A Prayer  Concerning Overcoming Addiction

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 51, Romans 7:14-25

Reflections of the Heart:

Sometimes, we experience things in life that grip us and won’t let us go. We submit to cravings and desires that, over time, dominate and control us. But, thank God, there is a way out, and His Name is Jesus Christ!

Scriptural Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus, the Name that is above all names. Thank You for giving us a greater power than anything that exists in this world. Thank You for never giving up on us, even when we fail time after time. You are so merciful and kind. We cannot live without You, Lord. We will praise You with our whole hearts. We will tell of the marvelous things You have done. We are filled with joy because of You, Most High, and we sing praises to Your Name! We know You to be a shelter for us when we are oppressed and troubled. You never abandon those who search for You. Lord, we love You. You are our strength. You are the Rock in whom we find protection and safety. Your Name is worthy of praise!

Faithful Father, it is not Your will for us to be lost and held captive by addictions to drugs, alcohol, sex, food, gambling, or any other vices. We decree that whoever the Son has set free is truly free. Therefore, we rebuke the spirit of addiction that seeks to destroy the lives of those within our Church Family, our personal families, and in our community. There is no other name that is powerful enough to save our loved ones who are bound by addiction than the Name of Jesus. Father, we declare that we are the righteous, and our earnest prayers have great power, producing wonderful results. We decree that we will not waver and doubt when things seem to get worse instead of better. We know that You will respond to our faith. Therefore, we declare that we will not cease to pray until our loved ones who are bound by addiction are released and delivered. We confess that the mighty weapons that we use are able to knock down human reasoning and destroy every proud obstacle that keeps them from knowing You. We expect that Your Word, as it is spoken to them, will capture their rebellious thoughts and will teach them to obey Christ. We decree, in the Name of Jesus, that our homes, our families, and our communities are restored back to You!

List the names of friends, family, or neighbors who are struggling to break free of an addiction. Commit to pray specifically for them today:

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Holy Spirit, make us keenly aware of those within our Church Family and community who are hurting and bound. Give us a warm heart of compassion toward them. Show us how to reach out to them without judging or condemning them. Remind us of Your love and grace that brought us through our trials. Help us to give those who are hurting and bound a reason to hope for a better life. Give us a hunger and thirst to pray and intercede for them until we see that they are delivered and set free from addiction. Heal them in every area of hurt. Strengthen and help those who have been hurt by the fallout of abuse – the grandparents raising grandchildren, incarcerated parents, abandoned and abused children, impoverished families, and those who have lost loved ones due to addiction. Help us, as a Church Family, to build better partnerships with community organizations who are reaching out to house, educate, and rehabilitate those who want to come out of addiction. May we be salt and light to them as the Lord has commanded.

Righteous Father, please forgive us for not being there when we should have for that person who turned to drugs for comfort. Forgive us for judging and condemning those who are addicted. Forgive us for overlooking opportunities to show love and compassion to the hurting families who are suffering from the effects of addiction. Forgive those who are addicted for turning to something unholy for help instead of turning to You. Forgive them for not responding to the voice of wisdom and making unhealthy choices in life. Forgive those of us who have at one time, knowingly or unknowingly, contributed to the cause of another’s addiction. Lord, forgive me for (list any sins that You have committed). Holy Spirit, remind those who are addicted of all those they need to forgive and help them to be quick to forgive. As for me, Holy Spirit, bring to my remembrance those I need to forgive. (Take a moment and ask the Holy Spirit to show You names or faces of people that You may need to forgive. As He shows You, say aloud, “I forgive name of person(s).” Now, trust the Lord to heal any wounds in Your soul caused by unforgiveness.)

Merciful Father, help those who are addicted to not yield to temptation; but deliver them from the evil one.

Exalted Father, ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything You made, we can clearly see Your invincible qualities – Your eternal power and Your divine nature. O Sovereign Lord, You have only begun to show Your greatness and the strength of Your hand to Your servants. Is there any god in heaven or on earth who can perform such great and mighty deeds as You do? In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture References for the Written Text: Philippians 2:9, I John 4:4, Psalm 9:1-2, 9-10, Psalm 18:1-2, John 8:36, James 5:16, II Corinthians 10:4-5, Matthew 5:13-14, Matthew 6:13, Romans 1:20, Deuteronomy 3:24

Today I will trust God to:

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© Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.   ©2011 Caldwell Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved — No reproduction of the material is permitted without the expressed permission of CMI.