a daily prayer for those dealing with alcoholism

 


Alcoholism. For those who have broken free from the bonds of hell that bind you, I offer my sincere congratulations. I know of many of you for whom each day is a brand new day, full of promise and hope. For those who are still struggling with those chains, my prayers are with you. And for those who live with an alcoholic, I keep you in prayer, as I am also in that same struggle. I do not condemn the alcoholic. I know that many people deal with this. Each day you wish and wonder, "why does he/she DO that?" or "how can I help them to realize they are hurting themselves, me, the kids/friends/families...?" the list goes on.

I know. I count the "clicks" of that beer tab. I see the empty cans. I worry endlessly...."what about his liver..." I hate the "what if...?" feeling that I deal with every single day.

And so, with that in mind, I offer this prayer for those who struggle with addictions. Say it please, each day, as I will also. You don't need to let the one whom you are praying for know about this. This is between you and God. It will hopefully leave you with a sense of peace. Of giving that daily struggle up to God. Of hoping that your loved one can break free of that curse.

My friend, just take life one day at a time. That is all God has blessed us with in the first place anyway. It was true way back after the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, when they wondered "what will we eat and drink here in the desert?" It is also true today.


Dear Lord,

We come to you and we pray for all those who are struggling tonight. We ask in the name of Jesus, that you be with each person who is struggling with addiction...whether it be alcohol, drugs, sex, 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. We ask Lord, that you will give each person the courage to face up to their problems and to have a strong desire to change.

We 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, we know many self medicate so they won't have to deal with the pain in their life. We 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.

We ask for healing in families 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 has been affected by someone with 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 like for a person freed from pain and addiction. Lord, for every need spoken or unspoken... and you know them all, 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

May tonight be a night of life-altering change!
Believing in miracles for you!

 




Comments

  1. bookmarking this page...thank U!

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  2. I appreciate your speaking out about this. Been watching my wife go down that hole from hell and I wonder, "why do I put up with her?" You have shown...it is because Jesus pouts up with all of us! Please don't ever stop speaking up about this.

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  3. If not for reverend, I'd also be out in the streets--or worse. She didn't mention it, but she also wrote a book that literally saved me. "There but for the Grace of God (plus a few good friends & family) Go I." Get it and read it. She has a heart of gold.

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  4. Amen. 20 years and counting. I, too count the clicks, see the bottles and wonder...when the hell will he ever stop? Some days, I beg God to take MY life so that I don't have to witness him throwing his away. You gave me another day. Bless you.

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  5. So, you think you're a saint for dealing with it? just toss the bum out. After awhile on the streets, he'll learn. Or die from the lesson!

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    1. Wow...so Jenifer, you think you're a saint for all of the compassion you've shown? I have BEEN THERE-DONE THAT! I watched my mom die from her addictions! Throw her out? She cast me aside first just because she was always in jail and I was pretty much left to fend for myself, no thanks to the state! Then as an adult, I cast her out of mine, by not visiting her when she asked me to...and lost her. She died. Was it from my refusal...did she just give up? I live with that every day now. A saint? Yes, rev IS a saint. She knows of what she speaks. Had she tossed the bum out, as you so eloquently put it, a special someone who has been like a DAD to me...would never have even FOUND me! So..maybe grow a heart and then come judge the rest of us!

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  6. simply put...amen!

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  7. I read this as often as I can. I take one day at a time. IT is not easy. Some days I keep so busy that it is nighttime again and I wonder where the time went to. Other days go so slow and I wonder what can I do now? IT i sin those moments that I also wonder, can I make it to the liquor store before it closes? It closes at 10. But the bar is always open much later. This cycle is one many never get off of. I pray for your rob, Rev, that he is still safe. I don't hear much from him here, so am wondering what's up. I wonder about my wife and daughter. Did they really hate me that much before they died at the hands of a drunk driver? I wonder, what if that drunk driver were me? I wonder so many things. To your rob, please tell him that this ol' geezer still thanks him for being my inspiration. As are you, Rev Baum. My grandchild is so wonderful. When I do think of messin' up, I look into his face. I don't want to be that kind of jerk who lets his kid and grandkid down. Aw heck....it's too early in the morning...but thanks for listening.

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