Abba Father,
We lift up to You every one of our friends and loved ones who are struggling with any type of addiction – to drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, gambling, pornography, social media, devices, gaming, sexual sins or food.
Heal them Father and deliver them completely from the evil chains of addiction and substance abuse.
Give them Your strength moment by moment, day by day. You have said that You will provide a way of escape. Be with them; let them run away from their addictions and run towards the comfort of Your arms.
Be with their loved ones and strengthen them – as they suffer along with them.
Your word says that if they will confess their sins, You are faithful and just to forgive their sins and to cleanse them from all unrighteousness. We ask the Holy Spirit to convict their hearts and bring them to repentance so that they can receive Your forgiveness and cleansing.
And let them also forgive themselves and be released from all guilt and shame. Only You can show them how much they are loved and valued by You, sweet Jesus.
Help them to emerge out of the state of denial and see that they can trust You to help them overcome every challenge with grace, love and faith. Show them that these addictions can never meet their deeper needs and that their behaviour has dire consequences which leads to further bondage.
Help them to renounce all associations with darkness and to claim their freedom in Jesus Christ. Don’t let them be abandoned in their distress, for You are their hiding place and have provided a way of escape from every temptation.
Remove from their thoughts the desire and appetite for drugs, alcohol, sex, food, gambling, or anything that is part of this disease, and cause the desires of their minds and heart to be in alignment with Your purpose for their lives.
Create in them a clean heart and renew a right spirit within them.
Send strong spirit-led people into their path to provide support, guidance, counsel, and accountability. Teach them how to set boundaries in relationships, to respect the boundaries of others and to severe ties with people who lead them into sin. Teach them to say NO to evil.
Precious Holy Spirit, nothing is too hard for You, as You have promised them forgiveness and the hope of a new beginning. While their bodies are weak, strengthen their souls and let their spirits be willing.
May they find fulfilment in You and not in any addictions.
In Jesus’ mighty name we pray.
Amen.
