When someone you care about is going through recovery from
an addiction to drugs or alcohol, you want to do everything you can to help
them. While you can be there for them emotionally and physically, praying for
them is a powerful way to support them. There are some key points to remember
when you want to know how to pray for someone in recovery.
Find Strength in Your Helplessness
You may feel helpless as you watch your loved one go through
addiction treatment. You want to do what you can to help them, but you may not
be sure what that should be. Your helplessness can actually be one of the keys
for how to pray for someone in recovery. People tend to want to tell God what
needs to be done and when. Instead, remain silent in your helplessness and put
your trust in God as you pray. You can’t fix everything, but you know you can
trust in God.
Focus on Trust
Your loved one is learning how to trust a higher power in
recovery. As you pray for them, do the same for yourself. Recovery happens with
God’s help. You can also pray for the addiction treatment professionals who are
guiding your loved one through their recovery. At the same time, trust that
those professionals will do what’s right to help your loved one overcome their
addiction in a healthy and successful way.
Let Your Loved One Know
Sometimes, just knowing that someone is praying for you can
be powerful in itself. Send your loved one a written note letting them know you
are praying for them in recovery. By doing so, you’re acknowledging the
powerful force of God. You’re also encouraging them to put their trust in God
and to continue praying for help themselves as they go through their addiction
treatment program. Re-embrace hope through prayer for yourself and for your
loved one.
Healing in Prayer
It can be helpful to remember scripture
passages as you pray for someone in recovery. In particular, James says:
“Is anyone among you in trouble?
Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among
you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them
with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the
sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will
be forgiven” (James 5:13-15).
Praying in faith is reassuring to you and your loved one. You
know that when you put your faith and trust in God, you are responding to the
promises in his word. You know that your prayers are heard.
It can also be helpful to ask others around you, the “elders
of the church” as well as friends and family, members to pray for your loved one
in recovery. Encourage them to also send positive notes, letting your loved one
know they are in their prayers.
A Prayer of Power
Even though you may feel powerless, you know that God is
powerful and capable of providing the help your loved one needs in recovery
from their addiction. In prayer, you are bringing your loved one before God and
asking for the power of a healing touch. You are also being appreciative for
the forgiveness of sin and the promise of eternal healing for yourself as well
as for your loved one.
A Prayer of Strength
When you feel helpless, watching your loved one struggle
with addiction and the challenges of recovery, remember where your strength
lies. As the scripture in Psalms reminds us:
“I lift up my eyes to the
mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the
Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over
you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber
nor sleep” (Psalm 121:1-4).
As you pray for someone in
recovery, take comfort in God’s strength, that even though you and your loved
one may be overcome by sadness and fear, God does not sleep and is always there
with the strength you both need.
California Faith-Based Drug
Addiction Treatment
To get help overcoming drug
addiction, please contact Celebrate Hope to learn more about our faith-based
addiction treatment program. Our team helps men and women break the cycle of
addiction and begin anew. We rely on the teachings of Jesus Christ, along with
evidence-based therapies to get individuals on the path of recovery.
