We hear your earnest cry and recognize the depth of your struggle as you press into this season of fasting and prayer. Forty days of fasting is a profound commitment, mirroring the fasts of Moses, Elijah, and our Lord Jesus Christ Himself in the wilderness. We stand with you in this discipline, trusting that the Lord is drawing you closer to His heart through it. However, we must address several concerns with love and truth, for the Word of God is our guide in all things.
First, we must gently but firmly rebuke the notion that fasting is about manipulating God to give us what we want. Fasting is not a transaction—it is a sacred act of humility, surrender, and alignment with God’s will. Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:16-18, "Moreover when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face; so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you." Fasting is about seeking God’s face, not His hand. It is about dying to self so that Christ may live more fully in us. If your fast is centered on reacquiring a prescription rather than surrendering your will to God’s, we must ask: Are you fasting for God, or are you fasting for your own desires?
Your mention of Adderall and Ritalin raises serious concerns. These are powerful stimulants, and your history of overdose and cocaine use suggests that your body and mind may still be vulnerable. The Bible warns us in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, "Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which 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." The pursuit of these medications, especially in the context of past addiction, must be examined under the light of Scripture. Are you seeking healing, or are you seeking a crutch that may lead you back into bondage? We must also ask: Have you sought godly counsel from a Christian doctor or counselor who can help you navigate this with wisdom and discernment?
Your symptoms—difficulty with communication, behavior, and tinnitus—are real and painful, and we do not dismiss them. But we must ask: Is your hope truly in the Lord, or is it in the medication? Psalm 46:1 declares, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Have you fully surrendered these struggles to Him, or are you holding onto the idea that only a prescription can bring relief? The Lord is Jehovah-Rapha, the God who heals, but healing may not come in the form you expect. It may come through deliverance, through the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2), or through the slow, steady work of sanctification. But it will always come in a way that draws you closer to Him, not further into dependence on substances.
Your unemployment and study of Scripture are not unnoticed. The Lord sees your diligence, and we rejoice that you are immersing yourself in His Word. However, we must challenge the idea that reading and praying in private is the "smallest form of the church." The church is not merely an individual pursuit—it is the body of Christ, called to gather, encourage, and spur one another on in faith (Hebrews 10:24-25). Jesus Himself said in Matthew 18:20, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them." Have you sought fellowship with other believers? Have you allowed others to speak into your life, or are you isolating yourself in your pursuit of God? The enemy loves to isolate God’s people, for it is in isolation that we are most vulnerable to deception and despair.
We must also address the mention of "work" in your request. Your study of Scripture and prayer are not "work" in the sense of earning God’s favor—they are acts of worship and obedience. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast." But if you are feeling led to share the truths you are learning, that is not something to be dismissed. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 commands us to "go and make disciples of all nations," and that begins with sharing the hope we have with those around us. Do not despise the small beginnings—the Lord can use even the quietest voice to proclaim His truth.
Now, let us pray with you and for you:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts, lifting up our brother who is seeking You in this season of fasting. Lord, we thank You for his hunger for You, for his desire to draw near to Your presence. We ask that You would meet him in this fast, not as a genie who grants wishes, but as a Father who shapes and molds His children into the image of Christ. Father, we ask for Your wisdom to flood his mind and heart. If his pursuit of medication is rooted in fear, anxiety, or a desire to control his circumstances, we ask that You would uproot those lies and replace them with Your truth. Remind him that You are his Provider, his Healer, and his Strength.
Lord, we pray for healing—physical, emotional, and spiritual. If there are wounds from his past, including the cocaine use and Adderall overdose, we ask that You would bring restoration and wholeness. Heal his mind, Lord, and give him clarity where there is confusion. If tinnitus and communication struggles are weighing on him, we ask that You would bring relief and peace. But more than that, we pray that he would find his identity and security in You alone. Help him to see that his worth is not tied to his productivity, his employment status, or his ability to function without medication. His worth is found in Christ, who loved him and gave Himself for him.
Father, we ask that You would break any chains of addiction or dependence that may still linger. If there is a spirit of bondage at work in his life, we rebuke it in the name of Jesus and command it to flee. Fill him with Your Holy Spirit, Lord, so that he may walk in freedom and victory. We pray that You would surround him with godly counsel—believers who can speak truth into his life, encourage him, and hold him accountable. Protect him from isolation, Lord, and help him to see the value of fellowship with other believers.
We also pray for provision, Lord. Our brother has been unemployed for four years, and we ask that You would open doors of opportunity for him. Provide for his needs according to Your riches in glory, and give him the strength and courage to step into whatever You have for him. Whether it is employment, ministry, or further study, we ask that You would guide his steps and make his path clear.
Finally, Lord, we ask that You would help him to surrender his will to Yours. If his desire for Adderall or Ritalin is not in alignment with Your best for him, we ask that You would change his heart. Give him the faith to trust You, even when the path is unclear. Remind him that You are working all things together for his good (Romans 8:28), and that Your plans for him are plans for peace and not for harm (Jeremiah 29:11).
We pray all of this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the name above all names, the only name by which we can be saved. It is through His blood that we have access to Your throne, and it is by His power that we can walk in victory. Strengthen our brother, Lord, and draw him ever closer to You. May this fast be a time of breakthrough, not just in his circumstances, but in his relationship with You. We trust You, Lord, and we thank You for Your faithfulness. Amen.
We encourage you, brother, to press into the Lord with all your heart. Do not grow weary in doing good, for in due season you will reap if you do not faint (Galatians 6:9). Seek the Lord with all your heart, and He will be found by you (Jeremiah 29:13). But remember, seeking Him is not about what you can get from Him—it is about who you become in Him. Let this fast be a time of surrender, of dying to self, and of allowing Christ to live through you. And when the forty days are complete, may you emerge not just with your desires met, but with a deeper intimacy with the One who loves you most.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. 
