A gracEmail subscriber writes that a relative who accepted Christ later became addicted to drugs and alcohol. “What is a proper prayer on behalf of an addict?” this reader asks. “How would you specifically pray for someone like this?”
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While there is no magic wording, based on biblical teaching about God, us and prayer, I might pray something like this: “Holy Father, you made us for fellowship with yourself, and you came in the person of your Son Jesus Christ to redeem us. Your will for each of us is freedom and life with you. With that in mind, I lift up (name) to you in intercession.
“Please enlighten his heart to see his slavery to (particular addiction). Please humble his pride and soften his will to acknowledge his condition and his need for you. In your mercy, please rescue him from this bondage, even as you rescued the Children of Israel from Egypt and brought them to the Promised Land.
“Show me how you would use me, should you wish for me to be involved. Bring into his life those persons whom you do wish to use. Exercise your mighty power on his behalf, the power by which you raised Jesus Christ from the dead. All this I ask for Jesus’ sake and for your glory, with gratitude for your many blessings. Amen.”