Skip to Content

Christian Guide: How To Pray For Someone With An Addiction

Learning how to pray for someone with an addiction can be a challenging journey.

Feelings of powerlessness and dread often accompany the act of praying for someone with an addiction. But this is what separates those who feel powerless from those who take action through faith.

If you don’t know how to effectively intercede in prayer for your loved ones battling addiction, it might seem like there’s no way forward.

But here’s the truth: without knowing how to pray for someone with an addiction, we miss out on a powerful tool God has given us—prayer that brings healing and restoration.

Pray for God’s Strength and Guidance

The struggle against addiction requires more than just human willpower. It demands divine intervention. So how do we invoke this higher power?

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

—Philippians 4:13

Christian Guide: How to Pray for Someone with an Addiction

Christian Guide: How to Pray for Someone with an Addiction

This verse reminds us that with the strength of Christ, we can conquer any challenge, even addictions. Human effort alone often falls short when combating addiction. We need to tap into a source of power greater than ourselves.

Navigating Through Challenges with Divine Guidance

In addition to strength, guidance is critical during recovery from addiction. As stated in Psalms 32:8, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” You can use this scripture to seek God’s instruction throughout a person’s journey toward sobriety.

Psalms 32:8, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Christian Guide: How to Pray for Someone with an Addiction

Pray for a Renewed Mind and Heart

The power of prayer in overcoming addiction cannot be overstated. During this battle, a key focus is praying for a renewed mind and heart.

Ephesians 4:23 (NIV) speaks directly to this need when it says, “to be made new in the attitude of your minds;” This means that prayer is an essential tool for mental rejuvenation.

Christian Guide: How to Pray for Someone with an Addiction

Christian Guide: How to Pray for Someone with an Addiction

Moving beyond simple mindset shifts, we must also consider emotional renewal. As Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV) promises us, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

Scriptural Prayers for Mental and Emotional Restoration

If we are serious about using prayer to support those with addictions, let’s explore some powerful scriptural prayers:

  • “Father Lord, as Your Word states in Romans 12:2, may my loved one experience transformation through the daily renewal of their mind in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

    "Father Lord, as Your Word states in Romans 12:2, may my loved one experience transformation through the daily renewal of their mind in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

    Christian Guide: How to Pray for Someone with an Addiction

  • “In accordance with Ezekiel 36:26, I decree that they will receive fresh hearts filled with Your Spirit, which can resist all forms of temptation in Jesus’ name.”

    Christian Guide: How to Pray for Someone with an Addiction

    Christian Guide: How to Pray for Someone with an Addiction

  • “We stand on Ephesians 4:23 and ask You, oh Lord, to make them anew, both mentally and emotionally. Amen.”

    “We stand on Ephesians 4:23 and ask You, oh Lord, to make them anew, both mentally and emotionally. Amen.”

    Christian Guide: How to Pray for Someone with an Addiction

With our understanding deepened on how critical prayer is for achieving mental and emotional restoration in those who are battling addictions, let’s move forward into exploring deliverance from temptation.

Pray for Deliverance from Temptation

Overcoming addiction through prayer lies in seeking divine help to resist temptation. Remember that no temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. God is reliable and won’t let us face a temptation that we can’t manage (1 Corinthians 10:13).

In the face of this immense challenge, we need to recall how our Savior Jesus Christ was tempted, yet He remained sinless (Matthew 4:1-11). It’s an affirmation that victory over the temptation of substance abuse isn’t out of reach.

As we pray, let us ask for deliverance with words such as those in Matthew 6:13: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” This verse embodies a plea for protection and strength against the allure of addictive substances.

Christian Guide: How to Pray for Someone with an Addiction

Christian Guide: How to Pray for Someone with an Addiction

Biblical Affirmations Against Temptation

To further fortify your prayers against addiction’s powerful pull, consider using biblical affirmations that directly combat temptation. James 4:7 provides such a tool when it says: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Christian Guide: How to Pray for Someone with an Addiction

Psalm 50:15, another potent scripture, encourages calling upon God during times of trouble. Repeating these verses while praying strengthens both your faith and their resolve.

Pray for Restoration of Relationships

Addiction can create a divide in relationships, but through prayer, these bonds can be rebuilt. As Christians, it is our job to plead for those dealing with addiction and implore God to restore their broken relationships.

The Bible provides guidance on reconciliation, offering teachings and examples. For example, Matthew 18:15-17 presents Jesus’ blueprint for resolving conflicts through loving confrontation and forgiveness. Let us use this scripture as our guide when praying for someone caught in the grip of addiction.

Embrace Forgiveness in the Healing Journey

In the path to recovery from addiction, forgiveness plays a crucial role. Ephesians 4:31-32 urges us to let go of bitterness, anger, harsh words, and any emotions that hinder healing. By extending forgiveness in our prayers, we open the door to restoration.

A Prayer Model for Rebuilding Relationships

We find a practical model in Paul’s appeal to Philemon. He asks Philemon to forgive Onesimus, a former slave who had wronged him, and to welcome him back as a brother (Philemon 1:8–16 NRSVCE).

By weaving these spiritual nuggets into our prayers, we can spark a sense of remorse. This not only aids the person battling addiction but also guides those who are affected by addiction into experiencing God’s healing touch.

Pray for Comfort in Times of Struggle

In the challenging journey of overcoming addiction, it is crucial to seek comfort and peace from a higher power. As believers, we can find solace within the Scriptures.

A Refuge Found in Scripture

The Word of God offers an unwavering refuge during times of struggle. Take Psalm 34:18, for instance. It reassures us that God is near to those with broken hearts and rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV) This verse serves as a powerful prayer point, inviting divine rest into the lives of those struggling under the weight of addiction.

Christian Guide: How to Pray for Someone with an Addiction

Christian Guide: How to Pray for Someone with an Addiction

Seeking Peace Amid Turmoil

Do not be anxious about anything… present your requests to God…

—Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything... present your requests to God... —Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Christian Guide: How to Pray for Someone with an Addiction

This scripture encourages us to pray over someone grappling with addiction. It is like asking our Heavenly Father to replace their anxiety with His serene peace.

Through these verses, interwoven into prayers, hope begins to bloom amid adversity. In our upcoming discussion on “Praying for a New Life in Christ,” we will delve deeper into how faith-based prayers possess transformative power capable of breaking the chains that bind individuals to addiction.

Praying for a New Life in Christ: A Christian Approach to Addiction

Dealing with addiction is not an easy feat. It is a struggle that requires not only physical intervention but also spiritual guidance. As believers, we are called to intercede, through prayer, for those trapped in the grip of addiction. But how should we pray?

Our prayers should center around the hope of finding new life in Jesus Christ—a life free from the chains of addiction and filled with joy and purpose.

Christian Guide: How to Pray for Someone with an Addiction

Christian Guide: How to Pray for Someone with an Addiction

In essence, our plea should be directed toward transformation and rebirth in faith.

The Power of Prayer for Transformation

We should not focus only on praying for freedom from physical dependencies, but it is equally crucial that we implore God’s help in sparking spiritual renewal for the addicted. After all, as stated powerfully in John 8:36 (NRSV), “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” This promise allows us to trust in God’s liberating power as we fervently ask Him to guide these individuals toward His love.

John 8:36 (NRSV), "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed."

Christian Guide: How to Pray for Someone with an Addiction

  1. Start your prayer by acknowledging God’s sovereignty over everything, including addictive behaviors or substances.
  2. Boldly declare your belief in His transformative powers, referencing scriptures such as Romans 12:1-2 (ESV),
  3. Plead with humility and conviction for divine intervention in the battle the person is facing.

Often, addiction steals away our happiness and sense of purpose. But remember, the Bible gives us hope for healing through faith in Jesus Christ. Keep verses such as Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) close to your heart.

Conclusion

Don’t take on the sole responsibility of praying for somebody with a dependency.

Remember, it starts by asking God for strength and guidance. A prayer can also serve as a plea for the renewal of their mind and heart through the power of the Holy Spirit.

And don’t forget to pray against temptation; this can be crucial in helping them overcome their struggle.

In your prayers, seek restoration of relationships damaged by addiction, ask for comfort during difficult times, and earnestly pray for the person’s new life in Christ, free from the chains of addiction.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start, let us help guide you in “How To Pray the Scriptures.” Our mission is rooted in teaching Christians how to establish the Victory Jesus Christ has given us through powerful prayers backed up by Scripture.   and experience the transformational power of praying Scriptures over those who are battling addictions.

Sharing is Caring

Help spread the word. You're awesome for doing it!