one day at a time, Lord...one day at a time.....

this book is available through www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com 

 It has been four years since my book, "There but for the Grace of God (plus a few good friends &  family) Go I," was published. This book details the other side of addiction, the side we don't want to acknowledge. Addiction is alive and among us and when it takes away everything a person has, until there is nothing but concrete underneath and blue sky overhead, when no one cares about you because they have all walked away, it is then that the heart just wants to die.

Who among us hasn't been touched by addictions? Who among us has picked up the pieces of the tatters of a life that once was vibrant? Who among us has made excuses for another, hoping that maybe tomorrow will be the day that a life will turn around...and instead it is just the same ol,' same ol'.

I myself have watched others suffer from alcoholism. I know that it is just a matter of time before one slip means a DUI, a lost job, disrespect, feelings of failure and defeat..and always the return to the one thing that never changes: comfort from a bottle. That person has to want to change. I can't make him or her do it. It has to come from within. So I stand on the outside looking in to a life that is replete with false promises of "maybe tomorrow I'll quit..."

For all of us dealing with this issue, I offer up a prayer of hope:

"Dear Lord, we come to you and we pray for all those who are struggling tonight with addictions. We ask in Jesus name that you will be with each person who struggles with alcohol, drugs, sex, porn, gambling, food...sometimes it's more than one at a time.

Lord, you are our deliverer. We can do anything through Christ who strengthens us...but we must take the first step. We must realize we have a problem and a need and we must ask for help. I ask Lord, that you will give each one the courage to face up to their problems and to have a strong desire to change.

I ask that you will remove all outside influences that hinder them from coming clean and who perpetuate their addictions. We ask in Jesus name that you will bind the enemy and that you will put your angels about each person to protect them tonight from themselves and from the things that keep dragging them down. Lord, I know many self medicate so they won't have to deal with some pain that's in their life. I pray that you will give them the courage and strength to face down their demons and hurts and to clean out the wounds once and for all so they can be free to be the person that you've called them to be...to be free from the sickness and pain that keeps them in bondage.

Lord, we just ask for deliverance for each person here in need of that life changing freedom they can find in you Lord. We ask for healing in families and friendships torn apart by addiction. We ask for protection for those family members that are in harm's way because of their loved one's addictions. Lord, everyone suffers in a family where there is addiction. Please pour out your grace, mercy and healing power on each person who is or has been affected by someone in their life that has an addiction.

May the chains be broken tonight Lord. Set the captives free and please begin that healing that only you can bring. Please bring hope...give a vision of what life can be as a person freed from the pain and addiction. Lord, for every need spoken or unspoken need, you know them all and we ask for your provision.

Please bring people into their lives, that will stand beside them and help them to be accountable and will help them to stay clean and free. May you restore their sense of self worth, may they find redemption and restoration in you Lord. We praise you and thank you Lord for the work you are going to do. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen"