Powerful Verses to Pray When You Need Addiction Recovery
Too many lives are destroyed by the overwhelming power of addiction.
Too many families crumble because of the pain caused by addiction.
Addiction is defined as a persistent, compulsive dependence on a behavior or substance.
Some researchers speak of two types of addictions: substance addictions (for example, alcoholism, drug abuse, and smoking); and process addictions (for example, gambling, spending, shopping eating, and sexual activity).
Diagnosis is based on 5 criteria:
1. loss of willpower
2. harmful consequences
3. unmanageable lifestyle
4. tolerance or escalation of use
5. withdrawal symptoms upon quitting (Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine)
Based on that definition, I believe every family is touched by addiction in some way. Everyone knows someone whose life is being controlled by its power.
But there is a power greater than addiction … the Power that has overcome the evil of this world.
That Power is Jesus! The One who has invited us to come in prayer with every need.
So… let’s take Him at His word and go to Him on behalf of ourselves and our loved ones—those we know who need of addiction recovery.
Powerful Verses to Pray When You Need Addiction Recovery
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid or terrified because of them,
for the LORD your God goes with you;
He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Prayer for the One Fighting Addiction
Father, I feel weak and afraid. Temptations taunt and test me. Somedays the battle feels too difficult. But Father … I believe You are with me. You will not leave me to fight hard battles alone and You promised to give me courage and strength when I have none of my own. You are always near enough to hear my cries and hold me close. I need You, Lord. Amen.
Prayer for a Loved One Fighting Addiction
Father, My loved one is hurting. I see them feeling helpless and alone. But God … I know You are with him/her. Please help them to know and feel Your loving presence. Be their courage and strength. Hold them close as they cry and give them the courage and strength to fight this battle. Give them victory, Father. In Jesus name. Amen.
1 John 1:9
But if we confess our sins to Him,
He is faithful and just to forgive our
sins and cleanse us from all wickedness.
Prayer for the One Fighting Addiction
Father, I struggle with so much guilt and shame. The enemy continuously taunts me with my past failures. But You are faithful. Faithful! That means always. Every time. You promise to forgive each time we ask. So once again, I ask You to wash me clean in Jesus. Heal me by Your grace and mercy. I am so sorry. Forgive me. In Jesus name. Amen.
Prayer for a Loved One Fighting Addiction
Father, I see my loved one struggling to be free of the past. They continue to carry past pain and failures and it hurts me to see them in so much pain. Your Word promises that when we ask You to forgive us—You do! Please help my loved one come to You for forgiveness. Help him/her trust Your healing mercy and grace. Help them know the joy of being washed clean through Jesus. Amen.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ,
He is a new creature;
the old things passed away;
behold, new things have come.
Prayer for the One Fighting Addiction
Father, You can make all things new … even me. You can restore me. I’ve made a mess of things but You redeem my mess and through Jesus, You give me a future filled with hope. And with Your help, I can be the person I want to be. I can rise above the pain and misery, and live with joy. Thank you, Father. Amen.
Prayer for a Loved One Fighting Addiction
Father, I know You love my _____________. I believe You are able to transform him/her. Please turn them around and place them on a new path. Father, help me trust that You are at work in my loved one’s life. Keep me from interfering and each time I start to worry, help me to return to You in prayer. In Jesus name. Amen.
Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God
and His righteousness, and
all these things will be added to you.
Prayer for the One Fighting Addiction
Father, my addiction is powerful but I believe You are more powerful. So, I will seek You first. I will come to You for strength. I will surrender my all to Jesus, trusting that He is able to make me righteous … to take my sinfulness and make me holy. Thank you, Father, for this beautiful promise of hope. I am humbled and so very thankful. Amen.
Prayer for a Loved One Fighting Addiction
Father, please help my loved one to seek You. You alone are able to meet their needs. I pray that my ___________ will begin to know how much You love them. Please surround him/her with people who will point them to You. Unsettle them, Lord, until they turn to You. Please grant them addiction recovery. In Jesus name. Thank you. Amen.
Proverbs 3:5–6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make straight your paths.
Prayer for the One Fighting Addiction
Father, I surrender my heart, my addiction, my all to You. I trust that You are able to guide me today and every day in the future. You are my Healer and my Redeemer. You are my future hope and happiness. Thank you, Father. I trust You with all my heart. Help me remain strong as I stay humbly dependent on You. Amen.
Prayer for a Loved One Fighting Addiction
Father, please make my loved one’s path straight. Help him/her to find in You the recovery they so desperately need. Lord, I believe You are greater than their circumstances. You are the God of miracles. We need a miracle, Lord. Please help us. In Jesus name and through His power to heal and transform, I pray. Amen.
Addiction is painful for everyone who is touched by it. I pray these prayers will bless and comfort you. Know that I am praying for you and asking God to hold you close as you go through this difficult time.
Paige Taylor wrote a powerful post for CMB which published last Monday about the ways her faith in Jesus helped her with addiction recovery … if you missed it, you can find it here.
What a great resource this is with all the great verses and prayers! 🙂
Thank you so much for the feature!!! So excited, and even better than that, the prayers and verses related to addiction are just what I needed to read this late evening.
This is an encouraging post for those family members who are traversing this horrendous journey.
Thank you Deb,
Jennifer
Powerful, powerful, Deb! Our strength and resolve comes from the Lord.
Blessings to you!
Often we don’t know how to pray for one with an addiction because we are so wrapped up in witnessing and even experiencing firsthand the pain that spills over. When this is the case, compassion isn’t always easy to access, so I appreciate these prayers and scriptures, Deb.
Definitely printing out this post!!! Our county (like so many others) is struggling with a drug epidemic. This is such a great resource to have on hand! Thank you!!!
Praying right now for those trapped in harmful addictions. We never know what other people are going through that led them there, and what keeps them there. Jesus, have mercy.
I enjoyed both addiction-themed posts from this week, Deb. Thank you for bravely sharing on a tough topic that affects so many of us with addicted loved ones. I appreciate your honesty as always. Sharing on Pinterest and Twitter, friend.
Thank you so much, Deb! You are a blessing to me. I love these verses that you’ve shared.
Beautiful post with such wonderful Scriptures to pray. Thank you for this offering!
Thank you for sharing these wonderful prayers on such a hard topic. You are a blessing!
Wow, Deb, these are such good prayers and scriptures to use. Thank you for sharing them. Blessings to you! I’m your neighbor at the #BVNetworkParty.
Thank you for writing and sharing with Grace & Truth about such an important conversation.
A skilled and well-trained counselor will approach each client as a unique individual with challenges that require a custom fit. If a counselor states or implies that there is a one-size-fits-all solution to addiction recovery, then they are neither skilled nor well-trained. Their therapeutic style must be empathic, client centered, and flexible regardless of whether they accept the disease model or the life-process model of addiction.
That’s a helpful point, Nancy! Thank you! I agree . . . it is always helpful to have someone wise to help with recovery. Thanks for visiting and for joining the conversation. God bless you!
It is important to keep in mind that every individual is different, and what works for one person does not necessarily work for all. If your loved one tries this route and fails, it does not mean that the desire to quit is not there.
That is true! I do trust that God is at work . . . we will continue to pray for those who struggle in this area and ask God to deliver them. Blessings!