How to Pray for Someone in Recovery

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.

Bible Verses About Depression | What Does the Bible Say About Sadness?

Sometimes your sadness is something more. October is designated as National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month, a time to learn more about symptoms you may be experiencing. In your sadness as well as in the longer lasting mental health condition of depression, you can find hope to help you through your day. It can be uplifting to know what the Bible says about sadness and to read Bible verses about depression.

Know You Are Not Alone

One of the most important messages you can find in Bible verses about depression is that you are not alone and that you can find the peace you need. There is nothing to fear when you have faith.

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” --Deuteronomy 31:8

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” --John 16:33

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” --Joshua 1:9

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” --Isaiah 41:10

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 8:38-39

You Have the Strength You Need

The Bible says that you can have strength you need to overcome your challenges, even in your sadness and depression.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” --Philippians 4:13

“The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” --Psalm 9:9

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” --Psalm 34:18

“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” --1 Peter 5:7

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” -- Matthew 11:28-30

Hope and Healing are Here

Bible verses about depression and sadness reassure you that you always have the healing power of hope, and help is always near.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” -- Romans 15:13

“Answer me quickly, O Lord! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” -- Psalm 143:7-8

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” -- Psalm 147:3

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” -- Psalm 42:11

“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.” -- Proverbs 3:5-6

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” -- Philippians 4:6-7

California Faith-Based Mental Health and Addiction Treatment

Celebrate Hope is here for you when you need help with mental health issues such as depression, particularly when it co-occurs with addiction. Please contact Celebrate Hope to learn more about our faith-based dual diagnosis treatment program. Our team helps men and women address the vicious cycle of mental illness and addiction so they can begin life anew. We rely on the teachings of Jesus Christ, along with evidence-based therapies to get individuals on the path of recovery.