Prayers answered for addiction

During the past year, our prayers for those with addiction have been answered.

A young man who had a drug problem suffers from depression. He hung around with other users and had a girlfriend who was a bad influence on him. At his lowest point, he tried to kill himself. By the grace of God, he changed his mind after taking the pills and was able to call someone. They got him to the hospital, saved his life, and enrolled him in an inpatient care facility where he got the help he truly needed. Since that time, he has separated himself from his friends and girlfriend and has been able to stay away from drugs. Hallelujah!

But by the grace of God I am what I am, 

and His grace toward me was not in vain; 

but I labored more abundantly than they all, 

yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

1 Corinthians 15:10 NKJV

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Please join me this week in gratitude for our Lord and Saviour. Let's give thanks for His love, mercy, and grace. Let's rejoice for His answers to our prayers.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
Instagram @archadia27
Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Drunkenness and cares

“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down 

with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, 

and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.

Luke 21:34 ESV

Unwise

Wine is a mocker, 

strong drink a brawler, 

and whoever is led astray by it 

is not wise.

Proverbs 20:1 ESV

Your body is a temple

If anyone destroys God's temple, 

God will destroy him. 

For God's temple is holy, 

and you are that temple.

1 Corinthians 3:17 ESV

Or do you not know that your body is a temple 

of the Holy Spirit within you, 

whom you have from God? 

You are not your own, 

for you were bought with a price. 

So glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV

Be sober-minded

Be sober-minded; be watchful. 

Your adversary the devil prowls around 

like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8 ESV

He hears you cry

I waited patiently for the Lord;

And He inclined to me,

And heard my cry.

He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,

Out of the miry clay,

And set my feet upon a rock,

And established my steps.

Psalm 40:1-2 NKJV

If you have a drinking problem, God hears your cries. Ask Him for help and guidance. He will answer.

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Please join us this week as we pray for those with a drinking problem. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

An alcoholic

I was so intrigued by the Proverbs 23:29-35 description of one consumed and ruled by alcohol, but I wasn't completely sure what it all meant so I looked to John MacArthur's commentary*. The text in red describes the italicized verse(s) that follows.

This is a riddle:
29 Who has woe?
Who has sorrow?
Who has contentions?
Who has complaints?
Who has wounds without cause?
Who has redness of eyes?
This is the answer:
30 Those who linger long at the wine,
Those who go in search of mixed wine.
This is when it's most intoxicating:
31 Do not look on the wine when it is red,
When it sparkles in the cup,
When it swirls around smoothly;
This is the hangover:
32 At the last it bites like a serpent,
And stings like a viper.
This is the delusion experienced when drunk:
33 Your eyes will see strange things,
And your heart will utter perverse things.
34 Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying:
35 “They have struck me, but I was not hurt;
They have beaten me, but I did not feel it.
This is the alcoholics waking thought:
When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?”
Proverbs 23:29-35 (NKJV)

* MacArthur, John (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible, New King James version.
     Thomas Nelson, Inc. Nashville, TN.

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Please join us this week as we pray for those with a drinking problem. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Pray for those who drink

     It's difficult dealing with a loved one who drinks too much. I don't know at what point they go from "drinking too much" to "alcoholic" but it doesn't really matter because both need help. If it's someone you're really close to, you feel hurt, frustrated, angry toward the person for putting you through this and resentment that they won't get help. A lot of the time, they maybe won't even be willing to admit that they need help, and those that do aren't "ready" to do anything about it because deep down, they don't want to quit.
     It's the Spirit fighting the flesh. Our sinful human hearts want the things we want, but deep down, we know it's wrong.
     The Bible often lists drunkenness right up there with idolatry, stealing, and adultery:

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 ESV

     Let's pray for the people who we know have a drinking problem that they may seek help. If you don't know anyone who drinks, then please pray for those within the church who have a problem, maybe that they will even seek you out and ask for help.

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Please join us this week as we pray for those who are alcoholics. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Addiction and Spiritual Warfare

Addiction is a disease. Some may look at it as the result of Spiritual Warfare. It needs to be treated as if it's both. We need to focus on the next step while we continue to pray for the people with addictions. You need to have plans in place for the what-ifs. I don't want to come across like I know anything at all about this subject, so I'm only sharing what I've learned from experience.
 - Who do you know who can speak to your loved one once they are ready to seek help?
 - Is there someone in your church family who he/she would listen to?
 - Would that person feel comfortable counseling your loved one?
Then there's the physical and mental part of the disease. If the person is a minor, I highly suggest you use facilities specifically for children. If you have a children's hospital, or behavioral center nearby, find out what services they provide and if they are accepting new patients. Often the breaking point comes without warning. Be in constant prayer for guidance and strength.

Know that what Paul told the Philippians (Phil. 4:13 NIV), still holds true for us today:

"I can do all this through Him who gives me strength." 

You've got this. 

Addiction

Encouragement for those who suffer

Encouragement for the addict and for those who love him/her:
"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."
(1 Peter 5:10 NIV)

Know that this suffering is not forever. Know that God hears your prayers and will answer in His time.

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Please feel free to share if you have any testimony, either about your faith or where you have seen God at work in your life, or someone else's life. Or, share a story of God answering your prayers.
You can either comment below or on our facebook group page: 7th Hour Prayer Power

Pray for someone with an addiction

Addiction is a terrible thing, not only for the physical damage it does to the afflicted person but also for the emotional and spiritual despair it causes for the loved ones of that person. We feel hopeless. We don't know what to do or say and nothing seems to help anyway. However, what we can do is pray. Prayer gives us hope and comfort; we can feel a sense of doing something that will make a real difference because we know that God is listening, and while He's listening, He's also there for us, encouraging us and guiding us, allowing us to minister to the person with the addiction.

Please follow along with our prayer group where we come together with one voice during the 7:00 hour to pray for the people around us. It's our goal to be steadfast and diligent in our prayer lives. As it says in Matthew 18:20 (NIV) Christ stated: "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” I believe that promise to hold true with our online group, also. We know that God hears and answers all prayers. Jesus Himself told us: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (Matt 7:7-8) Paul wrote: "Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything.” (Phil. 4:6) "and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” (Psalm 50:15 NIV)

I'll post a daily reminder to pray on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power