for him, and help him to rely on You above all else for peace and strength.
We thank You for delivering him from smoking and illegal drugs. Continue to set him free from every chain of addiction, and fill him with Your Holy Spirit. May he walk in victory and testify of Your power to others. Lord, we also lift up his family to You. Draw them closer to You, and use our brother as a light to point them to Christ. May they see Your love and faithfulness in his life and be inspired to seek You above all things.
Father, we pray that You align his desires with Your will. If solar panels, a house extension, or further education are part of Your plan for him, provide the means in Your perfect timing. But above all, may he seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, trusting that You will add all these things to him. Give him a heart of contentment, knowing that You are his Provider and his Portion.
We rebuke any spirit of anxiety, fear, or impatience that may try to take root in his heart. Fill him with Your peace that surpasses all understanding, and remind him that You are working all things together for his good. Strengthen his faith, Lord, and help him to trust You in every season.
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
