Day 4 Prayers for Clarity

Ask for clear thinking and sound judgement in their decision making.

James 1:5"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

Many recovering addicts report moments of clarity in their life in addiction where God seemingly pulled the veil back and opened their eyes to reality, showcasing just how deceived they have been. Many times it’s only a moment but it is often these moments that lead them to get sick and tired of being sick and tired. As I’m sure most of you have heard before, when the pain of staying where you are outweighs the pain of change, you will begin moving forward.

Many times these moments of clarity come in times that we would never choose for them, that we would protect them from if we could. That is one of the reasons enabling our addicted loved ones is so dangerous. Unfortunately, it is often suffering that leads us to realize our need for Jesus and causes us to reach out for him to save us. I have written much more on this in an article entitled “Allowing God to be God” that you can find here.

I don’t believe that God calls us to alleviate all their suffering but I also don’t believe He calls us to go out of our way to cause their suffering either. It can be just as controlling and codependent trying to heap suffering upon them as it is to enable them. Either way, the goal is control them and their addiction and recovery. Simply put, assuming they are adults (the rules are different for children), it is not our responsibility. It is an attempt on our part to play God in their lives and we are very cheap impersonations of an all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-loving God. He can and will do a much better job at it than we can. Our job is to seek God first and love them, ourselves, and pretty much every one else in a way that honors God while respecting His sole authority to be the amazing God that He is.

I realize letting go and letting God in this situation is a tall order. It can be down right terrifying but it can also be a huge relief. In his book, Life’s Healing Choices, John Baker (founder of Celebrate Recovery) describes this struggle with denial as trying to hold a beach ball under water. It takes all your attention, strength, and concentration to keep it under water just as it takes all of that to manage our addicted loved ones lives. If we let up for a moment, we fear that that ball is going to fly out of the water and smack us in the face (everyone will know, some irreversible disaster will befall us or them). But if we slowly let it up, we can let it go and give it to our Lord and Savior for safe-keeping and we can go about unhindered doing the business he has actually called us to. It’s hard but it is so freeing.

So back to clarity… let’s pray that God will put them in exactly the situations He needs them to be in so that he can allow them to clearly see reality and find the grace, strength, and hope that only He can offer. Let’s pray for their hearts to be prepared for what God has to show them. Let’s pray it for ourselves as well. We have been deceived in this process too and we need God’s clarity in our own lives, choices, and actions. May God be with you as you begin this journey.

Precious Heavenly Father,

We come before You today with a special prayer for our loved ones who are struggling with addiction. Lord, we ask that You grant them clarity—clarity of mind, heart, and spirit.

In the midst of their battle, when confusion and darkness seem overwhelming, shine Your light upon them. Help them to see the truth of their situation, to recognize the harm that addiction is causing, and to clearly understand the steps they need to take towards healing and recovery.

Father, remove the fog of denial, fear, and hopelessness that clouds their judgment. Replace it with clear vision and insight, so they can make decisions that lead them closer to freedom. Guide them to recognize the support systems available to them, and give them the wisdom to seek help when they need it.

Lord, we pray that You fill their minds and ours with thoughts of hope, positivity, and courage. Help them to see themselves as You see them—worthy, loved, and capable of overcoming the chains of addiction. May they find clarity in knowing that Your love for them is unwavering, and that You have a beautiful plan for their lives.

We trust in Your guidance and pray that our loved ones will find the clarity they need to take each step forward in faith and determination.

In Jesus' name, we pray.

Amen.

Proverbs 3:5-6"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Psalm 119:105"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."

Isaiah 30:21"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"

1 Corinthians 14:33"For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints."

Psalm 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."